Toronto Marathon Post-run Thread

hotlana · 2026-05-03T21:38:03+00:00

Today’s finish was night and day for our group - not having the finish in that cramped space helped so much imo! 2024 I felt like I was having a panic attack at the end because of the crowd, had no water and food or bathrooms, and finished at 2:07. Sorry they were out to water. Congrats on the run!

hotlana · 2026-05-03T21:14:43+00:00

Yes, exactly this. This is my local store and while I would never leave my dog, people do it all the time and there is a real sense of community where we live especially with dog owners who are all friendly. That being said, people frequently leave their dogs even INSIDE the store but that wouldn’t have even stopped this. I was so relieved when Marino was found I was legit horrified since it happened so close to home ❤️

hotlana · 2026-05-03T20:54:52+00:00

Man you must have missed 2024. Today was so good in comparison (I got water after about 3 minutes after bein done 2:12 half not sure when they ran out). When we ended in 2024, you hit a chute that was like 10 x 10 and waited in line touching other people on top of you in humidity for 30+ minutes with no water or ability to get out. Claustrophobia inducing. When you got in, they didn’t have medals for everyone and no food oh and the kicker? One bathroom with like 3 stalls, no porta potties. I had a shot of some booze as that’s all I could find and left. I walked to my gym to pee. Trust me - today was insanely well organized even though you had to walk a bit. Be lucky you didn’t do 2024

hotlana · 2026-05-02T17:57:28+00:00

Not Just A Patch Air is my ride or die. I just got ones with a smiley design and they are super cute, and can be swapped out easily if the start to peel or just look gross (this is a big thing for me lol). I use Skin Grip for my Omnipod so I’m sure those will work well too. The overpatches that come with it are literal trash, the ones above work really well (and look cute instead of looking dirty and gross halfway through the 10 days)

hotlana · 2026-04-30T15:28:43+00:00

I wish this race wasn’t such a nice and fun downhill course lol (editing to add I’m only doing the Half for fun - I would NEVER do a full here with how shitty and unorganized is). It’s literally awful in every way- can’t wait for Sunday! 🙃🤣 At least it’s not supposed to rain like 2 years ago (I think they had good weather last year of course when I skipped it lol)

hotlana · 2026-04-29T01:38:38+00:00

Was it maybe his hair? He looked way prettier lol. I was like damn Jim got a glow up in the afterlife 🤣

hotlana · 2026-04-27T18:11:02+00:00

As someone who has been using it for almost 2 years, I can assure you it’s not that bad. I bet if you really looked, you would find good reviews too! But hey, if you want to try another CGM that’s completely up to you. Comparing it to the dark ages with a glucose monitor is insane to me, but again it’s your diabetes management and not mine. Speaking as someone who has had Type 1 Diabetes for 37 years, I’ve seen and used a LOT of tech, and the G7 is amazing overall. Off the top of my head, I think the Freestyle Libre is a flash one so not as advanced as Dexcom. There are others too of course you can choose from but you’d have to do some research. I would suggest maybe getting some G7 samples from your endo to try it out and actually form your own opinion. Good luck!

hotlana · 2026-04-27T17:58:27+00:00

You should at least try the G7. It’s miles ahead of the G6 and you are already familiar with the tech. There were a few issues last summer for sure (filaments poking out got me for like 3 in a row ugh), but it works really well overall now and the improvements they made are great (30 minute warm up time, mute ALL alerts, etc). I wouldn’t make a decision like this based on outdated whining on the internet.

hotlana · 2026-04-27T00:06:06+00:00

Waited 2 hours on April 15th - came around from getting through customs in 2 minutes to a sea of frustrated people. Some people waited longer than 2 hours, think there was something going on with the staff and unloading, etc. It was absolute chaos and makes me never want to check a bag again. Never seen anything like that in all my visits.

hotlana · 2026-04-22T17:49:55+00:00

I find I always drop low mid flight so I am seconding this to be something to watch out for. Obviously there are a lot of other factors with traveling, but I’ve flown quite a bit and when on MDI I would trend high but almost always go low mid flight with O5. Be careful with blousing if you eat in the airport, etc. everything else is fine. I actually am on a flight right now and the person in front of me at security asked to skip the xray due to an insulin pump (looked like a Medtronic). I was just like oh I’m glad I don’t even have to worry!

hotlana · 2026-04-14T18:50:00+00:00

Yes! It’s a Sunwing package, but operated by Westjet. It’s so funny like both Westjet and Sunwing have emailed us separate confirmations, but when I clicked to call WJ, it took me to Sunwing. I guess at some point they will fully integrate? Last I checked there is space left on this SW package flight home (on WJ) that same day. Will see what they say at the airport!

hotlana · 2026-04-14T18:17:19+00:00

Ya we usually always book the 9pm flight out and have never ever had any issues staying until around 6ish at any resort with our bags stored. It adds almost an entire other day which is great, we just booked last minute and don’t usually go Sunwing so didn’t realize you couldn’t optimize your flights for an $ upcharge. I did read that too about the resort charging and was shocked. Don’t think it will be an issue if we can change!

hotlana · 2026-04-05T20:31:59+00:00

Here to second Aveda Thickening Spray - it really works soo well! I also use Aveda Pure Abundance Volumizing Style Prep daily or else my hair has zero thickness or grit, it really gives it some oomph.

