A question for all the runners.

Vani · April 24, 2008

I have a question for all the runners. Recently i have been upping my exercise and feeling great, i'm feeling full of energy and i'm actually enjoying my workouts. But once i get out there i start wanting to do more and more, but the thing is i got a herniated disc since i was 16 and i was told not to do any type of exercise besides swimming or walking. Last year the herniated disc popped out again and i had to stop any exercise for around 6 months. Now it has healed but my left leg is still a bit weak(i am hoping it will get better in time).

At the moment i am biking 30 minutes a day(it's a bike for people with back problems), doing some weight lifting for my arms and walking for 40 minutes to 1 hour 3 times a week.

Now my question is, when you were heavier did it feel like running would do you bad? Should i risk it and run?Because i really feel like running but i'm very scared of my herniated disc. I've been thinking about starting to run once i am able to walk the entire 40 minutes at a very fast speed.This should build some endurance to the muscles of my back and stomach before i start the running.

Advice would be great, thank you!

catzintj · April 25, 2008

i think your doctor should be involved in this decision.

Jachut · April 25, 2008

I'd have to say though that I do think nearly everyone can run to some degree.

I had a CT scan on my back last week and I have a slight disc bulge and degenerative changes (age related), but ironically its COMPLETELY asymptomatic. I went to the doc becuase I'm fed up after three years of sciatic pain, its driving me crazy. My right leg always feels like a tree stump I'm dragging around and I recently irritated it doing Curves. But I have never had a single sciatic symptom on the left where the very slight disc bulge is. So running obviously doesnt irritate that.

What I do have (tentative diagnosis) is piriformis syndrome. If you have any biomechanical abnormalities as a result of your back, running could have you ending up in quite a deal of pain. I have no feeling in my right toes at the moment, that's quite scary, I can stick pins in them, and its all from muscular dysfunction, caused by not stretching, a weak core (even though I can do spectacular sit ups, my actual deep core muscles arent great) and chronic overpronation of my feet - I have orthotics, but they were made for me when I was 115kg and now I need new ones, they're not right for my weight.

So do be VERY careful, you need to pay proper attention to stretching (my big mistake, I"m slack, I stretch but quickly and half heartedly), and if you notice pain beginning, treat it right away. Building up slowly and focus on a slow jog, avoid speed work and big hills, stretch well, try to build some abdominal strength first, wear GOOD shoes (please!) and pay attention to your body.

Most people can run though, you might be able to do it once or twice a week for example and do something else as well, for me, in the condition I'm in at the moment, running is MORE gentle than a lot of other things, my back absolutely wont tolerate much in the way of weights at the moment, any trunk flexion/rotation combination and I"m a goner for weeks.

Cerrin · April 30, 2008

I think you should ask your doctor.

They know your issue not us.

For me. I thought walking on th treadmil was the best for me. My dr told me it was the worst thing I could do for MY body. He sugested I do either the bike or the elliptical. I chose the Elliptical. But he told me NOT to do the treadmill or I was running the risk of damaging my joints.

That is ME. Your doctor will know YOU.

Good luck and bing skinny is great and all. but not if your stuck in a bed for weeks because you thrw out your back.