Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Any Athletes With A Similar Experience?

Run like an animal

Recommended Posts

Run like an animal Newbie
Run like an animal
Posted

I just joined today and have found this site to be filled with great information. I am only one month into being gluten free and I am an avid runner. My running has improved incredibly. I knocked off 3 minutes off of a 7 mile run that I do all the time, placed in a race and my resting heart rate went from 58-60 to 48-51! I can't believe the difference and I haven't even realized my full potential. My body must have been really suffering and compensating whenever I ran since I now don't have that mental fight anymore and I feel like I have so much energy. Has anyone had a similar experience? Each day is still so exciting when I run. I'm now learning how to eat, carb load, and manage this disease. I'm 39 and I feel I have had this for at least 8 years. I know my body pretty well and once I hit 30 things were just not the same anymore.

Thanks to all for doing the research when it comes to carb loading and sports drinks/bars. Please share, I would love to hear any athletes who have had similar experiences.

-Run like an animal

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


FMcGee Explorer
FMcGee
Posted

I haven't had this experience, because I haven't been gluten-free as long as you have, but this makes me really happy. I hope I get this energy burst soon! I've heard this from other people, too, who aren't necessarily on this board. A couple of us here are still struggling with our energy levels, but I'm looking forward to knocking minutes off my long runs. Congratulations and enjoy!

Run like an animal Newbie
Run like an animal
Posted
  • Author

My recovery was pretty immediate. I started sleeping better, no more achy joints which I thought were from my running, no heavy feeling in my lower ab, I could go on but the most important result of course is the running. I was also severely anemic so I'm waiting for blood work results to see if that has improved and I have a colonoscopy next week so I'm not in the clear yet.

Well I hope you also have a similar experience with your running. When I ran I used to always feel very sluggish and I always thought it was mental or not enough sleep caused me to feel that way. Now I have to hold myself back. It's like my body is ready to perform and I have to learn how to manage this new machine. Just PR on a 10K last weekend and today I have a 5K. I'm really looking forward to see how I do.

How long are you into your recovery?

-Run like an animal

  • 4 weeks later...
the amazing kelly Newbie
the amazing kelly
Posted

At the age of twelve I fell in love with running, but as a Celiac since age seven, it can be a challenge to balance the two. When I got married I was only 108 and my husband thought I was a little too skinny, I try and maintain 120, but it is a challenge on a gluten free diet. I found the thing that gave was the running. I moved to South Carolina from California and a friend, also a runner, helped me and told me the Gu is gluten free and having never used a suppliment like that beofre, it is great! I don't have to worry how much I ate and it sustains me. I have run in several races since I have been here and it is a great tool for any Celiac runner. Hope this helps!

  • 2 months later...
virginiabeach Rookie
virginiabeach
Posted

You don't state your age... I am 54. Two years ago, when my ex moved out, and I could finally live the level of gluten free I needed, my resting pulse was 80 to 100 (on toprol, to control rapid, irregular pulse. It's now 60 or below, the last of the toprol went in the trash a year ago.

My sport is not running -- it's martial arts. But yeah. And the carb loading and sports drinks have a place in the diet of a celiac that's not physically active -- they tend to be really portable.

I just joined today and have found this site to be filled with great information. I am only one month into being gluten free and I am an avid runner. My running has improved incredibly. I knocked off 3 minutes off of a 7 mile run that I do all the time, placed in a race and my resting heart rate went from 58-60 to 48-51! I can't believe the difference and I haven't even realized my full potential. My body must have been really suffering and compensating whenever I ran since I now don't have that mental fight anymore and I feel like I have so much energy. Has anyone had a similar experience? Each day is still so exciting when I run. I'm now learning how to eat, carb load, and manage this disease. I'm 39 and I feel I have had this for at least 8 years. I know my body pretty well and once I hit 30 things were just not the same anymore.

Thanks to all for doing the research when it comes to carb loading and sports drinks/bars. Please share, I would love to hear any athletes who have had similar experiences.

-Run like an animal

one more mile Contributor
one more mile
Posted

I walk and don't do much else but notice that my hart rate went from the 90's to the 80's

  • 1 month later...
ironspider33 Rookie
ironspider33
Posted

I am sooooooooo experiencing the same thing.

4 weeks ago i went to the doc all bloated, and my bp was like 160/110 yet a resting heart rate int he low sixties at the doc office. I can rest and observe it at like 55pbm...

I've been gluten free for a month exaclty. even several days after starting the diet, I started , not stopping, on my runs. I've done ironman six times, but not since 2003 and since have gained an easy 40 lbs.

10 have fallen off this month. same running mileage (not where i want it to be ) but ran strong for a full 10k on friday for the first time that i can recall since 2003.

