How to avoid low Blood Sugar when training

Hi

I'm hoping for some advice, has anyone else ever suffered with low blood sugar when training?

I had eaten porridge (made with skimmed milk + banana and blueberries) for breakfast but still managed to collapse in the supermarket after doing hill sprints.

The ambulance people took my blood sugar and were surprised as it was 2.7 - I was given 2 glucose gel things and felt a lot better - BM then raised to 5.7 but it's got me a bit worried.

I'm eating regularly and really focusing on balance so what more should I be doing? This is the second time I've passed out in the last couple of weeks so I obviously need to change something. 

Can any one help? Any ideas? What works for you? (I don't want to gain weight so don't want to eat excessively)

Thanks

You seriously need a decent doctor for this one. If you want general advice here, I think we'll need more info:

What's your background in running? What are you training for? How many miles per week? How many sessions? Do you calculate your food according to weight / mileage? Do you have any known health conditions? What does your GP think? What's your blood pressure? What's your current BMI (BMI is very inaccurate, but it gives a ballpark). Have you had a medical prior to starting running?

To boot: do you drive or spend time around dangerous machinery? This is serious stuff we're talking about... I'm sure you can beat it, but I doubt you will unless you consult someone with a pedigree in the field.

I get grumpy and disorientated if my BS is low. I get lost if I'm driving. 

BTW - A reason why people get dizzy when BS is low is because the mechanism which controls balance, the inner ear, is the only mechanism in the body which has no energy reserves whatsoever. If your BS is low, the inner ear is the first place to feel it. 

I'll get in touch with a doc and check it out ..... for now;

I've only been running 4-5 months but worked out a lot in the 3 months before discovering running. (prior to that I hadn't exercised much for 5 years or so)

I'm training for Edinburgh Marathon I've run just over 35 miles in the last week (but also 4 exercise classes and 6 gym sessions)

I have absolutely no idea how to calculate intake according to weight/mileage - I've gained about 5 kgs since really exercising (although I never eat junk food) 

My blood pressure was fine today at 110/70 (a little higher than is usual for me) my resting pulse was 60 - again about 5 bpm above my average

I haven't discussed this problem with my GP yet, although she is aware that I'm running & hitting the gym etc and didn't forsee any problems. 

BMI comes out at 25.2

 Yes I do drive, wasn't going to bother the GP with it but I guess you're right it's too big a risk - especially if it is not 'normal' for runners 

Thank you for answering

PS. interesting fact about the inner ear - maybe I'll pop a jelly bean in there to get it through the tough times

35 miles + 10 exercise sessions? That's a serious workload for anyone, let alone - dare I say it - a newbie. You need to be really serious about your diet on that level. Look on amazon for books by Matt Fitzgerald. See your GP - tomorrow!

BTW - consumer-grade BP machines are *notoriously* inaccurate. Compare it with your GP's reading, although it'll be a little higher after spending an hour getting screamed at by little kids in the waiting room ;- )

Yes you're right it probably is just a case of over training ... I know I should reduce it I just can't curb all that newbie enthusiasm. It seems counter intuitive to deliberately fail to exercise when it's making me really happy and I'm so up for it. I don't feel physically tired at all (although my blood obviously begs to differ)

I'll have a look for the book thank you (it's difficult to know where to start when I have so much to learn in so many different areas)

I'll pass on your regards to the waiting room brats!

Thanks

I am following a structured training schedule with the running so that is increasing sensibly, although I guess as it does my overall exercise gets pushed higher as I haven't cut back on the gym or classes. I was really hoping I wouldn't have to and could just treat that as my normal resting position and add the running to it. As you say overtraining is a definite risk so I guess I'd better review the other stuff I'm doing (it's fun but I shouldn't be letting it interfere with my running)

Thanks for checking with your wife, perhaps it's something else ... hope not, sounds complicated either way. The paramedic was adamant that it was inappropriately low and was the cause although that's only one opinion - guess I'd better get off my (now bruised) backside and call the doc for a chat

Is it really better 10% undertrained than 1% over? I hadn't realised overtraining was such a problem, kinda assumed it would only affect the next few sessions so the extra exercise would still be beneficial long term

I dunno Joddly it's all jibberish to me, your suggestion sounds plausible (BP was OK when checked but it was quite some time after) ... How do you all do it? Getting food right is so much harder than the actual running!

It sounds like the answer is to eat more carbs after training either way - I'll try that and look at my overall workload and see if it resolves the problem. If it doesn't I'll brave the screaming hordes in the doctors waiting room. (I have an unrelated appointment with a dietitian anyway next week so maybe she can help - though she says she doesn't know much about sports nutrition and it was her suggestion to follow the three meals + fruit anyway regardless of training) 

Thank you all so much for taking the time to answer, I feel loads better having got a few different opinions on it

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Oooo changed the name, that's better

This may be of interest to you :  http://www.peaksware.com/articles/running/deliberate-undertraining.aspx

 Overtraining is a definite no no - You can really wear yourself down and I've seen people who have done shedloads of training completely crumble on race day. Absolutely wrecked and no stamina. Plus theres always the risk of injury = and that could be weeks off training completely.

Just echoing what others have said, you need to get yourself to that start line and that is your priority, you have a hell of a lot more training to take on in the next 15 weeks and you WILL feel it, you need to be sensible and not over egg it now. Your body will give you harsher warnings if you're not careful and sorry to be a tool but you are a newbie to this mara training and trust me it is hard work. The advice you've been given is bang on - overtraining and marathons just don't mix.

You need to conserve your energy for the running and all of those classes I'm not surprised your body is feeling the burn!

I following a 5 times a day eating routine, not for everyone but was given to me by a pro, you perhaps need to re-think your diet and instead of fruit etc all the time for snacks look at slow release energy to maintain you throughout the day.

i would also suggest you look at a training plan if you haven't already, it will help you manage your training better. Good luck with it all, hope you work out what is best for you and remember - get to the start line!!

Thank you all so much for your help. I'm off to see the dietitian tomorrow with a food diary and exercise log so hopefully she'll be able to help - I imagine she'll echo the things you've already said but will let you know either way.

I might not like it but I realise you're right regarding the amount of exercise I'm doing - I think I'm going to cut back so i'm only doing one circuits class a week and less gym sessions ... running is my priority until the end of May and then if I still miss the gym I can always move in again

I really am grateful for the advice, it's nice to find some newbie friendly places to ask stupid questions