DAVID MALONE

Carefree, AZ
Age: 57
Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes at age 53

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

L.A. and Long Beach marathons 1987 – 1993
Century rides: Mountain to Desert 2008 – 2010
Century rides: Pelotonia (2 stage event) 2009
50 mile charity ride: Cave Creek Bike Festival 2009
Century ride: Copper Triangle 2010
Tour de Scottsdale 2010

MEET DAVID MALONE

Tell us about your diagnosis with diabetes.

I give my wife credit with encouraging me to have a full physical. My symptoms were mild in that I would feel fine until later in the day when fatigue would set in. I just didn’t seem to have the energy that I used to. The doctor diagnosed me with hypothyroidism and pre-diabetes. I was also told my triglycerides and cholesterol were high. I understood the thyroid problem to be quite manageable but thought the doctor had probably miss diagnosed the diabetes. I was told to read up on the disease and to change my diet.

After changing my diet and returning 3 months later for more testing, the numbers got worse. I tried again to change my diet and better understand what was happening. The next set of numbers came back even worse and I was told that I was now diabetic. I was resentful, confused, and still skeptical that the doctor was correct.

How did you/your family feel about diabetes when you were first diagnosed?

My wife was surprised since I otherwise appeared to be healthy. As for me, I was both scared and in denial. Throughout the early days, my family remained supportive. However, I was the source of information and there was a lot of confusion. I had just started checking my blood sugars. I would believe I had the disease fully managed after a string of good days. I still believed the whole thing was all a big misunderstanding. Then, I would have several bad days with high readings. I didn’t fully understand. It was tough coming to grips with having diabetes.

How do you feel about diabetes now?

Today, I’m at ease with my diabetes, and I just deal with it. Over a four year period, I took off 40 pounds and have held steady at 170 lbs (6’2”). I’m very determined to do everything within my power to manage the disease. Last year, I started commuting on my road bike to my office (55 mile round trip). This was the first winter doing this daily commute. I had to learn to deal with riding home in the dark with my blinking red and white lights. I must confess it was a little disconcerting at first to be navigating via Phoenix/Scottsdale streets and bike paths in the dark. After a while, I began to enjoy the adventure and the special quiet that the night rides offers.

I’m very optimistic that I can manage the disease for decades to come. I realize that large amounts of daily cycling and active sports along with a healthy diet will benefit me greatly. I like the fact that I can eat more carbs before and during a multi hour riding session. I also realize that prolonged periods of sedentary activity are detrimental. These include long periods behind the wheel of a car or in the seat of an airplane. I now try to balance these periods with exercise before and after.

Tell us about your life at home.

I’m married to my lovely wife Palmira. We have a wonderful teenage son who is 17 years old and a junior in high school. He’s quite a handsome lad who is an avid soccer player on a competitive club team. This summer, his team goes to England for a soccer tour. He’s also lucky enough to have another 4 weeks in Barcelona at a university sponsored Spanish immersion course.

Why is exercise and competition a part of your life?

Luckily, I’ve been active my whole life in sports and outdoor activities. My wife got me involved in training and running the annual L.A. marathon during the late 80’s and early 90’s. Tennis, skiing, and cycling are sports I especially enjoy. The more intense and competitive cycling only recently became a big part of my routine. It was ironic that a friend had challenged me to do my first century ride about the time that I was being diagnosed with diabetes. What timing!!! It quickly became clear that I felt much better on training days especially the “long ride” days. Today, I’ve become passionate about the cycling. It’s become part of my identity. There’s an emotional attachment because I know the daily cycling is keeping me healthy. There’s also the competitive element. I love pushing and always trying to improve my pace and endurance.

What drew you to Team Type 2?

I first read of Team Type 1 competing in the RAAM series. I was both impressed and fascinated with their accomplishments. It inspired me to know that top athletes could compete at that level while dealing with diabetes. Later, I found out about Team Type 2 and their accomplishments in competing in the RAAM series. To be honest, I couldn’t get it off my mind and within days started wondering if I could do the same and possibly get involved. I’m so lucky that I found Team Type 2 and thankful for the opportunity to be a part of it.

Tell us about a personal achievement that was highly significant to you.

I have great pride in my first century ride, Telluride, Colorado to Moab, Utah. It was a challenging first century in that the total distance was 134 miles with tough climbs over the LaSal Mountains. Responding to a friend’s challenge, I started my training 12 months in advance. The joke (on me) was that I had assumed the ride was a 2 day event. I found out only 3 months in advance that I had to ride the entire distance in just the one day. I was very determined to finish the race and elated to cross the finish line.

How about an athletic achievement that you find especially significant?

I’m amazed at the major multi stage tours. On any given day, the elite cyclists perform at such a high level with speed and endurance. Then, when you consider that day’s performance was only one of many stages over a multi week period. It is truly impressive.

Is there any advice you would like to give to someone newly diagnosed with diabetes?

Attend diabetes education classes and learn everything you can on the disease. Although the concepts are basic, there’s a steep learning curve on the details and strategies of maintaining daily exercise, good diet, and modest portions. Counting carbs is mandatory.

Tell us about a TT2 event that you are looking forward to.

I’m looking forward to my first Tour de Cure event with fellow team members. It will probably be one of the California rides in the early summer.

Are there any ways that you have found that diabetes has been a benefit in your life?

Absolutely, it keeps the pressure on to maintain good exercise and diet. There’s also a tremendous incentive to maintain a healthy cardiovascular as a preventive measure to avoid later complications.

Are there any areas of your diabetes management that you are currently targeting to improve?

Yes, my challenge is to maintain consistent morning fasting levels. During an active day, I’m usually well in control. However, my blood sugar levels have a tendency to stay at the same level that they are prior to my evenings rest. As an example, my 2 hour post dinner reading might be 135 which is reasonable but if I go to bed at that point then I sometimes wake with it at that same 135 level. The tendency for this to happen is less if I have my daily exercise at a high level.

Tell us about an athletic goal you have for the short term – say less than one year from now.

I’d like to graduate to a multi stage event of at least 3 to 4 days.

How about an athletic goal that you have for the long term?

I’d very much like to be part of the tt2 relay team on the next participation in the RAAM series. Not that I’m optimistic that we will be on for the 2012 season.