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Type1 training for a Marathon

HeidiVBQ

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hello, I am 26 and have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes since I was 12. I currently am training for my first marathon (London April 2016) and would love to hear from other type 1 women who may have completed this for some advice? I have ran half marathons before but it would great to see how type 1 diabetic women manage a full marathon with their blood sugars. Thank you x
 
I am not 26, I am 13, but I am a gymnast. It takes a lot of effort to do the things you want with type 1 diabetes, but I believe that you will be able to do it.
 
Heidi, if you use facebook it may also be worth having a look at the sporty type 1 diabetics facebook page. I've seen a few female marathoners on there who don't necessarily visit here.

It isn't necessarily marathon specific, but may be worth having a look at Eva Kapp's blog as she is a female triathlete who has completed a full ironman triathlon (which of course includes a marathon at the end): http://t1diabetictriathlete.weebly.com/
 
Thank you so much everyone, that is really useful advice. I will have a look at the sites you have suggested
thank you xx
 
Hi - I've only done shorter distances (up to 10 miles) but Diathlete on Facebook & Twitter is an inspiration. He has done several tough challenges & is type 1. Good luck - amazing job.
 
I know it said women before its pointed out that I'm clearly not hahaha... But run sweet is a great website and covers a broad range of sports from rowing to ultra marathons some good advice...

Good luck...
 
I would just like to offer my wholehearted support of you !!

When I was diagnosed in 1972 there were a few things the doctors advised we could not take part in -- the main athletic 1 was long distance running and marathons were a complete no no.
I am just writing to say what a wonderful young lady you must be and I am Proud of you for taking on this sport !!!
 
Thank you so much "himtoo" that means so much and is such a lovely thing to say. I am hoping I can prove to a lot of people that Type1 diabetes shouldn't stop anybody who wants to achieve things in life (even though it may be harder to achieve than those who do not suffer). Thank you everyone else for your advice also, it's lovely that you have spent the time to write a response xx
 
Hi ya,

I'm 44, in the past 4 years I have ran 3 marathons and plenty of half marathons.

I found energy gels (hi5) really god as both energy and keeping sugars maintained.

They carry 23g of sugar per gel, I found I only wanted to take the, after 10/12 miles, then at 17 and 23 or when u feel the need. You will do plenty of long runs in the lead up, so see how your sugars are along the way.

I started marathons and most long races with a healthy dose of porridge and a banana, that's what Paula Radcliffe used, good enough for her I reacon good enough for me ;-).

Anyway saying all that I am done with marathons now and concentrating on building my miles back up now I've gone only the pump. I actually came on here for exercise and pump advice as my runs are causing me rediculous highs now.

PM me if you like, always happy to help.

Misty X
 
If your runs are causing highs, then you are going anaerobic and causing a liver dump. If you want to keep BG level, or slight fall slow down, work to heart rate.
 
I'm already running 1.30 min mile slower than I was used to before my 'getting used to pump period of non running - 6 weeks!).
I'm surprised myself at the highs !! Esp given I'm training slower and fewer miles.
Misty x
 
MISTY10 said:
I'm already running 1.30 min mile slower than I was used to before my 'getting used to pump period of non running - 6 weeks!).
I'm surprised myself at the highs !! Esp given I'm training slower and fewer miles.
Misty x
Click to expand...
what heart rates are you training at? That is the measure of aerobic or not, pace isn't.
 
Thank you Misty. I am new to the forum and have not figured out how to message people properly yet. It wouldn't let me message you back when I did try. Your tips on miles and gels to use when is so useful though. My dietician told me to use jelly babies but I am just not so sure yet. X
 
Jelly babies may be a good source of glucose, but much easier to carry some gels in a pouch on a rainy marathon. You are also more likely to find gels being handed out at stations along the way so if you get in a pickle and miscalculate it is good to be used to taking on gels whilst running. Eating solids is more difficult as well when running.

I've done several marathons since being diagnosed type 1, and several more since switching to a pump. The pump makes life so much easier, and mostly for the ease of fitting in training when I want rather than when my injection schedule determines. I have another London entry for this year but won't be beating my 2:49 from last year this time.
 
Elydave, I don't use a heart rate monitor, I had one for my old garmin, I'm not sure if it will work with my new one but I shall investigate if you think it will help to understand heart rate. All I know is I've lost my fitness so it's all a struggle really so the 6.5 miles tonight at 9.20 pace was ok but not easy and enough to send my sugars out of wack.

Heidi, I use gels when running as can't breath and chew ;-) they are an instant hit, for sugars and energy on longer runs.

For everyday hypo I use fruit pastels, 7 = 20g, so 4/5 tends to sort out a reasonable low quickly.......the issue is NOT finishing the packet !!

Misty x
 
I need to crack this, but I guess things will change again as my miles and pace increase......keeps you on your toes.

I'm now thinking I'm may give a basal hit when I get back from a run as the basal is too slow, an hour run and 4 hours later still fighting the sugars !!

The bummer is I couldn't really eat any of the cake or nice stuff after the run at club as I knew the sugars would go wacko, I don't really want to throw things even more ....on the plus side I hope to shed a few pounds !!
 
If on injections and doing a marathon I found that I needed to reduce the long acting insulin from the evening before the race so that it was actually reduced at the right time. Was still needing to take quite a number of gels in order to keep the bg up though.

Now on a pump there is only a need to turn the basal down from just before the race and the amount of gels needed on the way round is greatly reduced.
 
my basal is reduced three hours before I plan on running/riding, remember that even the QA insulin in pumps has a multi-hour action.
 
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