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Cross Country running and Type 1

My son was diagnosed in December of 2013. He is now 13 years old. Type 1 is certainly a challenge for him and us. He likes Basketball and Baseball and now has an interest in Cross Country.   I don't think we quite figured out the others sports before their seasons were up. He practices Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday's with meets once a week. He decided a week and a half after Cross Country started to join. The coach said sure that's great. I think its great too. We would love some advice on how to prepare for these runs. He starts out so far with a blood sugar of about 160 ish. by the time we are going home - he tests over 300. This cant be right for every practice or race?? Today he decided to not wear his pump while running and was still high after. How do you prepare before? How many times do you test before, during and after? Do you wear your pump? Do some wear a runners belt to hold the pump if they do wear it? How much water before and after? I could ask questions about nutrients (seen kids eating bananas) - does he bolus for what he would eats? Is he's high because he's dehydrated? Sorry for all the questions - I just don't know. Any advice will be appreciated.
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231441 tn?1333892766
COMMUNITY LEADER
Sorry, more:  I reread your question again:

He may need to limit his carbs during the training.  Particularly if the session is short (or at least no carbs while you test and see what the training is doing to his blood sugar).
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231441 tn?1333892766
COMMUNITY LEADER
During the event (at least for now until you understand how his blood sugar reacts), testing every 30 minutes.  later less frequent.  Test after the event every 30 minutes to 1 hour  until you are sure he is stable.  Test before bedtime to make sure he is on target.
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231441 tn?1333892766
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi. Excise, particularly intense exercise can cause people to go high.

You need to review what he is eating and drinking and the carbs in them.  Is this enough to explain why he was 300?  Or could he be high also from the exercise.

He may need to bolus for both the exercise he is doing and whatever he is eating during the exercise or alternatively, he may need to increase his basal rate during exercise, and reduce again after (as well as bolus for the carb he eats).

Do you know how much one unit of insulin brings  him down? If he is 300 and want to be 120 you need to bolus him for 180 blood sugar.   You will need to experiment with the timing for the insulin.   Maybe 1/2 when he starts training.  1/2 test and see if he is high in the middle of training and bolus the rest.  Monitor closely after the exercise (eat a protein /fat snack after) as sometimes people will go low after exercise (even if he went high during)..

it is very individual how he will respond.  So you guys need to monitor, keep track, and make adjustments.

Hope this is helpful for you.

Water, not too much.  How long are the training runs?  He should be properly hydrated before he starts.  Then a guideline for endurance sport is 500 ml - 800 mL / hr.  If it is cold, aim for 500 / hr, also depends what he is comfortable with.  But not more than 800 mL.  He should also drink after if he is thirsty.

I do basal-bolus only, no pump.  But you could try putting the pump into a hydration unit holder.;  
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