learning to run again

[Brewers7]

I would appreciate any tips for learning to run again.

[leapyrtwins]

Actually I learned from LADavid a long time ago, that running after an AN is easier than walking after an AN.  Because your feet are moving faster, your balance is actually better.  He heard this from a medical professional - possibly a PT (can't remember the specifics).

First and foremost, start slowly - then adjust your running as you adapt.  It took me a while to get back to my "old" speed.  Some of this was because I was greatly out of shape    but some of it was due to my "new normal".

Make sure your balance is steady enough to not be an issue; you don't want to hurt yourself.

Run in a "safe" location - one where your compromised hearing (if that's an issue you have) isn't a problem.

Since I started running again, I no longer run outside in traffic.  I wear a BAHA, but not when I run.

I have limited my running to an indoor track - and tried to use a treadmill (unsuccessfully) - because it's not an environment where people can come up behind me without my knowledge or where I really need to hear what's around me (cars, etc.) 

I have plans to take my running outdoors very soon, but don't intend to run on busy streets again. Being half deaf, I need to be more aware of my surroundings.

The other change I've made is I rarely run with music (iPod) like I used to.  Without my BAHA and with an earbud in my good ear, I feel too vulnerable.  I save my iPod for working out on the exercise bike.

I think Patrick (texsooner) bikes with a partner or a group, so someone is "watching out" for him and alerting him to any "situations" he needs to be aware of it.

That would be a good idea for running also.

Jan

[Jeanlea]

I didn't take up running until after my AN surgery.  My balance wasn't a big problem.  It was more taking the time to build up my endurance.  I'm lucky in that I live in a very rural area and can run on the roads without much worry about cars.  They move over for me.  I make it a point to run against traffic so I can see who is coming towards me rather than relying on hearing it.  Because I sweat so much when I run I can't keep the earbud in my ear so I run without it.  I also run with friends who are my ears when necessary.  Good luck with your running.

Jean

[texsooner]

Running straight also came easier to me than walking in the first few months following AN surgery. I was running without much of a problem only 3 weeks after surgery, but I wobbled a lot while walking several months after that. Now, I can pretty much run, walk, bike, etc, on a fairly straight line.

Like Jan said, just take it a little bit at a time if it's been awhile since you've been running. It's the best to build up distance slowly over time rather than trying to push it really hard in the beginning.

I also agree with Jean, it's best to run against traffic (if you can't run on sidewalks or trails). I wish I could use an I-pod while running, but I believe this is too dangerous for me being SSD.

Jan is right on the biking. I ride a road bike a lot during the spring and summer and I usually go in a group or with a friend. Since I am deaf left, it's challenging sometimes to hear cars passing me while out on the road, so my buddies will yell at me loud enough so I can know when traffic is coming from behind.

Good luck on your running and be safe.

Patrick 

[Kaybo]

I can run on the GROUND but took me a while to conquer the treadmill...word of advice DON'T try to JUMP to the sides on the treadmill - that didn't work out for me so well! 

K   

[opp2]

I was looking for something like this. I am ready to start running again. Last October I did a trail run called Interforce5 here in my hometown. It was a hoot. My GF want's to do it again this year. It seems like a long way away (Oct) but that is only 6.5 weeks. The run is usually mid Oct so I'd have 8 weeks to train for it.

That being said, my Honey is dead set against me running any trail races. Not sure why, but this entire journey has been hard on him.

I've started back to Crossfit this past two weeks, and am gradually increasing the weights, but running has not been on the agenda so far. Did you find any problems when you started back? I've done a couple of crossfit 5 rds WOD that included 200m runs but nothing more.

What I did find bothered my was/is situps. For some reason it pulls at my surgery area if I don't keep looking at the ceiling. So I look at the ceiling.

Your thoughts?

[sunfish]

I've been doing triathlon for several years.  Been trying to keep up my fitness during this whole AN/CK process.  Lots and lots of balance problems over the past month.  When I run, it feels like the ground is sliding back and forth under my feet.  It feels really weird to run now!  I've been running on the paved bike path in my community, and on the beach.  In another, recent post, nanramone said she has just started back running, and does some vestibular/balance exercises like turning her head while running.  I tried this, and found it challenging, but helpful (I think).  My ENT had suggested that I be sure to stop work at my computer every now and then, and turn my head and look in different directions several times.  I think this is reducing the "disequilibrium."

I've decided to keep running even though it feels weird.  This is the "new normal" for me.  It will hopefully get better, but I'm not sitting on the sidelines of life waiting for that to happen.

Yeah, I was regularly running 5-6 miles several times a week a year or two ago.  Now, I still think I should be able to jump right in at farther distances but, if you're a runner, you know it doesn't work that way. 

[Brewers7]

A PT once told me that she trained patients to run by having them run two strides then walk two.  At the time, I could barely stand up, so I haven't really tried that method.  I have run a little on the treadmill by holding the rail.  I basically walk a minute and run a minute.  I can now run just a little outside but it has been 100 degrees here for weeks.  Hoping to get back to my passion for running in the fall.  Thanks all for the encouraging words!  I have long believed that running is a lot more mental than physical.

[yardtick]

I'm like Donnalynn, my head hurts when I start running, even sit ups will cause an all out headache.  I admire those who can run, jump and do any form of psychical exercise.

Anne Marie