Park Slope resident with type 1 diabetes to run NYC Marathon, raise money for cause

In less than two weeks, tens of thousands of runners will compete in the New York City Marathon.
For one competitor from Brooklyn, it will be a major milestone as she battles a chronic disease.
Amanda Jaguden has always been active, taking part in cheerleading and other sports until she was diagnosed in college with type 1 diabetes.

"I started having episodes of passing out a lot, and being really thirsty and my roommate at the time, her mom is a diabetic educator, and she told me I was showing symptoms of Type 1 diabetes,” says Jaguden.

Jaguden says receiving her diagnosis was challenging.

“I was in college, so it's not like I was living with my mom anymore, like I had take care of everything myself,” says Jaguden.

Despite the challenges, it didn't slow down the Park Slope resident.

“I decided to sign up for the New York City Half Marathon, and I got in my first try and after I ran that I felt really good after, and I was like, ‘I think I could pursue this, I think I could do the full marathon,’” says Jaguden.

For the past six months, the 23-year-old has been pushing her body for the grueling training.

“I have to constantly be thinking about where my blood sugars are and if I should take a break and if I should stop or if I should go faster,” says Jaguden.

Jaguden says she monitors her blood sugars through Dexcom and her insulin pump that is attached to her, giving her insulin regularly.

She believes it will all be worth it on Nov. 3 when she races with the “Beyond Type 1” team. They will not only be raising money for the organization, but also showing that people with diabetes can be active.

"For me it's not about going fast, it's just about doing it and completing it and just showing that I can do it,” says Jaguden.