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Type 1 Sports Essentials

alhubb

Well-Known Member
Messages
101
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hi everyone,

I have always been a keen runner/cyclist until an injury and operation last year. Just starting back up, but in between my operation and now I was diagnosed with type 1. Just looking for advice for the essential equipment needed for long distance running/cycling, please? I am currently taking everything but the kitchen sink out with me, but want to slim line all that stuff, if possible!
 
I am type 2 on insulin but I would recommend taking your test kit and hypo kit with you. If you are on your own please take a mobile phone with you as well. Perhaps it would be best to go with a partner just in case?
 
When i go long distance exercise, I'd take, my meter, make sure it's got plenty strips and battery; plenty sugary food for hypo - exercise tens to lower sugar's, some people, drastically, so take less basal; spare insulin site, an insulin pen. Make sure pump has insulin and battery. Regular snack, like a nature valley bar, if sugar's keep dropping and need it. A card or bracelet that says you have diabetes.
Sometimes i take out the meter and strips from the purse like pocket it comes with to save space.
Test frequently, especially at the beginning,
 
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For the cycling, gels and carb based sports drinks. I use these and find them decent:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/high5-energy-gels-variety-box-38g-x-20/rp-prod145737

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/..._dc|pcrid|161845658788|pkw||pmt||prd|309184UK

There's no denying that testing when on your bike is a nightmare, gloves, clipless pedals, sweaty hands, blah, blah, blah. But it needs to be done.

In terms of storage, you'll get all your testing equipment, inner tubes, chain, etc into a med/large saddle bag. I tend to keep all my gels in the cycling tops that have open pockets on the rear. And my carb based drink in the bottle holder.
 
Hi @alhubb I bike ride, my essentials are - Bottle of water/fluids, meter & strips, jelly babies and a phone, I use a bag positioned under my seat. I am on a pump so this is fairly easy to transport round my waist.

It depends on how far you go, if out for longer than an hour take a carby snack, if less I just take jelly babies which normally carry me through till I get home if I do go hypo.

Using a libre would be useful as it's easier to check/monitor if you're going high/low whilst exercising, easier than testing on a meter
 
Thanks all for your replies, seems I have been doing the same as you guys, which is good to know.

@Juicyj, yeah I agree about it being useful to have a libre/CGM, unfortunately I don't have access to one!
 
Hi @alhubb . Think you've got all the tips you need. Could go for a tattoo ( see my avatar ) .
Seriously though the only other tip I would offer is knowledge. Start out easy and keep a record of everything you do , eat and how your sugars react. This knowledge/ information should give you a good base from which to work and plan your workouts.
Remember the exercise could and probably will affect your BS levels quite some time after you finish exercising. Different exercise can affect my sugars upto 6/8 hrs after I finish.
 
Have you taken a look at runsweet website? It is a great resource for information about exercise with diabetes
 
I tend to reduce my insulin dosage by 50% when going on a long intense bike ride but eat the same amount of carbs (80-90 grams) per meal. I find that this works for me. I take glucose gel that you get from sports shops and also some good carb snacks and 2 bottles of lucozade. With all the usual like BGM and insulin. I jave only just started to carb count and cycle and I have got this down to a tee already as I find it very easy to control.
 
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