Newcomer

[Type1TryingToRun]

Hi all, I’ve recently downloaded the 10K Runner app and have just completed week 3. I umm’d and ahh’d over whether to commit to the 5k or 10k one, but opted for 10k because I like a challenge!

I’m a Type 1 diabetic and at 47 years of age, I figured I might need a bit of support hence joining this group.

If there are any other Type 1’s out there I’d love to hear from you to see how you cope with the sugar levels when running.

[BarbieW Graduate10]

I am type 1 too, for over 50 years, and running only for 9 months but still haven’t figured the right way to deal with sugar levels!

I am on a pump, so am able to set my basal rate to 70% before running, but I find I still can’t get that timing right and need to repeat it for a while afterwards too. Only thing I am certain of is that exercise affects the blood sugar long after the exercise itself actually stops!

I understand that if not on a pump, you would need to reduce your basal the injection before and perhaps reduce your bolus at the mealtime before you run.

I only run in the morning so don’t have any prior mealtime to worry about. I think trial and error to see what suits you is probably best.

I have heard of a website called runsweet (or something like that) which is aimed at exercising diabetics, which is still up there although no longer updated. You may find that useful, too. Or on the Diabetes UK (not co.uk) forums there is a section on Exercise/sport, where others contribute with their experiences, which is worth a look.

Hope this helps

B

[Type1TryingToRun in reply to BarbieW]

Thanks so much for your reply! It’s always interesting to hear how other Type 1’s cope with exercise. Luckily I’m not new to exercising in general as I used to be an avid gym goer, and I know exercise can affect us diabetics in so many ways.

I’m on multiple daily injections rather than a pump. I find that strenuous exercise (like HIIT training) increases my sugar level but it will then drop a lot afterwards, and gentle exercise will lower my sugar level straight away. It’s all trial and error at the moment as I figure out how running will affect it. In the meantime all I can do is carry glucose tablets on me and hope I don’t need them!

Thanks for the website recommendations, I’m familiar with both but haven’t viewed them for some years so it will be interesting to take another look 😊

[BarbieW Graduate10 in reply to Type1TryingToRun]

I always carry glucotabs - they fit in my pump carrier quite well. But never needed them yet. Though this morning’s parkrun was a close call, tbqh!

[Type1TryingToRun in reply to BarbieW]

Eek! Well done on the parkrun, amazing!!