Running

Exercise
1

I posted this in someone else's thread, and then realized I should probably just start my own thread since it's kind of changing the topic.  :)

I'll be running (not all of it, but as much as I can!) a half marathon - 13.1 miles - in May.  Does anyone else wear a pump, and if so, what the heck do you do with it when running that long of a distance?  Usually when I'm just doing a few miles, I disconnect and put it back on when I'm cooling down.  (I don't like it jostling around.)  But, this will take me a lot longer to do, and I don't want my body to have no insulin in it by the end.

I am already planning to wear a running belt that has room for my meter, CGM receiver, gel packs, glucose tabs, etc... but there won't be room for my pump in there, too.  I'd rather not have to wear two, but maybe that's my only option.

2

I'm not pumping yet, but will be wearing my pumps on runs daily starting soon - I have a SPIBelt that I love and works great for the pump, and extra pockets that work for everything else.  If you go to their website you can see their whole offering.  They are very responsive and can do custom stuff too.  If you have a belt already that you really like, you could order one of their accessory pockets that is designed to go onto a belt and would give you somewhere to hold it.

3

They have packs that should hold both your pump, a small meter, and glucose tablets. I trained with all of mine on so it wasn't as cumbersome when I ran the actual race. You'll get used to it after awhile although it can be bothersome at first. You may also consider having family members posted along the way to hold your meter for you, if that's possible. I would often hit up my friends (who ran with me) to carry extra sugar for me as well. I find that all of them were more than willing to help me out especially if what I gave them was small (i.e. small pack of glucose).  

4

You should definitely look into the spibelt option- http://store.spibelt.com/product-p/7bl-a001-001-diabetic.htm. I use a different fanny pack, but this could work for you.

 

I run with my CGM receiver, glucose liquid, gu, and keys in my fanny pack. If you have your CGM receiver, do you need to also run with your meter? You listed both, so I'm just wondering. I have found that as long as I test my blood sugar before the run to see how it matches to my CGM reading, the CGM is pretty accurate during the run and after. Also I have found that finger pricks during a run can be really inaccurate (a lot to do with cold weather I think- I was running a lot in the winter).

 

Anyways, everyone's body is different and everyone needs to carry different things when they run, that's just how I do it which I have found works well for me.

 

I trained for a half marathon that was in March but ended up getting injured and didn't finish. Definitely going to try again. I'm happy to answer more specific questions about training for that distance if you have them.

 

5

I actually do have a Spi Belt already, but it's only big enough to hold just my insulin pump.  I ended up getting a Nathan "running belt"... which is basically a flatter fanny pack.  Your list of items sounds very familiar!  I do not run with my meter on a regular basis, because I stay within a few miles of my house, but for the half-marathon, I thought I might need it.  The Dexcom is usually pretty accurate, but if I'm seeing a wacky number while I'm running it, I'm going to want to test to confirm, you know?  Plus, the sensor could decide to "fail" at any time, and then I have zero data.  I also tend to be one of those over-preparers.  The one time I'll need my meter will be the one time I don't have it.

6

I totally understand that fear! One idea- any plans on having someone cheer you on? They could maybe hold some things for you, including your meter. Also, if you get in a good rhythm with your training runs, you'll have a less likely chance of a weird dexcom reading. For all my long runs, I did them on a saturday morning (which is when the half was), ate the same breakfast (2 pieces of toast with peanut butter), and things like that to try to replicate race day as much as possible. I can't creat the adrenaline or nerves of race day, so that's definitely an unknown factor.

 

Actually, come to think of it- my CGM did fail me that morning of race day. When I woke up it gave me a crazy way-off reading, did the same thing 15 minutes later, then just did the whole ??? thing. I was getting worked up about it as we were driving to the start line and it still was doing that. So, I just decided to run without it. I knew I had enough with me to cover a low and friends along the course who could help me out if needed. Not sure how it would have turned out, since I was only able to finish 3 miles. 

 

Definitely run with stuff that makes you feel comfortable and not nervous- so if that's the meter, I'm sure there is a solution for you for a fanny pack that will be the right size. If you are having friends/family cheer you on- load them up with gu, glucose, whatever.

7

Yep!  My husband and I have talked about having him as my "pit stop" every few miles, so he'll probably be carrying the meter and extra glucose.  :)

Ugh, that ??? message is the worst!  I really hope it doesn't konk out on me.  I'm planning to start a new sensor the Thursday or Friday before, so it should still be "fresh" for race day.  I tend to wear my sensors for two weeks at a time, so that can be a factor.

 

8

I've found that many styles of running shorts have pockets for Ipods that work for the pump - they usually even have a hole for the headphone, so there's a place to thread through the tubing.  I don't like wearing a pack of stuff around my waist, so I usually just carry a pack of candies in case I feel low.  For runs of 4 to 7 miles, I'm fine if a drink about 8oz of Gatorade before the run (as long as I'm  not too low before - if below 100 I need a more substantial snack, too).  In October I ran the Medtronic 10 mile.  For that race and the longer training runs, I used a temporary basal of 25% of my normal basal, starting 30 minutes before my run (if possible) and continuing during the run.  Apparently studies have shown that people without diabetes produce little to no insulin while exercising intensely.  The temporary basal kept me from going low.  (I just learned that a temporary basal of 80% of the normal between 9pm and 3am can help delay exercise-induced hypoglycemia - gotta try that!).  Good luck!

