This question is for you runners out there. Other than age, has anyone noticed a decrease in their pre-surgery running performance vs post-surgery running performance? I'm just wondering if the surgery would prevent me from attaining the maximum performance I would have attained if this disease and subsequent surgery never happened.

Well, if you are the same Steve Scott who could run a sub-3:50 mile in the 1980s, it would be great if you could get back to that kind of speed!

I don't have first-hand experience - since having a colectomy in January, I haven't been able to run because of an old knee injury. But one of my former cross-country teammates from university is an inspiration. He was around 4 minutes for the mile in his day. He had a j-pouch in 2000, and a couple of years later (around 40 years old) ran a 4:30 mile on a dirt track.

The effect on your running performance may depend on your ability to handle fluids. It would be tough to train for and run a top-calibre marathon given the extra attention you would have to pay to hydration. You might also need to be careful with any cross-training/weight training until you are sure your abdomen can handle it, because of the risk of a hernia. Still, you should be able to do a decent amount of distance and speed work. I would think that the strain associated with training for and racing middle distance events would be manageable, and not much different than when you were healthy.

There are others on this site who have completed longer races like marathons, and some cyclists who perform at a high level after surgery.

Kevin

No, I am not the same steve scott. I wish I had his talent. Thanks for the post. I agree that running longer races or for that matter, running in high temperatures poses hydration issues for us with a j-pouch, which , in the end, may slow us down a bit, but it's good to know that we can still train at a high level. Now, I just have to work out the age issue. 4:30 on a dirt track at 40? Very impressive, especially with a J-pouch.

I posted in the general discussion forum regarding hydration.
I know several members run marathons and some use stamina as does my son.
Running has never been a problem. One fellow I know has a k pouch which dehydrates faster and he has no problem at all.

Gday Steve. I can only talk about my experience. I feel that I am running far better than before my surgery. Granted I was sick for a while but over the last 12 to 18 months my performance has improved.

I recently completed my first half marathon. The only side effect I get (and if anyone else finds this can you please reply) is that i pass a fair bit of blood after a hard run. This does not happen all the time but it has happened a few times.

Sean,

I have been posting about it. I run two and a half miles every day, and I bleed at least twice a week. Not red blood or anything, but rather small amounts of pink on my shorts. My doctor has looked at my cuff and says its not coming from there but rather from the anal area that gets irritated. It also happens when I lift weights.