Running

Submitted by Mamato2boys on May 22, 2010 - 11:11pm
Body: 

I've been doing so well -- POP-wise -- that I ventured out on a run, well, actually a couple of runs. Nothing major. Two short thirty minute runs on consecutive days. After the first day, I did not notice anything. After the second day, things felt diffferent, but when I went feeling down there it didn't. That is a bit confusing -- I felt like things were bulging, but did not actually feel things bulging. Is that any clearer?

I'm feeling better now, but was thinking I could use a pessary to help support me when running. Has anyone else done this? Does it work? I don't want to make things worse.

I'm a high school cross-country coach and am debating on quitting if I can't run without worsening things. Alemama, how is your running going?

Before the running...I had no sypmtoms. In fact, I felt great. POP was not bothering me at all. And even now I've come to terms with it. I could wear a pessary while running -- no big deal -- if it works. Anyway, I'm just wondering if I should give up running -- not that you alll are going to make the decision -- but I am curious to hear other's perspectives, if anyone is running, or has since POP. I'll be trolling past forumns.

Christine

May 23, 2010 - 10:57am

Try experimenting with (1) taking long strides (2) pushing your lower belly well over your thighs, and (3) making sure to pull up into the upper body posture.

alemama

May 23, 2010 - 6:05pm

I'm feeling great
I've been doing sprint work- trying to get my mile time down. I would like to get it down to under 7. Not sure I can do this- but perhaps?
still trying to get in one long run (between 3 and 6 miles) a week and a few short (1 mile)
still varying road runs and treadmill runs
but I'm not getting the big mileage in that I was in the beginning- and the runs do not feel easier (but then I keep trying to speed up so...)
the weird need to pee feeling is gone now- I do think it was an adjustment to the jostling.

I say if you can not detect any bulging go for it-
if you start to feel a bit of bulging pull back
maybe try a tampon for support

also doing some nauli before and firebreathing after really works well for me
as does getting flat on my back and stretching out my hamstrings soon after too.

don't give up the coaching (unless you fundamentally feel that running isn't good for your girls and can't support it any longer). I've had wonderful coaches who no longer participated in the sport but still were amazing and encouraging and had great tips and techniques for me.

Mamato2boys

May 23, 2010 - 9:22pm

Under 7 minutes! Wow -- you go mama! I'm lucky to run a 10-minute mile right now.

Thanks for the tips Christine and Alemama. I definitely feel better when I am pulling up -- fortunately this is pretty consistent with my natural running gait. Good tip on experimenting with stride length.

Alemama, you're right in that I do not need to run to coach my kids, but I want to run at least once a week with them. I don't start coaching until the following schoolyear, so, I am hoping by September I am strong enough to run three miles twice a week confidently.

I'm going to experiment with tampon and sea sponge pessaries. I'll keep you all informed.

518

June 7, 2010 - 8:26pm

Hi girls,

I was reading some posts on running as like many of us out there, I was very afraid to but have been back at it for about 2 months now, yeahy! I am curious to see how alemama and mom2boys are doing with it? I share some of the same concerns you had both voiced in recent posts. I used to only exercise with a pessary, and then developed a cervical cyst which was aggrivated by the pessary so I had to stop. The first couple weeks running w/out it was scary, I had become so dependent on it mentally.... I felt more bulging and heaviness on days I ran w/out it. This could very well be that my body my was used to the pessary, but it of course made me nervous. I had the cyst removed and have tried the pessary a few more times, but still have some neg. side effects, I can be very aware of it as I run, and still suffer some irritation, so I stopped using it at all... I agree with you alemama that I often have the urge to "go" when running, but I think there is less tolerence for holding it while exercising at such an intensity. I have to be sure to go right before starting to get through. Just to note, I have a recotcele only, ( I think all else is fine now?) Please let me know how you girls are doing, because I love running, but still not sure if its the right choice! I guess we just tread carefully... I love reading about the success and joy you found and hope it is still going well! I am so encouraged by reading your posts!! Thank you!

alemama

June 7, 2010 - 8:55pm

We are selling our home and I have been skipping my workouts to work around the house- getting this place ready to "show" is next to impossible. And for the first time in ages I had a bad day. BAD! apparently there is a limit to what I can do. but I feel fine now, so I guess I had a quick return to baseline.
Anyway, I've been off for about the last 10 days or so.
I'm glad I slacked off on the milage. It feels like I'll be a lot less likely to develop over use injury that way. I like speed work too- it feels so good.
This month I am the swimming leg in a triathlon relay. I am looking forward to it. But I have only swam a few times to practice for it so I think this next few weeks will have a pool focus instead of the runs I was doing.

Mamato2boys

June 7, 2010 - 9:32pm

I ran 40 minutes today. The longest I've ran since the discovery of my prolapse. Things don't feel diffferent -- upon an internal examination. But, I had some light bleeding. And when I feel around I can feel a painful somethng on one side. Mainly, it is just tender. When I lean forward (not in WW postre) bending at the waist, I feel pressure and a sort of weakness just above my pubic bone. I take this as a sign that I overdid it. I am a bit disappointed, but not totally read to throw in the towel yet. I wore a sponge as a pessary and I think that, in general, this is working really well. I wonder though if it irritated my cervix enough to make it bleed.

I have an appointment next week for an internal exam with my nurse practitioner. Ten years ago I had rapid-growing precancerous growths removed from my ovaries. And I have many of the same symptoms now as I did then (oddly this also coincides with my thyroid issues that I also had ten years ago -- weird). I'll let you all know if anything comes of it.

I've been talking with some of my older women runner friends and so many of them have "problems" that they use support (ie pessary) for. I thought that this was interesting, and hopeful that they are still running.

alemama

June 8, 2010 - 7:05am

I bet that sponge can cause light spotting.
Glad you had a good run

518

June 8, 2010 - 9:25am

I guess everything in moderation is best! I am glad to hear you are both not giving up, but it also sounds good to switch it up sometimes. Congrats on the triathlon Alemama! That is fantastic! I am glad to hear that mom2 you are going to see the doc, I will be thinking of you and hoping you are okay! Please keep us posted! As for the spotting, I do believe that especially with exercise pessaries/sponges can irritate you and cause spotting. I remember my doctor said it is very common for them to cause ulcers. Sometimes it feels as though you are trading one issue for another by using them!