• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Great North Run

adrian29459

Well-Known Member
Messages
77
Location
Newcastle, England
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Hi all,

I was wondering if many type 1's are doing the Great North Run this Sunday? Do you have a specific plan? How will you keep your blood glucose levels stable?

I'll be running for the fifth time, aiming for a time of 1hr 50m. Over the years I've tried a number of glucose sources, energy drinks, glucose gells, jelly babies and tablets. This year I'll be carrying two glucotab tubes, a running belt full of jelly babies and a banana just before the start. Every 7-8 mins I'll eat a tablet or jelly baby.

I'll also set my insulin pump basal rate to <5%.

Last year I managed to run the whole thing without stopping for rest/toilet/blood test, I'm hoping this year I can do the same. Already starting to feel a little nervous
 
Good luck on the run Adrian and hope you cross the finishing line trouble-free :thumbup:
 
Hi Adrian,

Never braved the great north run, although I have watched it many times (I used to live on Newcastle quayside). I have, however, done the London to Brighton bike ride (56 miles) for the past few years. I usually hVe a banana and some weetabix before I go and then sup on some Lucozade as I am going - keeps my sugars up and gives me a little boost of energy! I don't have a specific plan, I just see how things go and always make sure I have plenty of stuff with me.

Everyone is different though, so what works for me may or may not work for you.

Anyway, best of luck with the run!

Emma
 
Thanks for all the replies!
I've looked a little on runsweet.com and it seems energy drinks and bars (mars bars!) are the way to go. My plans are to start with the jelly babies and then move onto the harder tablets. I've also decided it'll be good to have an energy drink with me (rather than plain water) but not pure lucozade, perhaps sport or powerade - a reasonable amount of carbs.

I'm going to have the usual oat granola breakfast but a little earlier to make sure the bolus doesn't follow through to my start at 10.40am. I'll test my bloods just before I leave my bag on the baggage bus (about 10am) and hopefully it'll keep stable.

I've done a lot of training runs so I am familiar with how I feel and I think I can now tell the difference between hypoglycaemia and general tiredness from sport. I'll use dryness/aching as and indicator that blood sugars are high.

Hopefully I achieve a time under 2hrs or even better break my PB, weather is looking good!
 
I tend to use the same techniques, . It took me a lot of trial and error and a lot of time to get the confidence to turn my pump down to just a trickle. Personally I take my meter with me but then I'm not worried about time and I would be out for longer than you
Good luck.
 
How did you get on Adrian? Are your blisters as big as mine? I was awesome yesterday for the first 8 miles, and strong through to 11, but 12 and 13 are really tough in the GNR. Didn't enjoy that uphill bit on the seafront, nor the long trek back to Newcastle afterwards.
 
Hi there, I'm well. Toe is a bit sore with a blister (or bruise), other than that I'm good! My run was similar to yours, strong the first 2/3 but a little slower towards the last few miles. Certainly less painful than last year, training and the expensive trainers paid off. Sped up on the last mile and managed a new PB of 1:55:55. An improvement of 5mins so I was pleased.

As far as diabetes, I woke with a BG of 6.7 and 5.8 at 9am. I had a banana and cereal bar leading up to the run, then throughout I ate jelly babies and sipped on lucozade sport. I would eat more if I got hot and eat less if I felt cold/dry. Tablets and glucose gell were carried but never used. Finished with a BG of 8.7.

Next year I'm going to get a GPS watch so I can track and improve my time. Well done!
 
Well done to everyone who ran in the GNR. I had been accepted but I broke and dislocated my big toe on Holiday a week before the race and it got quite badly infected too so am quite disappointed that I didn't make it. Next year I think I'llk be more careful (and my Holiday is 3 months before the run!!)
 
It was my first Half-Marathon, and I was aiming for 2:30:00, so I was pretty chuffed to come in at 2:24:36 (I'm a big lad).

I only found out that I had a place 5 weeks ago, so I had to plan a pretty frantic training schedule. I have another Half Marathon in 6 weeks, and I'm going to try to train beyond the 10 mile mark a lot more.

It was pretty annoying starting at the back of the race, because I was constantly dodging people in silly costumes who (it seems) had little intention of actually running. I don't mind if there are one or two, but I kept hitting walls of 4 or five people walking along chatting.

Great crowds all along the route (which is basically just a dual-carriageway between Newcastle and the sea). Couldn't have been more impressed by Newcastle itself - what a fantastic little place (not often you'll hear a Middlesbrough supporter saying nice things about Newcastle). Definitely need to come back for a non-running visit.
 
Hi borofergie, well done on your first Great North Run! That's a really good time, especially since its your first!

I understand where you're coming from with walls of people walking and blocking your route, it happened to me on my first two experiences, there should be a walking lane.

Glad you like the city! If you do it again next year come up on Saturday for the junior runs, athletics and pasta party on the quayside, its a lovely location and this year was even better with the scorching weather we had.
Good luck on your next half-marathon, rather you than me!
 

Well done :thumbup: RRB
 


Pleased you completed the run Adrian trouble-free :thumbup:
 
Well done chaps - very jealous as I am only 2 weeks in to my learning-to-run-to-oxford training plan. See you there next year perhaps.
 
swimmer2 said:
Well done chaps - very jealous as I am only 2 weeks in to my learning-to-run-to-oxford training plan. See you there next year perhaps.
Click to expand...

That's more or less where I was this time last year Swim. Once you can run for more than 10mins anything is possible.
 
noblehead said:
This guy completed his 30th half-marathon yesterday carrying a fridge on his back every-time:
Click to expand...

The sad thing is that I almost certainly started behind him, but I can't remember passing him on the course.

I did pass one guy dressed as Jesus, carrying a cross, and escorted by Mary and a Roman Centurion.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…