Tips For Running With AS?
Hi Guys, after spending months trapped inside thanks to the pandemic I think it is time I started doing a bit more cardio and thought running would be a good way of doing this.
I also have aims of doing a charity run at some point, but it is probably a bit too early to plan this as I don't know how my body will react to running just yet!
I am a little nervous to get back inside a gym at the moment so was planning to do my running in a park not far away from where I live.
But as I live with AS and RA I am a bit wary of doing myself any further damage and as I am a total beginner I don't want to accidentally pick up any bad habits when I start that could be detrimental to my conditions or induce flare ups!
I was wondering if anybody had any tips for getting started running with AS? Whether that is with technique, warming up / down or any suggestions on what to wear when I do it.
Any help would be greatly appreciated! Hope you are all keeping well!
James (Community Member)
James! I applaud you for trying to start up running! I have AS as well and found myself in a very bad place during the beginning of the pandemic last year. Mentally and physically. With no long distance running experience what so ever, I started to go on walks regularly. Then I would slowing start to jog on my runs. Eventually I would start to run/jog. At first could barely do a mile without stoping and feeling like I was going to faint. Lol
But I stuck with it, and now I can say that running definitely saved my life! I run about 4-5. Day a week, depending on how my body feels. Some days are harder than others but no matter how bad I don’t want To go, every single time I’m finished I feel soo amazing and am glad I did. I feel like I have a purpose now and it truly make me feel so great and accomplished. I am running a half marathon in November, somthing I really never thought was possible for someone like me. It is! Just because we have AS doesn’t mean we can’t do things that we put our minds to! Every last one of you is so strong! If might take us longer or in a different way than other but don’t ever let someone tell you what you can or can’t do!
Stay strong AS warriors! Love you all ❤️
Thank you so much for sharing your inspiring story and kind words of support.
~Doreen (Team Member)
PS-Great shirt!Loving the shirt! Amazing how you are spreading awareness whilst giving AS a run for it's money by doing the running in the first place. Very inspirational stuff!
When is the marathon? Looking forward to hearing how you get on!
All the best,
James (Community Member)
I wish I could still run without facing the consequences later. A week and a half ago I decided to take my dog for a 1 mile slow run on a track. At first, I limped a little bit from the stiffness/pain in my lower back/hip and then it loosened up and felt great. I still have pain and limping from that one mile. For years running was the only exercise I got.
@cherjack
I hear you. A few years ago I decided I'd try to run on a treadmill, just to see how I got on. Trouble is, I couldn't resist speeding up and staying on for too long. I got such a high from running again that I would push too hard. Then, of course, I paid the price. Cycling? :0)
Hi
I used to run back in the day - I got quite good at it. I never understood how good it was for mental health until I started doing it regularly. It's not just the body, is it, it's the brain too. I used to get almost euphoric after a run. I miss that feeling - even though it's over thirty years ago, I can still remember how good it made me feel.
I don't know how experienced you are with running, James, so forgive me if I am teaching you how to suck eggs. But I know when I started out my brother, who was a 2:40 minute marathon runner, gave me some sound advice which worked, and I can still remember. Here's what he said -
1 - Invest in some decent trainers - not too expensive, because you might give up and then you've wasted money. But something that is recommended for road work. The alternative was to seek out parks and run-on grass.
2 - jog/walk. Walk to the first lamppost (or another marker), then jog, slowly, to the next. Walk to the next - and so on - round the block - not too far. My brother told me most runners fall away because they run too far too soon and end up having a bad experience and then not going out again the next time.
3 - after a week of jog/walk - run round the block. Do that for a week or more. Try to enjoy it and don't push too hard. Make time to warm up and warm down.
4 - increase the distance by a small amount each time.
That's about it. I am not sure how well your bones will cope so I'd recommend really taking it very easy and very slowly. Alternatively, cycling will do the trick. You'll still be outside in the fresh air, but cycling is low impact so not so damaging to the old bones.
Hope that helped, James. Good luck with it. Keep us posted. Let us know how it goes.
Steve - Community Advocate
Hi
,
Thank you so much for sharing all of this useful information with me! I am the definition of an absolute beginner so all of the egg sucking information is definitely needed!
Rather embarrassingly I never learned how to ride a bike, although I would really love to give that a try at some stage if I ever pick up the courage to learn at my big age!
I will definitely be taking these things on board and will let you know how it goes!Good luck with the running, James. Keep me posted as to progress. I'd be interested to hear how you get on.
In the meantime, be well.
Steve
Running on a track that has the recycled tire turf is so spongy and less impact. Especially for your neck, back and knees
Hi
,
Thanks a lot for your reply! I think I know the surface that you are speaking of. The track near me is more of a brown colour, could that be the same material? Or should I avoid this one?
Hope you are well,
James (Community Member)
