KAMAL DATTA: Welcome, Simone, to this podcast. I'm excited to have you here and hear your story, so welcome. SIMONE CARNIGLIA: Hi, thank you so much. Thank you for having me. It's a pleasure to participate in this initiative. KAMAL DATTA: Awesome. So let's start with a little bit of your background. SIMONE CARNIGLIA: Sure. My name is Simone Carniglia. I'm 36 years old, and I'm from Italy, specifically on the coast in a town called Tortona. It's halfway between Milan and Genoa. In terms of my professional background, I'm a mechanical engineer, but I work more in project management for digitalization projects. As for my running background, it's a bit of a long story. I started running less than five years ago because I always played team sports like basketball and handball for fun. However, I have Type 1 diabetes, which I've had for 24 years since 1999. I've kept my diabetes private for a long time, but I decided to share my story now. I started running because, after an injury, I gained a lot of weight and reached 125 kilograms. I wanted to lose weight, so I tried running based on my friends' suggestions. I fell in love with the sport and decided to take on challenges, like running a marathon. In less than six months, I ran my first marathon in Milan. Then I set my sights on running all six World Marathon Majors, which was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So far, I've completed four of them: London in 2021, Boston and Chicago in 2022, and Tokyo in 2023. My main goal now is to complete the sixth major, Berlin, this fall. I've also set a challenge to become the fastest diabetic to complete all six majors in under 2 hours and 45 minutes. KAMAL DATTA: That's an incredible journey, Simone. To overcome the challenges of Type 1 diabetes and become such a dedicated marathon runner is truly inspiring. Now, let's talk about your choice of long-distance running. When you started running, you had the option to choose from various sports. What drew you specifically to long-distance running? SIMONE CARNIGLIA: It all started with walking and trekking. I began walking a lot to address my weight issue and get active. During a group trip with people I didn't know well, they suggested trying running. I gave it a shot and quickly fell in love with the sport. What I love about running is the sense of community it brings. It's not just an individual sport. While we run alone, there's a feeling of being part of a larger community, which is something special. We all have different paces and goals, but we can enjoy the same race together. It's a sport that allows you to compete with yourself, continually raising your own bar. That's what I find so captivating about running. KAMAL DATTA: That's a great perspective, Simone. Running certainly offers a unique sense of community, and the individual challenges make it even more rewarding. Now, let's dive into the aspect of managing Type 1 diabetes while running. How do you handle the challenges of training, practicing, and running with Type 1 diabetes? SIMONE CARNIGLIA: Managing Type 1 diabetes while running is indeed challenging. It's an autoimmune disease where the pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone that regulates glucose levels in the blood. People with Type 1 diabetes like me rely on insulin injections and have to calculate their carbohydrate intake meticulously. We calculate how carbohydrates affect our blood glucose levels, but it's not straightforward because various factors come into play, such as mood, weather, and individual differences. For example, hot weather lowers blood sugar levels, while cold weather raises them. Each person's response can be different. It's not easy to predict and manage, especially during exercise. We also need to keep hydrated, but too much insulin can lead to hypoglycemia and fainting during a race. It's a delicate balance. Nowadays, we have continuous glucose monitoring devices that make it easier to track our blood sugar levels, but managing insulin doses is still complex. Before running, I need to ensure my blood sugar levels are slightly elevated, especially to avoid hypoglycemia during a race. Dealing with high blood sugar levels is also tricky because it can lead to dehydration. To summarize, we must pay close attention to our glucose levels, carbohydrate intake, and insulin doses to maintain balance. It's not easy, but it's manageable with practice and experience. KAMAL DATTA: It sounds like an extremely challenging condition to manage while running, and you've overcome those challenges admirably. Now, let's talk about your support system. While running may seem like an individual sport, many runners rely on a support system to help them achieve their goals. Who makes up your support system, and how important is it in your running journey? SIMONE CARNIGLIA: Running is often seen as an individual sport, but it's undoubtedly a team effort. My support system includes my family, friends, coach, and a physical therapist. My father, in particular, has been a crucial part of my journey. He supports me during my training and races, helping with hydration and encouragement. I also have a coach who guides my training and helps me prepare for races. When I face physical issues or injuries, a physical therapist steps in to assist. These individuals are part of my close support team. Additionally, while I often travel to races alone, I meet fellow runners and make friends from all around the world. These connections become part of my extended support system. We share stories, support each other, and keep in touch. It's a unique aspect of running that creates a sense of community even in a seemingly individual sport. In a way, running is both an individual and team sport. While we run alone, we're never truly alone, and the support we receive from our close support team and fellow runners is invaluable. KAMAL DATTA: That's a great perspective. Running may be an individual endeavor, but the support system and connections you build along the way make it a team sport in every sense. Now, looking ahead to the Berlin Marathon, what are your expectations, and what are you looking forward to the most? SIMONE CARNIGLIA: Berlin is my target race for this year. Despite facing some challenges during my preparation due to a previous injury, I'm still aiming for a personal best. Berlin is known for being one of the fastest marathons, so I wanted to perform at my best there. It's a special race because I'll be sharing the road with Eliud Kipchoge, who is an inspiration to me. We both have our goals, and I hope we both achieve our personal bests. Although I might not reach my dream goal for this race due to the injury setback, I'll give it my all and strive to perform as fast as possible. The experience of running in Berlin, alongside incredible athletes and the supportive crowd, is something I'm eagerly looking forward to. KAMAL DATTA: It's going to be an amazing experience for sure, Simone. We'll be cheering you on, and I wish you the best of luck in achieving your personal best and continuing to inspire others with your remarkable journey. Thank you for sharing your story and insights with us today. SIMONE CARNIGLIA: Thank you so much. It's been a pleasure to be here, and I appreciate your support.