13 Questions with Beyond Type Run Marathoner Lauren Dagg

Editor’s Note: Lauren was a member of Beyond Type Run‘s 2018 TCS New York City Marathon Team sponsored by Dexcom and Insulet, makers of the tubeless Omnipod Insulin Management System. Learn more about the 2019 Beyond Type Run team here.

Meet Lauren –Primary school teacher, big fan of coffee, often sarcastic, slightly competitive and loves a run!

What inspired you to join the team?

I followed last years team on Instagram and said to myself I had to make the team this year! Also, Bike Beyond’s incredible effort was so inspiring. I loved following their journey!

What’s in your diabetes management toolkit?

Meter, test strips (thousands of used test strips) dextrose, Dexcom reader, spare needles, flex pens just in case my pump fails

I never go on a run without …

My headphones! Also my Fitbit for getting the steps in and Haribo to keep the blood sugars up on the longer runs. I have OCD that my phone battery has to be above 43 percent before starting a run.

What is your favorite low snack on a run?

Always Haribo! I tend to use dextrose tablets when I have a hypo day to day but on my runs I gotta keep it fun.

What is your pump it up running song?

“Alive”—Sia, or recently “The Middle”—Zedd

What has been your most helpful tool as you’ve trained?

My Dexcom G6 for sure. It has been an incredible tool to notice the patterns in my blood sugars when I’m on a run. I’m in love with it. Also my Nike running app—I’m pretty competitive so I’m always trying to beat my times!

What has been the biggest training hurdle?

Finding the time after a long day of teaching is pretty hard. On the weekend I love getting up early when the streets are quiet. I find it so much harder to run in the evenings and always have to talk myself into it on my walk home from the tube!

What is your most embarrassing running moment?

Constantly running into every human in London. This is one of the main reasons I try to get up early and get the run done!

The injury I’m currently nursing is . . .

Thankfully nothing at the minute!

If you could go on a run with any type 1 diabetic (T1D) hero who would it be?

Lauren Bongiorno—she inspires me every day!

How do you treat yourself / recover after a long run?

Drink coffee and eat white chocolate buttons. I also love putting some chilled music on and having a good stretch. Nothing better after lots of miles!

What are you most nervous about the day of the marathon?

I’m pretty nervous about what the adrenaline will do to my blood sugars. When I ran my half marathons my blood sugars were lower than they were during the training and I reckon it was purely down to the excitement of the day. Also nervous about my time—someone has promised me a holiday and I love a challenge!

How are you going to celebrate at the end of the race?

Food. Gin. Sleep. I can’t wait to celebrate with my fantastic team and my amazing housemates who are coming all the way to NYC with me! And my mumma and stepdad who are also making the trip.

To learn more about the 2019 TCS New York City Marathon Beyond Type Run team click here.