I’ve played soccer since before I started Kindergarten and I finished my senior year of college. I remember being in the hospital at 16 getting diagnosed and my parents and I were talking with the nutritionist about physical activity and how many carbs to eat, etc. And I remember that being the only time my Dad got legitimately upset while we were at the hospital. A point past being frustrated but actually getting angry. I didn’t feel well enough to really get worked up, but I was having the same thoughts as him.
I’ll talk about my nutrition another time, but this lady was not understanding how physically active I really was. No one told us how I would be able to continue being active. So when I left the hospital, it was a guessing game. Hence my research now.
I was really lucky to have such understanding and supportive coaches through high school. My club coach never punished me and always allowed for me to do exactly what I needed to do. My friends on the team supported me and helped me every time I needed it. They helped me carry my diabetes bag full of food, gatorade and supplies. They ran and got something if I needed it. They sat with me when I was frustrated. Soccer with diabetes wasn’t easy, but it might’ve been what kept me sane.
I was so scared at the beginning, I did even our long runs carrying my meter and a bar just in case. Throughout my career, I learned. Sometimes I failed, I would drop too low or go high, but eventually, I learned my reactions.
I quickly found the routine of practices. For the most part, off-season conditioning was always pretty high intensity. During the season, though, there was a pattern. The day after the game was light, the next day moderate, next day hard, day before a game, light. For the days that I knew were harder, I would do the same as a game day eating 15-20g of carbs about 30-60 minutes beforehand. If it were a lighter day, I would just suspend my insulin about 30-45 minutes beforehand. But I ALWAYS take my pump off during practice and a game.
On game days, I would eat about 15-20g of carbs without insulin about 30 minutes before warm-up, given that I started in a normal range. Then after warm-ups, I would have some gummies or finish my bar or somehow take in 15g of carbs. I would monitor my blood sugar through the first half and make sure I stayed between 150-200. Depending on how much I played in the first half, I would eat between 15-30g of carbs during halftime. This would raise my blood sugar for an acute response as well as help prevent a drop during the second half from a chronic response from exercise. After the game, I would eat a meal and give myself about 75% of the insulin required for the amount of carbs. This helped me prevent lows later.
Of course there were times that in the middle of a game, I would feel low and I would ask my coach to pull me. Demoralizing, yes. Smart, yes. Life saving and career saving, yes. I would fix my blood sugar and tell my coach when I was ready again.
Of course everything I’ve written today is completely situational. There were random times I wasn’t in range on either end of the spectrum and I would act differently. So I put my emphasis in telling you all of this as maybe a place to start or an understanding on what your body may need to be able to figure it all out for yourself. Ultimately, the best thing you can do for yourself sports is to be open and honest with your coach and have trust be mutual. Then when you’re in a season that allows for you to super closely monitor your blood sugars throughout practice, DO THAT. See what works. See what doesn’t. Be honest with yourself and your coach. You’re a better athlete when you can compete so finding what works for you and talking with your coaches is vital in being able to do so.
If anything, diabetes brings you an edge on being able to overcome obstacles and not waiver under pressure or circumstance.
Be a great athlete and be a great diabetic. You can do both at the same time.
HP