Eric Anderson, 45, alongside his girlfriend, Kelly Banna, recently completed the Dopey Challenge in Orlando, FL. We talked with the Centreville, VA resident to see what drives him to raise money for Team Breakthrough T1D and his best tips for handling long runs with 34 years of diabetes management.

Q: So what exactly is the Dopey Challenge?

A: The Dopey Challenge is a “challenge race” that occurs over four days. You run a 5K, 10K, half-marathon and then a full marathon in four successive days. I first did the challenge back in 2014.

Q: That’s quite a feat. And I heard that things didn’t go completely to schedule?

A. Yes, the half marathon portion of the race was actually canceled due to weather. However, I couldn’t just not run. Kelly and I went to a local gym and ran the half marathon portion on treadmills. I felt like I had to do it. Not only to achieve the challenge for myself, but for the people who pledged their money to me and to Breakthrough T1D. It was only right that we got the miles done.

Q: How did you feel after the final race day?

A: I actually felt pretty good. I always try not to sit down after a race. My girlfriend and I walked to go do some celebratory eating. I definitely think that our plan of splitting up the races into alternating walk and run intervals helped. It was also just an amazing feeling to have not only have finished the challenge, but to have raised over $3,000 for Breakthrough T1D and support others with T1D.

Q: How did you manage your blood glucose levels during the races? Any advice for others?

A: I would say splitting races into intervals definitely helps. I make sure to fuel myself periodically as well using Honey Stingers (brand of energy gels, waffles and bars), but I only feel like I really need those for full marathons. Powerade and water also can be helpful. I am very careful to make sure that I don’t have any rapid crashes when I am straight running.

Q: When did you get interested in running?

A: It was probably around the end of college that I started getting serious about running again. I took some time off because of T1D. I was using long lasting insulin at the time and it would cause me to crash hard. But when I switched to a pump it allowed me to better manage my levels and raise myself up to running more and more. Eventually I just became addicted to challenging myself and crossing finish lines.

Q: What would you say to someone who thinks it’s not possible for someone with T1D to do the Dopey Challenge?

A: I would offer myself as a counterexample. I think with any long distance run you have to train and go in with a plan. But T1D doesn’t have to stop you from doing the things you want to do. I will say that T1D makes you put your brain in the place where most people’s bodies would automatically manage things, but I think something like the Dopey Challenge would be hard for anyone. Having Team Breakthrough T1D personnel and Kelly beside me was also amazing support. It’s just a good feeling to know that you have people behind you willing you to succeed.