Training for a Marathon with a Stoma

6 WEEKS UNTIL THE MARATHON! AAAHHH

This is what currently going through my head at the moment! The marathon is literally around the corner and I can’t wait!

Thank you to everyone who has been reading Connect magazine and donating to my page so far. I am so excited to run in the marathon, but this blog is a bit more about how training is going and what preparation I am doing in the run up to it (no pun intended!)

Running with a stoma bag

First of all I need to make sure my bag is ok for running. My Modavi bag has always stuck by me (another pun) when I have been exercising, but running long distances has been a learning curve for me and my bag. When I run longer than 10k I use some of the Respond Flange Extenders to ensure my bag sticks to me well and also helps with any rubbing against my skin. They are brilliant! I get no chafing or anything!

Hydration

When I run I make sure I have a support belt on, so my bag doesn’t move around too much. I warm up and stretch and make sure I am fully hydrated. As ostomates it is difficult to keep your hydration levels up in general, but with running long distances it is even more important than normal. I tend to drink a lot of water before I run and sometimes I will take a small water with me. I also take some sweets/food/gels when I run as it helps maintain energy levels and usually after a few hours I get so hungry!

A guide to training

I have started of my running by taking things nice and slowly. I found a free marathon guide on how much I need to be running and how often each week as a guide for me. It has been really useful and has certainly helped me track my progress.

Currently I run short distance runs during the week and then long distance runs on the weekend. I tend to run 5-10km after work a couple of times a week and then a 15-35km run at the weekend. The running guide I have has built everything up slowly and has suggested running long distances much slower than you think you need to, in order to build up your stamina and to effectively get miles under your belt. It has been incredibly useful.

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I have run 3 half marathon distances already and will run 30km soon. The running guide also suggest running for a set amount of time rather than distance and this is also really useful, as you can plan what podcasts to listen to/playlists to have for 3-4 hours of running. It then says once you get to a certain distance to taper it back down to lower distances each week and then to do hardly anything the week before. So you can load up on carbs, stretch and go and enjoy the day. It has been difficult to stick to the routine for several reasons.

Firstly, it’s so cold and wet in the UK at the moments its difficult to motivate myself. Secondly, running after a stressful day is good, but it is also dark and cold and wet, so again its not the best prospect and finally I have to be mindful of my body, my stoma and doing too much. I have been guilty of over going it so I have had a week or so to properly rest and then start running again in order to stop any fatigue, injury or issues come race day. I am still gyming and exercising to stay fit and to not fall behind with my training. I am hoping I don’t have any injuries going into it. My knees have been a bit sore after the long runs, but overall everything has been ok!

The day is going to be so much fun. The excitement, the fans, the running, it’ll be such a fun experience. I just hope it doesn’t rain! Either way I am half way through my programme, half way to my donation target, so we still have some work to do!

If you are reading this and live in London, come cheer me on come the day! Or alternatively, send me a message on Instagram.

See you at the finish line!

Much love

Ant @ibdlife

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