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Can a Type 1 run a marathon at 50?

Tummy said:
Now I got this crazy idea. What if I ran a marathon in 2020, when I turn 50?
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I think it's a great idea! Sounds like running is giving you physical and mental benefits so why not continue.

T1 aside it's a hell of a tough challenge for anyone. But if you've recently done a 10k if you can keep building up slowly, maybe a couple of half marathons in the autumn, then a spring 2020 marathon is a realistic timeframe to aim for.

Key thing is when you're getting up to half marathon and longer distances is fuelling, plus then for us T1s getting the insulin right. But you've a year to train and practice. A nice side effect I found is that in general your day to day and like for like insulin requirements lower. Certainly after those long training runs and the marathon itself in those couple of days or so afterwards it's almost like having a free pass from T1... while obviously not stopping insulin, I can lower amounts and eat like crazy and bg numbers stay good!

Might be useful...
http://www.runsweet.com/diabetes-and-sport/marathon-running/

I've run marathons in my 40s and am T1 for reference. Why? It was more of a mid life crisis rather than a T1 crisis that made me start :wacky: but I do think everyone should do one (if you even remotely can) as you find out so much about yourself around mile 20 onwards :inpain::***::woot:
 
KK123 said:
If I decided to do something and somebody asked me 'What I was trying to prove' because I had diabetes I would be livid. I am sure we all know that we have to take extra precautions before doing anything whether it be driving to the shops, walking to the train station or running a marathon. I have done several half marathons before and after getting type 1 and am 58. In answer to the Poster's question, YES YOU CAN but like any other person doing it for the first time, there is lots of training and preparation to be done. You are not ill (presuming your management is ok) , you have a condition. Like anybody starting exercise (extreme or not) for the first time, it may well be a good idea to discuss any underlying health issues with a Dr, as would someone with dodgy knees or high BP or whatever. Go for it. x
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You may be upset but it is a legitimate question and one for example a doctor or other health profesional, a partner or family member could well ask. Such a question is not about confrontation it is about wisdom. Sometimes a person, whether diabetic or not undertakes things for reasons that may in fact not be sound. There is knowledge and there is wisdom. And just because one person does something does not automatically infer that someone else can or should.
We may assume that as T1Ds we have no complications but without a thorough examination and testing we cannot know for sure. Yes, we may through training improve our health, but we also know that improved bsl control through whatever means can lead to a worsening of existing but not necessarily obvious complications before improvement of those comolications may occur.
 
kitedoc said:
You may be upset but it is a legitimate question and one for example a doctor or other health profesional, a partner or family member could well ask. Such a question is not about confrontation it is about wisdom. Sometimes a person, whether diabetic or not undertakes things for reasons that may in fact not be sound. There is knowledge and there is wisdom. And just because one person does something does not automatically infer that someone else can or should.
We may assume that as T1Ds we have no complications but without a thorough examination and testing we cannot know for sure. Yes, we may through training improve our health, but we also know that improved bsl control through whatever means can lead to a worsening of existing but not necessarily obvious complications before improvement of those comolications may occur.
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Kitedoc, your reply could apply to anyone on the planet so I'll give you that but as adults we just have to trust to our own 'wisdom'. As for your last sentence, I personally don't run to control my bsl, I run for pleasure and for heart and bone health. It is not ALWAYS about doing things specifically to improve our diabetes, sometimes it is simply about being a human. x
 
I exercise because I absolutely love it! I always have, since I was a small kid. I love that feeling that I've given the race/competition/whatever absolutely everything, and there is nothing left in the tank. I loved the relaxed, lazy warmth in my muscles afterwards. It's been one of the great joys of my life. I never ever exercised to prove anything to myself - it was for the sheer pleasure of it.
 
