Should I Run?
 

Finally off my butt, and got a gym membership. I am trying to understand if running medium/long distances would be OK given my symptoms.

Bit of background - I used to run 4-5 miles a day while I still felt like I was getting better everyday. That was before July. Currently, I just suffer a strong continuous fog and blockage that has not gotten better since October 1st. My symptoms do not get any worse after running, but I have not tried any exercise at all in the past month.

I am planning on starting out with short 1-2 mile jogs for the next few days. And if nothing feels any worse, then pushing that to longer and longer distances. Any reason this plan is flawed??

Thanks

Why not try a shorter distance and build up? Or try some eleptical or stationary bike first and see how those go?

I started running a few weeks ago and am glad I did it! I even have the dreaded head sensitivity to movements and for some reason running is ok.

I say go for it cause it's no fun living inside your mind all the time.

Just don't try it if you have something big coming up.

Also, I just run for short spurts then rest. Pushing through during exercise doesn't result in improvement.

Sounds good. Yep, def won't be pushing through any symptoms that might resurface. We'll see how it goes.

I used to be a runner too, ran xc and track high school to post-collegiately. Stopped running from a hamstring injury that's still bugging me about 5 months before the concussion. Have tried running a few times in very short bits but I can feel the pounding in my head even on soft trails and adjusting my stride with ear plugs to minimize impacts, so I've avoided trying further. Hamstring still bugs me anyway.

I have been aquarunning though, which has been a good alternative to stationary biking for me, as you can at least move up and down the pool as opposed to moving nowhere on a stationary bike, and it is running specific. Might be something to try if you find running isn't great at this point, but still want to do something like it. It's boring as all get out, but better than nothing!

Hey! that's interesting. I'll be looking into it :) Thanks!

I have done 45 to 60 minutes of pool lunging when I can. You need to find a lap pool that is not too deep. The pool I use now has a deep end so I lunge for 60% and breast stroke the rest. Water shoes help to get traction if the pool has a tile or smooth bottom. It can be a great workout without any impacting. I can do about a mile in an hour.

I'm out of the pool until PT clears me to return after recent shoulder surgery. Breast stroke is a great exercise for bad shoulders. As you finish the stroke, pinch the shoulder blades back and down to strengthen the muscles that join at the rotator cuff.

Why not walk fast/speed walk vs running?
Less chance of jolts, trips or falls and easier on the joints..:cool:
Nobody mentions that option. :confused:

For some, walking can have a more intense foot plant than running. I find it helps to try each with foam ear plugs. This way, you can hear the intensity of the foot plant. Then with good shoes and changes to your walking or running gait, those foot plant impacts can be moderated.

Running with a gait where the knee is slightly bent as the foot plants on the ground can be much smoother that a straight knee walking or running foot plant. Some plant their foot with the toes hitting first.

For a runner, there's nothing like running!

Yep! That's true.

I guess I'm wondering if I don't experience any difference in the blockage symptom (nothing has changed since October 1st), would increased heart rate or the endurance necessary to exert myself still be damaging to the recovery?

More simply, would my symptoms be the only indicator or is there any chemical rationale for why running might not be good for the recovery?