In about 9 days, I will run my 1st half marathon. T1 diabetes is such an individual thing so I know "words of wisdom" are difficult. My big question is, for those diabetic marathoners out there - what do you eat for breakfast?
The run starts at 7am (which is about 2 hours from my normal breakfast time) ... I know carbs are a necessity of course, but just curious what types of things keep you going strong throughout the race and don't create a lot of "gut bulk"? Normally I run in the evenings since I start work so early in the morning so I'm a bit nervous. Any tips? I'll have myself loaded with quick sugar gels (I generally need to eat about 20 carbs every 30-40 minutes when I run).
I just wish I could run this race worried more about "the run" instead of my blood sugars. Blah.
I don't run marathons, but I am a cyclist. Approx one hour prior to rides, I cut down to a 50% basal rate and eat something with a good amount of protein. I either make a protein shake or have an english muffin with cream cheese. For along the way, I eat GUs.
Good luck on your run!
I've never raced in a half marathon before, (I race anywhere from the 1500 to 6k) but I've run over 12 miles at one time before.
As far as morning meals go, I think the best carbs are toast, crackers, a bagel, or cereal (but nothing with too much fiber - the can make for a very long and uncomfortable run if you aren't used to it).
For protein, peanut butter or eggs are great because they don't sit in your stomach for very long. I like to avoid meat the morning of races (especially sausage or any kind of ground beef) because it's heavy, takes a while to digest, and you'll probably feel it during the race (I know I have!).
Protein shakes and yogurt can be good too, as long as you're okay with dairy products.
Good luck!
"So, this is my life. And I want you to know that I am both happy and sad and I'm still trying to figure out how that could be."
- Charlie, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Also, as far as blood sugar goes, yours might actually increase, depending on how hard you race. High intensity running, races and speed workouts always make my blood sugar skyrocket. I hope yours stays in control though - Good luck, again!
I would love to hear how it goes for you - I'm training for my first half marathon this summer as well, and am trying to start running in the mornings so that I can get used to the different timing. Maybe try a couple "test runs" with different food between now and the race to see what works best? Mal had some good suggestions about what to fuel with. I like toast and PB before I run (also in the afternoon currently). Do you keep your pump on while you run (or is it different for different distances?)
Mal - when your BGLs skyrocket after short distances (I have the same problem with soccer because of the high intensity), do you correct right away or leave it to come down on its own? Interested to see what others do in that situation..
Well, I actually give myself a temporary higher basal rate for high intensity practice, but we get breaks between reps (much like you would in soccer practice?), which give me some time for my BS to come down. During races, I'm running hard continuously, so I have an even higher basal rate for races. After practice, I jog back to my dorm (about 10 minutes or so), which lowers my BS. I like to wait for a little while for my BS to come down on its own, because the recent exercise (the workout and jogging home) brings my BS down. If I'm going to eat right after practice, I still bolus for the high BS, but I temporarily reduce my basal rate a little bit, to avoid going low- the workout will bring my BS down later.
In regards to the long distance run, if I'm doing my weekly 12-miler, I suspend my pump if I haven't eaten within 2 hours of my run, but that's because it is a low intensity run. If I ate within 2 hours of the run, I'd reduce my bolus by 50% (this is different for everyone) and leave my basal rate alone. Again, for a low-intensity, training run. Also, I already take very low doses of insulin because I am honeymooning and I run a lot (about 50 miles a week).
Hi Geepurrs, I am new to this site, and fairly new to running. I'm not new to diabetes (diagnosed 1954). I joined a running (really, jogging) group in 2010, mostly to lose weight and get in shape. I see friends having "life" complications from inactivity, and I really want to outlive them all...Since, I've been aboe to run several 10K and four half M races.
In my experience, the diabetes with running is very problematic. I've tried all sorts of strategies, including disconnecting my pump altogether, reducing basal to as little as 5% or 10% of normal, leaving things as they are and dosing for the run, etc. For awhile, I tried to rely on CGM for support, but found that knowing BG within a 25% tolerance thirty minutes ago was kinda useless, so I bagged that as well. My latest strategy has been to test every 45 minutes, and adjust carbs accordingly. I like to be at >150 Mg% prior to a long run; or if <150, I add carbs before starting.
I'm guessing that your typical breakfast is earlier than 6:30 or so. We do training runs of 10-12 miles each Saturday morning, starting at 7:30. I've taken to eating only a half banana, or a single graham cracker. Then, I adjust as necessary with GU or some other high carb, low volume "food", like jelly beans along the way. My latest observation is that often I have a monster spike in BG 1-3 hours after the run. I dose for that, and then it falls off a cliff an hour later. Not ideal...
Best with this, and good luck on the running. I'm guessing that you've already done the half; how did it go?
LeeB from CA.