Running with type 1 diabetes

This is a very good topic. I'm not type 1, but my wife is.

Definitely wear a sensor

Definitely start 120-150

Definitely take gels

Definitely wear pump

Optional turn pump off until necessary dose required

Optional run with someone who knows the signs and symptoms of highs and lows

Be prepared to fail at your first marathon. This is not a finish or die trying endeavor. Hopefully someone with experience can chime in.

I'm also type 1 and have decided running a marathon isn't feasible (just for me- not saying in general it wouldn't be), because as you mentioned needing insulin with the gels, but doing insulin while running makes me nervous of going low. I'm also concerned about low blood sugar after the race/during recovery, and possible issues w dehydration making things go crazy. I think with a CGM and really close management you could do it but it's definitely dangerous. Maybe someone here will have some helpful tips for you and you'll be able to, good luck and stay safe!

Thanks for the replies, very helpful actually. I do own the sensor but honestly I don’t wear it much but I can def make it a habit if it’ll help my running.

I’d pay good money for a way to get my blood glucose readings/pump stuff on my gps watch hahaha

T1D,

I've been a type 1 for 31 years and run 3 marathons (and a dozen half's). Short answer is yes this is very doable. Unfortunately I'm Australian and we measure our BSL's on a different system (mmol) and I can't remember the conversion rate for the US range. But its pretty much as you say, get the level up higher as it will drop.

The other differences too, are the fact that I use a penfill and not a pump. I've always been happy with the penfill and I've been able to inject and eat prior to each marathon and half marathon and not have to worry about any more injections as I've had a 6 hour window for the insulin.

On my long runs in training I use to test about half way through to get an understanding of my levels and try to adjust accordingly and repeat on race day. I never hypoed once in the marathons but did so on some of my long runs and yes it was day over for me.

I'd consider providing my email address if you want to extent the conversation, but I'm not sure I want to give it out on the forum. Not sure how that works.

Anyway best of luck.

Heath

Great topic! Thanks for sharing your experience! I've recently been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Fortunately, my doctor prescribed me rybelsus

https://www.canadadrugsdirect.com/products/rybelsus

I'm glad that it works for me and I don't need to take insulin. But I worry about running. It is great that I've found your posts. I'll check the suggested source for sure.

T1D runner for 20 years. I use pens rather than a pump, giving myself a long-acting shot (Tresiba) once a day and fast-acting ones (Humalog) with food. On long runs, the long-acting insulin (which stays in one's system around 42 hours) will cause me to go low while running if I don't take a gel about every half hour after the first hour. So that's what I do. And yes, that's a lot of gels over the course of a marathon. But it means that I don't have to carry/take any insulin while running.

That said, I've gravitated toward shorter races lately, partly because it's easier to stay in the ideal blood-sugar range for the duration of training runs and races.