Exercise and running

[Becky]

Hello Folks, it's been a few years since I last visited this board. It was good last night to come back and see more great information. This site was so very important to me when I started this journey 8 years ago. Lately, I've got it in my head that I could increase my overall health by running. I have a treadmill so it's always free and never closed or never to rainy :) Since January, I've worked up to 3 miles but it has been very difficult. I never feel as though I'm in a groove, that I could have a conversation while jogging or that it has gotten any easier. It takes everything I've got to reach 3.1 and although I've done it a number of times, I've haven't been able to increase my distance or pace. I know it is because of my MC. I'm wondering if anyone has advice or has experienced the same thing and has some tricks? Thanks, it's great to be back.

[jcml12]

I used to run until I got diagnosed in May 2014. There are days when I seem to get back in the groove but mainly I speed walk now. You can get the same results just work up to going more distance and have intermitted faster and slower sessions. My naturopath told me my body would tell me if it cannot perform and that is what I do now is trust how I feel. I have been able to run maybe a mile every now and then but it is for sure different and harder. By the way I walk/speed walk 3 to 4 miles a day. Don't give up and just listen to what your body wants to do. Hope this helps!

Jan

[Vanessa]

I've been able to keep up my running but my body and adrenals are really wanting me to take it easy. I am soooo chronically fatigued at this stage I better heed the warning. It's tough to deal with. I can barely get household chores done and make it to work. Then I get overtired and anxious, so then I don't sleep. My legs and arms are really shaky and weak as well. I feel they will buckle underneath me as I'm walking. Awesome feeling

[Zizzle]

I have pretty bad exercise intolerance, but I do benefit from exercise, so it's always a HUGE chore! I can barely run a mile, and I'll be sore for 2 days afterwards, but I have a muscle disease in addition to DM. I also break out with mini hives on my torso when I sweat and my face turns beet red and hurts!! I'm much better at interval training now instead of endurance exercise.

[Jonas]

I also have a bad exercise intolerance.
If I work out to hard (not hard at all by my old standards), I will get a lot of pain and muscle inflammation, also I will have very low energy level for days to follow.

I don't know if bad exercise intolerance is a symtom of MC. But I know is a common symptom in hypothyroidism (hashimotos), adrenal fatigue, fibromyalgia and if you have methylation problems.

[nerdhume]

Jonas
If you see me running better take off because something is chasing me
I have at times had muscle weakness to the point of having to sit down and rest before I could get across the room. This was new to me and started when I was at my worst with mc. I thought it was from electrolyte imbalance or dehydration. It has gotten a lot better as my gut healed.
I never realized before what the word 'fatigue' really meant. I had only experienced being tired after working a lot. With mc sometimes I would get up in the morning already tired.

[Hopeful]

I have found that water aerobics works great for me. Gets me up and moving in the morning. Quite intense 20 minute aerobic section with a lot of arm and leg involvement, then another 20 minutes of walking/running in chest deep water or swimming. Nice 10 minute stretching time at the end and then the hot tub! My muscles get toned and a work out without a lot of muscular/joint pain. I am tired afterwards, but in a good way.
Anyways, winter is a good time for water aerobics when the warm water is really appreciated. I stopped about 3 weeks ago because central NY state is SUDDENLY in, not spring, but summer - hot and dry. I have a huge organic garden and sell to the farmer's market. This definitely works different muscles than aerobics - lots of walking, kneeling, hauling, lifting, bending. And I'm ready for bed at 9:15. I can't wait until our pond warms up enough to do some swimming to get the kinks out. But ya gotta love warm weather around here after such a bitter cold, snowy winter!
Chris

[Vanessa]

I did not notice this extreme fatique until about 3 months ago. Not when my MC was at its worst. I have had thyroid anti bodies checked....normal. I do not know what else to do but let my body rest and heal.

Theresa, I know what you mean....you don't know what fatigue really is until you literally can barely lift your arms or use the energy to take another breath. Some nights I go to bed thinking I'll never wake up but alas, I always do. I'm thinking adrenals and low cortisol are to blame..I'm not sure how to fix those....

[Becky]

It's good news, bad news I guess. I'm not alone in my inability to some day be on the cover of Sports Illustrated. I guess the bottom line is we can only do our best! AND listen to our bodies for when we can push it and when we should rest. I'm headed off soon for a 5k. I am hopeful to finish without having to walk but I never know. There are days I feel good but 10 minutes in, I'm done!
I would love to hear from any others if they've found away to nurture their bodies into running.
Have a great weekend! I'll post back after the race

[Becky]

The 5k is over. I won a blue ribbon for my age group. Ok, so I was the only one running in my age group, so funny! I did take 5 minutes off my previous 5k time, even though I pulled something in my hip and had to do some walks.(time 35.58) I will keep at it, not allowing the valleys to take the place of the mountain tops. I'd run today if it weren't for my hip injury.