Hi everyone! Type 1 Diabetic and very new to running. Advice please :)

[Deleted User]

Hi everyone!

I'm a type 1 diabetic and am very new to running - so new that I haven't actually started yet .

I don't have a great deal of time as I run the family business and work lots of hours. It seems silly for me to join a gym and pay to not be there. I'd rather I could just go for a run at whatever time suits me with no limits...bar sub zero temperatures and 4ft of snow, but you get the idea lol.

I have been into my local running shop and looked at all the gear under the guidance of the staff there and really want to get into running.

I could do with advice on what to buy though. Being diabetic and exercising can be hard enough to balance, so I would greatly appreciate any advice from fellow diabetics on here.... as well as those of you without it!

I have been looking at Asics running shoes, skins, groundhog socks and various other bits and bobs. I don't want to go rushing into buying just yet though - I'd like to get recommendations and opinions and then make my decisions on that. Road running is what I'm looking at doing as this seems the most accessable to me.

Please go easy on me with all the running terminology...Like I said, I'm new and I would like to understand the advice offered to me lol!

Many thanks!

cougie

Decent shoes - take the shops advice they can see your feet.

You probably have the rest of the kit ? Everyones got shorts and tops/fleeces ?

Aldi/Lidl sell running kit from time to time and its good value usually. Once you get hooked you need shedloads of kit - but not to start with.





My wife takes a little gel belt with her with gels and snacks in there in case she gets low.

JJ2

Look after your feet, twinskin socks & bodyglide excellent.

Talk to your diabetes specialist nurse & also Diabetes uk.

You might need a bumbag to carry supplies, oh also take ID with you.

Running Rodent

What they said (good name by the way!). Start with a pair of shoes that suit you, get advice from a running shop. Also a sports bra, if you're female. Wear what's comfortable, gradually increase your running wardrobe as you need it. Brand isn't as important as fit - you need gear that doesn't flap, dig in or chafe, so always try things on. Once you know what you like, you can order stuff on line too.

[Deleted User]

I have been looking into various running shoes and looking at different types for support ect, but with so much out there I feel a little overwhelmed lol.

When I do finally go to purchase my shoes I'm definately going to get professional advice. They seem to assess everything about your foot and movement. I think that's definately the best way to go for starting out.

cougie - Is there a particular belt your wife would recommend? I've seen a few different ones and I'm guessing the smaller the better as I don't want it to be a complete pain bouncing around while I'm out running.

JJ2 - I'll look out for these products, thank you! I have spoken with my diabetes team but what I'm after mainly is specific product recommendations and I don't think they'd be able to help me lol. I'm already aware of the effect exercise has on my blood sugars and how to manage it correctly during exercise. Is this what you meant?

Running Rodent - Needless to say, I really like your name too! lol. I don't really know what is good and what isn't in terms of kit at the moment but I'm sure I'll learn what I need relatively quickly.

Thanks for the advice so far! I'm really grateful. Hopefully I'll get to know some of you on here quite well and then I'll have someone to talk to about all this... My friends and family think I'm a bit mad - the idea of running really isn't their thing!

stu j

RunningRat,

I see you mentioned looking at skins & other kit etc.. but really all you need are:

shoes (as you've already mentioned)
socks
shorts
top

If there is a Sports Direct near you, you can easily pick up the socks shorts & tops for around £12-15 all in.  Shoes, on the other hand (foot?), should always be treated a little more carefully as the advice above suggests.

If you start with something simple, such as the Couch to 5k (aka - c25k) that should ease you into it.  You may be quite a fit and find the runs relatively easy, though the c25k is a tried and tested method, and will ease you into the running and hopefully will help you avoid any injuries that can crop up in the early days.  If you are not a smartphone user then then you can find a good schedule for beginners in the training section of this site:

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/beginners/get-started-schedules/30.html

Good luck on your venture out into the running world!

stu

 

cougie

RR - my wife has a SPIbelt - very neat and you dont notice its there.

If you go to a sports direct store or website - they have the Karrimor version of it for a fiver - http://www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-running-belt-mens-764002

silver gal

If you require specific information regarding managing your IDDM when running there is an amazing website called runningsweet.  This has loads of advice for diabetic athletes for all sports but specifically about running.  Fueling runs can be problematic especially initially your BMs can plummet afterwards, make sure you keep an eye on this and speak to your specialist nurse who may also be able to help.

[Deleted User]

I found a bunch of technical tops in TK maxx really very very cheap, bought two or three for peanuits and they've lasted me well so far. Found my normal t-shirts were chafing the old nips very badly once i'd built up to running about 4 or 5 miles!

 

And best of luck! I keep trying to encourage my diabetic older brother to get out running but no dice so far, I'll use this thread as leverage!

silver gal

Sorry just spotted my mistake the website is www.runsweet.com

[Deleted User]

My son, type 1, runs and does lots of other sports and the main issues for him are the delayed hypos and refuelling adequately to be able to train again the next day. He is pretty much able to control bm while exercising but he has discovered that he needs carbs protein and often a bit of sugar with insulin immediately after to stock up again.