May I offer a second recommendation: I load my syringe with Apidra and let it sit for 10 minutes or so.
I use Apidra. It has been awhile since I have used Novolog, so I can't remember what its characteristics were for me. I do shoot up after meals, especially those meals that aren't the most balanced or carb reasonable. Apidra does bring me back down, in most cases, within a reasonable amount of time- three to four hours maximum. I like Apidra. It works well in my pump, and I usually get about 2.5 days on a fill.