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Hi Everyone!  I'm Emily, a 25 year old that just just started running back in the summer.  Anyone have tips for running-in general, while in flare ups, etc?  I have remicade treatments every eight weeks (and that week each 8 are filled with painful joints).  I wanted to try something new and out of my comfort zone so I decided to try something athletic like running. I did well my first 5k, my second two were not so great(one was the week of my remicade treatment, the other I had ice cream the night before).  My fourth race seemed to get better since I was not in an immediate flare up or close to treatment.  I would like to get my "healthy back" and not let my UC define me. 

Please anyone I would love suggestions!

 Reply posted for emily kate.

I am 38 yrs old and was diagnosed in 2003. I live a pretty healthy lifestyle, as I am a Firefighter/Paramedic and own my own personal training business. I took myself off of any and all meds. My last flare up was 2008. I know my trigger- it is stress, the bad kind. UC has forced me to really not take anything that happens too seriously and to eat better. Almost everything I put in my body is organic- from the fruits and veggies to the grass fed meats. My goal is to reduce inflammation. Too much gluten and processed foods in one's diet can increase inflammation. So can bad stress. I live a very active lifestyle- i compete on a show called American Ninja Warrior, lift weights, train in martial arts, and practice gymnastics strength training. I think the most important thing you can do for yourselves is to eat simply and healthfully, exercise on a regular basis, and discard most of the negative influences in your life, be it people or vices. And I don't say this from atop a pulpit! It's just the rational thing to do. Since I was diagnosed, I've lived a wonderful life, backpacked all over the world, and met some amazing people. I would like very much to help those afflicted with UC and Crohn's by sharing what I have gone through. Here is a link to a blog article I wrote for my fitness website-  http://wp.me/p4hnRG-4g Check it out and let me know what you think!

 Reply posted for chris.

Hi Emily,

My name is Nicole and I have had UC for the past 6 years. I started running in 2009 to challenge myself and haven't stopped. During flare up running can be very difficult but I have learned to listen to my body and change my routine by either doing a walk/run program, or riding a bike, elliptical, etc.  This past year I challenged myself to do 2- half marathons, and now decided to try and complete a full marathon in 2015.

Running I think helps keep my stress levels down, and keeps my body going. I as well suffer from joint pains as well, and was recently taken off Remicade secondary to my body developing antibodies against it. So I am currently in a flare, and have been switched to Humira, 6 mp, canasa, and steroid enemas. I am finally getting back into the swing of things and begin building my running tolerance up. When I'm having a good day, I remind myself to take advantage and have no excuses for working out, because my bad days are awful. Hope this helps, feel free to email me if you have any questions or just need to vent about UC problems, nicolep530@gmail.com

 Reply posted for emily kate.

I agree with everyone else.  I started running a year ago, and I think the best think you can do for the disease is to have as healthy of a body as possible.  And - best of all, it's a great stress buster.

 Reply posted for emily kate.

Hi.  I run also.  It definitely helps me.  Unfortunately I also have rheumatoid arthritis and I am trying a new medication for that.  I can run and do cross fit during a flare so I hope this med doesn't aggravate my chron's and uc but lets me continue to be able to exercise.  Keep running!

No advice - except to keep the running going!  Your body will thank you.

I was diagnosed with UC over 11 years ago and started running 5 years ago.  I believe running actually helped keep my symptoms at bay (i.e. less stress).  I even did a 24-hr run 2 years ago - with no ill effects from my UC.  I've been on Asacol so I have no experience with Remicade.

 Reply posted for emily kate.

Hi Emily -- I'm a runner too .... also on remicade (and imuran, canasa, asacol)  with joint pains.  I like to think it's the running that saving me from totally going crazy, but it does become very difficult as I get closer to another treatment.  Wish I had some helpful tips for you to ease the pain, but i just modify my runs week 6-8 following infusion.  Training for another 1/2 marathon now, so I modify by alternating running 10 min, walk 1 min.  

It's tough, but I just keep going, calling upon anything that inspires -- trying to imagine all my fellow runners with UC who can't run, running alongside the Team Challenge folks at the Zappos CCFA 1/2 marathon in Vegas, and listening to Pearl Jam (if Mike McCready can take the stage with UC/Crohns in front of thousands of people, you and I can try to crank out a few extra miles).  Good luck to you in your races!  I wish you the best ... and some pain free days.

Carla