Last Sunday I participated in the Durham Bull City Race Fest in honor of my nephew, Josh, who passed away in June. My sister, Josh’s Mommy, organized a team of over 80 people to participate in this event – from the one mile fun run to the half marathon! She is amazing and has raised over $6000 for SIDS research! It was a great weekend, full of love.
I decided to participate in the 5 mile distance. Myself and a few others on “Team Josh” were going to walk and I admit, I trained for this event for about 10 minutes. I think I’ve gone running (shuffling) maaaaybe 3 times since we’ve moved here a year and a half ago? Boxing is my favorite exercise, but I’ve been a complete bum in that department as well. Oooops.
Of course since I didn’t train, diabetes decided to be a butthead. I woke up around 200 and had a bagel for breakfast. I bolused about 70% of what I’d bolus normally. I wanted to come down a smidge but I still wanted to stay around 170-200 because I knew this was going to be physically challenging and personally, I like to run a tad high when I exercise to prevent drastic drops.
Before the race started I looked at my CGM and saw the dreaded double down arrows. 
Oy. I ate two glucose tabs and figured I’d hopefully level out. I’d be very pleased if I stayed around 160 for the whole 5 miles.
Of course, diabetes rarely plays nice when you want it to. Throughout the whole race I had at least a southeast arrow. I was popping glucose tabs every 2 miles or so (along with texting my husband such ladylike things as “My BG is being an asshole”, I am the epitome of class, friends), took Gatorade when it was offered, set my pump to only give me 10% of my insulin, and still finished the race at 78. I suppose this could be considered a victory because I never really dropped, was just slowly going down. However, it caused me to panic and I couldn’t really enjoy myself and take in the race.
BUT, I did it, there wasn’t a catastrophe, and it was nice to be a part of Team Josh. I think about him often and miss him so much.
However, the next time I decide to do 5 miles, I’ll do one of two things: I will either actually train for it so I can remember how my BG reacts and can properly prepare, or I will eat a giant cupcake right before the race.
I made these delicious chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter icing for the Team Josh potluck. Don’t judge my awesome icing skills.
Forgive me for not taking too much of an interest in your blood sugars in this post. I’m having a hard time getting past your first paragraph. Hearing mention of SIDS … it’s just so tragic. I couldn’t imagine what it must me like to be a parent in such a situation.
Yes, a crappy day of blood sugars is nothing in comparison. We all miss Josh every day! I was so lucky to be his aunt.
Those look awesome, I think your icing skills look great and good job on 5 miles! Sorry it was a rough one that you didn’t get to fully enjoy the run itself, but you still did it and that rocks! I’m sure that your sis and family appreciate that you were there and supporting.
Congrats on all the money ya’ll raised! And I am super impressed you were able to run 5 miles without training! How do you do that?! I personally think a cupcake is the perfect solution to most problems and the cupcakes you made look amazing.
Haha, I ran maybe 2% of it! Walked – one foot in front of the other with good tunes on the iPod.
Thanks! They tasted good. Icing looks a bit like dog poop though.
Good for you, Laura! I believe you should bring those cupcakes to the next get together. K, thanks. 🙂