Diabetes Awareness - World Diabetes Day

I'm Kristy Thida (39 years old), a triathlon enthusiast, working in the healthcare industry, with a passion for making a difference.

On 12th Nov, I will be participating in an Ironman 70.3 Melbourne competition supporting a significant cause, that’s close to my heart. The Ironman 70.3 long-distance triathlon will involve a 1.9km swim, 90km cycle and 21km run in the well-known precinct of St Kilda, along Melbourne’s iconic coastline.

The Cause

We all know or have someone close who is diagnosed with either Type 1 or 2 diabetes. The International Diabetes Federation estimates that 1 in 10 adults worldwide have diabetes and close to half are not yet diagnosed. Personally, my dad was diagnosed with Type II diabetes when he was in his forties. Unfortunately, in 2020, my dad lost the battle to Covid, due to the underlying condition of diabetes and high blood pressure. My participation in the Ironman challenge will attempt to raise awareness for this serious disease and the complications it can bring.

The timing of the Ironman competition falls in the week of World Diabetes Day, the world's largest diabetes awareness campaign. World Diabetes Day (WDD) was created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization, in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes. WDD became an official United Nations Day in 2006 and is marked every year on 14 November, the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who together with Charles Best, co-discovered insulin in 1922.

My Story

I am originally from Myanmar and migrated to New Zealand 21 years ago, where I currently still reside. I am a medical laboratory scientist by training and now work in the healthcare industry as an Account Manager and Product Manager for a biotechnology company called Bio-Rad Laboratories. Prior to joining Bio-Rad, I was a senior medical laboratory scientist for 7 years, specialising in immunology. In my role at Bio-Rad, I work with Hospitals and Pathology labs to assist with providing diagnostic solutions especially focused on clinical immunology and diabetes.

Growing up, I was never active, I didn’t play sports or participate in any type of slightly strenuous outdoor/indoor activity. I would resort to driving over walking, puff just after running 100 meters, and only exercise during a shopping outing. You can imagine my starting fitness level and exercise habits were basically zero.

Doing an Ironman race was a personal challenge I would never have thought I could ever achieve. The idea of participating in triathlon competitions formed in 2020, after my father's passing, when I joined a women's gym. It was there that I met new friends who introduced me to mini triathlons. It took a lot of encouragement and persuasion from my gym buddies until I finally agreed to try something I initially thought was impossible.

I went from never being active to accepting the wild and difficult challenge of participating in a full-blown triathlon. I learned how to swim, bike, run from scratch and build my fitness level right from zero. Within 24 months, I trained hard and completed my first full Ironman (3.8km swim, 180km bike, 42.2km run) competition in March 2023. Along this journey, I had many up and down moments and struggled with a number of injuries... but I did it!

Inspired, I continue to make Ironman training an important part of my life. So, here I am today in another triathlon challenge. But this time, rather than all about me and my challenges, I would like to encourage others to make healthy decisions and break poor habits. With regular physical activity, the risk, and complications of diseases like Diabetes can be significantly reduced and better managed.

The Event

In support of Diabetes awareness, on the 12th of November, my participation in the Ironman 70.3 event will see me raise money for Diabetes Australia. The high demand of the triathlon means dedicated hard work, training, and commitment.

With this journey, I am raising awareness of the seriousness of diabetes and ask for your support. I encourage a donation, be it big or small, that will go towards the support of people living with Diabetes.

Over the next few weeks, I will also share some of my training journey for a little inspiration. Watch this space!