Salvador's Story

My name is Salvador Martínez and I am part of Team Novo Nordisk, a global team of athletes with diabetes, spearheaded by the world's first all-diabetes professional cycling team. I am 36 years old and have been living with diabetes since I was 13 years old. I live in Metepec, which is a great town located about 60 miles away from Mexico City.  

I was diagnosed with diabetes in the summer of 1992. After experiencing a range of symptoms, I began feeling especially weak and dizzy while helping my father in the garden one Sunday morning. I stopped working and went to bed.

My father, a cardiologist, came in to find out what was wrong. After I told him how I was I feeling, he did a urine test which showed ketones and high levels of glucose. So, my father immediately took me to the hospital where I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I spent a week in the hospital and began to discover what it was like to live with diabetes.  

At first, I was in shock and denial. I found it challenging to learn how to properly manage my diabetes.  In the first few days, I would always count the times I received my insulin injection, but later in the week I lost count. I also decided not to tell my friends right away because I was afraid my condition would make them question our friendship. When I was with them, I acted like nothing was different, without being aware of the risk I was placing on myself. 

On the other hand, my family was very supportive. My mother adjusted her cooking recipes and was always right behind me, checking my insulin doses, monitoring my glucose management and checking my diet. My father, being a doctor, was always supportive of my mother and looked after me. 

In those days, I was not yet into playing sports. I was more interested in video games and watching TV, but my doctor encouraged me to be more active. So, I got involved on the basketball and football teams at school. To be honest, I was not very good at those activities. 

When I was in junior high, I started hanging out with some friends who were into mountain biking. I soon discovered a passion for it and quickly became a mountain biker! In high school, I began competing in triathlons. Then, I started Medical School, and since it was very demanding, I paused my athletic career until I started getting serious about running in November 2011.  I bought a treadmill and started to run. I felt like a hamster on a wheel, but I also began to feel good and happy and my mood and diabetes management improved too (back then I was already married, and practicing my career as a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist). In February 2012, I ran my first 10k and since then, running and competing in races has become my passion in life! 

In 2013, I decided to get serious with running, and this October, I completed my sixth marathon. All of them have been great achievements for me, especially three: Chicago in 2014, where I achieved my personal record; Boston in 2016, which is the race with the most historical significance for me as a runner; and my last race in Queretaro in 2016, which was my second fastest marathon time.  

Another great thing that running has given me is the opportunity to join Team Novo Nordisk. In November 2014, my doctor and friend, José Antonio Cetina, met the team CEO and co-founder, Phil Southerland, at a meeting. After listening to Phil speak, he wrote me saying I should apply to run with Team Novo Nordisk. So I filled out my application and one year later I was invited to join the team!  

When I got the wonderful news that I would be part of Team Novo Nordisk, my dream became a reality. I am very motivated and happy to be part of this team and especially excited to show the world what may be possible with diabetes. Empowering and motivating people with diabetes is such a huge honor!  

A little more about me:  when I'm not running,  I enjoy spending my free time having fun with my wife, daughter, family and friends, taking walks with my dog, reading, and listening to music (everything from rock-n-roll to jazz).  I also enjoy traveling and visiting new places. 

Salvador Martinez