Eleanor's story: Parkrun and managing type 1 diabetes

I’ve always had mixed feelings about running, even before I developed type 1 diabetes. It’s hell while you’re doing it, but there’s something very satisfying about finishing one, especially something like parkrun, where you’ve banked an undeniable 5k (just over three miles). 

Managing blood glucose levels adds another layer to the mix. I’ve never quite grasped how I can keep them in target range for a run. Even armed with sweets, phone and insulin pen, I’d concluded that running is that elusive activity where no formula works and I just can’t win. 

In fact over one Easter weekend, my highest blood sugar wasn’t from half an Easter egg (okay, nearly a whole one, and in one go), the massive helping of fish and chips on the beach, the plate of sushi, two big family roasts, or a suspicious number of chocolate balls — it was from the parkrun!

Different approaches

Whenever I run first thing in the morning (before breakfast and taking insulin), my blood sugar goes high. That mix of waking up, foot-on-the-floor spike, plus a surge of adrenaline from charging round the local park means I’ve got no chance of staying within my target range.

So I’ve tried taking insulin before my run. It works, for a time. But within minutes of stopping running, my blood glucose is plummeting, and instead of my leisurely brunch of scrambled eggs on toast, I’m stuffing down Jelly Babies — my least favourite food, which always feels like a particularly unfair twist of fate.

Eating first brings me the same issue. Blood sugar spikes, then drops. Having insulin on board during cardio feels like the definition of an extreme sport for me. It does add a certain level of drama to the morning, wondering if you’ll make it round the course before collapsing mid-5k and taking down half the local parkrunners.

"After experimenting with various combinations (including a special plea to my GP for a half-unit insulin pen, which I was convinced would solve everything), I came to a simple conclusion: a slightly high blood sugar parkrun is, on balance, what seems to work best for me."

But then a nasty reaction to some antibiotics resulted in two very swollen ankles and I couldn’t run. On top of that, my insulin seemed to stop working too (insulin resistance). 

I once heard insulin resistance described as “injecting water,” and I can only commend such a spot-on observation. For a few days, nothing worked. I could barely look at a carb without my levels shooting up. At first, I stayed calm. It is what it is, I thought, it’ll even out. But by day three, I was nervous, and by day four, I was in full despair. 

"My usually lovely green target range averages on my CGM app were turning orange, and for someone who likes a number, that was hard to ignore. Then it clicked — I’d stopped moving because of my swollen ankles, as well as being unwell."

The week before, I’d been averaging around 20,000 steps a day (there was a work step challenge in the mix too), plus near-daily gym sessions. And suddenly, all of that had disappeared. 

So, as I started to feel better, I went back to the gym. I didn’t do anything dramatic, just a few weights, a short run, some walking, and then I waited. The next meal was still a bit scary. A few spoonfuls of rice caused a sharper spike than expected. But by the following day, things had shifted. My usual ratios were working again. There were no dramatic highs. Carbs felt safe again and I could relax, enjoy my pasta for dinner, and even navigate a dessert without too much drama. 

Benefits

So yes, my highest blood sugar that weekend was during parkrun. At the time, it felt frustrating, like I’d done something healthy and been punished for it. But parkrun also gave me something more important: insulin sensitivity, and the freedom that comes with it. It meant that while they still required decisions and planning, I could eat the occasional Easter egg, the meals out, the rice and the chips, with a little less worry about my time in range.

I’m no medical professional, and this isn’t advice, but did make me rethink how I react to blood glucose numbers. We all know diabetes is illogical, frustrating, and horribly unfair at times. That hasn’t changed, but it has helped me react a little differently. What looks disappointing in the moment might actually be part of a bigger, more positive picture.