Running with T1D

If you’re still trying to wrap your head around my T1D overview, you’re not alone. This disease is super complex, so imagine throwing exercise into the mix.

In short, exercise has positive effects on management, but it takes a lot of work to ensure that you’re doing it correctly. Exercise has an immediate impact on blood sugar levels, but its effects can linger for at least a day. When I am active, my insulin sensitivity increases, so I don’t need to administer as much. When I’m not active, insulin resistance increases and I find I have to use a lot more.

Here are a few things to consider:

• Carbs raise blood sugar
• Insulin lowers blood sugar
• Cardio/aerobic exercise (running, walking, etc.) lowers blood sugar levels
• Anaerobic exercise (sprinting, muscle training, etc.) might raise blood sugar levels

My activities need to be planned in advance because of everything I have to take into account. It’s hard for me to just say, “OK, I feel like going out for a run right now, so that’s what I am going to do.” That’s so frustrating! Going for a walk even takes some planning. I took a 20-minute walk during lunch the other day and here’s what happened:

Annoying, right?

So, I try plan my exercise around my meals. Because insulin lowers blood sugar (like running/walking do), I rarely use it immediately before a run (unless my levels are crazy high), and I typically will shut off my pump’s basal insulin administration unless I’m only running like 1 or 2 miles. I’ll eat my meal, head out and let the run burn off as much as possible. If my levels are elevated after the run, THEN I use insulin. If I am running long distances, I check my blood sugar every half hour or so to keep tabs on it. When my levels are in a good range, my performance improves. If they’re out of range, it’s tough, but I’m used to it, I guess!

I wear a Medical ID charm on my necklace that has my name and says I am an insulin-dependent Type 1 diabetic just in case I do experience severe low blood sugar during a run and somehow can’t take care of myself. I carry a running pack with my phone, my CGM receiver, my pump manager, a lancing device to prick my finger, test strips and high-sugar snacks like fruit gummies or gels in case my levels drop.

While I have run 10 half marathons just fine, training for a marathon is a whole other animal. Fueling needs are different, and I know I am going to have to tweak my nutrition plan in a way that is beneficial to my diabetes but also provides adequate nutrition and fuel for someone who is putting their body through something so rigorous. I’ve thought about talking to a nutritionist, but I am going to see how I fare on my own first. I’ll get a better idea of what I need to do once, I start hitting 18+ miles.

Can’t wait!

The Journey to 26.2 Begins Soon

I’ve been running consistently since 2012, so I guess you could say I’ve been a runner for three years. My running journey began about six months after I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 25. Bummer, huh? But, hey, I guess it introduced me to a sport that I love and hate at the same time. Because exercise helps me control my blood sugar levels, I’ve stayed with it, and as of today, I have 10 half marathons under my belt.

Last year, I created a 30 Things to Do Before I Turn 30 list, and on that list, I wrote, “Run the NYC Marathon.” It seemed like a long shot because people have been trying to get into the race via lottery for years and years. I tried to get in to the 2014 race, but wasn’t chosen in the random draw. This year, I surprisingly made it…and on race day, Nov. 1, I will be 29 years old. Let’s hope I can cross that item off my list.

I’m not the best or even the fastest runner. I have to plan runs around meals and blood sugar levels, I have short legs, I take walk breaks, my blood sugar gets wonky on me mid-run, I have to run with a crazy amount of diabetes supplies (pump, continuous glucose monitor, test strips, snacks, etc.)…so why in the world do I want to run a marathon? Preparing to run 26.2 is hard on anyone, but doing it with Type 1 is an extra obstacle that I am going to have to overcome.

But I want to show myself that I can. Sometimes I feel like my body turned against me almost four years ago. This is my way of fighting back.

LET THE TRAINING BEGIN! Join me on this journey.