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Question for my fellow runners

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/20/2019 12:22 PM (GMT 0)
I am very slowly improving from a nasty year-long flare and have promised a friend I’d do a 5K with her in September. I’ve done a couple marathons, and September is approximately six lifetimes away, so this seems like not a huge deal, howevah ...

Running has been an issue for me while flaring, no matter how mild. In the past it’s caused cramping and discomfort during the run, as well as some D. I have not been running at all this past year — I have been using the Peloton, with a couple months off for the worst part of my current flare.

I’ve decided to go suuuuuuuper easy and am sticking to a heart rate based C25K plan, and went out for my first run on Monday: 1.5mi at a 13:00 pace. HR zone 2 effort. about 20min after I got back, I pooped and there was a tiny bit of blood.

Yesterday I flogged myself on the Peloton.

This AM: a little D and some more blood.

The blood and D aren’t too concerning, as this is the day after my pred taper day and usually things get a bit squirrelly, but I’m tempted to blame it on the running this time, since the Monday blood was pre-taper.

All this to say: runners! What have you done to ease back into it after a flare? Do I just keep going super easy and let my body adjust, or pull back all together and return to the bike, exclusively, for awhile?
Posted 3/20/2019 7:35 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't run since October, since I have been dealing with a nasty flare up, however I am about ready to start running again myself. I was planning to do what you are doing and start with C25K as well. (When well I typically run 15-20 miles a week).

I am ok running when my symptoms are mild, but running when they are bad makes me so much worse. I stick to yoga and walking when I am flaring actively. You might want to go easy and give your body a chance to heal. I was hoping to run a 5k in July, but who knows how that will go! Sorry I don't have any good tips for you.
Posted 3/20/2019 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
Ah! Good luck getting back into it!

I’ve spent the day hand-wringing over this and finally messaged my doctor, who suggested I make a point to avoid running around my pred taper days — which shouldn’t be too hard, as next Tuesday is my last day on it. I think I’ll probably have to scale back the number of days I run each week, and change the interim bike workouts to be more endurance rides, rather than anything aggressive, at least until I adjust. Which is fine—I’ve certainly got the time. It’s just tough feeling good and wanting to immediately return to normal!
Posted 3/20/2019 8:04 PM (GMT 0)
There's a few runners on here, Sara14 comes to mind: https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=3662408
Posted 3/20/2019 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
Awesome! I was on track for my first 50 miler when I was diagnosed. Now I’m aiming — optimistically — for spring 2020, but realistically for 2021 ...
Posted 3/21/2019 3:05 AM (GMT 0)
my advice would be to take up that other running exercise ………………….. knitting !

all seriousness aside, I would really give your body some time to heal - take it from an old guy that's been around the block with time more than once or twice - this flippin stupid affliction really kicks ass - open heart surgery was no fun, but my body recovered much quicker from that than from my UC, and in my reality (and many others) the healing never stops with UC - it's one of those energizer bunny diseases - it just keeps on going and going and …………..time is your friend -


TT
Posted 3/21/2019 8:15 AM (GMT 0)
One step ahead of you, TT — I’m already an avid knitter 😉
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