http://yes.diabeticrunner.com/
Hello...Jason here. I'm gonna use this for my running/diabetes blog for a while. Enjoy!
As many of you know, I'm a Type I Diabetic and have been since I was 13. Recently (late January) I started on an insulin pump. A lot of you also know that I do my best to keep healthy by running. Chances are, if you know that, you probably also know that I'm pretty psycho about running. Anyways, I decided this year is the year for me to run a marathon. I've done 2 half-marathons in the past 2 years, so I figured it's time to add 'em up. I know what you're thinking: a marathon and starting on an insulin pump? That's completely stupid. Well, you're right, but don't hate the desert because it's dry. (You can, however, hate the dessert because it's dry. Send that crap back and get yourself a MOIST piece of cake.) I digress. The Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati, OH, is my target. At this point, I'm 10 weeks into my 18-week training program. So far, I've only nearly quit running forever twice. That was after my 15-miler 2 weeks ago and yesterday at mile 13.5 of my 17-miler.
As you might guess if you know much about diabetes, controlling blood sugar is tough enough; trying to do it whilst running for 1, 2, even 3.5+ hours is rather challenging. The pump has thrown me for a loop, for sure. I'm used to just cranking my sugar up before I go run then dealing with it when I get back. The kicker with that is running with ultra-high blood sugar makes for a thirsty workout. More desert imagery comes to mind. Definitely sand, scorpions, and small-child-eating tarantulas...in the back of my throat. Ahem. Not to mention whatever damage high blood sugars do. Now, with the pump, it seems I can't get my sugar high enough for the run. I checked 2 times on my 17 miler over the weekend and it was 100, then 139 after a Goo(I'm not going to explain what that is. Google is your friend.) Keep in mind, I'd also started the run at 210 and had been drinking Gatoraid every couple of miles. Before, my sugar would have easily been in the tens of thousands. So, I kept on snacking. Anyways, it ended up being 115 when I got finished. Awesome, right? Not so fast. Every damned time I get finished running these days, my sugar immediately starts climbing. I'm thinking that the best way for me to deal with this is to just go with it...and do a temp basal of like 200% after I get finished (that's insulin pump-speak, for all you non-diabetics). Thoughts? Anyone?
Alas, I finished the 17 and I'm still on my feet. I'm still in this training thing, too.
Also, for anyone else that's wondering what the hell I'm doing musically, I've joined a band. I'm not going to give details, but it involves me, a microphone(no bass or guitar this time), and a ridiculous amount of 80's pop metal. We'll be writing songs, too, which I'm very excited about. In other not-so-news, Ben still do the studio thing on occasion. He's been busy with school, though. Although I think it costs more to drive over there than we actually get paid to record anyone. Blake and I chat every so often. He's been busy with work and doing EMT training. I've been asked to help him put together an album of his writing. Not sure when that's gonna happen, but I'm hopeful for it.
I've written a bit more Chattering Order stuff. As I get time, I'll finish recording it and post it. Maybe by the summer I'll be able to put together an actual 2nd album...like maybe even play a show, too? Thankfully, my home studio working and working well! Running and emulating Brett Michaels has taken up the majority of my free time recently. Hey, wasn't Bret Michaels a diabetic?
Heavens.
Take care, everyone!
Jace