Any runners out there? Advice needed

[dm38]

Two years ago I was at the peak of my fitness and after a winter/spring do half and full marathon I was suddenly hit by a pretty bad flare which hit me hard as it also left me with pretty bad fistulas.

I've had six operations over the last 18 months and initially after trying to be a trooper and battle on and continue training I threw in the towel and embraced the couch potatoe lifestyle as I couldn't put up with the pain and fatigue any longer.

I've finally started training again, nothing ambitious just a bit of rowing, a few spin and circuit classes an this week running again ( although ridiculously slowly). This in itself has been tough as it's hard not get frustrated. I'm just wondering if there's anyone out there with crohn's who runs and if so what tips you can share. Mainly how long do you leave between eating and running and what foods do you eat? I left 4hrs between lunch and running and still struggled and left me dashing to the bathroom and in pain. It was only a 20min light run so I'm feeling slightly despondent as I would give anything to go on a lovely LNG run!

 

[Olive.]

I have been flared since June of last year and I only started running regularly again a few weeks ago. I have been trying to work out since November, but sometimes even a brisk walk felt like I was going to die.

Getting back to a place where I could run was AWFUL and painful and emotional. But what I ultimately realized I had to do was keep going to the gym regularly, and stopping when my body said stop. Some days I could jog a mile, some days I could only walk a few minutes. I had to push aside the judgement of others and push aside what I felt like I "should" be able to do as a former athlete, and listen when my body said (or screamed) stop. Don't "should" yourself.

I did find that certain foods could make it more painful to run. I honestly feel that some foods can make it painful to run for days. Too much cheese or too much wheat in the day or two before running always makes things worse for me. I wait probably at least 2 hours to run after I eat.

I also found that if I walk for 10 minutes or so before my run I can walk out any initial discomfort and the run goes better.

Anyway, that might not have been very encouraging or helpful but I will say that if you stick through the struggle you will definitely have some VERY emotionally and physically satisfying moments. I still haven't run more than 2 miles at a time yet, but that is a far leap from feeling like death 3 minutes into a walk.

 

[RicklesRoc]

DM,

Some perspective. I've always been an athlete. In High School and college, I was a runner, participating in cross country and track & Field. Prior to Crohn's I was able to run sprints (100-400m) and 5km at 6 minute/mile pace. After Crohn's (during last year of college and beyond), I found running aggravated my Crohn's so I took up bicycling. I have done nearly 50 100-mile charity bike rides (most under 5.5hours) and occasional (once per year) 5k's with no running training; only fitness level from biking. I thought I'd never be able to handle running training because of fear it would irritate my Crohn's as it has done in the past. However, in Jan 2013 I learned of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet and began following it. After 3 months of strict adherence to the diet, I began slowly re-introducing non-CSD foods but mostly try to maintain the CSD in combination with gluten free choices. In the past 30 days, I began walking, jogging, and running (to a small degree) on a treadmill with no adverse effect to my Crohn's. I'm starting at a very slow pace (15 minute/mile) and believe the combination of diet and gradual increase in intensity is allowing me to run again with no abdominal pain or D. Hoping to get back to sub 10 minute miles very soon. IF I can continue along this training regiment, I'm thinking I may be able to train to run my first marathon in the next 12-18 months and take this off my bucket list.

Everyone's symptoms and triggers are different but my suggestion would be to remove dairy completely or to a very large extent. Check out the Carbo Specific Diet online and see if you gain any benefit from it. Only run if you have not eaten for 4+ hours. Even better if you have bm before running. Take it slow at first and really listen to your body to determine when you can add longer distances or faster pace. Set realistic low goals to see if you can achieve those without issues before increasing the intensity. Remember the old saying, "slow and steady wins the race."

Best of luck. Let us know how you do.

 

[TwinkleToes]

I currently run about 3-12 miles a week. I just got off a round of prednisone and while I was on it changed my diet completely. While I would love to run a half-marathon, my GI Doctor told me not to as it was "Too much stress" on my body.

I have found that with Paleo (which included giving up grains and dairy) that i'm less prone to those "GOTTA GO!" moments. Back when I was running 5-6 miles in one run, I would find that I would need to use the restroom around mile 4-4 1/2.

Listen to your body and start slow. Believe me, I reminisce on what I used to run and envy it. But, I need to start slow again in hopes that I can someday work my way up to more miles. Definitely tweak your diet, drink PLENTY of water, and see what happens.

Are you on any medications, BTW?