Should You Skate Ski with Diabetes or an Ostomy?
This winter I added to my endless list of hobbies and gear acquisitions. Learning to skate ski has been on my winter to do list for several years, however my health prevented me from pursuing the new sport.
What started as a passive interest to help offset our long Montana winters has quickly turned into a new passion. I’ve always had an interest in endurance sports like trail running and mountain biking. I’ve also downhill skied from an early age, adding classic cross country skiing to the mix several years ago.
Skate skiing is like combining all my favorite sports into one. I can’t get enough time on my skinny skis; make no mistake, my form is flawed, I’m incredibly slow, and I love every heart pounding and lung searing second.
Managing multiple chronic illnesses while pursing any outdoor activity can be a challenge. Time spent outdoors, no matter how fast or slow I’m moving provides a mental and physical benefit that is critical to my care plan.
One challenge to any high intensity sport is managing my blood sugar as a type I diabetic. In addition, I have chronic lung inflammation due to sarcoidosis and an ostomy bag. My health conditions require additional planning, and this is a snapshot to how I manage time sliding on snow:
My approach for a 90 minute ski:
Pre: Control IQ activity mode for 60 mins before start
Start: Temp basal of 25%; suspend for 15 mins if I drop below 100
Halfway: Empty ostomy bag and adjust support belt
Final 15 mins: Return to standard control IQ setting
Food: 1 pack of skratch chews (40 carbs) & 32 oz. of water
Post: Electrolyte infused water / empty ostomy bag
My target blood sugar to start is 150 - 180, and I avoid large corrections or a food bolus within 60 minutes of starting. I also find ending efforts of 90 minutes or more in my standard control IQ setting helps me avoid a rebound from either post activity food or the standard body recovery process.
From an ostomy perspective, the number of times I need to empty my bag depends on the time of day I’m skiing and how hard I’m working. I’ve learned skate skiing is similar to a more strenuous run, and my gut slows down and I do not have to stop skiing to empty my bag. However, within 30 minutes of completion, my gut wakes up and I’ll need to empty it at least twice within the first two hours.
Like many other activities, skate skiing with multiple chronic illnesses like diabetes is completely possible; it does require a little extra planning and patience, which for me is well worth the effort.
