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Swim, Bike, Run
PhD student turns her diagnosis into motivation
L
auren Dahlin knows that big goals are best
achieved a step at a time.
It’s something she’s learned as a PhD
candidate and triathlete, living with type 1 diabetes.
Dahlin was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2017,
when months of incorrect diagnoses landed her in the
emergency room. Finally having a definitive diagnosis
was a relief, but it came with an understanding that her
life would change forever.
“I went to four different doctors who all basically
told me I was a workaholic who probably had a virus,”
said Dahlin, a PhD student in information systems at
Maryland Smith. “Their answer was to drink more fluids
and get more sleep, but I knew that there was something
wrong with me.”
The following year, as she adjusted to her new normal,
Dahlin decided to run a marathon. It was something
she’d never done before. So, she signed up for the
Disney Marathon for the Juvenile Diabetes Research
Foundation and raised $2,000 for the organization.
“After I was diagnosed, I was looking at ways I could
spread awareness and raise money for charity,” she said.
“I have this really strong desire to take on these athletic
challenges to get that strength and empowerment.”
At the same time, she began her doctoral studies
at Maryland Smith, adding full-time studying and
research responsibilities to her already busy life.
She was determined not to slow down.
“I have to give the faculty I work with at Smith a huge
amount of credit for working with me and basically
doing everything they could to keep the process
as seamless as possible,” said Dahlin. “I’m
so thankful for the tremendous amount
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of support while I pursued my research, adjusted
to life with type 1 diabetes and took on these
endurance sports.”
Eight months after the Disney Marathon, Dahlin
completed an Ironman Triathlon, which consists of a 2.4mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride and a marathon 26.22mile run, raced in that order. For an athlete with type 1
diabetes, the contest poses particular challenges, not
least of which is the need to administer insulin mid-race.
Nonetheless, Dahlin said, the competitions are a
chance to live in the moment.
“You can just focus on one foot in front of the other,
one pedal stroke after the other, for the entire day. And
then you’re done and it’s the most amazing rush ever. For
me, it’s the greatest form of meditation and everything
else just fades away,” said Dahlin. “I think biking, running
and swimming offer those moments where I can think
about myself and, to a certain degree, my diabetes too
without other things getting in the way.”
Now in her third year at Maryland Smith, Dahlin is still
pushing herself both athletically and academically. She
has more goals ahead.
She has her sights set on competing in the Ironman
World Championship and becoming the fastest
female Ironman with type 1 diabetes. Even during the
COVID-19 pandemic, she has remained focused on
training, running virtual races.
At Maryland Smith, Dahlin has completed her
coursework, has taught two sections of master’s level
data analytics courses with Python, and has become
known as the Ironman professor.
“I’m just trying to fill my life with meaningful
experiences," she said. /PS/
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