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Long distances and blood sugar issues
kaleidoscope79
Posts: 15 Member
I am not a diabetic, but I do struggle with regulating my blood sugar when on long runs. (I have issues outside of running too, of course, but I am able to regulate it with a good diet and exercise).
I have tried sports beans, gu, gatorade, etc on runs and they all launch my blood sugar through the sky. I can take one sport bean occasionally through a run but that is it. This, however, does not give me what I need to complete a longer run (~10 or more miles).
I’m going to duck and cover when saying this, because it seems to be contradictory of most advice out there. Lately I’ve been bringing a protein drink with me on my long runs and start drinking it about a third of the way in (I probably finish it a little over half way through). It is the only thing I’ve tried that has given me what I need to make it through long run and doesn’t send me into a sugar coma.
I’ve had success with eating a burrito (chipotle) the night before a long run or race and part of a burrito the morning of (an hour or so before) and a protein shake.
Anyone out there run long distances and struggle with their blood sugar? What do you do for food the night before a race, the morning of a race, and during a race?
Could I benefit from doing something differently?
I am not able to run fasted either, regardless of distance. I’ve tried grabbing a banana, yogurt, etc and all send my blood sugar out of whack during a run. My biggest concern, however, is longer distances.
I have tried sports beans, gu, gatorade, etc on runs and they all launch my blood sugar through the sky. I can take one sport bean occasionally through a run but that is it. This, however, does not give me what I need to complete a longer run (~10 or more miles).
I’m going to duck and cover when saying this, because it seems to be contradictory of most advice out there. Lately I’ve been bringing a protein drink with me on my long runs and start drinking it about a third of the way in (I probably finish it a little over half way through). It is the only thing I’ve tried that has given me what I need to make it through long run and doesn’t send me into a sugar coma.
I’ve had success with eating a burrito (chipotle) the night before a long run or race and part of a burrito the morning of (an hour or so before) and a protein shake.
Anyone out there run long distances and struggle with their blood sugar? What do you do for food the night before a race, the morning of a race, and during a race?
Could I benefit from doing something differently?
I am not able to run fasted either, regardless of distance. I’ve tried grabbing a banana, yogurt, etc and all send my blood sugar out of whack during a run. My biggest concern, however, is longer distances.
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Replies
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Are you actually measuring your blood sugar during your run? I'm impressed!0
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Maybe coconut oil or MCT oil? My understanding is that it gets used as energy pretty immediately (compared to other fats that take longer to digest).0
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Thanks! I'll try that!Maybe coconut oil or MCT oil? My understanding is that it gets used as energy pretty immediately (compared to other fats that take longer to digest).0 -
Hello, I know I'm a late on replying to this topic but I just came across it. I also have my blood sugar issues during running long distances. My blood sugar drops around 5-6 miles. I'm currently training for my first half marathon and trying to figure out I'm going to fuel for 13.1 miles without passing out. I currently eat sport beans on my long runs which are 5-6 miles. I'm going to start trying different things as I increase my mileage. I just don't want to be 8+ miles from home and my blood sugar drops and need medical assistance. Its good to know I'm not the only person who deals with issues like this.0
