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Running with type 2

Maggiebob

Newbie
Messages
2
Location
Essex
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Since being diagnosed I have taken up running and am now completely hooked! I have entered a half marathon and am worrying about keeping my energy levels up. "Normal" runners take energy gels, sweets etc. and this is obviously not an option for me - anyone got any ideas?
 
hi, what kind of diet do you have? are you finding you are having low energy problems of trying to avoid this?


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I eat no processed food at all and keep it all very simple - very little in the way of carbs, other than veg. Energy levels have so far been good but am now starting to increase my mileage in preparation.
 
i would say after extensive research about this very thing, i wouldnt worry until you need to, upto ten miles you definatly dont need to worry about nutrition as long as you are eating a healthy diet, which you soung like you are to be homest i have found i can do 13 miles without even drinking anything, although im thirsty when done and in the warmer months this will change, i went to a marathon conference recently that suggested we only burn 100 calories a mile so eating alot assuming your burning it off isnt true so we have to be careful not to put on weight, most people training for marathons do, which in our cases would be bad for obvious reasons, if you are going to eat during the runs my running club have suggested a hand full of nuts tonibble on but dont wait until the end, start eating at about mile 3 so you get the benefit while your still running, carb loading seems to be becoming frowned upon by most, eat as you are would be my advice, ive tried lots of different thing including power gel (once) bounty bar at 13 miles, mars bar, nuts, banana, jelly babies and flapjack, the one that seemed to make the slightest difference to my energy was the banana, it felt like it kept me going longer, i think i did 18 miles that day, ill be very interested in any replies you get, hope this makes sense im typing on my phone

best of luck


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Both pre and post diagnosis, I've not worried about what I'm eating during the longer runs.

Carbs are an option for you as you're not able to replenish as quickly as you are using your reserves. You need to keep some carbs going in to kep the blood sugar up, which allows you to use the fat burning mechanism as well.

You don't need a lot, experiment starting between 15-30g every half hour or so.
 
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