Island runner pushing to qualify for Boston Marathon, despite diabetes diagnosis

After being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes last year, Islander Mike Hogan started to really prioritize his health.

Part of that includes preparing for the P.E.I. Marathon, with the goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon.

Having been an avid runner before, Hogan's renewed health journey started in July 2024, when he said he felt the worst he had ever felt in his life.

"I had lost a bunch of weight, I was sweating, I was having to get up to use the washroom four, five times at night," he said. "I was constantly thirsty. I really didn't know what was going on at all."

He soon discovered what the issue was, after accidentally injuring himself at work. His pinky finger was crushed by a heavy plate at work.

"I was like, 'I should have been able to lift that no problem, like what's going on with me?'" he said.

That's when he decided to go to the doctor.

After a blood test that morning, his doctor called him at home that evening. She told him he needed to go to the hospital because his blood sugar was "sky high."

Following more tests and waiting hours at the emergency room, he got his results at 5 a.m. — he had diabetes.

"I was totally sleep deprived and completely shocked at finding that out," he said. "Quickly over the next couple of weeks, they determined it was Type 1 diabetes that requires insulin."

Hogan, 45, said his diagnosis made him switch his priorities, from being focused on business to health.

"I've been a business owner for 10 years and for a long time that has been like almost the complete focus in my life I would say, and I would say I just kind of did a 180 that Friday morning I found out I had diabetes and made a commitment to put my health first."

After the diagnosis, Hogan was told he needed to get 150