I have type 1 diabetes and am struggling with managing insulin/food/exercise. I’ve reached wk 7 run2. This morning I tried running on an empty stomach after my lantus injection but without novo rapid - as advised by diabetic nurse specialist - test beforehand 10.4mmols. Run went ok but during warm down I could feel my bsugar going up. Test immediately afterwards 15.4mmols. Felt ****** off and unwell. Any advice...??!
Couchto5k Type 1 difficulties with running...
- Thread starter Jem154
- Start Date
- Messages
- 9,032
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Pump
- Dislikes
- Hypos, rude people, ignorance and grey days.
Thanks @Diakat
Hi and welcome @Jem154
Firstly well done for getting so far on the couch to 5km. I tend to run in the morning as I find it easier to manage glucose levels, ideally I aim to run with levels above 7 but no higher than 12 as running high prevents glucose entering the cells and I am slow and sluggish. I always have something to eat before I run though and do eat low carb so just plain yoghurt and berries with a small 1/2 bolus shot, if I have an easy run of around 30 mins then I'd expect my levels to drop to around 5-6, if I am pushing hard then I can expect to see a rise from adrenaline and correct afterwards, I do use the G6 so can monitor levels during my run without stopping, but it is trial and error, don't let this morning out you off, it's all a learning curve so try a different strategy when you next go out.
Hi and welcome @Jem154
Firstly well done for getting so far on the couch to 5km. I tend to run in the morning as I find it easier to manage glucose levels, ideally I aim to run with levels above 7 but no higher than 12 as running high prevents glucose entering the cells and I am slow and sluggish. I always have something to eat before I run though and do eat low carb so just plain yoghurt and berries with a small 1/2 bolus shot, if I have an easy run of around 30 mins then I'd expect my levels to drop to around 5-6, if I am pushing hard then I can expect to see a rise from adrenaline and correct afterwards, I do use the G6 so can monitor levels during my run without stopping, but it is trial and error, don't let this morning out you off, it's all a learning curve so try a different strategy when you next go out.
Many thanks for your reply - I have to confess I find it depressing and de-motivating for my bloodsugars to go up after exercise. I’m struggling to understand why it happens - in this case there was no adrenaline but some sort of sugar dumping from the liver I suspect. I feel like I want to know why so that I can avoid it happening! High bloodsugars make me feel unwell which seems to defeat the idea of exercise...like I said in the original post - I’m struggling.
archersuz
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 1,213
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
Hi @Jem154
Well done so far - it's not easy.
I'm T2 diet controlled and in my 6th week of zero to 5k. I struggle to get it right! Today was my homework day so I ate my usual breakfast and lunch, worked hard lumping fence posts about for 4 hours, then went for a 2.6 mile run, and felt quite unwell. I ran out of energy but my BS was 6 which is high for me on that amount of food.
I'll try to eat more protein before my evening run tomorrow but of course my situation is so different to yours.
Well done so far - it's not easy.
I'm T2 diet controlled and in my 6th week of zero to 5k. I struggle to get it right! Today was my homework day so I ate my usual breakfast and lunch, worked hard lumping fence posts about for 4 hours, then went for a 2.6 mile run, and felt quite unwell. I ran out of energy but my BS was 6 which is high for me on that amount of food.
I'll try to eat more protein before my evening run tomorrow but of course my situation is so different to yours.
Many thanks for your reply - it’s easy for me to feel disheartened - struggling to get it right and failing so often! Always good to hear of other people’s experience
- Messages
- 9,032
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Pump
- Dislikes
- Hypos, rude people, ignorance and grey days.
Hi @Jem154 as your running on an empty stomach your liver would compensate by dumping some glucose in your blood to get you moving, this compounds things hence why eating something no matter how small will help avoid this spike afterwards, it’s trial and error as I said but I would never run on empty.
Unfortunately I did my 5km this morning and went low from 13.8, I know why as I overdid eating did a guess on carbs/insulin and trusted my cgm reading which was out.
That said to me it’s all experience, I wouldn’t let anything affect my running though so try to focus on your running and making slight improvements don’t focus on the numbers it let anything put you off getting out there, once you get it right there will be no stopping you
Unfortunately I did my 5km this morning and went low from 13.8, I know why as I overdid eating did a guess on carbs/insulin and trusted my cgm reading which was out.
That said to me it’s all experience, I wouldn’t let anything affect my running though so try to focus on your running and making slight improvements don’t focus on the numbers it let anything put you off getting out there, once you get it right there will be no stopping you
Attachments
Thank you so much for your reply and experience - I think my exasperation levels have now come down and my spirits have risen again - I’ve had diabetes for 34 years and sometimes the daily effort gets to me - I think i was just hoping that there would be some sort of formula for successful exercising. This morning my waking test was 6.8mmols and I ate a banana (had lantus - zero novorapid) made it through the run but immediate test afterwards was 13.2mmols. Better than sundays run but still too high. Next run on Thursday, so might try a little yogurt instead...many thanks for your encouragement- hope your next one goes better!
dtennant9
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 714
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Insulin
Hi @Jem154
As others have said, well done on your achievements with the Couch to 5K programme so far.
I started with Couch to 5K in January 2017 and it is a great plan to follow. As you I mainly try and run first thing in the morning before any food. I find this works well for me. Over time I have started to have confidence in doing runs later in the day or maybe a parkrun or race which would always be after breakfast.
I did 6 half marathons in 2018 and am training for an Ultra Marathon this July, so your Type 1 diabetes is no barrier its all about learning what works and what doesn't.
I also see a rise after certain runs dependent on the effort levels but I feel it will quite quickly start to reduce.
Good luck with your exercise, it is a great thing for helping Diabetes Control. I've just begun trying to reduce the carbs in my diet, not too sure yet how that will work out with running
As others have said, well done on your achievements with the Couch to 5K programme so far.
I started with Couch to 5K in January 2017 and it is a great plan to follow. As you I mainly try and run first thing in the morning before any food. I find this works well for me. Over time I have started to have confidence in doing runs later in the day or maybe a parkrun or race which would always be after breakfast.
I did 6 half marathons in 2018 and am training for an Ultra Marathon this July, so your Type 1 diabetes is no barrier its all about learning what works and what doesn't.
I also see a rise after certain runs dependent on the effort levels but I feel it will quite quickly start to reduce.
Good luck with your exercise, it is a great thing for helping Diabetes Control. I've just begun trying to reduce the carbs in my diet, not too sure yet how that will work out with running
