Author: ericdyken@yahoo.com

I am a tenured Professor of Neurology at the University Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. My problems with running started after I suffered a C5-6 cervical spinal cord injury from wrestling in 1975. This was initially misdiagnosed as a brachial plexopathy and I was still able to run quite a few marathons (PR; 2:55:19, on 11/22/1987, 16th Annual St. Louis Marathon, 82nd place, Men's Open) until I had an exacerbation of chronic neck pain while running the "Bix-7". My neck MRI subsequently showed C5-6 cervical cord compression, mandating emergent surgery 1-week prior to my wedding on 9/24/1988. Afterwards I was able to continue runnning intermittently until 2/11/2009 when I had a right knee synovectomy. I then ran some as I successfully trained for my black belt (1st Dan only) in Tae Kwon Do (with my children; my son was the President of the UI TKD Club), at which time I eventually developed severe bilateral hip pain, and imaging studies revealed bilateral "pistol grip" anomalies with end-stage hip disease. At the time of my surgeries (as at the time they were not sure how the THRs would hold up, and I was a bit obsessive with my athletic endeavors) I was told (and followed recommendations religiously) not to run at all (I subsequently only walked, used a stationary bike, elliptical trainer, or lifted weights for exercise). Nevertheless, last month my every 5-year Ortho exam included fantastic hip X-rays (great polyethylene integrity/no evidence of wear) and they discussed the follow-up study of 600 THR patients, which included 23 subsequently successful runners whose THRs evidence no significant wear. As such, Ortho agreed to follow me more closely as I have decided to try and return to running. My first attempt (weighing > 190 pounds) in over 12-years at a running a mile (on a flat trail with good running shoes) was slow (14'48''), exhausting, uncomfortable, and clumsy. Be that as it may I am almost at week-4 of a 15-week marathon training program (signed up for the "St. Paddy's Marathon", 3/18/2023 in Des Moines, IA), and things have been going pretty smoothly. I am running extremely slow, but just happy to be able to do the prescribed mileage. In addition, I think that by following the rules of common sense with rest days, stretching, working on core strength, with proper eating and sleeping habits has led to some weight loss and at this point has me feeling much happier than I have been in a long time. Fingers crossed for the future!