Type 1 - Juvenile Diabetics

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Any Runners???

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keeponkickin
keeponkickin Posts: 1,520 Member
edited December 2024 in Social Groups
I'm on a pump and I'm having a horrible time keeping my blood sugars stable while running. I eat a good snack prior to my run, I turn my pump off and I still bottom out. Was wondering if anyone else runs and what works for them?

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  • KristaTellier
    KristaTellier Posts: 270 Member
    Are you new to running, or have you been running for a long time?
  • keeponkickin
    keeponkickin Posts: 1,520 Member
    Are you new to running, or have you been running for a long time?

    Not new to hard workouts but "newer" to running.
  • KristaTellier
    KristaTellier Posts: 270 Member
    I find any time I try a "new" exercise, I usually drop way more than I should. It seems to take my body a month or so (depending how often I do the activity) to adjust. Doesn't matter if the exercise is easier or harder than what I might already be doing. It is really weird.

    Right now I'm taking a bit of a running break, but when I did run (and when I do get back into it again)... I try and start a run 30-60 mins after a meal if possible - I find a snack before running often isn't enough for me. Sometimes I'll leave my basal as is, sometimes I'll cut it in half, and sometimes I'll turn my pump off (although that's rare, that's usually if I find I'm dropping faster than I want after I've started running).

    Depending on how long I plan to run (typically 20 - 75 mins) I try to have my starting blood sugars between 8.0 - 13.5 mmol/l (or 144 - 243 if you use mg/dl). My goal is to try and end a run between 4.0 and 6.5 (72 - 117). Of course, that doesn't always happen, but that's the goal! I find I sometimes need to take a bolus after a run (if I'm on a longer run I might take a small bolus 10-20 mins before the run ends).

    How long before you start running do you turn off your pump? Maybe try turning it off sooner (so there won't be as much / any insulin on board at the start of your run)?

    If I run slower, my blood sugars will drop more. If I run faster, especially if I "feel like I could die" (not really, just super hard to breath), then I won't drop as much. I find that with all exercise - once the initial "newness" wears off. This has been really useful to know, but I don't always use it to my full advantage... sometimes it is just too tough to give it your 100% absolute all for an extended period of time. Maintaining a super high heart rate (usually over 165 for me) can be tough :)
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