Facing obstacles is nothing new to runner Delilah Topic.

A type 1 diabetic, the 37-year-old Kelowna athlete乌鸦传媒檚 health on race day is largely unpredictable.

Topic, who relies on an insulin pump to control her blood sugar levels, will be hoping for the best later this month at the

In addition to the challenges diabetes presents for both training and competing, Topic is also recovering from a broken toe.

Still, even with the added burden of an injury, Topic is crossing her fingers she乌鸦传媒檒l be ready to go in two weeks time.

乌鸦传媒淚 still am hopeful to get on that start line in New Zealand, but I know my ability to compete will obviously be largely hampered,乌鸦传媒� said Topic, who is currently cross-training on a bike, with plans to soon resume gentle running.

乌鸦传媒淚乌鸦传媒檓 heartbroken, but determined.乌鸦传媒�

Determination is a term Topic is intimately familiar with. Since being diagnosed with diabetes at 14, managing her health on a daily basis has required constant attention.

But Topic has found ways to persevere, both professionally as a medical oncologist and as a competitive athlete.

Topic has enjoyed considerable success at national and international events, including winning a gold medal in the 5,000 metres last summer at the Master乌鸦传媒檚 Canadian Track and Field Championships.

She has also competed in events around the world, including in Italy, Australia and France.

At more than a few competitions in the past, the disease has rendered her ill and fatigued, unable to run any where near her potential.

Over time, Topic has learned to deal with the realities of her ailment.

乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 frustrating, you can be 100 per cent, training really well and then it just hits you,乌鸦传媒� said Topic, who is coached by former Olympian, Doug Consiglio. 乌鸦传媒淚 run a lot of races in pain, but there乌鸦传媒檚 nothing you can do.

乌鸦传媒淚乌鸦传媒檝e learned it乌鸦传媒檚 nothing I can really control so I don乌鸦传媒檛 worry about it as much anymore,乌鸦传媒� she added. 乌鸦传媒淵ou have to just hope that things work on that day. When it does, you celebrate. That乌鸦传媒檚 just the way it is.乌鸦传媒�

Still, advances in diabetes research over the years have made treating her disease and pursuing her athletic goals just that more manageable.

In the end, Topic has proven to herself and others, that her limitations in life are few.

乌鸦传媒淲hen I was younger, being told I couldn乌鸦传媒檛 do certain things because of the diabetes just motivated me,乌鸦传媒� she said. 乌鸦传媒淚 was going to prove those doctors wrong. This doesn乌鸦传媒檛 have to stop me and any setbacks I had just instilled other qualities in me, like being tougher and pushing through the pain.

乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 motivated my career too, it乌鸦传媒檚 a high energy life that I lead and I try to make the most of it.乌鸦传媒�

If Topic is feeling well enough, she plans to run the 1,500 metre and 10 k events in New Zealand.

The 2017 World Masters Games are set for April 21 to 30.