Running 26.2 miles sounds pleasant right? I’m sure a majority of the people reading this disagree with me. In fact, it is not pleasant. However, it is one of the most rewarding things that I have ever experienced. One thing that I have learned is training for this distance is not an easy thing to do. In fact, mentally it can be very draining. All runners experience the highs and lows of running while training for a marathon (or any other race), however, as a diabetic runner, you literally experience the highs and lows of running. There is no such thing as a perfect training strategy since everyone is different, but a beginner plan is the way to start off. My mom bought me a book consisting of three training plans for half marathons and three training plans for full marathons all of which include a taper period (shortened distances by the end of the training). In order to truly understand the struggles of running with diabetes, it would help to go back 2 years to my senior year of high school. My senior year of high school marked my 2-year diaversary, and everything seemed under control. This was my year to shine. I was named captain of my cross-country team, and I was ready to run my best times yet. Although I was mentally prepared, my body disagreed. I was going through this phase where no matter what I did, no matter how high my blood sugar started, with any type of exercise, my sugar would immediately drop. As a result, I wasn’t even able to run 1 mile so it couldn’t have been possible to run a 5k (3.1 miles). It was then that my parents found a group of certified diabetes educators to help me reach my goals. They helped me come up with a personal plan in order to make sure my numbers stay steady through the run and throughout the rest of the day as well. Unfortunately I didn’t have the chance to perform to my highest ability in cross-country, nor did I ever complete a race without having to stop that season. However, indoor and outdoor track season was my time to shine. I broke 5 minutes for the mile, and 11 minutes for the 2-mile. Times which a lot of runners aspire to. January 2016: the start of my marathon training. The marathon-training plan consists of 16 weeks of running prior to the event, leaving plenty of room for error. I had to be in the best shape of my life, and I wasn’t going to let anything stop me, especially diabetes. So what did I do? I ran. I gave it my all. If the end of my workout didn’t tire me I was doing something wrong. Of course complications did arise, but nothing too worrisome. I had a blood sugar spike a little after my long runs so I needed to learn to adjust my insulin in order to correct that, and prevent high blood sugars. In order to perform effectively, proper training, nutrition (prior to runs, during runs, and post runs), and diabetes management is a must. Surprisingly enough, the diabetes aspect of the training wasn’t that bad. As soon as we figured out how to deal with the spikes post run, everything else was running. The hardest part by far was finding the motivation to train but sometimes the best motivation is the desire to succeed, and that’s what pushed me through the long runs...especially those runs in the pouring rain. Everybody is different. Everybody functions differently, and the same goes for diabetes management. As a result, I needed to see what worked for me. The thing that sucks is it might not work for anyone else. Experimentation is key. May 1st, 2016: race day. This was it. This was my time to shine...maybe not, as there was no sun in sight. Nothing but clouds and eventually rain. As soon as it was time to start, I was ready; nothing was going to stop me. The first half of the race, I maintained an 8 minute pace throughout and, according to my dexcom, steady blood sugars. Perfect. Everything was consistent until mile 21 when I felt like I could push it more, and that’s exactly what I did. Despite the pouring, cold rain, I ended up finishing the race in 3:24:07; placing first in my age group! Phenomenal. Unreal. Anything is possible...New York Marathon 2016, I’m coming for ya! Although diabetes might be in the lead, it’s not going to win until I throw in the towel...but that’s never gonna happen. -The DiaRunner
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12/11/2017 06:17:12 am
Hi Jacob, I have had type 1 diabetes since 1983 also diagnosed at 15. I am now 50 and in 5 weeks will be running my first marathon in Dubai. Some days I can manage my diabetes and run 20km with minimal food intake, but other days I can be 14 before I start exercise and be 2.8 after only 5 or 6km. So just wanted advice on what you ate and how often you ate during your Marathon. I am hoping to break 3.5 hours. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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JacobMarathoner, diabetes advocate, college graduate, Certified Athletic Trainer Archives
December 2020
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