9

So Jill, were you a Global Hero then, at the TC 10 mile?  Or did you just happen to make it this way in October?  I live in the Twin Cities and have run the marathon the last two years.  I applied last month for the Global Heroes program and really hope I get accepted.  But who knows?  Don't know how many applicants there are or what exactly they are looking for.  I'd be interested to hear your experience at the 10 mile.

10

Yes, I was a Global Hero.  Despite the somewhat exalted and embarrassing name, it is a fabulous program - 4 days I will never forget.  We were treated like royalty - I found it a bit overwhelming when all I do is tie on running shoes and go out for runs regularly.  But the great part was just that - that's all we all did.  We weren't the fastest, the prettiest, the most well-connected.  Some were running their first marathon (to which our guest speaker, Al Higdon, wryly said, "Good luck")  I took my 10 year old son with me (they pay all expenses for you and a guest).  He also has diabetes, and after seeing Medtronic HQ, touring the lab, and meeting others with diabetes, he came home ready to start the pump.  The "athletes" are all on medical devices, so those of us on insulin pumps would shake our heads at those on pacemakers, shunts, or nerve stimulators and say, "I don't know how you do it!", and then vice versa.  And, as you know, the course is beautiful!  It was my first trip to the Twin Cities and I loved it!  So, good luck!  I have no idea how many applicants and how they choose - although interestingly the choice is made by the marathon committee and not the Medtronic Foundation.  Since I was chosen, I'd say you have a good chance!   And to all you other runners on pumps out there, apply next year - it's worth it! 

11

I should mention, you need not be on a Medtronic device to qualify for the Global Heroes program.  The program is for athletes on medical devices by any manufacturer.

12

Update:  Today was marathon day (half-marathon for me), and I did it!  I finished!  Here's the story:

Woke up at 5:00, and although my numbers had been good while I slept, I shot up to 175 for no reason as soon as I woke up (according to the CGM).  I did a blood test to verify, and yes, that was right.  I took one unit of Humalog, which brought me down to 125, almost literally right away.  That is not normal for me.

Got ready, and my brother was here at 6:00 for us to go downtown to the start line, with my husband.  I ate a Snickers Marathon Nutrition bar on the car ride, with no bolus taken for it.  I should also mentioned I turned down my basal to "OFF" at 6:00, and didn't turn it back on until after the race was over.

We lined up around 6:40, and my CGM said 83.  Then 72.  Really??  I hadn't bolused for the bar I ate, and that was 22g of carb!  This is where I panicked a bit.  I ended up eating two Clif Shot gels - also about 25g of carb each - before the start.  By the time we got to the starting line around 7:15, I was shooting back up, and was 157.  I thought, "Awesome!  Don't know what happened there, but at least I'm back up where I want to be, now."

Fast forward to mile 2 - I notice I'm over 200.  Okay, not panicking yet.  I "peaked", or so I thought, around 280 and then it showed that I was coming back down pretty quickly.  Again, as a precaution, I ate another gel.  This may be where my biggest mistake was, because I didn't drop too much more after that.  In fact, I did most of the race over 300, and a good chunk of it "HIGH", which means I was over 400.  I started taking a unit here and there after mile 8, not wanting to overdo it and drop too quickly. 

By the 12th mile, I was back down to the 300's, so I was probably about 325 when I finished.  Who knows how high I really got - but I tested before and after the race, and the CGM was accurate both of those times - so I have to believe those numbers are true.

It feels so good to know I was able to finish.  I was very slow, and didn't run as much of it as I walked, but I finished, darn it - and that was the point.  Finish, no passing out or throwing up.  Check, check and check!  Thinking of all of you guys on here and the support I've received definitely made a difference, and motivated me to push harder than I thought I could.

Man, do my feet hurt!  :)

13

Congrats on the run!

The pre-race glucose levels kill me!  I'm fairly sure that it is anxiety that causes the unexpected spike before the race.  Your low at the starting line induced the panic and the over-compensating with the gels -- plus there was residual jitters at the beginning of the race that further elevated your BS again.  I had a similar experience 2 marathons ago, and it got my sugars off for the first hour of the run before stabilizing.  It is extremely frustrating.  One thing that helps me a bit is more prep time in the morning to get my blood sugars to where they need to be at the starting line.

You finished (without passing out or throwing up)! Besides the blood sugars, CGM, pump, and diabetes -- how was the run?  Did you enjoy the scenery and people?  Are you looking at the racing calendar for the next half ... or maybe full? ;)

14

Thanks!

The race itself was awesome.  We had absolutely perfect weather - sunny, no real wind to speak of, a little under 50 degrees when we started, and about 60 when I finished.  The people were great - everyone was so happy and supportive.  A lot of people set up chairs and blankets to watch the race, and make signs, or bring their own candy for the runners, so there were a lot of spectators cheering us on.  I underestimated how much that helps!  Also, a few portions of the course have big shady trees, so that was nice too, towards the end.

All in all, it was a great experience.  I am thinking I'd like to do this particular race again - but also do a couple of shorter ones in between.  I should have started my training earlier than I did (I started Feb. 1st for a May 2nd race), so if I've got races in between, I think that will help me stay motivated.

15

Congratulations!  The volatile sugars seem to go with the territory.  It takes a while to figure out what works for you.  On top of everything, you've got your liver pouring out the sugar in response to the adrenaline rush.  I almost always go high when I race, as opposed to train, just from the added anxiety and stress of pushing myself a bit harder.  But you did it!  Now you have confidence you can do it again - and better!