Type 1 diabetes
Post by fgelinas at Fri, 2008-01-04 01:54
I'm a type 1 diabetic for 24 years; sprinter and middle distance runner in high school (1968 to 1972 and went on to longer runs (10k to ultramarathons. As a type 1 have compleed numerous races including marathons and ultras.
Main frustration is that there is little research/info on type 1 diabetes and athletics yet so much on type 2.
All my understanding of my condition and running has been through trial and error and my running has been discouraged in the past by my endocrinologist. Even my current one doesn't know much about athletic training and the effects it has on my diabetes.
Anyone out there having the same problems?
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I'm Type 1 too!
At 40 I have been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes early last year, struggled to find info as you have.
Definately a trail and error issue, particularly when trying to train in the evenings and control the possiblility of night-time hypos.
Have come across some interesting places to get general and more specific training info.
website: www.runsweet.com, www.diabetes-exercise.org (Diabetes exercise and sports association)
books: The Diabetic Athlete - Sheri Colberg, a really useful book, gives variety of sports, insulin regimes and effects of different types of sport/exercise on diabetes.
Really suprised endoncrinologist said don't run, exercise has been shown to have such a positive effect on maintaining controlled blood sugar levels. I've managed to drop HbA1c score from 14.5% in January 2007 to 7.5% in September 2007, exercise has been one of the key components in that, as my diet was good anyway and I've been never been overweight through training and competing.
But bottom line is we are all different and ultimately it is trail and error, but hese resources have really helped me get back into speed training.
The Wright Foundation
Hello there. I would just like to add some peace of mind to you both! I have very recently done a course with the Wright Foundation who are a charity based organisation that research exercise as therapy for various conditions including type 1 diabetes.
They (Wright Foundation) advocate exercise on the basis that it's being controlled with medication and any medical professional is not contradicting any wishes to exercise.
If you maintain a healthy diet and are taking in the necessary amount of nutrients then they say exercise is normally going to see a reduction in bodyfat, increase your sensitivity to glucose and insulin and obviously reduce your chances of CHD, yet that occurs to everyone.