Running question

[L3wisr]

if you were to train a lot would it reduce the amount of sugar you need before you start going low? Or is that just a stupid question.

Eventually I want to attempt a marathon but I've previously done a half marathon and had to have 4 and a half bottles of lucozade on the way round...don't think I'd be able to double that

 

[pinewood]

I don't know the answer to your question but when I run 20km I drop my basal .... did you reduce your basal before your half? 4 and a half bottles of lucozade is crazy!

 

[L3wisr]

I dropped it a couple. It's strange isn't it, I can run 10k perfectly fine without any sort of sugar but for the last 11km I couldn't get above 4.5

 

[TorqPenderloin]

I dropped it a couple. It's strange isn't it, I can run 10k perfectly fine without any sort of sugar but for the last 11km I couldn't get above 4.5

That actually makes perfect sense. In that first hour (or so) your body is using the readily available energy stored in your body. That energy comes in the form of glycogen and our bodies can hold roughly 2000 calories worth with about ~500 of that being stored in your liver and the remaining 1500 or so in your muscles.

Now, you're obviously not burning through 2000 calories in an hour so it's important to understand that our bodies can choose when to release the glycogen stored in our liver to deliver throughout our body. Unfortunately, we can't transport the glycogen stored in our muscles to other parts of the body.

It's for these reasons why many of us spike in the first hour of running as our bodies release the glycogen stored in our livers to anticipate the increased activity. After a while, our bodies use that energy up as well as whatever is stored in our muscles and then we need to find energy elsewhere. Plus, add in the fact that we're more sensitive to insulin during exercise.

Long story short, the EXACT same thing happens to me (although I get bored after about 6-8 miles and stop). I get a spike in the first hour of running followed by a quick drop down to around 4-4.5

 

[L3wisr]

That actually makes perfect sense. In that first hour (or so) your body is using the readily available energy stored in your body. That energy comes in the form of glycogen and our bodies can hold roughly 2000 calories worth with about ~500 of that being stored in your liver and the remaining 1500 or so in your muscles.

Now, you're obviously not burning through 2000 calories in an hour so it's important to understand that our bodies can choose when to release the glycogen stored in our liver to deliver throughout our body. Unfortunately, we can't transport the glycogen stored in our muscles to other parts of the body.

It's for these reasons why many of us spike in the first hour of running as our bodies release the glycogen stored in our livers to anticipate the increased activity. After a while, our bodies use that energy up as well as whatever is stored in our muscles and then we need to find energy elsewhere. Plus, add in the fact that we're more sensitive to insulin during exercise.

Long story short, the EXACT same thing happens to me (although I get bored after about 6-8 miles and stop). I get a spike in the first hour of running followed by a quick drop down to around 4-4.5

Great information, thank you. Just hoping getting Into a routine will help stabilise my level for a longer period. Really want to push for the full run

 

[sklane11]

That actually makes perfect sense. In that first hour (or so) your body is using the readily available energy stored in your body. That energy comes in the form of glycogen and our bodies can hold roughly 2000 calories worth with about ~500 of that being stored in your liver and the remaining 1500 or so in your muscles.

Now, you're obviously not burning through 2000 calories in an hour so it's important to understand that our bodies can choose when to release the glycogen stored in our liver to deliver throughout our body. Unfortunately, we can't transport the glycogen stored in our muscles to other parts of the body.

It's for these reasons why many of us spike in the first hour of running as our bodies release the glycogen stored in our livers to anticipate the increased activity. After a while, our bodies use that energy up as well as whatever is stored in our muscles and then we need to find energy elsewhere. Plus, add in the fact that we're more sensitive to insulin during exercise.

Long story short, the EXACT same thing happens to me (although I get bored after about 6-8 miles and stop). I get a spike in the first hour of running followed by a quick drop down to around 4-4.5

So does this mean if I'm running at bg's around 10 after exercise (which is currently my situation!) should I correct for that spike or will the body correct itself in time and use up that energy do you know?

 

[TorqPenderloin]

So does this mean if I'm running at bg's around 10 after exercise (which is currently my situation!) should I correct for that spike or will the body correct itself in time and use up that energy do you know?

That's a good question and the best thing I can say is to test and see how your body reacts.

On most days, my blood sugars will correct within an hour (down to about 5.0). However, there are some odd days where I'll need a (very small) small bolus to correct afterwards because they seem to level off around 7.

On most days, it does correct on its own though.

 

[sklane11]

Yep I don't think there can be any hard and fast rules, body seems to change every day! Ended up doses 2 units of rapid and ended around 7 for lunch so sort of worked today!

 

[L3wisr]

Arm I wouldn't dare have insulin after exercise, I get a horrible low an hour or so after