First, the logic behind the numbers.
1. I want to eat breakfast 3 hours before the race so that most of the bolus insulin is out of my system by race time.
2. I want to be able to have a GU gel (20 carbs) without bolusing before the swim and again before the run.
3. I want to avoid lows at all cost but I also want to avoid the highs I was plagued with during each triathlon last summer.
I am planning to create a race day basal profile that I will start on race day and my basal rates will change at preset times so I don't have to remember to do it myself in the heat of the moment.
Here is the race day timeline based on estimated finish times of the swim, bike and run:
5:30am breakfast
8:30am swim start (have a GU right before the swim)
9:00am bike start
10:15am run start (have second GU in transition zone before the run)
11:00am race finished
Here's the proposed basal profile and rationale
7:00am 60% basal rate - to prevent lows during the swim and the bike
8:30am - have a GU gel immediately before the start of the swim
8:45am 120% basal rate (to counteract the GU and the high that I would most likely have after the short swim)
9:00am 60% basal rate (to prepare for the run)
10:15am second GU gel
10:45am 120% basal rate - to prevent the post-race spike in blood sugar and to help deal with the GU
11:30am 50% basal rate - to prevent the lows I have in the hours after the race
2:30pm 100% basal rate - return to my regular basal profile
I may tweak this a bit more before race day. I want to factor in the delicious chocolate milk that they serve at the finish line but I'm not sure if I should adjust my basal rate in anticipation or just bolus for it.
I have no idea if this plan will make for a perfect BG race or make for three hours of this guy:
Meet the crazy diabetes rabbit
The only way to know is to try it. I promise that I'll check my blood sugar before, during and after. I promise that I'll carry plenty of emergency carbs with me and I won't have the GUs if I'm high.
And I promise to keep you all posted on how it went so we can all continue to learn from each other.
Warning: your diabetes may vary and I am not a doctor. Play with your basal profiles at your own risk.
Good luck, and tell us how it works!
ReplyDeleteI tend to be minimalist and go with one basal rate for the entire thing starting an hour beforehand, but then I'm not introducing factors like breakfast. And I have to detach from the pump. And I do start out a bit higher than I'd like. And... then there's that crazy rabbit, too.
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