Running and UC or Chron's
Sat, March 20, 2010 12:00 AM
I'm curious what people's experience is running with UC or Chron's. I have been running for many years and really like how it makes me feel. However, I was just diagnosed this summer and stopped about 4 months ago when things go worse. I started running this week and it was really difficult but I am bound an determined to do it.
I guess I'm looking for inspiration and other people's stories, both struggles and victories.
scubagirl3Joined Jan 21, 2010
Sat, March 27, 2010 12:00 AM
Reply posted for jrs43234.
Good ideas, thanks!
scubagirl3Joined Jan 21, 2010
Wed, March 24, 2010 9:04 PM
Reply posted for scubagirl3.
I've had Crohn's for 55 years. Yes, fifty-five. I've had surgery twice for it, spent many years off and on with steroids, and have a couple of other diseases besides Crohn's to worry me. I started running in my 40's and ran some marathons, although now I don't run more than an hour or an hour and a half at a time. I do some other athletic stuff, too. I'll check back on the forum next week if you have questions.
Hydration and electrolyte balance are by far my biggest running challenges. Water and gatorade actually undermine my hydration level because it increases bathroom stops which increases loss of electrolytes, especially potassium (but sodium, too). I have found absolutely nothing better than pedialyte. Nothing. Better. Than. Pedialyte. When I used to run for hours in hot weather training for marathons, I would drive on my running route or race route and stash pedialytes under bushes along the route so I'd have one every half hour or so. I felt it was safe because, as long as the container was sealed, one could be sure it hadn't been tampered with. Besides the electrolytes in pedialyte, it also contains a form of sugar that for me has been very easy on my gut.
I totally understand the frustration of trying to identify public bathrooms to make running comfortable. There's no single answer to that problem. However, I'd warn against trying to solve the problem by eating less. I've found foods that make sense for me before running along with timing my meals so I minimize bathroom stops.
It's not easy to have a very athletic lifestyle with Crohn's. I believe that one must be especially vigilant not to get dehydrated, not to get heatstroke,and not to have hyponatremia. It's important to stop running if you are in pain because many of the drugs taken for Crohn's will mask the pain of athletic injuries, maybe due to the anti-inflammatory responses, and so you must not be a running hero and run through pain.
sparkleJoined Mar 24, 2010
Wed, March 24, 2010 7:12 PM
Reply posted for jrs43234.
Thanks so much for your response, it's nice to know that you have made it work and that it can be done. I am going to keep working at it!
scubagirl3Joined Jan 21, 2010
Tue, March 23, 2010 5:46 PM
Reply posted for scubagirl3.
I was diagnosed with UC a year ago and I'm a big runner myself, so I totally understand. I've always played sports and been active, so I feel better when I keep these things up and I also think that it helps control my UC. However, I have noticed that all that running and pounding speeds up my GI tract.
This summer and fall I was in remission and not experiencing any flares so i felt great and was able to go on some long runs. However, I developed certain routes with lots of access to public restrooms to help me feel less anxious about needing to get to a bathroom. My doctor also said it was okay for me to take an Immodium 2 hours before I went on a run, and that seemed to help as well.
When I'm in a flare, I usually go to the gym to run on an indoor track or treadmill so I'm close to a bathroom. Our university's outdoor track also has porter-potties, so I sometimes run there. I also try to schedule a run before meals our right after I have gone to the bathroom, so there's less of a chance that I will have to go soon.
Hope this helps and you are able to find some strategies that work for you. Good luck! I'm hoping to run a half-marathon this summer, so there are ways to work around your IBD!
jrs43234Joined Mar 18, 2010
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