Sorry it's been a few weeks since my last post!! My intentions are always good, but my actions don't always reflect my intentions. So I definitely appreciate you sticking around for my very random posts. Guess I don't have a schedule yet, but I started working on that today and I plan to be more organized with my blog posts.
Anyway...
I want to talk about Running WITH Diabetes. If you are a diabetic yourself and wonder how in the world I run with a pump, or if you're just curious, I'm going to spill my secrets-- ok, they're not secrets, more so personal theories that I've tested to be true.
Quick personal recap:
I was diagnosed at age 4 and do not remember my life before diabetes. I have only a few memories of my diagnosis, one being a morning in the hospital when I was given a white "bakery" bag for breakfast believing I would soon be enjoying some sugary donuts. To my disappointment, it was a plain little bagel, not a donut. Lol. Just the first of my many disappointments and frustrations with diabetes.
Just from my first disappointment with the bagel, Diabetes has presented me with many frustrations and hurdles to overcome. Some of you may say diabetes isn't fair, and I'll agree, because I've cried out many times to God asking "Why? Why did I have to get a chronic disease that I had no control over in developing? This isn't fair!" Although the road can be rough, this disease has grown me into the person I am today, and I'm thankful. My life verse is "to be joyful always" and I believe there is always something new to be learned in all circumstances, whether they be good, bad, frustrating, or all out painful. I have come to know my mothers advice to be true: she raised me (THANK YOU MOM!!) to believe that I can do ANYTHING I want. I am a normal person and diabetes should not stop me. Like all of us with free-will, IT will not stop me unless I let it. It's all my choice. Mom and Dad lovingly taught me this lesson by simply encouraging me to "push through" the pain. Literally :) Growing up I was not allowed to "skip" school because of a "high" or "low" blood sugar. It wasn't really an option to skip because of diabetes. Of course, there were those circumstances that I did miss because of diabetes, but mostly I was not allowed to miss if I wasn't feeling well or if I had a bad night. My mom and dad always said, "unless your bleeding out your nose, you have a fever, or a broken bone, you need to try and go to school." I hated this rule then, but now I look at it and realize they only "pushed" me because they loved me and wanted me to know that diabetes wasn't given to me to be used as a "crutch" but to be used as a means to make me stronger. And it has.
What does this have to do with running? Well, running with diabetes can be frustrating and very unpredictable. Sometimes I feel like crap before a run-- but I have to get my mileage in. Sometimes I end up "low" during a run and have to stop and eat. Or sometimes I have a great run but end up feeling bad after because I of an after-run high or low.
Sounds great, huh?
No it's not easy, but I haven't let diabetes steal the joy of running from me, because I absolutely love to run. Running with diabetes just means I have to monitor more closely and figure out solutions to my blood sugar levels so I can run. There are many days I feel "bad" or have a lower Pre-Run Blood Glucose level (PRBG) than I prefer, but I just have to correct it (eat a snack) and GO ON with my run. If I'm too low, I usually correct and wait an hour or so and monitor again, which by that time I have the "okay" to run. The following are just a few of my own personal rules before running. NOTE: These are MY rules, if you have diabetes, please talk with your doctor and decide on your own personal plan before you start running.
My diabetes running routine:
1.) I always check my Pre-Run blood glucose level-- NEVER, EVER RUN WITHOUT TESTING 1st!
Personal PRBG Rules:
- 150-200 is a comfortable running range for me (you may have a different range, but I've found I'm less likely to dip or spike during a run if I start out around 150-200.) I also go ahead and change my pump settings to a temporary basal of about 50% (a lovely feature on the medtronic pump.)
- If I'm lower than 120, I try to eat about 15-45 carbs worth of food (amount of carbs dependent on amount of miles.) I still change my pump settings to a temporary basal of about 50%.
- Snack example: Kashi Bar (28 carbs)/ 1/2 Banana (15)/ Gatorade (21 carbs)/Fruit Snacks
- How much I eat is also dependent on how many miles I plan to run.
- If I'm running a shorter run, I will only eat 15 carbs rather than 30 or 45 and change to a temporary basal of 50%.
- If I'm 250 or higher, I correct only about .5 units and use a temporary basal of 75%.
2.) Change my basal rate to a "temp basal." Even if I'm high, I go ahead and reduce the amount of insulin I'm receiving rather than taking off my pump. This will prevent after-run highs.
- Exception 1: If I am mid-run and drop below 70, I will suspend my pump and eat my emergency snack.
- Exception 2: If I'm below 65, I stop running- this is too low to correct with a snack and maintain a high enough BG. I will come back the next day to complete my mileage.
- Exception 3: Race Day- if I'm below 100 I will suspend my pump, eat 45 carbs and stop to test around mile 3 or 5, in which I will then unsuspend and set a temporary basal.
Ok, this is a lot of boring info for those of you that don't have diabetes, but if you do know someone that has diabetes (or you have it yourself) be encouraged that RUNNING WITH DIABETES is sooo possible. I do run with my pump, I always carry a few "emergency snacks" (fruit snacks, granola bar, etc.) and I always have my phone. I am by no means a clinician that has any authority to give you medical advice, this is just what works for me. So, I encourage you to talk to your endo and find out what they recommend. Running is great and you will reap the benefits! I hope you are encouraged to start running-- because YOU can most definitely do it! :)
Thanks for stopping by! I'd love to answer any questions you have and I would love to hear what works for you!!! I will continue to post about running with diabetes, but for now, have a blessed week!!!
:)
To Him Be the Glory.