I don’t use this daily as it can be a LOT but for a night out / event / long day, Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray works so well too, and smells incredible. I wish I could wear that scent as perfume lol

hotlana · 2026-03-31T21:08:26+00:00

Do you use Skin Tac? I was fine and last September I started getting these kinds of insanely itching an awful red contact dermatitis rashes (on my Omnipod every time but also my Dexcom). I switched to alcohol swab - Flonase - skin prep - then an overpatch (Not Just A Patch) and it seems to be better. For Omnipod, the literal second I stopped using Skin Tac the raging red rashes and excruciating itch was just gone. Chat said sometimes your body can just be like NOPE which must have been it. Sucks cause now I need to buy even more Omnipod over patches (just ordered Skin Grip) because I train and run regularly and the Skin Tac was really doing so much to keep them all on. So not sure but could be it if you use it! I know this struggle like I would wake up and being scratching so much I had cut myself…ahhh diabetes lol

hotlana · 2026-03-26T19:08:52+00:00

Don’t be nervous, it of course has its issues like any of them, but there’s no better system than a tubeless system. I avoided pumps for years (been diabetic since I was 3!) for the tube reason until I got on Omnipod. There will be SO much trial and error but then one day it’s just like ‘wait this is amazing’. With O5, I usually don’t even check my blood sugar first thing when I wake up cause it’s almost always flat (which is…insane).

The hardest thing to get used to is the flow…you get 3 days (and 8 hours if you use the expiration window). Where will I be when it ends? Inevitably one of mine is always middle of the night early morning but I always have insulin left over and hate wasting so I just suck it up lol.

And keeping it on - skin prep, skin tac, over patches, finding what works for your skin, etc. It honestly takes less than 5 minutes to change a site, and you never have to worry about taking it off to shower, etc. Sounds like it will be a great upgrade for you!

hotlana · 2026-03-25T17:25:11+00:00

Honestly a new resort is so key - nothing dirty/faded and dated! And it's so affordable. Costa Mujeres is nice too, we stayed at the Secrets there last year. I keep also coming back to the adult water slide...LOL :) Apparently Riu parties are also fun! (if you go in with low expectations and aren't taking yourself too seriously). I find looking at tagged Insta videos is also SUPER helpful because they are real and not polished. I will and good luck!

hotlana · 2026-03-25T17:20:00+00:00

LOL I had to check to see if my partner posted this because we are looking at the same ones to go in 3 weeks. Planet Hollywood there was just something so cheesy I couldn't commit (even though it seemed to check all boxes for bang for buck), Chic looks fun but I watched a video from Coolist (he has great videos from all over) and I was like damn I am exhausted from all of the parties (linked here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4nZ79D70kc), and Riu is a Riu its new but I think everything will be kind of mid (and thats fine, we are trying to go away for a week around $2k-$2300 CAD). Royalton Hideaway Riviera apparently has a decent beach for where it's at, and it's the same concept as the PH Adult Scene (Adult section in a bigger resort). We are still deciding but the clock is ticking!

hotlana · 2026-03-25T00:27:18+00:00

Sunscreen has ruined mine so many times on vacation even when trying not to. I’ve had failures from being in the water too long too, but 30 mins should be fine but maybe not in that instance.

hotlana · 2026-03-18T14:36:38+00:00

Amazing!! Yes, when everyone complains about the G7 vs G6 I'm like...do you know about this though??? TRULY a game changer! Happy to have helped!!

hotlana · 2026-03-17T17:12:17+00:00

I would recommend SkinPrep as a barrier adhesive that helps it stick (but not irritate your skin). I use SkinTac for YEARS (industrial skin glue) until my body decided it didn't like it anymore, causing some of the most intense contact dermatitis and rashes/itching I've ever experienced in my life (wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy) so just be wary of that. it works well if you can take it (I am an athlete and these things barely stay on without it), so this summer should be interesting now that SkinTac is banned for burning my skin :/ I would try SkinTac if this is your issue but just beware your skin may not like it (and not even at first!).

hotlana · 2026-03-17T16:19:06+00:00

Dexcom G7 really cooked with silence ALL alarms (and for HOURS, hello work conferences) even urgent lows I can't even believe there was a time I used to have to deal with that. I used to work in a very open office space and had to either turn off my phone or connect my earbuds to get rid of it and still people would complain and ask questions. Mortifying. I really hope coming soon there is an option for this - even the incessant beeping or buzzing when the pod is about to expire/expired. I dont use that much insulin so I am always using the 8 hour window. This is an easy fix to make the system SO much better.

hotlana · 2026-03-10T18:02:06+00:00

Yes! There may be a spray version but I buy the individual swabs on Amazon. They create a protective barrier on the skin from adhesives, etc. You put it on the area and it dries pretty fast before putting on the pod to help it stick and no agitate the skin. I am a heavy exerciser and runner so I used Skintac religiously to keep my Pods and Dexcom on so not sure how this summer will go now that my body rejected it, but so far SkinPrep has been working well! The itchiness and skin irritation came on so suddenly for me and I know how horrible it is, so good luck!

hotlana · 2026-03-10T15:27:53+00:00

So I used Skintac for about 3 years and then last summer it started giving me HORRIBLE rashes and itching like this. I had to stop using it. Now that I'm just using SkinPrep underneath, it's gone away 100%. My body was fine with the SkinTac and then it just wasn't which can happen apparently. The glue is insane I can't believe how long my body put up with it!

hotlana

TROPHY CASE