Hi all,
I’m doing my 5th Ironman this weekend (IMC). First one while using an Omnipod tubeless insulin pump. Is anyone else on Omnipod? Any comments or suggestions?
Good luck on the IM this weekend! Did you switch from a different pump to the Omni Pod? I am currently using the Animas but have been curious about the Omni Pod myself! Sorry I don’t have any advice to offer related to the Omni Pod!
Hi,
thanks for replying. I was just doing shots before (Lantus and Novorapid). I’ve been on the Omnipod for about a month now, and I am loving it. waterproof, sweat proof, unobtrusive, and I’ve got much better BG control vs injections.
I’ve done four or five long rides, swims, and runs now, and it’s been very co-operative.
Pumps with tubes never appealed to me, so I avoided them. I only went on this one because of the tubeless design. I’m sure it’s going to be okay for me on race day, but you know what they say about nothing new on race day…
Feel free to contact me if you decide to explore omnipod further.
Len
I haven’t used the Omnipod myself, but I know a few other T1 athletes like Cliff Scherb have used it. Seems to have a following with other athletes. I use a Minimed one myself.
Not sure if this applies, but I would plan on having backup insertion spots and supplies. I’ve emerged from the swim at IMPlacid a few times and found my infusion set was bumped around or shifted while under the wetsuit. I always keep some preloaded syringes too just in case my pump dies for whatever reason.
Good luck!
thanks! good call, I’ll plan on having some extra supplies at special needs and transition.
I switched from injections about 1.5 years ago and love the pump for long distance stuff. My recommendation is figure out your basil based on duration, intensity, nutrition and temperature (insulin is absorbed quicker in higher temps). I have several different basil rates I use that accommodate all of these factors. Being so new to the pump, take the extra minute in transition to test your blood and adjust the basil as necessary. In the Boulder HIM I did a couple weeks ago I had to change my basil in both transitions and finished the race at 89, I try to maintain 110-140 while racing or training.
Good luck man, I have had Type 1 Diabetes for 27 years, I was diagnosed at the age of 4 and Im still dialing everything in!
Just curious what are you using for Carbs?
I try to keep my nutrition plan as simple as possible, so as odd as it might sound, here goes;
oatmeal for breakfast
Pre-swim: 1 Powergel as soon as the elites start (about 20 minutes before my start).
Bike: Quaker chewy oatmeal granola bars (yep, Costco box is $15 for about 100). a few gels, bananas, and other course provided stuff.
Run: more Quaker bars, gummy bears
Lots of salt. Lots of water.
Yeah mine is about as simple!
20grams of carbs 15-20min before wave/swim start
Bike and run
300cal 60grams of carbs/hr
36oz water/hr
1000mg sodium/hr
No salt on the run and I usually cut the cals back to 150-200/hr depending on feel.
During a HIM (haven’t done a full) I reduce my basil by 70% during the swim, 75%-80% on the bike and 70%-80% on the run depending on levels. I have started training with Carbo Pro and the types of glucose polymers absorb extremely quick and my basil rate only needs to be reduces 30%-40%. Im trying to figure out now if I am faster with more insulin or not, my thought is the more insulin pathways I have the more energy from the carbs I can use. Sounds like you have it pretty dialed and you will have a ton of fun figuring it out as time goes on!
I just rode the Century Tour De Cure here in Colorado last Saturday and I was able to chat with some very elite athletes including several from Team Type 1 while we were riding, really with the pump we can choose whatever nutrition plan we want to take or what we prefer and just figure the insulin out for that plan. Every TT1 rider I spoke with had a different plan, it was very cool and insightful!