ALl i can say is, it's almost miraculous. improved mood, no more gas, no more 20 min session son the crapper (4-5 ttimes a day)...and sadly no more beer. However cider is fine:)

it's absolutely crazy the athletic improvement, the strength, and the 18 hour days i have now, whereas i used to want to sleep all day if i could. evenign naps were frequent.

i jsut hope it continues! i weigh like 225 now, down from almost 240 originally. I first thought it was jsut lactose intolerance. doc said, celiac was a mimicker...

anywho...i jhope to race another iron next year, all slim perhaps for the first time!

Cheers

Blair

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


  • 3 weeks later...
minniejack Contributor
minniejack
Posted
I am sooooooooo experiencing the same thing.

4 weeks ago i went to the doc all bloated, and my bp was like 160/110 yet a resting heart rate int he low sixties at the doc office. I can rest and observe it at like 55pbm...

I've been gluten free for a month exaclty. even several days after starting the diet, I started , not stopping, on my runs. I've done ironman six times, but not since 2003 and since have gained an easy 40 lbs.

10 have fallen off this month. same running mileage (not where i want it to be ) but ran strong for a full 10k on friday for the first time that i can recall since 2003.

ALl i can say is, it's almost miraculous. improved mood, no more gas, no more 20 min session son the crapper (4-5 ttimes a day)...and sadly no more beer. However cider is fine:)

it's absolutely crazy the athletic improvement, the strength, and the 18 hour days i have now, whereas i used to want to sleep all day if i could. evenign naps were frequent.

i jsut hope it continues! i weigh like 225 now, down from almost 240 originally. I first thought it was jsut lactose intolerance. doc said, celiac was a mimicker...

anywho...i jhope to race another iron next year, all slim perhaps for the first time!

Cheers

Blair

Redbridge, and greens are good gluten-free beers. If you add a little water to the Redbridge, it tastes like Bud Light.

A-Swiss Rookie
A-Swiss
Posted

Aside from the much needed energy boost after I was diagnosed (I was falling asleep at work at 2 pm - after 3 Red Bulls), I also found that I had a much more positive attitude to working out. I have always been an athlete, but my moods went from negative/shakey/lathargic to actually feeling the need to get in shape. I still have days where I could take a pass on hitting the gym, but it's been over a year and I almost feel bad if I don't go.

chasbari Apprentice
chasbari
Posted

Well, I don't run...but I could if I had to now. 9 months ago I could barely get out of a chair because my RA was so severe. Once properly DX'ed for celiac and on the gluten-free regimen my RA rapidly began to disappear. As a result I am able to workout like I was never able to even when younger. I have to feed the workout similar to you having to carb load for a run if I am to expect good results and I find that adequate protein intake is essential to keep the gut healing while doing hard physical work. I concentrate on whole foods and it is no secret that I pretty much stick to a paleo diet. I have become much more lean and yet stronger at the same time as never before. I eat lots of fruit before during and after workouts as well as plenty of meat, fish and eggs. My cholesterol is lower than ever, my BP dropped into the 80/50 range and my resting HR dropped from 76 BPM to the low 60's edging into the 50's in a very short amount of time. Energy levels are so much different now and my blood sugar just seems to regulate so much better. The one supplement I take because of bone density issues (osteopenia) is a D, Calcium and Magnesium supplement. I recently discovered that if I take the recommended dosage it seems to super charge my appetite and I cannot get enough food to eat. I now take one third the dose daily and I seem to regulate better in the appetite department. I certainly don't feel anywhere close to my chronological age of 49 anymore..I feel much younger.. and better than I have ever felt before. It's all bonus at this point.

  • 3 months later...
coltsfan18 Rookie
coltsfan18
Posted

I just finished my second marathon (my first "gluten-free"). It was night and day training and running without gluten. My first time around, I had a ton of knee pain and had a lack of energy while training. Training gluten free I had NO pain and a ton of energy. I really enjoyed my long runs. It made all the difference in the world!! It is amazing how much eating gluten really slowed me down.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens. I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium. I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells. When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly. This is safe...
    2. Jane02
      - Jane02 replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency. I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently...
    3. MichaelDG
      - MichaelDG posted a topic in Board/Forum Technical Help
      0

      celiac.com support

      How do I contact someone at celiac.com concerning the cessation of my weekly e-newsletter? I had been receiving it regularly for years. When I tried to sign-up on the website, my email was not accepted. I tried again with a new email address and that was rejected as well. Thank you in advance!
    4. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Hello, @Jane02, I take Naturewise D 3. It contains olive oil. Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets. Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking. Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the...
    5. Scott Adams
      0

