Any Type 1 Tough Mudders or Spartan Racers?

Type 1 and LADA
#1

I DON'T plan on running either of these anytime soon, but I do want to start training as if I'm going to run one.

I already plan for the worst when I workout: test strips, basal adjustments on my pump, quick sources of sugar just in case, etc. I'm concerned that if I really do one of these races about my equipment. It's not like a spin class where you can just keep pedaling, check your sugar level, and go from there. At least, I don't think so.

I guess that's my question for type 1s who've run this sort of race, whether you pump or not, what was it like? How did you prepare? What did you take with you while you were racing?

#2

I have run 2 Spartan races, the Tough Mountain Challenge and the North American Wife Carrying Championship. I have type 1 and wear an omnipod. I want to run the Tough Mudder, but haven't figured out how to keep my sugars in check over that long a period of time. Before the Spartan race, I like my blood sugar to be between 140-160 because I know it's going to drop, so I also eat half of a protein bar right before the start of the race and I tuck the other half in an inside pocket of my shorts in case I feel low during the race. These races are so much fun! You'll have a great time!

#3

I'm going to have to train and, while doing that, figure out how to secure my pump (I wear a Medtronic Revel). As I eat my protein bar right now. Just tested and my blood sugar is low, and I want to exercise in the next hour or so. Your reply encourages me that my goal to train for and run one of these sorts of races isn't that crazy. :)

#4

I'm doing the Tough Mudder this Saturday and am on the pump. My doctor gave me a Levemir pen to use for the day so I'll be off the pump for 12 hours. I'm keeping several pouches of Gu on me in case of lows, and my mom will spectate and carry my meter and snacks. Long events like the Tough Mudder are hard to train for diabetes-wise but I did a test run last weekend with the Levemir and did 2hrs Crossfit and power yoga. I ran in the high 100's until I got back on my pump but I'm OK with that, and will also be A LOT more active the day of the event. Hope this helps, don't let diabetes stop you from doing this!!!
Jenni

#5

I've noticed that stuff like protein bars and Gu can take a couple of hours to work so I like to have those 30-60 minutes before the race? Last summer when I was running more and doing longer runs (than I'd done before...) every weekend, I'd always have the goal of getting up so I could eat 1.5-2 hours before the run so most of the IOB would be gone. If I wasn't quite where I'd want to be when I got to the running (w/ a group, so I had a 20 minute drive, which I found somewhat helpful...), I'd test again and have something if I wasn't quite where I wanted to be. If I'm working out less than an hour, I don't bother w/ complex carbs too close to the run. I'm not sure about the whole mud thing. One of my buddies did one of those and it sounds intriguing but I'm not a huge fan of wallowing in mud.

#6

No worries, you can do this. I am an Elite Stand Up Paddle board racer in Southern Cal. I don't have a pump (can't afford), but there is a younger guy that races and he has a pump.
We are out on the water sometimes 10 miles or more off shore...not alot of places for me to test.
Get your blood sugar up around 180-200 and go for a run of like 1/4 to 1/2 the distance at what ever speed you can. As you complete the distance check your blood sugar and either take some insulin or eat. I always carry a glucose gel with me incase.
You have to just play with this stuff...gas in the tank makes you go...the harder and farther you go the more gas you use. Just refill your tank and you'll be fine.
This takes some effort and alot of trial and error. Check out my blog "supwithdiabetes.blogspot.com"
Good luck!

#7

Oh wow! First, go get them this Saturday! That's awesome!

I won't let diabetes stop me from doing just about anything. It's just I've got to 1) get back into shape, 2) get control over the hypo unawareness and brittle diabetes, and 3) figure out which sort of run is best for me. I'm thinking something like a Warrior Dash to start.

#8

Wait, if there is no mud and fire what's the point? ;) Just kidding. I had lunch with some friends this week and one friend of mine was like "you're crazy." I just hate running, period, so I've got to have something else going on.

I just have to get back into all of this because I did have to Google "IOB", which I now know is "insulin on board".

#9

Cool, thanks!

I used to be very active, so I totally get your gas in the tank analogy. I just feel a bit weird trying to relive that. I know my diabetes has changed over the years, so I'm just nervous.

Like last night I planned to head to a spin class. I'd had a small snack, turned on a temporary basal so I'd not crash while working out, but my blood sugar completely tanked. By the time I got level again, I was just hungry and cranky. My lows when I was active didn't seem to be so severe. However, I'm also giving myself a year to get to a level where I can run something like a Tough Mudder.

#10

Regina.. if yor looking for a long distance training buddy (area of the country, not long distance races), let me know...I live in the midwest, but there are some similar runs here...maybe we could fill each other in on our training, motivate each other, etc.

#11

Right now, I'm the worst person to partner with. ;)

My doc switched my doses around. I'm a little leery of training at all.

However, I'm good at motivating and cheering people on. So let me know. I won't be probably until another week or so. I just want to feel secure and I don't right now.

#12

I did the TM Saturday and had a BLAST! It was the hardest thing I've ever done mentally and physically but I'm ready for the next one. I wear a pump but took a dose of Levemir for the day. I don't see how any pump or CGM would make it through the obstacles, water and mud. It's be way too easy to pull out your site. I started off at 230 and a couple miles in there was an ambulance that had a meter so I was able to test and was 312 (I had a Gu after the first few obstacles and obviously didn't need it). A couple hours after that I ran into my parents who had my meter and I tested 116 and had a protein bar and Gu. I finished at 158 and felt great! There are several first aid stations throughout the course but none had meters. Our course was 12 miles long and took us 4.5 hours to complete, so if you do it make sure you have someone spectating that will carry your meter, snacks, etc. and doesn't mind a lot of walking.

As far as fitness levels, I workout 4-5 days a week. I like to run but usually keep it around 3-5 miles so I would definitely work on my running/endurance for the next time, and do a little more upper body weights. Everyone is awesome and strangers encourage you to keep going and help you with the obstacles. I highly recommend it!

#13

Yeah, my friends did it this past summer, but I also just saw some ABC coverage where a reporter ran the race. I knew right then there would be no way for me to wear my pump while doing this. A shot of Lantus and needles for a day will have to do.

Since I'm going to shoot for something like the Warrior Dash first (it's just 5k), then I can scale up to a Tough Mudder. ;)

Thanks for the update! It does sound very cool!

#14

I am going to do this next year. I was DX with T1 in Dec 2010 at 46 years old....my older son has been T1 since he was 11. My younger son asked me to do this with him. I was very happy to say yes. So I will do my first Mudder at 49 Y/O and as a T1D. I will be going off the pupm too. My endo said it would be destroyed and I do very well on shots. I am going to transition back to the pens for the month before. Then I will be confident. I went from a dx AIC of 16.6 to an AIC of 5.8 in 9 months. I am a very very anel retentive Diabetic, so I am sure I can do this. So I am sure you will be able to too. It would be cool if there are other T1Ds in the Dayton Ohio area who would want to try to train and run one next spring in Tennessee.