JAMES DUNCAN



  • Bonaire, GA
  • Age: 48
  • Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes at age 43

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS


  • 2010 – Competed in my first 5k, The Cartersville Turkey Trot.
  • 2010 – Polar Bear 5k in Marietta, Ga. Set a personal record with a time of 26:18
  • 2011 – Competed in the Middle Georgia Winter Time Trial Series
  • 2011 – Marietta Mardi Gras 5k
  • 2011 – Biking Bleckley with Joe Totter of TT2, completed 65 miles non-stop with an average speed of 19.50 mph.

MEET JAMES DUNCAN


Tell us about your diagnosis with diabetes.

I have a family history of diabetes so my doctor thought it would be good to test me to see if I had it. During the fasting glucose test, I remarked that the drink wasn’t as sweet as people told me it would be. The lab tech gave me a puzzled look and I knew that something was wrong. I was diagnosed in October 2006


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

I was a bit taken aback at first, but not totally surprised about the diagnosis considering my family history with diabetes. My family really wasn’t sure what it meant to have Type 2 diabetes at first.


How do you feel about diabetes now?

I realize that it is part of my life and it’s mine to control. I don’t let it control me. I make it a priority to keep on top of things. I hope to share my experiences dealing with Type 2 with others to show that it won’t stop them from doing what they want to do.


Tell us about your life at home. Are you married? children? grandchildren?

I’m married to a wonderful lady and we have 3 grown children, Andrew 28, Melissa 25, and Amy 24. I also have 2 fantastic grandkids, Gabriel and Veronica, both 6 years old.


Why is exercise and competition a part of your life?

I’ve always tried to stay active throughout my life. Exercise is one of the ways I control my diabetes. I also like to try to push myself to improve in my athletic endeavors.


What drew you to Team Type 2?

I’ve loved cycling and found out about Team Type 1 at a Tour de Cure. I was informed that they had a team for people with Type 2 diabetes. I got involved with TT2 because I wanted to help show what a person could do with Type 2 diabetes.


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

I would say that getting off medication for my diabetes and being able to control it with diet and exercise meant a lot to me. It proved to me that I could set a goal and achieve it if I wanted to.


How about an athletic achievement that you find especially significant?

I competed in a local time trial series in my home area. It was really fun to prove to some other riders that just because you have diabetes, that you can’t be competitive. It was fun beating some riders that were over 20 years younger than me.


If there is one piece of advice you could give to someone who was newly diagnosed with diabetes– what would it be?

Don’t think of it as a disease, think of it as a challenge that can be overcome.


What has been your favorite TT2 event to date?

Tour de Cure. I have done this ride several years, but it will be different being a member of Team Type 2. I hope we can inspire others to take control of their diabetes and become stronger.


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

I have found that being Type 2 has given me opportunities to explain to people that just because you have diabetes, you still can do anything that a non diabetic person can do.


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

I’m currently trying to lose some weight to help control my diabetes.


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

To compete in my first triathlon and complete a half marathon


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

To compete in a Half Ironman triathlon