The challenge of Laurent Bedrines from Béziers, a type 1 diabetic: running the Grand Raid de La Réunion, the Diagonale des fous

Laurent Bedrines ML

The Biterrois is a member of the “Type 1 running team” association which brings together walkers, runners (road and trail, all distances), type 1 diabetic triathletes and their loved ones. He feels ready to take up the challenge!

Sunday October 13, Laurent Bedrines from Biterrois, who works at Gedibois in Béziers, is leaving for Reunion Island. Objective: “Finish the toughest race in the world, the Grand Raid, the Diagonale des Fous ultra-trail, 175 km and 10,150 meters of elevation gain. The record is about 24 hours. I set myself 48 hours.”

A real challenge

It will be a real challenge, both athletic and life-long, since the trail runner is a type 1 diabetic, insulin-dependent. “But my illness won't stop me from setting myself challenges, and this one in particular”, explains the forty-year-old, diabetic for over 15 years but on an insulin pump for three years. Which means, among other things, that he has to quantify the carbohydrate intake as soon as he eats, with the help of technology (the box he constantly wears on him) with incorporated Artificial Intelligence.

But then, how will he do during the race ? “You can run and be on an insulin pump. I will have to manage my blood sugar, especially the spikes I will experience. But there will be 16 refreshment points where we can stop. That's when I will have to manage.”

On the sports side, Laurent Bedrines has been running for seven years. He has been a member of the “Type 1 running team” association since 2018, which brings together diabetic runners. Three of them – including Laurent – are going to La Diagonale des fous, five others on the Bourbon trail (100 km, 6,500 meters of elevation). “I started running quietly, and for the past 4 years, at a rate of 60 to 80 km per week. I also regularly take part in competitions.”

Prepared and motivated

In December, he was in the running for the Saint-Étienne Lyon (80 km, at night), then in February for the Trans Gran Canaria (90 km). “These are the two qualifying races to participate in the Diagonale des fous. I succeeded in knowing that I finished them. So I can do the Grand Raid, it's a first. But I prepared well and above all very motivated. I feel physically and mentally ready. For that, the association helped me a lot. As a type 1 diabetic and runner, I felt isolated. They gave me advice, particularly for the insulin pump protocol to be implemented during physical efforts."

Moreover, if the Béziers native is giving his testimony, it is because he "particularly wants to show and demonstrate that despite diabetes, it is possible to do high-level sport".

I subscribe to read the rest