TOM HAGGERTY



  • River Edge, NJ
  • Age: 45
  • Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes at age 40

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS


  • Riding from Sorrento Italy to the top of the paved road at Mt. Vesuvius and back to Sorrento 2010
  • Riding to the top of Mount Sassotetto in Italy 2010
  • Riding my 1st century in 2003 at the Golden Apple ride in Goldens Bridge NY

MEET TOM HAGGERTY


Tell us about your diagnosis with diabetes.

I was actually out riding my Bicycle with two other guys in January 2006, which in New Jersey is a rarity, at one of the intersections one guy clipped my rear wheel by accident and I flipped over the handle bars. This was not the immediate problem the impact with the street was, I injured my shoulder and had to make the call home for a ride. On the way home I knew something was not right we stopped at the ER and they suggested a follow up with an Orthopedic, I needed to get a referral which my Primary Care Physician which he issued with a stipulation that I come in for a physical. Which I did in March 2006, after the routine blood panel came back with a high glucose reading my doctor ordered an HbA1C – which can back March 11, 2006 at 6.8. Rather shocking to be told you are a diabetic when you basically feel great, are not over weigh and ride your bike 35 to 50 miles for fun on a Saturday morning. My family and I were shocked at first, and a little scared as well. After thinking about it and realizing that some older relatives also had Type 2 my focus became more of how to take control and keep this from killing me. I was and still am treating it with diet and exercise only at this point. .


How do you feel about diabetes now?

I am somewhere between being in control on a daily basis and giving in to craving(s) because it' so easy to ignore it for a day or two or three, I will shape up tomorrow...What I have found that by exercising it keeps me thinking about the good work I did towards taking control and I am much less likely to fall into giving into a bad habit or craving. I am not saying that I don't eat a treat but that I am much more likely to really watch my portions and food mix through the day on the days I exercise. I think the effort of exercise actually helps me to maintain the self control to avoid getting off base.


Tell us about your life at home.

I can't seem to talk about this part without sounding like I am on Wheel of Fortune, you know they all say the same thing, ' Well Pat I am married to my wonderful wife Lori and I have two great kids Jack and Matthew, I love cycling and traveling!” But than again maybe that's the point I am a regular guy with a great wife and two really cool kids I just happen to have Type 2 Diabetes.


Why is exercise and competition a part of your life?

I have always been a bit competitive and I have always liked riding. I still remember rebuilding an old Schwinn 10 speed that I got from a friend of my older brother, they were getting drivers licenses and heck who needs a bike when you can drive. Anyway that is the other part of riding that I really enjoy the mechanics, keeping the machine going the bike and me. I really enjoy a good hard climb especially later in the season when you reach the top seeming easily when compared to the first ride up after the snow finally melts.


What drew you to Team Type 2?

I had been riding for a while and I was looking for a challenge when I saw something about ultra cycling, the Furnace Creek ride and RAAM and saw the team name on the roster. I began to look into what it was all about but did not have the nerve to contact you guys that first year. Last year I figured I would as least contact the team and see what it was all about. What really kept me interested was the idea that there were other people dealing with the same thing and at a very high level of exercise, fitness or just effort. When I was first diagnosed I could not find any information about dealing with Type 2 if you were otherwise healthy and fit. All of the information was focused at the ‘ask your doctor before beginning any exercise routine’ etc. Now I know that is good advice but there seems to be a huge drop off in information after that initial warning. I am hoping to be able to learn from other riders/athletes, what they have done, what worked or even just how to keep track of things better.


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

Besides getting the nerve up to ask my now Father In Law if I could marry his daughter I guess passing the Architectural licensing exam on the first pass, which at the time I though was pretty neat.


How about an athletic achievement that you find especially significant?

Riding from Sorrento Italy to the top of the paved road at Mt. Vesuvius and back to Sorrento on a Saturday in October. More than the ride or even the climb being able to ride with a group of friends just for the experience and camaraderie and besides it sounds cool. We actually rode up higher mountains on the same trip but nobody in the states knows the names, everyone knows Vesuvius.


Is there any advice you would like to share with one newly diagnosed with diabetes?

Read everything you can get your hands on. Ask your doctor and dietitian even the most simplistic questions until you feel that you are beginning to understand what it is you are dealing with. Once you have learned the basics, do your best and take one day at a time. When things don’t go according to plan with your diabetes management, consider what you could do next time to have a better result.


Tell us about an experience you enjoyed with TT2.

The Conference call for the new team members, getting the feeling that everyone else is ready get started. Type 2 diabetes is so common, also commonly misunderstood. I look forward to encouraging others with diabetes and helping them to realize that a full, healthy and exciting life is still there for them to choose.


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

Actually I have noticed that what I eat at lunch or dinner with friends or acquaintances can be a real conversation starter. For example the other day I was asked if I was a vegetarian, I had a large salad at lunch. My response was no I have diabetes and if I start with a big salad I will be less likely to dive into the corn bread and desserts later. The conversation progressed into cooking and a host of other related topics.


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

My main goal in the next two months is regular exercise and continue to reduce my HbA1C. My last test in February was 6.8. As a member of TT2 the goal is 6.5 and below. Once I get there I will try to keep the downward HbA1C trend and an upward exercise trend going.


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

100 miles in under 5.5 hours


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

Participate in RAAM or a trans-US ride and triathlon.