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Posted 1/19/2010 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
I was wondering if anyone has started running after their diagnosis and can't seem to make much progress. I was diagnosed in 2002 and had started running sometime in 2008. I know I have made some progress, but it doesn't seem to be as much as everyone else I know. I have been training for a half marathon with a friend, doing the exact same training plan, and can't seem to catch a break. It seems to be getting easier and easier for her while I struggle to get through. We are following a strict plan that has us cross training 3 times a week, running 3 times a week, one of those being a really long run, and some various classes at the Y. I'm not new to exercise, I'm not overweight, my UC is in remiession (at least for me), so I can't figure this out. I am starting to believe some people weren't built to run long distances.

I was just wondering if anyone else had a similiar problem.

Posted 1/19/2010 9:30 PM (GMT 0)
I can run to the bathroom around 10 or 11 times during night before getting fatigued, lol.

Actually, I would love to start running again. Just flaring to bad to even consider it.
Posted 1/19/2010 9:33 PM (GMT 0)

Boy do I remember those days.....

This half marathon is March 7th at Disney World..I'm hoping the excitement will carry me through. Plus I heard there are a ton of porta-pots throughout the race!

Posted 1/20/2010 12:41 AM (GMT 0)

Dr-A said...
I can run to the bathroom around 10 or 11 times during night before getting fatigued, lol.

Actually, I would love to start running again. Just flaring to bad to even consider it.

DR. A,

You are on a roll today.  Between this and your "note to self" I'm cracking up!  Thanks for the humor!

Posted 1/20/2010 1:52 AM (GMT 0)
I am a Personal Trainer and up until my diagnosis, I was full of energy!  Right before my first round of prednisone in 2008, I was teaching 11 fitness classes a week plus seeing all of my rehab and regular clients.  I have not yet been able to get my energy back although I pushed myself to run last summer on top of my classes (only three a week) but couldn't seem to make the same gains that I had in the past.  I am on my second round of prednisone now and my energy is just gone.  I am down to teaching only two classes a week but have kept up with my clients, don't ask me how.  I wish there was an easy answer because I sure can relate to you.  I feel like I am going backwards with my fitness..........And trying to run my business and hold down a part time job at the hospital on top of it all just drains me even more.  I sympathize with you.  Let me know how if you find the answer.  What is your diet like?
Posted 1/20/2010 5:10 PM (GMT 0)
I've been sufferring from UC for 10 years, but have run almost every day during that time.  I found the biggest thing is to get my hemoglobin and iron (ferratin) levels checked regularily.  This is because iron is needed to carry oxygen.  Blood loss can happen during UC, leading to low hemoglobin and iron, then running is difficult because oxygen is not reaching the muscles.

For a guy hemoglobin is suppose to be from 14 to 18 I believe.  I am ussually around 16.    I have been up and down over the years but found running performance decreases once it gets near 14.  Have to maintain around 16 for good running.  Different for everybody though.   Adult women should range from 12 to 15.  If you are much below 12 it could affect running.

Even if hemoglobin is normal Ferritin levels can be low.  I think ferritin disaears first.  Because of UC my ferritin is on the low side (range is 18 to 270 for men) but if it goes down below the lower limit...  then running suffers even if hemoglobin is normal. 

I take iron supplements regularily to keep iron up.  Have found during a flare that they can be hard to take, but Flinstones with iron seem to work.

 

Posted 1/20/2010 7:33 PM (GMT 0)

Ole363 said...
I've been sufferring from UC for 10 years, but have run almost every day during that time. I found the biggest thing is to get my hemoglobin and iron (ferratin) levels checked regularily. This is because iron is needed to carry oxygen. Blood loss can happen during UC, leading to low hemoglobin and iron, then running is difficult because oxygen is not reaching the muscles.


For a guy hemoglobin is suppose to be from 14 to 18 I believe. I am ussually around 16. I have been up and down over the years but found running performance decreases once it gets near 14. Have to maintain around 16 for good running. Different for everybody though. Adult women should range from 12 to 15. If you are much below 12 it could affect running.



Even if hemoglobin is normal Ferritin levels can be low. I think ferritin disaears first. Because of UC my ferritin is on the low side (range is 18 to 270 for men) but if it goes down below the lower limit... then running suffers even if hemoglobin is normal.



I take iron supplements regularily to keep iron up. Have found during a flare that they can be hard to take, but Flinstones with iron seem to work.

Wow, that's good to know.

I used to run almost everyday (primarily X-Country), but when UC came along my energy levels hit the deck and it's been the same ever since. I also take iron supplements and I have discovered that when I don't take them, my energy levels decrease...sometimes I add liquid oxygen to a cup of water an hour before exercise, it definitely gives me more energy, but its still nowhere near my pre-UC levels.

NBT
Posted 1/22/2010 12:38 AM (GMT 0)
Just some thoughts - if you're measuring your progress against someone else, I think you might be jumping to conclusions. Some people are just better suited to distance running, like you said, so maybe you're friend's better suited than you. Maybe your diet's not as effective as hers. Maybe you have one leg shorter than the other (like many people) and she doesn't and it's affecting your running. Maybe you have a pronation. Maybe you've been run down with UC or UC medications. Maybe your body's more suited to sprints than distance because of your muscle composition. Maybe she's just faster.

I think just to be running and looking at serious distances is great. Everyone has advantages and disadvantages in all sorts of things, including sports. Maybe you have a disadvantage from your UC, maybe you, like me, are just not a very fast runner. Others might be unable to run distance at all because of joint issues or something else.

I suppose I'm just suggesting that the only person to measure your performance against is yourself. If you set yourself up to be dissatisfied if you can't beat a particular person or external goal then you may get frustrated.

What works for me, for what it's worth, is setting my own goals and challenging myself to constantly improve my times. My 5k has gone from over 35 to 26 in 6 months - nothing special, but for me that's hugely satisfying and a lot faster (I had the biggest gains when I introduced tempos - Yarrow 800s to be precise - into my training). If I do a race there are loads of people shooting past me, and I shoot past one or two myself. I'm sure plenty of those going past me didn't train as hard as I did. But as long as I'm pushing myself and getting the satisfaction from improving my own performance, I'm happy.

I know you don't need philosophy, but I find it easier to accept UC as part of who I am rather than something to fight. Everyone has things to deal with, and UC's one of mine. If I started looking to my UC as a reason why I can't achieve things I don't know whether I'd be motivated to achieve of half of what I do, which is, if I say so myself, quite a lot.

I bet that sounds really pompous. I'm sorry - didn't mean to.
Posted 1/22/2010 1:05 AM (GMT 0)

PalaceDan,

Thank you for your insight. I know I am being too hard on myself. I would just like to see some minor improvements. As you stated I will never be a fast runner either, it's just frustrating seeing her double her milage in a matter of weeks, and I can shave a minute or two off my times. I am proud of that accomplishment as well as all the others in my life.

I liked your post very much.

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