The Melbourne to Warrnambool is Australia's oldest one day bike race and one of the world's longest.  The current route stands at 262km, and consists of a constant suffer fest as riders typically battle headwinds and rain as they push west.  Affectionately known as 'The Warny', for many simply finishing is a career best achievement.  Mount Gambier rider and type 1 diabetic Matt Opperman is not just a 'finisher'. Matt is a multiple survivor of the event, and this year has a truly remarkable tale to share with us.  I hope you enjoy!

Matt with his lovely children, Jack, Harry and Molly

2011 Warny

By Matthew Opperman

Diabetes has been alongside me for nearly 27 years. It’s been a part of my life. My initial thoughts were one of uncertainty, of the unknown – what lies ahead for me? When I look back and think about what I first thought when I was diagnosed, who would have known that I’d as successful as I have been – having a wonderful family and being a fairly reasonable bike rider. Never did I think when I was young that these things were possible, living with diabetes.
 
Nowadays, my diabetes is controlled with a Medtronic insulin pump. My wife, Tina, was at once stage calling an ambulance 3 or 4 times a week due to my blood sugars dropping severely low. She recalls me turning blue, convulsing and thinking that we need to be looking for advice from an endocrinologist. We headed to the city and crossed paths with Dr George Tallis, who has now been my guide for some 10 years. It was George who suggested trying a pump some years later which has definitely changed my life. It makes me feel almost normal. My external ‘pancreas’ has been a lifesaver and I wished that I used this amazing piece of technology sooner.
 
In October this year I attempted my 7th Melbourne to Warrnambool ride (finishing 6) and 14th Mount Gambier 100 Mile race (finishing 11). It takes some time to prepare for these races, both mentally and physically. Apart from the long training rides to prepare my body physically, I have to know when to bolus, when to eat to get the ride right. I usually get a continuous glucose monitoring sensor fitted two days before, which tests my blood automatically every five minutes. This allows me to see my BGL and determine the best form of action to take.
 
During this year’s Melb to Warny I took along my employee who was a maiden to this type of event. Not knowing the course of action, he missed two of the four feed stations, meaning I had no food or drink to replenish what I had bolused. In a panicked state, I had no option but to go back to the commissaries car and ask John Craven, the race director, that I needed food. At the time my BGL was 9.8 and I thought I’d get to the next feed station (70kms away) without eating. But this wasn’t the case. Craven quickly acted and talked on the CB to race followers to find a spare feed bag for me. Team Genesys were behind me in no time with a drink bottle. I was grateful for their quick support and this enabled me to get to the next feed station. They were unaware of my condition until notified and were more than happy to share their reserves.
 
I was being conservative at this stage of the race, sipping on the drink, as I thought I’d use it all quickly and have nothing left. With 15kms to the next feed and blood sugars dropping, my feeders missed the station and once again, I had to rely on Team Genesys for support. Giving me a banana and a drink bottle (at the 130km) this topped me up! If it wasn’t for them, I would not have made it through. With 40% of the race starters not finishing, it was pleasing to finish yet another tough race. Having raced in Grafton and Tasmania, it’s always good to see that black and white chequered flag, knowing you’ve not only conquered the race but living with diabetes.
 
Leading up to races like this, I need to train a lot.  I’m lucky to run my own business, allowing me to knock off work early and train. At times it’s a battle – as blood sugar levels are never the same each day. My pump allows for training sessions, reducing the amount the insulin needed. This allows for the flexibility but most of the time it is a guessing game. It’s a fight to find the right time to train, how much insulin to set in etc. Coming into the track season now, which is high intensity efforts, my blood sugars are always higher, which is another hurdle to cross.
 
For me it is so important to have a good relationship with your dietician/endo as they are a wealth of knowledge. At the end of the day, I would give up anything to be normal, to not have to worry about testing my blood 6-8 times a day, worrying about what I am eating. However, I am alive, healthy and fit and love life to bits!
 
Matthew Opperman