Running gear for those living with Diabetes

During our training for the Athens Marathon, Rob and I found a few running gear favorites that helped us maintain good blood sugar management and piece of mind.

Diabetes isn’t easy, but neither is life. Diabetes is simply part of our life. We do our best to ensure that our choices during physical activity support convenient diabetes control.

One thing Rob and I do now by nature, after living with diabetes for so long, is to ask “what if?” frequently. Asking this question helps us remain prepared for whatever comes our way. Regarding our recent marathon, we made sure that we set out all of our running supplies, diabetic supplies and traced our route to the bus departure point the day prior to the marathon. We made sure that our Tandem insulin pumps were fully loaded and charged, our Dexcom CGMs were fresh and functional, our Apple Watches were charged and our FlipBelts were stocked with our identification cards and Clif BLOKS!

My favorite running gear for those living with Diabetes

Here are our favorite diabetes-friendly marathon gear & fuel sources at this time:

• FLIPBELT: These belts carry everything! I mean everything. They also don’t bounce around like the famed SPIbelts do (personal opinion… and experience). Seriously. We are able to hook in our keys, ID cards, carb sources and our insulin pumps without the belt bouncing around. I will never opt for another brand. Yes, total fan. No, not affiliated in anyway. Just sharing!

  

• APPLE WATCH SERIES 5 + DEXCOM: There is no greater joy than being able to look at my wrist and see my blood sugar during exercise. Nuff said. BTW, I can also see Rob’s using the Dexcom Follow app!The pic below displays the Apple watch face layout that currently works for me. You see the Dexcom follow link (bottom left) so I can monitor Rob’s blood sugars. My blood sugar displays on the bottom right. I also added a few other app compilations to my watch face to further personalize it. Unfortunately, Dexcom still requires my cell phone to be within range to display blood sugar readings. One day, I hope I am able to leave my cell phone at home and still see my numbers! The Dexcom website currently states “Apple Watch will only communicate with your compatible iPhone, not the Dexcom G5 Transmitter.” Read more here.
  Rob and I are former FitBit users. However, the Apple Watch has moved ahead regarding the ability to show blood sugar data with fitness functionality. This matters.
• ENERGIZE: On those days during training that we just did not feel motivated, Energize really helped. I’m not sure if it is mental or what but there is something about Energize that wakes me up and makes me give it my all. I’ve been using this product for years as both a Coach and customer on days when I am lacking energy – I love it!

  

   

• CLIF BLOKS ENERGY CHEWS: While training for the Athens Marathon, Rob and I found ourselves fans of Clif BLOKS. Prior, we had used the Gu gels for quick sources of carb, but, they were so messy! Plus, Clif BLOKS on long runs doesn’t seem to upset our stomachs on long runs like Gu. PLUS, Clif BLOKS are easy to eat, delicious and they provide a quick, chewable energy source while running. Each cube contains only 33 calories and  roughly 8 carbs. We like the black cherry flavor!

  

These are a few of my favorite diabetes friendly running gear and supplements.
What are yours?