How can I run long distance again

[sunluvva]

I used to run regular long distance races up to marathons but since becoming unwell and having surgery I've not got past 3 miles. My symptoms are not completely controlled and I'm nervous about trying to go further.

It's not so bad when I can go off road as I can use 'nature's facilities' if I get caught short - but if I want to go further and on the road I could be stuck anywhere without a loo and it's stopping me getting back to where I want to be.

I'd really love to do another race soon but I'm too scared :blush:

Any suggestions and advice welcomed.
Denise

 

[sunluvva]

Doctors are fine for me to run, I'm just nervous about getting diarrhea on a longer run or a road run - what strategies do other runners use?

 

[tiloah]

Hi again, welcome to the forum. I thought I would chime in - back when I was running distance I'm afraid my only strategy was to not run too far from a bathroom. Not that it helped, I would often run on trails or in parks and have an "accident" once I was within 50 yards of a port-o-potty. Go figure. It made me sad and angry but I didn't give up.

Let me know if you figure out something that's more useful. Sorry I am of no help.

 

[sunluvva]

Thanks diesandhur, that's not unhelpful at all, it's what I'm doing pretty much now at the moment except I don't have the luxury of a portaloo, just bushes and trees! What sort of distances are you running now and is it just that you can go further because the treatment is working better?

I don't think I'll ever give up running but I want really want to be able to enter a 10k at least.

 

[archie]

well done for running those distances I admire anyone who can run a marathon!!, i'm not a runner but have recently been training and can now manage 3 miles but no more due to my legs giving up, all my advice is I can run much better just after i've been to the loo but as i'm not running too far I always make it back in time. Unfortunately running can stimulate the bowel and make you want to go... and your bowel is naturally more active in the morning so maybe train later in the day, sorry i've no other advice but try and keep it up cos it makes you feel good.

 

[sunluvva]

Hi Alice

You're right, 'runners trots' is a well known phenomenon amonst runners of all distances. Lots of people will simply take an immodium before a run but I can't do that as it causes havoc inside. 3 miles/5k is a fantastic distance to have achieved. If you haven't found it already www.runnersworld.co.uk is a great site - I been using the forum there since it started. Where abouts in the UK are you?

 

[archie]

Thanks for that I'm in NI but I'll check out the website I've used www.mapmyrun.com which is great for checking distances etc, there's a 10k coming up soon but I'm not sure if I could do it I might try and train as I always need something to train for to keep me going!!! I teach pilates which has really helped my running and I think my bowel in some strange roundabout way!!! Thanks for the website I'll check it out x

 

[Becca1991]

Im starting to run again as back when i was 11 in 2003 i joined a running club and recently in 2008 i ran cross country and road but since been diagnosed in 2009 i havnt ran yet. If i want to start again ill need to train for 6km races and i cant even run for 10mins without stopping.

 

[sunluvva]

It's so frustrating isn't it Becca, I notice you're on B12 too - it's so annoying that even on days when your insides aren't feeling too bad you can't run because of fatigue. It's beautiful outside this morning and I'd love to go for a run but I've caught a bit of a cold from a work colleague and have been totally wiped out by it - the tiniest thing just knackers me, oh well, at least I get a couple of days off work

 

[Becca1991]

It's so frustrating isn't it Becca, I notice you're on B12 too - it's so annoying that even on days when your insides aren't feeling too bad you can't run because of fatigue. It's beautiful outside this morning and I'd love to go for a run but I've caught a bit of a cold from a work colleague and have been totally wiped out by it - the tiniest thing just knackers me, oh well, at least I get a couple of days off work

It is i noticed my symptoms first started in 2006 and it started with cramping and my bowel playing up before i would race and i put it down to nervousness but it happened more and more and nearly every day.

I went for a run only 1.85km took me like 10mins and i had to stop caz i couldnt run any longer... so unfit lol, i use to b able to run atleast a 9.1km race but mostly for 30mins non stop so looks like ill hav 2 start training again. Now i have pulled muscles in my tighs and i did stretch too lol oh well.

I stopped running in Dec 2008 caz i got sick with salmonella and took ages to get better and i got diagnosed with crohns in 2009 and got put on prednisone couldnt get off it til 9 months later and i was so fat from it. But now i really wanna get back into it so im gnna try my hardest. I have to train to run 6km races as im in the Under 20s or Senior women group(I am 19).

Did you use to run in clubs or just for fun??
Yea i am on B12 as i felt tired and wornout all the time at the start of 2010 so i got it tested and it wasnt too low it was 159 normal 170. In 2008 my B12 was in the 300s so im guessing the ulcers in my ileum stole it lol.

 

[sunluvva]

Hi Becca

I used to run with a club, I was never very fast but enjoyed the social part of it. My fastest marathon was way back in 1992 when I finished the London Marathon in 4:02 but my slowest was 5:45 in 2005! I managed to get under 5 hours in 2008 and I really haven't been able to run properly since then as I kept getting ill and was always tired. I'd love to join a club again but I'd want to be able to do at least 10 minute miles before I did - maybe 11mm at a push, theres some kind of mental acceptance of being able to run 10k in an hour or less. I'm 51 now so speed was always going to slow down a little bit but not to the point where it takes me 20 mins to get round a mile - people walk faster! I know I could run faster if I could shed the weight but for me it's running that would help it to go - a double edged sword!