      Penobscot Bay, Maine: Nurturing Gluten-Free Wellness Retreat with expert celiac dietitian, Melinda Dennis

      until
      Hello! Join me and treat yourself to a four-day, three-night restorative gluten-free retreat in a peaceful, private coastal retreat setting near Penobscot Bay in Maine. Dates: April 10-13, 2026 Enjoy engaging classes...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,327
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    dnamutant
    Newest Member
    dnamutant
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens.  I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium.  I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells.  When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly.  This is safe and nontoxic.  Vitamin D level should be above 70 nmol/L.  Lifeguards and indigenous Pacific Islanders typically have levels between 80-100 nmol/L.   Levels lower than this are based on amount needed to prevent disease like rickets and osteomalacia. We need more thiamine when we're physically ill, emotionally and mentally stressed, and if we exercise like an athlete or laborer.  We need more thiamine if we eat a diet high in simple carbohydrates.  For every 500 kcal of carbohydrates, we need 500-1000 mg more of thiamine to process the carbs into energy.  If there's insufficient thiamine the carbs get stored as fat.  Again, recommended levels set for thiamine are based on minimum amounts needed to prevent disease.  This is often not adequate for optimum health, nor sufficient for people with absorption problems such as Celiac disease.  Gluten free processed foods are not enriched with vitamins like their gluten containing counterparts.  Adding a B Complex and additional thiamine improves health for Celiacs.  Thiamine is safe and nontoxic even in high doses.  Thiamine helps the mitochondria in cells to function.  Thiamine interacts with each of the other B vitamins.  They are all water soluble and easily excreted if not needed. Interesting Reading: Clinical trial: B vitamins improve health in patients with coeliac disease living on a gluten-free diet https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19154566/ Safety and effectiveness of vitamin D mega-dose: A systematic review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34857184/ High dose dietary vitamin D allocates surplus calories to muscle and growth instead of fat via modulation of myostatin and leptin signaling https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38766160/ Safety of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31746327/ Vitamins and Celiac Disease: Beyond Vitamin D https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11857425/ Investigating the therapeutic potential of tryptophan and vitamin A in modulating immune responses in celiac disease: an experimental study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40178602/ Investigating the Impact of Vitamin A and Amino Acids on Immune Responses in Celiac Disease Patients https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10814138/
    • Jane02
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Jane02 · Posted

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency.  I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently meet from my diet is vitamin D. Calcium is a hit and miss as I rely on vegetables, dark leafy greens as a major source, for my calcium intake. I'm able to meet it when I either eat or juice a bundle of kale or collard greens daily haha. My thiamine intake is roughly 120% of my needs, although I do recognize that I may not be absorbing all of these nutrients consistently with intermittent unintentional exposures to gluten.  My vitamin A intake is roughly 900% (~6400 mcg/d) of my needs as I eat a lot of sweet potato, although since it's plant-derived vitamin A (beta-carotene) apparently it's not likely to cause toxicity.  Thanks again! 
    • MichaelDG
      celiac.com support

      By MichaelDG · Posted

      How do I contact someone at celiac.com concerning the cessation of my weekly e-newsletter? I had been receiving it regularly for years. When I tried to sign-up on the website, my email was not accepted. I tried again with a new email address and that was rejected as well. Thank you in advance!
    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hello, @Jane02,  I take Naturewise D 3.  It contains olive oil.   Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets.  Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking.  Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the jar, and thus may be irritating to the digestive system. I avoid supplements made with soy because many people with Celiac Disease also react to soy.  Mixed tocopherols, an ingredient in Thornes Vitamin D, may be sourced from soy oil.  Kirkland's has soy on its ingredient list. I avoid things that might contain or be exposed to crustaceans, like Metagenics says on its label.  I have a crustacean/shellfish/fish allergy.  I like Life Extension Bioactive Complete B Complex.  I take additional Thiamine B 1 in the form Benfotiamine which helps the intestines heal, Life Extension MegaBenfotiamine. Thiamine is needed to activate Vitamin D.   Low thiamine can make one feel like they are getting glutened after a meal containing lots of simple carbohydrates like white rice, or processed gluten free foods like cookies and pasta.   It's rare to have a single vitamin deficiency.  The water soluble B Complex vitamins should be supplemented together with additional Thiamine in the form Benfotiamine and Thiamine TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) to correct subclinical deficiencies that don't show up on blood tests.  These are subclinical deficiencies within organs and tissues.  Blood is a transportation system.  The body will deplete tissues and organs in order to keep a supply of thiamine in the bloodstream going to the brain and heart.   If you're low in Vitamin D, you may well be low in other fat soluble vitamins like Vitamin A and Vitamin K. Have you seen a dietician?
    • Scott Adams
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.