Local Runner Of Interest

Runners are interesting folks.  We all have a story.  How we got to where we are.  Who or what inspires our commitment to run.  In the next few blog entries I want to share some stories introducing local runners, the ones you see on the streets as you drive by or wave to as you cross paths on a run.  If you have a story you would like to share, feel free to contact me.    

Question and Answer session with runner Suzanne Strong from Crofton.

How long have you been running and what got you started?

In 2006, at 7 ½ months pregnant, my (and my brother’s) friend, Conor Lighthizer, passed away.  His was an amazing person who happened to have Type 1 diabetes.  He was also a marathoner and a triathlete.  Conor had signed up to run the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) in October of that year.  My brother and his friends petitioned MCM to run it as a relay in his honor.   My first child was born on 10/18/06 so I could not participate in the relay but promised myself that, once I was not pregnant, I would run a race in Conor’s honor. 

I started running around July 2009 in preparation of the State's Attorney's Office Victim Fund 5K Run, held in September.  I signed up with my husband and brother and decided I might not be in good enough aerobic shape to finish 3.1 miles without stopping.  I wasn't.  I finished in 33 minutes and was really disappointed with myself.  But the race was so exciting and so much fun that I decided I was going to keep running and racing.  My second race was the St. Patricks Day 5K in Baltimore and that was it.  I was hooked.  I ran the Crofton 10K in June and thought if I could run 6 miles, why not 26.2?  The only real way to honor Conor was to run the MCM.  I joined the Annapolis Strider’s Moore's Marines training program. 

When were you diagnosed with diabetes? 

December 29, 1989 at around 4:30 PM.  I was 12.  You never forget your diagnosis date, but I recall the time because I had just housed a bag of Doritos Cool Ranch Chips while watching Oprah when we got the call from the Doctor's office that my blood work had come back.  My blood sugar was 919.  (A level of anything over 600 is considered extremely dangerous; coma is pretty much imminent).  A normal blood sugar for a non-diabetic is about 70-120; for a diabetic it's 90-140.  My mom and I packed a small bag and raced to the old AAMC.  We went to the ER as directed.  I remember waiting in the ER with a man who had a circular saw stuck in his shin, blood dripping everywhere.  I got taken back before him - that's when I realized how serious it was.

Luckily (or not really), my cousin Jimmy lived with us and he had diabetes too, so I was familiar with the disease and that I'd have to take shots and not eat any sugar.  Back then, everyone thought sugar was the enemy rather than all simple carbohydrates. 

How does diabetes affect your running?  How is life different than for the average runner?

Diabetes affects everything that I do.  It determines when I can eat, if I can exercise, how long I can exercise, when I can drive.  It affects my mood and emotional states.  In terms of running, I can't run unless my sugar is stable-to-high. 

Normal folks release a small level of insulin 24 hours a day (basal rate).  When you eat, your body knows you're eating and the pancreas releases just the right amount of insulin.  The pancreas is pretty darned amazing actually.  Aerobic activity, like running, burns glucose.  When a healthy runner runs, the pancreas backs off the insulin and may even release some glycogen, so you don't get low.  Your body adjusts its insulin and sugar level on its own.

My body doesn't do any of that.  I don't release insulin or glycogen - that's done by the Islets of Langerhans cells in the pancreas - the cells which are destroyed in Type 1 diabetics.

I have an insulin pump that I program with a basal rate.  My basal rates constantly change, depending on my stress levels, illness, activity levels, season of the year, or just because they want to.  That's the "fun" part of diabetes - it isn't a stable disease that you can set and follow a regimen.  The variables are always changing. 

I have to plan when I want to run.  I can't just willy-nilly go out there, which is slightly irritating.  Say I want to run 6 miles at 6:00 am.  I get up at 4:30 or 5:00 am, and test my sugar.  I eat so the food is mostly digested before I leave and my sugar is around 150.  (If I happen to be at 150 when I wake up, I take a few spoonfuls of peanut butter so that the protein will keep my blood sugar steady).  I always eat pretty much the same thing: an English muffin with peanut butter. 

I test my blood sugar every 3-6 miles, depending on the length of the run.  If it’s a long run, I test at 6 miles.  If it’s ok, I’ll go 6 more.  If I’m less than 150, I’ll test again in 3 miles, and so on.  I take Clif Shot Bloks or Gu Chomps for fuel.  If my sugar is dropping rapidly, I also have Glucose Tablets from the pharmacy.  I should also bring protein, but I only have so much room.

Speaking of which, I always run with my Spi-belt that I have crammed with my insulin pump, blood glucose meter, test strips and lancet device.  It also holds my glucose tabs and Clif Shot Bloks or Gu chomps in the belt.  I always have my phone in my armband (or my water belt on longer runs) in case I have to dial 911. 

 What has been your greatest running accomplishment?

Finishing the Marine Corps Marathon in 2010, despite a broken pump and blood sugars of over 600 is my greatest achievement to date.  Basically, I ran miles 9-19 at comatose blood sugar levels because my injection site had a blockage that I couldn't clear.  Luckily, my running partner's husband met us at mile 17 with an insulin dose.  (Not lucky for him that he has diabetes, but lucky for me that he was even there AND had insulin and a needle for me!). 

 What does the future hold?  What do you still want to do?

The immediate future holds the MCM on October 30th.  I’m running this time to beat last year’s time (5 hours 30 minutes).  Not exactly the time I wanted, but I never thought of quitting despite the pump and insulin issues.  My goal this year is to run about 4 hours 20 minutes.  Less would be better!  I also have the Baltimore ½ marathon on October 15th.  My last time there was 2 hours 23 minutes, so I’d like to be closer to 2 hours on that. 

I’ve been toying with the idea of ultra-running.  My husband isn’t thrilled with the idea since training takes me out of the house a lot.  He’s wonderfully supportive.  I might wait a few years, run a few more marathons and see if I can keep going.  I really want to run the NYC marathon and to qualify for Boston.  Maybe after I do one or both of those, I’ll add ultras to my to-do list.

What advice do you have to others, with medical or other limiting conditions, who want to start running?

Start slow, but keep yourself motivated.  Sign up for a 5K.  Download a Couch-to-5K training program from www.active.com and take it to your doctor to see if you can do it or do it with modifications.  Join a running group.  The Crofton Cuties are amazing and so are the Annapolis Striders.  Join an online community like Daily Mile (I’m on there) if you can’t find people in your area.  Running buddies are great.  I used to hate running alone, but I’m getting more accustomed to it. 
You need to know that it takes time to figure out how to make it work for you.  Talk to your doctors.  If you don’t like what they say or it isn’t resonating with you, get a second opinion.  You should never accept no as an answer.  You may hear maybe, if you do x, y, and z.   For example, my endocrinologist said that I could run IF I found a way to carry my gear with me and my phone to call 911 if need be.   But you should never accept a “no”.