I’m not a runner type. There is absolutely nothing appealing to me about lacing up my sneakers and running around town or through parks or along tracks. Running outside? No thanks.
But I am one of those weird class of people who loves running on the treadmill… looooove it. I think it’s because my speed, incline, and rhythm when running on the treadmill always stay consistent, which I don’t get when running outside. I like having that control over the elements. Getting a few miles in before work goes a long way toward feeling healthy and energetic for the rest of the day.
But, endometriosis = inflammation. And inflammation + pelvic organs jostling about when running = pain. I’m so over pain… so over it.
Last summer I began noticing that I’d experience pelvic pain during and after running near my ovulation time. Like, I would step off the treadmill and double over while my uterus screamed at me and my ovary throbbed. Fine: I quit running mid-cycle and swapped it out for the elliptical trainer. Problem solved.
Then the running pain began staying consistently during my entire luteal phase. Begrudgingly, I again adapted. Running became something I’d do only during my follicular phase.
But now running even during the first part of my cycle is problematic. This past cycle I ran on CD 3, 4, and 5. And afterward? Dude. I could barely stand the rest of the day. Instead, I’d be bent over in pain, shuffling around work clutching my uterus and praying for the pain to stop. No more treadmill for Marixsa. But there’s only so much elliptical trainer and cycling a girl can do before her eyes glaze over with boredom.
I miss running. And I’m bent about this latest development in Endometriosis Land.
The good news is that since I’ve begun running and lifting weights, my arthritis has dramatically improved! I’ve had exactly one arthritic “breakout” episode in the last year. It happened only this past weekend, incapacitating me to my bed for a day. I forced myself to work it out at the gym though and felt 100% better the very next day! Score 1!
Anyone other endo sisters out there who experience this kind of pain when running? Any solutions to work around it?
Peace.
The Endo Zone 
I understand about enjoying running indoors more. I hate running outside, especially in winter. I also don’t like people staring at me while I run.
It doesn’t sound fair that endo is stealing away something you love.
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Good to know I’m not the only lover of indoor running! And I’d be totally creeped out by someone watching me run, indoors or out. 🙂
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I can’t imagine the pain running must cause you. I only have Asherman’s (scar tissue in the uterus) and running makes me ache and cramp for at least a full 24 hours. I resigned to doing Beachbody On Demand workouts. I can select the 30 minute ones and press “pause” when I need to, or cut it short, or add another workout if I have the time and desire. 🙂 I pay for the year altogether so it comes to about $9 a month. That’s my two cents.
I hope you can find something that gets your fix for running without the pain involved.
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Interesting thought about the Beach Body. I might need to look into that!
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Yes!! I was actually on a college scholarship for running when I had to stop because of endometriosis. The pain was so unbearable. We tried everything to allow me to keep running, but nothing worked. I will say not that the endo is much more under control I can run some now. It does become painful if the endo starts to get out of control again. I feel for you!
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Oh I’m so sorry that happened to you. I’m glad you’ve gotten relief from it, but I imagine when it flares up again that it’s pretty bad. Sounds like you know exactly what I mean then. 😦
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Totally feel ya. Running doesn’t mesh with my endo either. Pool workouts help. Low impact, high cardio. I also just walk. Not as fun as running, I know but [brisk] walking is almost just as good. Hope that helps!
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I so need a gym with a pool… maybe it’s time to upgrade gyms. Thanks for weighing in, and I’m sorry you’ve had this same experience. 😦
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Hello, I’d appreciate the follow back fellow endo warrior here 💛
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