Beginning Training for Second Marathon - You can become a Type 26.2 too! I'm a type 2 runner!

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Starting the third week of training for my second marathon. Meant to start posting blogs before this, but stuff got in the way.

Anyway, to start: I'm a 43 year old type 2 diagnosed 5.5 years ago... and no I am not a LADA or MODY, I've been tested for both (LADA twice) and tested negative for both. I am on orals right now, metformin and glimeperide, and have low fasting insulin levels. I will be switching to a fast acting insulin (probably apidra) in early august, after my next doctor visit, as most of my spikes seem to be post prandial. The glimeperide and metformin combo works well when I'm running more than 30 miles per week, but less than that I tend to get lows.

Anywhoooo.... My first marathon was May 30th and it was unseasonabally warm here in Madison WI that day: 90 degrees. My goal was 4 hours and I hit 4:17, not bad, considering the heat; I finished in the top 3rd for my age group. But I was ahead of schedule, hitting 2:54 at mile 20, and I didn't feel like the heat was bothering me that much. I was fine until about mile 21 and then my hips started killing me and I had to switch up walking and running. Maybe the heat affected my hip flexors, I don't know, but I never had that happen on any previous long runs, so I'm not sure. I regularly do core and hip strengthening (I'm a newly minted personal trainer) but did not do much flexibility stuff. Now I've added yoga at least twice a week and it seems to help.

My next marathon is October 30th, in Middleton WI. Hopefully it will be in the beautiful 50s that day!

For anyone that is interested I recommend Hal Higdon's 18 week training programs: http://www.halhigdon.com/

I started with his beginner marathon program after I had been running for a little over a year and had completed several 5Ks, 10Ks, trail races, and a half-marathon. Believe me, you need to be running at least a year, and have participated in other races to prep for a marathon.

I am now working on Higdon's intermediate 1 program. Today was a cross training day, a quick 20 mile bike ride averaging 16mph. My running schedule is t,w,th,sat, sun. A 5 day running week, a bump up from 4 days for the last marathon. So far so good.

How has running impacted my diabetes and vice versa? Initially running brought down my med use, because I was loosing weight and eating less. But once I hit 20 - 25 miles a week and started becoming more competitive and run longer distances, I need to eat more to maintain an appropriate weight (I'm 5' 7", 148 lbs, down 40 pounds from when I first started running), and refuel properly to restore muscle glycogen. I basically started having to think more like a type 1 runner, especially in races, not worrying about the higher sugars that carbs on race morning might bring because they would go lower with the race. I also increased my glimeperide to 2 mg with a higher carb meal, which was initially hard, because as a type 2 you always seem to want to lower meds...

Anyway, if anyone has any questions let me know and I would be happy to answer them.

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Congratulations on your marathon achievement! I was a marathon runner for many years prior to diagnosis, now trying to get back into it with the D (T1). I’d be interested to know what, if anything, you eat on the race day or long training runs, and what do you drink? Hope all goes well and you stay injury free for the next one!

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Congratulations and your time was really good esp. with the heat!

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Thanks! I am shooting for 3:50 in the October 30th marathon I am running.

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Alan,

You’ll probably cringe, but on my long runs (15+) I eat canned ravioli and white bread with butter. I’ll also eat something with a medium or low glycemic profile (sweet potatos, whole grain banana bread). It gives me the carbs I need and its easy to digest, and I’ve tested it and never had gastro issues.

As for the actual runs, I use GU and, depending on weather conditions, Gatorade endurance formula. I run with an amphipod belt that allows me to carry the water I need. On long runs I will invariably hit a coffee shop 1/2 - 3/4 of the way in and do an iced coffee (hot or cold weather).

Since i don’t have to worry about bolus or basal insulins (for now) I feel pretty fortunate in my fueling. I do not take any oral meds on the mornings I run.

Most of my training for the first marathon was in cold or cool weather, and now I’m in the thick of heat and humidity. I’m doing ok so far. I seem to have the ability to deal well in heat. I prespire a lot, and that helps keep me cool. Without the amphipod I would be stuck though! I tried a bunch of different stuff (carrying hand bottles, camelback waistpack, etc) but the amphipod belt strikes the right balance between weight distribution and ease of use and packability for me.