Runners, please give me some advice.

[Saralr]

Years ago I promised my son guitar lessons and then lost my job and couldn't afford them. :ymad: He understands but has always been disappointed.

Well, more recently I told him that we'd do a 5K together some day since he loves to run. Well, then I found out I have Crohn's. I can't make more money appear for guitar lessons so I want to do the race. This year if possible incase the Crohn's gets bad fast.

I have done the couch potato to 5k program in the past to get started. I was actually training for a half marathon when I injured myself and got out of running. What I'm wondering is do I need to change anything (or consider anything) that a compltely healthy person wouldn't? Should I start slower or just listen to my body signals?

Please let me know what has or hasn't worked for you.

Thanks so much for any advice.
Sara



Oh, and if it matters, I'm working on losing weight so anything with being too thin or not enough calories isn't an issue. I have a lot to lose.

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

I'm not a runner but I do try to work out regularly, so here's my two cents. I would say yes, take it slow at first and listen to your body. Make sure you're well-hydrated, too, as us IBD'ers tend to lose fluids more easily than the general population - if you get anything like cramps during/after a run then make sure you're having some electrolytes with your fluids as well. (Not necessarily just gut cramps - foot/toe cramps can indicate low potassium, for example.) And as you probably already know, eating something high in protein right after a workout can help you recover faster and be less sore, so try to have something like eggs or chicken (or whatever is safe for you) after you run.

I'm going to tag CrohnsChicago here because I know she's just recently started training to run a race as well - Chicago, do you have any input?

 

[Cookie]

Hi Sara, I think it is great that you are doing this with your son. I have never tried the C25K program, but I heard it's very good and will start you off nice and slow.

I am a runner and have been for many years, even through the worst of times with my Crohn's flares (with approval from my doc, of course). I think you hit the nail on the head when you said "listen to your body signal". This is pretty much all you can do. You will know when you are pushing it too hard and need to cut back. Of course, be aware of nutrition and hydration issues when in a flare. I have had to drop out of marathon training before due to flares and I have also completed a marathon while in a mild flare, so it really is dependent on your situation and what your body is telling you. I usually cut back on my running when weight loss becomes an issue.

I have discussed this topic at length with my doctor because I have had the same concerns as you, particularly over nutrition and adequate calorie intake. He always encourages me and all of his IBD patients to stay as active as possible because it can have such a positive mental impact. He has cited numerous professional athletes who have Crohn's disease and still had successful careers. It does not have to be a death sentence, you just have to pay a little closer attention to the signs your body gives you than most people.

Good luck on your race and have fun!

 

[CrohnsChicago]

I also am doing the couch to 5k and trying to lose around 20 lbs. I am in the beginning weeks of the program.

Running has never come easy for me in my life and I find that starting off slower than I think I should be running is safer and I am more likely to endure intervals. If I run too fast or strike the ground too hard I get discomforts in my shins. I'm also trying to work on adjusting my posture to avoid injury and improve the ease of my stride.

I heard that running in the grass instead of track or pavement is easier but I found it to be the opposite. However that could be because my grassy terrain was not entirely flat and the ground was also recovering from a few days of rain so it was not as tough as I would have expected.

what type of injury did you have? Like you I am also having my moments of successes and failures but what is important is that you give your body the rest/recovery time it needs, learn from the injury/mistake and try again with a fresh approach.

 

[Saralr]

Thanks for the input. I injured a muscle in my calf because of the way the road I ran on was slanted. After a year of running on that road, I felt a snap and had to call someone to pick me up. By the time it healed enough I could comfortably jog, it was super cold outside and I just didn't get restarted.

I'm going to get some blood tests this week to check for inflammation, so I think I'll stick to walking until those come back. Then I plan to start my slow road to running more than a block.

 

[worriedboy]

if you are already getting some blood tests, made consider checking out on your vitamins/minerals levels since you are going to start running ?
It's a great idea to run with your son ! It's sports, it's outside in the fresh air, and it's a bonding activity. Hope it all goes really well. Take it easy, dont push too hard. When you get tired you could always switch to jogging.

 

[Saralr]

Worriedboy, my running is a lot closer to a slow jog. Lol. I still have inflammation so I'm starting on my bike until I'm a little more fit and then I'll try a jog. Maybe we'll just move our run back to a spooky Halloween run.

 

[CrohnsChicago]

Same here. My run is also a slow jog I like that you don't give up altogether and have at least switched to a bike to try and rebuild your physical endurance in general. Hopefully your inflammation does not interfere too much with this either.

Take good care I hope things turn around for you and you can get back on the saddle and can jog again very soon! :hug:

 

[worriedboy]

Sara, sounds good
you could always replace the bike with a :tank:

good luck.
Check your vitamins.
Put some sunscreen if you're running midday.