MARK THUL



  • Lyons, CO
  • Age: 52
  • Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes at age 47

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS


  • RAAM 2009
  • RAAM 2010
  • Boulder Boulder 10k 2008
  • Long Beach Half Marathon 2009 and 2010

MEET Mark Thul


Tell us about your diagnosis with diabetes.

I was diagnosed November 2007. I had gone to the emergency room with severe abdominal pain. After getting diagnosed with Kidney stones the Dr also stated to my wife that your husband is diabetic. My wife said to the Dr you must have the wrong chart. It was indeed the correct chart my BG level at the time was 300. Needless to say we were both shocked. Yes I was overweight, but exercised daily, hiking, biking etc. But as I looked back over the last few months I was extremely tired. I traveled weekly for my job and was thinking it just was the stress of the job and travel that was taking its toll. I would come home on Fridays and find my spot on the couch and stay there all weekend to tired to really do anything. That all come to an end that day in the ER and it became the beginning of me taking more control of my life and my diabetes. I was determined from day one that I would take control and not let diabetes control me.


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

Scared a bit. Wondering where do I begin? what type of Dr do I need to see? What was the right treatment plan to help me manage this disease? My wife was a great support system. She changed how she cooked and helped me to think about how I ate. Also my sons who were already out of the house were online researching the disease and ways of controlling it. My family really supported me and still does. We all have benefited from my diagnosis


How do you feel about diabetes now?

It’s a daily challenge. It affects my life in everyway. But I believe I have the control. But managing it means a change in life style.


Tell us about your life at home.

Married, wife of 31 years. We have two boys that are 26 years old (they are twins) and one granddaughter.


Why is exercise and competition a part of your life?

Exercise is part of my control plan. I do much better when I combine my nutrition, exercise and oral medications. I see a long term affect of my exercise on my BG levels . When I work out say Monday for 1 hour I see the payback not only that day but the next day as well.


Competition came into play with TT2. I have competed in RAAM in 2009 the inaugural TT2 season and then also competed in 2010. It gave me an additional goal so that I could concentrate on the ride while improving my overall health. It gave me another reason to manage my diabetes.

Competition came into play with TT2. I have competed in RAAM in 2009 the inaugural TT2 season and then also competed in 2010. It gave me an additional goal so that I could concentrate on the ride while improving my overall health. It gave me another reason to manage my diabetes.


What drew you to Team Type 2?

The ability to talk with people going thru what I was going through. The camaraderie is great. WE all experience similar feelings, go through the ups and downs of the disease.


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

Being Married for 31 years. It’s great to have married my best friend. It makes going through this disease a whole lot easier.


How about an athletic achievement that you find especially significant?

The 2009 RAAM (Race Across America). This proved to me and, I hope many others with diabetes, that we can control diabetes and not let it control us. Many folks including the team Dr’s where skeptical that a group of 8 guys in their 40’s and 50’s with diabetes could compete in a race that would challenge everything about us, physically, mentally and succeed. We were a group of guys who enjoyed riding bikes, met only once before race day but have formed a friendship for life. This ride challenged our family life, we needed to dedicateted hours and hours of training to prepare. Take 10 days away from family, and to raceride our bikes across the US and not many people thought we could do it. But we DID.


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

Reach out and talk to others with diabetes, specifically those that are dedicated to managing their diabetes. Find a Dr who is willing and able to effectively educate you about diabetes and its management.


Tell us about your favorite TT2 event to date.

RAAM and the friends I made not only on the team but in the different towns along the way.


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

Participate in Tour De Cures and get the message out about TT2. Taking a year off from competition to enjoy riding with my wife,.


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

RAW 2012. Race Across the West solo in 2012. Basically the first 1,000 miles of RAAM