MARCUS GRIMM



  • Lancaster, PA
  • Age: 41
  • Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 13

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS


  • Brave the Race Half Marathon – 1st Age Group
  • Kessler Franks 5 Mile Run – 3rd Age Group
  • York White Rose Race - 3rd Age Group
  • Knoebels 5k (2 time AG winner, 1 time runner-up)
  • Run4Luck – 3rd Age Group
  • Harrisburg Marathon 3:18:56
  • Bob Potts Marathon 3:26:41
  • Lehigh Valley Marathon 3:33:45
  • Susquehanna Trail Ultra-Run and Super Hike 7:23:16

MEET MARCUS GRIMM


When were you diagnosed with diabetes?

I was diagnosed with diabetes in 1984 – I was 13 years old. At the time, that was considered kind of old for a kid to become Type 1. It’s interesting to see how age of diagnosis for type 1 diabetes has continued to climb through the years.


How did you feel about diabetes when you were first diagnosed? How did your family react to the diagnosis?

I came to accept my diabetes quite quickly, so quickly in fact that I found myself uninterested in attending support groups at the time. I’ve since come to realize that my Mom took it much harder than I realized and certainly much harder than I.


How do you feel about diabetes now?

I really view diabetes as a part of who I am. I don’t know that I feel anything about it, any more than I feel about having brown hair or being 5’11”. My diabetes is just a characteristic of my life. I don’t think about being cured and I rarely think about complications. Instead I am just committed to doing my best with diabetes management each day.


Tell us about your family. married? any children?

I’ve been married to my college sweetheart for 17 years. We have two wonderful children – a boy and a girl.


Why is exercise and competition a part of your life?

I’m glad both exercise and competition are mentioned in this question, because truth is – I’m one of those athletes that don’t really enjoy exercise. I do, however, love challenging myself in many things and running is beautiful to me in its purity. In running a race, I almost always feel that I get what I deserve. There aren’t many things in life we can say that about. It’s hard, but inevitably, it’s fair.


That is a really interesting commentary on running!


What drew you to Team Type 1?

Though it’s true I’m not drawn to support groups, I never think of Team Type 1 that way. I think of it as a team of tremendous athletes pooling their collective knowledge to improve their athletic performance while encouraging others to do the same. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?


Tell us about an athletic achievement that you find especially significant.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have some great finishes, but when I read this question, I automatically fixate on what I haven’t done yet: qualify for the Boston Marathon. I am one of those athletes for whom Boston is attainable, but thus far has been elusive. When you ask me why I run, it’s for Boston, something I have yet to achieve.


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

Don’t waste time asking, “Why you?” It’s a question that, sadly, is without a rational answer. Instead, ask yourself, “Why not you?” The beauty of that question is it doesn’t just apply to unfortunate things in our lives, but to everything wonderful as well. Why not be a doctor? Why not climb Mount Everest? In all things, why not you?


Tell us about your favorite TT1 event to date.

Every time we meet or even have a conference call is special to me. There are many great diabetic athletes in the world, but you rarely get a chance to meet them first-hand. Being able to place concrete names and faces to these special athletes has been absolutely amazing and to be able to get to know them as people is a true blessing.


In what way have you found that your diabetes has helped you grow as an individual?

Discipline, persistence, focus – you name it. Truth is, I don’t know how developed these qualities would be if I did not have diabetes. The obstacles we find in our path can either tear us down or build us up. The choice is ours’.


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

I am fortunate, with zero health complications after more than 25 years with the disease. But the math problem of diabetes turns into a complicated algebraic equation when you’re working to run faster, particularly over long distances. I’m still working to perfect my own personal formula for “diabetic speed.”


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

In 2011, just as I have for the past five years, I’ll be attempting to slay the beast that is the Boston Marathon.


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

There are so many, it’s difficult to know where to start. I plan to run ultras, 50 and 100 miles. My son and I have just gotten certified in SCUBA and we’re looking forward to having lots of fun in the water. And when I get older, I want to complete an Ironman. But first, Boston awaits.