Trail Fest was a Hot Fest
Let me start by saying: I am not a hot-weather runner. I have zero interest in running across Death Valley (Badwater) or the Sahara Desert (Marathon des Sables). But races like this? They’re great prep for fall PRs and for reminding me what dehydration feels like. 😅
This past weekend, I tackled the 6-hour run at the Coventry Woods Trail Running Festival in Pottstown, PA. (Yes, the one I used as my excuse for skipping ADA Scientific Sessions. Still standing by it.) The format was simple: run as many 10K loops as you can before the clock runs out. I completed 4 laps (23.6 miles) in 5:42:16 — good enough for 13th overall and 2nd in my age group (50–59). Not too shabby for someone who started out walking.
🔥 Conditions: Code Red, Literally
The heat index hit over 100°F, with temps hovering around 95°F and humidity at 61%. It was a Code Red heat advisory day, which sounds serious — and it was. But with proper prep (and lots of sweat), it was survivable.
The course? As promised, it was rooty, rocky, and relentlessly hilly — 850′ of gain per 10K loop. The website said “some roots and rocks,” but I’d say that’s like calling a Philly cheesesteak “a light snack.” Still, it was gorgeous — shaded woods, twisty trails, and two well-stocked aid stations. Pro tip: Never underestimate the motivating power of pierogies and popsicles.
The Diabetes Stuff
Despite all my planning, diabetes did what it does best: surprise me.
I started with a good BG and a solid breakfast bolus… which I overdid. That led to a low, which I overreacted to, which spiked me. You know the dance.
My original plan was to use a custom bolus calculator like I did for my last ultra — multiplying my carb ratio and correction factor — but I forgot to update the settings in the pre-race chaos. So I had to do math. During a trail race. In 100°F heat. 🙃
Despite this, I was mostly able to stick to my carb plan — though I ditched the cookies and relied more on fruit. My blood sugars peaked around 180 during the last lap and needed a correction, but overall, I stayed in a safe zone. Final post-race BG? 122 mg/dL. I’ll take it.
📱 Tech Check
I was excited to try out the Omnipod 5 with G7 for the first time — no controller needed! It mostly worked great, but the Pod kept losing the Dexcom signal. Oddly, the Dexcom app was still reading fine. I’ll follow up with support, but overall, I was happy with the upgrade.
🧠 What I Learned
- Bring less stuff. I hauled enough gear to support a small expedition. Time to scale back — no one needs three kinds of chafe cream or two flavors of salt tabs.
- Double-check tech settings the night before. My bolus plan might’ve worked if I’d actually… programmed it.
- Trust the training. This was my third trail race and second this year, and I’m getting the hang of it — slowly, sweatily, but surely.
💬 Final Thoughts
After finishing, I swung by the EMT tent for a quick blood sugar check, chatted with fellow runners, and was pleasantly surprised to take home an age-group award. I took the next day off from running, but still managed a good walk — followed by some heroic lawn mowing.
To my fellow folks with diabetes: You can do hard things. Not necessarily this hard thing (unless you’re into dirt, heat, and self-doubt), but whatever your version is — you’ve got this. And if you need support, find a group online… or just reach out to me. I’ll point you in the right direction — or at least toward the next cookie table.