Jeff Faneck, Philadelphia, Pa.
My name is Jeff Faneck, and I am a 32-year-old living with type 1 diabetes. I work as a pharmacist and enjoy running on the side. Last year I registered for a half marathon as a way to help control my condition as well as staying fit. Little did I know how addictive running could become.
I completed a total of five half marathons last year, each time learning an extra tidbit or two to balance the desire for an improved time with a focus on maintaining my blood sugar within a safe range. All the pre-race running is important, but nothing matches the emotion on race day.
With my disease, there is one way of adjusting to running in training, and a whole different method of handling race day. Initially, I signed up to try to finish one race while wearing an insulin pump, with my goal steadily progressing towards concentrating on bettering my time. In January this year, I set a new personal best of 2:01, with every intention of trying to complete this particular half marathon in under two hours. All other goals to this point have been achieved. My pump comes along for the run with me each time, literally. Running has become a very important aspect of my life.
Michael Faneck, Macungie, PA
I’d like to pass along my story of inspiration – my older brother, Jeffrey Faneck. Jeff grew up as a 3 sport athlete. He played little league baseball, youth basketball and youth soccer. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to play alongside him during little league. He was and incredible shortstop. No matter how hard the ball was hit, Jeff was always there to field it. During his soccer career, he had the hardest left-footed shot I’ve ever seen. But at the age of 13, his life took a sudden change – he was diagnosed with type 1 juvenile diabetes.
Jeff was forced to take some time away from sports, but he always kept his drive. He continued to show up at his youth basketball games and sat with the team and joined in on the time out huddles. After high school he developed foot problems as most diabetics do. During the summer of 2010, we kicked around the idea of running the Disney World Half Marathon in January of 2011. Out of my two brothers, I never thought he would be the one to approach me about running a half. Jeff finished in 2:15:00. I couldn’t have been more proud.
Unfortunately, he developed some more foot problems and had to take some more time off. But what did he do later that year? He completed the Virginia Beach Half, Philadelphia Half, San Antonio Half, Las Vegas Half, and the Disney World Half again, making it 5 half marathons in 4 months.
I have been doing full and half marathons since 2004. To see my brother run like he has – he gives me inspiration to hit the pavement. To go through what he does just to run – manages his blood sugar, diets right, and watches his feet – is truly an inspiration for me. I thought about hanging up my shoes a couple times, but he keeps calling me to join him. How could I say no? This my fifth St. Luke’s Half Marathon, but it’s his first. We are going to set a PR for him tomorrow.
If I could somehow combine my medal with his and give him one big medal, I’d do it in a heartbeat.hank God for the St. Luke’s Expo and for Dr. Gulotta and his team at St. Luke’s.