"The Boomerang Effect" Revisited

So I am trying to learn from my past. After Saturday's successful 12 -mile run, I decided to back off my basal rate yesterday (for 24 hours) and today (for another 24 hours) to 90% of normal. This is to hedge that I do not go low with my blood sugar levels 24-28 hours after an intensive and lengthy workout. Blood sugar levels yesterday were excellent (no lows!) and so far today they are running equally good as well. I am very excited about my road race in less than two weeks. I should be in the best physical condition for a very demanding 10-mile course. I have been training for the past 16 weeks, and last week I ran 28 miles total--my largest weekly mileage ever. Good luck with your own training and diabetes management.

The Dangers of "The Boomerang Effect"

On Saturday, I ran 11 miles and felt good--both in terms of results as well as in managing my blood sugars. My pre-run reading was 137, post-run 124. I set my basal rate at 30% for 2 hours for the length of the run, running the distance in a comfortably slow aerobic heart-rate speed of 10 minutes per mile (1:50:03). But two days later, I had low blood sugar readings almost all day long, particularly later in the afternoon. At 5PM my reading was 56, so I quickly downed a Glutose tube but still felt "out of it." I was able to walk to our office vending machine to purchase a regular Coke, drank half of it, and checked myself 15 minutes later. The reading was still only 58. I finished the rest of the Coke (39 grams of total carbs!) and my blood sugar eventually got to 72. I remember my endocrinologist telling me that there is a phenomenon known as "the boomerang effect." The type-1 diabetic body can actually become hyper-efficient at utilizing insulin post long-runs, and this can continue for 24 to 48 hours. What this also means is that one should closely monitor one's blood sugars and even consider cutting back one's basal rate (I did not) for some period of time after prolonged and intensive physical activity. I had forgotten about this potential effect, so the next time I run 12 miles (in two weeks) I will lower my basal rate slightly for 1-2 days post run and reduce the risks of low blood sugars. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR before making any changes in your insulin regime or increasing your exercise program. Happy running, now that spring finally looks to be on its way in Virginia.

8 Mile

The goal between now and April 3 is to run eight miles every other Saturday, and on the other weekends build up my long-runs to 12. Saturday morning. All started well, until I checked my blood sugar upon wakening: 61. Rats. I treated it with a full pack of Sport Beans and fifteen minutes later added eight oz. of apple juice (with ground chia seeds). The goal today was to run eight slow miles (aerobic heart rate of 136). I really look forward to these long run days. They are not as difficult as they were a year ago, and running them slower helps me from fatiguing and getting injured. It was a great run; cold, but great. I dropped my basal rate to 30% for 90 minutes. Post-run, blood sugar was 121! Average pace: 10:05 per mile. Average heart rate: 144 bpm. Looking forward to snow melting (it will take awhile) and to keeping strong and injury-free. I should add in some core work and push-ups on my non-running days (have not done it consistently).