I'm going to keep going though, I'm starting to eat mostly raw food again now, I only have fresh fruit and salad in the day and a cooked meal in the night but now summers here I'll try to have more raw evening meals - at the moment I just have whatever my husband has - and he's a traditional meat, spuds and veg man. You'd think I'd lose weight eating so much fruit and salad - I did before - but this time I'm just getting bigger!

 

[sunluvva]

Or I should say I'm trying to eat mostly raw again now - I've just had a cheese and pickle roll - bring on the cramps!

 

[Becca1991]

Or I should say I'm trying to eat mostly raw again now - I've just had a cheese and pickle roll - bring on the cramps!

Lol yea ive ran 5kms in 24mins ad once did a 9.1km in 2008 for some relay and ran that in 47mins.
Im 19 not as much energy as i was wen i was 11 wen i first started but i guess now since i have crohns its going to be different to wen i first started.

 

[littlemissh]

I'm another frustrated runner. I only started 2 years ago and had got to 10km in 47 minutes but since diagnosed last year not able to run. I have been given an absolute no to running by my consultant so far...keep hoping he will change his mind soon...he says when stable and my weight improves.
I am really looking forward to being able to run my first race as it will be a major milestone for me. I was aiming for my first 10km race when I became really ill and couldn't walk 10yards!
Such a shame I didn't discover I could run till I was 40! but I am determined that I will get back to it!

 

[sunluvva]

Wow, fantastic times Becca and litlemissh!

Littlemissh, I'm intrigued to know why your consultant says no to running until your weight improves, are you under or overweight? My experience is that if you have a consultant who is a a runner ( or under 50) they will encourage you to run/walk whatever your weight! You can still run if your tum is not good - it's often a case of finding all the woods and field around you - I live in a semi rural place now but used to live in SE London but even then I rarely ran on the road - it took alot of looking at OS maps to find the routes but they were there.
Best of luck - Denise x

 

[littlemissh]

Hi Sunluvva and thanks- I surprised myself with the fact that I achieved those times which is why I am gutted I now cannot restart and find out if I can can get back to those times.
I am currently very underweight, with a really low BMI of under 17 and struggling to gain weight. He says once I get to a normal BMI then it would be reasonable to start again. He gets very anxsty about my weight...always the first things he checks in clinic and he is worried i may lose weight if I run...fair enough I suppose and I wouldn't want that either.
And he is quite young as well, don't know if he runs!

 

[sunluvva]

I can sort of understand that littlemissh. Do you feel strong enough to run - it's a bit of a double edged sword as running could help you to increase your muscle mass which would increase weight, and could increase your appetite so you could get lots more good healthy food down. What about swimming or is he saying no exercise at all?

 

[crazycanuck]

Well I haven't ever run for time or competitions other than when I was in school but I used to run quite a bit to get in shape for hockey. The only time I can remember from school was a 2.4 km fitness test we used to have in high school that I could do in 9 minutes.

As for where to run, we have a local track here I used to go to a lot with a bathroom off to one side which was awesome but then I also used to do laps around a baseball park too that had bathrooms. Not quite the same as going for a long run where your not doing laps around the same thing over and over but it let me do it and get back into shape. I also noticed that when I run I don't quite get the same urge to go as if I was just walking or sitting.

If your able to go 3 km without needing to go you (I have no idea where your running) but you could try and plan a route that may have a public bathroom or wooded area every couple km's so you know no matter where you are that you will only have to go a bit more to make it?

 

[newsun]

I used to run regular long distance races up to marathons but since becoming unwell and having surgery I've not got past 3 miles. My symptoms are not completely controlled and I'm nervous about trying to go further.

It's not so bad when I can go off road as I can use 'nature's facilities' if I get caught short - but if I want to go further and on the road I could be stuck anywhere without a loo and it's stopping me getting back to where I want to be.

I'd really love to do another race soon but I'm too scared :blush:

Any suggestions and advice welcomed.
Denise

you have to start off slowly and eventually you will get into your element.

 

[kossy]

I skimmed through most of the post. I didn't see what I am about to say so if I am repeating any body else I'm sorry...
I would take two imodium pills about a half hour before you'd start to run. For people with moderate issues it should do the trick.
If anyone else who has run in a long time or what's to start I would suggest Couch To 5k work out. You can find an app for this program for all smartphones.

 

[Team Challenge Portland]

Hi again, welcome to the forum. I thought I would chime in - back when I was running distance I'm afraid my only strategy was to not run too far from a bathroom. Not that it helped, I would often run on trails or in parks and have an "accident" once I was within 50 yards of a port-o-potty. Go figure. It made me sad and angry but I didn't give up.

Let me know if you figure out something that's more useful. Sorry I am of no help.

New to the forum and noticed your orange and blue Team Challenge T-shirt. Glad to see a familiar face.