KK123 said:
Kitedoc, your reply could apply to anyone on the planet so I'll give you that but as adults we just have to trust to our own 'wisdom'. As for your last sentence, I personally don't run to control my bsl, I run for pleasure and for heart and bone health. It is not ALWAYS about doing things specifically to improve our diabetes, sometimes it is simply about being a human. x
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The wisdom is about what can go right and what can go wrong. Nobody can necessarily be sure what diabetes complications are lurking in a long term TID and thus what may cause problems under extreme duress. And that is in addition to considering other unrelated but unknown problems. We do not have the 'wisdom' to check our own vascular, heart, eye, kidney systems for example. Someone saying they are complication-free without the best proof available to demonstrate it is fooling themselves.
Risk might also be seen as proportional in some ways. Marathons for example put more strain on a person than a jog around the block. And saying that someone with TID did a marathon does not equate to that every TID wishing to do so should absolutely 'go for it' without giving due consideration to all matters.
Anyone can make a decision for any reason. How wise any decision is or is not is another matter.
The benefits you associated with running in general can be gained doing other activities as well so running is not a pre-requisite for these benefits. Being human is about taking risks yes, but if one is considering one's own health now and long term and the feelings of family and others also taken into account then hopefully common sense and caution will prevail.
There is a saying: As long as the lion cannot write, the stories of the jungle will only be from the hunter's viewpoint.
It is all very well to applaud success and wish to emulate it in an extrene for the person fashion but that is failing to hear, or listen to where, why and how things went wrong for another person whose story does not get told.
Unless you have heard both stories ( and i have) there is no true balance or perspective available to you.
 
kitedoc said:
The wisdom is about what can go right and what can go wrong. Nobody can necessarily be sure what diabetes complications are lurking in a long term TID and thus what may cause problems under extreme duress. And that is in addition to considering other unrelated but unknown problems. We do not have the 'wisdom' to check our own vascular, heart, eye, kidney systems for example. Someone saying they are complication-free without the best proof available to demonstrate it is fooling themselves.
Risk might also be seen as proportional in some ways. Marathons for example put more strain on a person than a jog around the block. And saying that someone with TID did a marathon does not equate to that every TID wishing to do so should absolutely 'go for it' without giving due consideration to all matters.
Anyone can make a decision for any reason. How wise any decision is or is not is another matter.
The benefits you associated with running in general can be gained doing other activities as well so running is not a pre-requisite for these benefits. Being human is about taking risks yes, but if one is considering one's own health now and long term and the feelings of family and others also taken into account then hopefully common sense and caution will prevail.
There is a saying: As long as the lion cannot write, the stories of the jungle will only be from the hunter's viewpoint.
It is all very well to applaud success and wish to emulate it in an extrene for the person fashion but that is failing to hear, or listen to where, why and how things went wrong for another person whose story does not get told.
Unless you have heard both stories ( and i have) there is no true balance or perspective available to you.
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Erm, yes but I like running. Using the 'I've heard both stories and you haven't' scenario to justify your viewpoint being accurate and mine not is a little unfair. I do get that some people are timid when it comes to doing things and others aren't and I wouldn't condemn you for that, it's a question of personalities and there is no right or wrong.
 
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I find since having diabetes, I am far more in tune with my health.
Without diabetes, I doubt if I would have seen a doctor for 10 years and I certainly would not have my blood pressure, cholesterol, etc checked at least once a year.
With that in mind, I think someone with type 1 diabetes is already better informed when starting to train for something like a marathon.
 
I wish I liked exercise - sounds like you love it, so go for it! Can't really add much to what's already been said, so best of luck :)
 
kitedoc said:
i do not presume to read the op's mind and we are each entitled to an opinion and answer.
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All opinions are fine. And they're all correct too in a way.
Yes, there is a bit of "proving" involved. Just like I've proven the doubters wrong before. Like our doctor who said I'd never be able to go to college or get a diploma. That was 1980. 12 years later I got a Master's degree with honours. Fortunately my parents never told me what the doc said... I would also have to be careful with travelling, especially crossing time zones etc. Now I have a global role that takes me pretty much anywhere. I guess those of you who've lived through the stone age of diabetes treatment know what I'm talking about.

So yes, I would like to beat the odds once more. But I will do all necessary and regular check-ups specific to this effort. My diabetes specialist is a long distance runner herself, so I think I'll be in good hands.

Good point about family though. Hadn't thought of that but I can imagine they too would undergo some of the suffering..
 
Bon83 said:
You can absolutely run a marathon at 50 - everyone running a marathon will have to practice nutrition - you will need to do this and see how blood sugar behaves. You've plenty time to find out as well. Are you thinking a specific one?
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No not thinking of a specific one. I don't want to push myself to a specific date or place if I'm not ready for it. We'll pick one when I'm almost ready!
 
Mel dCP said:
I wish I liked exercise - sounds like you love it, so go for it! Can't really add much to what's already been said, so best of luck :)
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Thank you. But actually, I HATED exercise, until 2 years ago or so. I always struggled with keeping my sugar levels ok before, during and after, so I never felt I was any good at it and also that it wasn't fair. But with the current treatments available, a new world opens up to me. (And I also have no excuse anymore...)
 
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