my son who is diabetic type1 wants to go for a school marathon. Do I need to worry?

I am a type 1 diabetic and run long distances. I am training for half marathons now and trying to get a good time. Basically, running with diabetes is very very complicated. I have to take 30 carbs every 15 minutes of running. Then after my run my blood sugars drop like crazy. If your son is on a pump then have him lower his basal during the run and on the night of his run. Everyone is different though so be sure to try everything out. Practice and repetition is key when figuring out how to run while having diabetes. My numbers become very unpredictable and it can be dangerous. However, I am excellent and recognizing low blood sugars. Let your son know about the risk and tell him to check his numbers often. You can def. run with diabetes it is just takes some figuring out! But don't deny him the right to go for the school marathon. Diabetics can do anything they want to!

As a diabetic he can participate in a marathon or any other activity, and definitely should do so through out his life. Im Type 1 and mountain bike, snowboard, kickbox, run....

As far as being a worried parent, that will come naturally, but as long as your son can monitor himself and make sure to have some carbs in his system, he should be fine.

There should be some training or work up before the full marathon right? Have him practice, go on a jog with him for at least 30 - 40 minutes, with a snack before hand. Work your way up to longer times and see what his sugars do. Everyones body reacts slightly different and he should pick up on his body's trends while engaging in activity so you know what to expect.

From my experience, exercise lowers my blood sugar and the affect of my insulin almost doubles if I take it before activity. Ive learned to have some oatmeal or carbs, then only take half my insulin before a good ride, Sometimes I will have a snack and not take any at all and my sugars will still even out. I notice my levels drops about 100 points during 1 hr of cardio (running, riding...) Regardless I need some insulin in my system even if its .5 or 1 unit, otherwise I have nothing to balance out all the energy being released into my system or properly process all the carbs I ate.

Now after my exercise, my sugars always begin to rise again so I usually take a little to compensate when Im done. I figured it all just by working out and monitoring myself carefully.

I use an inulin pump so it makes it soooo easy to modify my bolus and basal for these things.

For some people, exercise will actually RAISE their blood sugar.

For a marathon, he should have starchy foods like pasta, or mashed potatoes, rice...which will stay in his system longer.

I just enrolled for a hiking/backpacking class at my college which includes 5 hour hikes and an overnight backpacking trip. Im not worried.

How long is the marathon?????

I would just carb him up really good before hand; not with sweets but with some complex carbs, like peanut butter and wheat bread, or cheese and crackers and maybe a little bit of an energy drink...

make sure he's well hydrated and stays that way if it's a long marathon. I definitely would not let him do it unsupervised I would be there watching him the whole time and have something that will bring his blood sugar up quick if it drops. Check his sugar and ketones before he starts and if it's too low or too high I wouldn't let him do it. if he has ketones at all I wouldn't let him do it. If he's on a pump maybe have him take the pump off, that I would ask the doc.

What exactly is the marathon? Since he's only 8, I'm sure it's not a real marathon. Does he have issues with hypoglycemia during intense activities? Reduce the insulin he takes prior to the event and give him some extra carbs. During intense activities with my son who has type 1, I allow him to drink some gatorade as frequently as possible.

Do you need to worry? No not really, but you need to supervise him and adjust his food and insulin.