Greetings from sunny Austin, Texas .
Question for the jocks out there...has anyone run a full marathon with a K-pouch? Other than hydration and nutrition issues, any damage to the pouch or valve? It will be my one-year K-pouch anniversary in February and plan to celebrate my life/my health by participating/completing the run.
Thanks!

Can't help with the answer to that.
You should ask your surgeon. I'd be interested to know the answer.

I know a guy Amy. He's not on the board here but I can get you in touch. Need to locate his e mail for you and give him a heads up.
Joel is his name.

I have had a K pouch for almost 40 years. For years I ran 6 miles a day and I ran them. Ran them in Vermont in the winter and in Tennessee in 95 plus degrees with no trouble as far as the pouch goes. You have to stay hydrated but so do runners who have normal "plumbing". I don't think that I had to drink any more than someone who did not have a K pouch. I don't run anymore due to knees but I workout with a Heavyhands workout and can do it for an hour in 95 degree weather. I also have bailed a lot of hay and stacked it in barn and on wagon in very hot weather. For a time I lifted weights and lifted heavy. Only problem was getting darn tired. I would not want to run on a full pouch. I would adjust diet the day before and stay with low residue and would not eat anything about 6 hours before run or make it light and low residue. Fat and protein would be my choice.
tp

Just reread your post. Try to do anything you did before your surgery. Just ease into it and gradually do more and more. I don't think that vigorous exercise will hurt you in anyway. The only thing that I would not do is strain (lift heavy or exercise) on a distended pouch.

I was talking with Dr. Fazio about this very topic this week. He warned me that he recently had to do surgery on one of his KPouch patients that had run a marathon. I had asked because I recently ran a half marathon and wanted to make sure he didnt have any concerns about me doing the full marathon. He said that what happened to his other patient and what could happen to me is that after drinking all the fluid that you do during a marathon, you weigh the pouch down so much that it can tear. I had never considered this before. He said it was probably still ok to run a marathon, but just to make sure to empty at least half way through. Seems a bit tough unless you have someone meeting you with your equipment, but I hope to make it happen. I wish you the best of luck as well. Just be careful.

Mike S

Not being a runner I don't know this..
what is the distance for a half marathon (and approx/realistic time) and what quantity of fluids would you drink?

A marathon is 26.2 miles. A half marathon is 13.1 miles. I am a slow runner, but when I last ran a marathon it took me just over 5 hours. The elite runners run it a little under two and a half hours. My half marathon a few weeks ago took me two hours and twenty minutes (I am slowing down even more as I get older it seems). The amount of liquids varies by individual I am sure. For KPouchers it seems we need to drink more than most. I have never quantified how much I need to drink, just drink before I start getting thirsty.

Mike S

Thanks Mike and all that responded.
Dr. Fazio (via e-mail) shared similar concerns about running the marathon distance and identified the potential pouch damage, internal bleeding, and hernia, that could result in surgery. While I'm able to run 20+ miles, it's in our neighborhood, so I stop at home and catheterize after each 7 mile loop.
I decided to run the half marathon instead.

Today is exactly my one year post surgery anniversary...I remember where I was last year at this time (Cleveland Clinic, under the knife and in total pain)and where I am today ...life is good and I’m not willing to risk any complications!

Thanks again and Mike-congrats on your half!

One more thing. You must let us know how you place in the race.
tp