A 59-year-old triathlete ran from Disneyland, California to Disney World, Florida to raise awareness of type I diabetes.
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Don Muchow, a Texas marketing director, was diagnosed with the blood sugar disorder as a teenager, WFTV reported. A PE teacher told him to avoid exercise to reduce the risk of low blood sugar. This recommendation later led to other health problems. In 2003, Muchow was 50 pounds overweight and had serious diabetic complications.
“By then I knew my PE teacher was wrong. I knew exercise was critical to helping type 1 diabetics stay healthy, control blood sugar, and minimize complications, ”he said.
Muchow changed his lifestyle and became a triathlete. Since then he has participated in numerous triathlons, ultra marathons, bike rallies and half marathons.
In February 2020, Muchow initially planned a trip from California to the Atlantic coast of Florida. When he started finalizing the plans, he decided to run from one park to another.
The next year he ran the nearly 2,800 miles from Anaheim to Orlando. He made it to Disney World on Monday. Performers and guests lined the park entrance and cheered him. He arrived in Melbourne Beach on Wednesday to complete his trip.
“There is always a way forward,” he said on social media. “Beyond the justified fear of lows and highs. The diagnosis is the beginning, not the end. “