Running with Cerebral Palsy

As some of you may know, I have Cerebral Palsy. You wouldn’t know it to look at me, and I certainly don’t advertise it in job interviews, but I was born premature, and physical activities like running were difficult for me. I have an extremely mild case of CP, I’m very lucky. The fact that people don’t often notice my limp makes me lucky in many ways. Over the years I’ve really gotten into running. A comment from a reader named Molly asked me if I had any advice about running with Cerebral Palsy, and honestly it’s hard for me to answer. I don’t want to give advice that simply isn’t true for everyone. I know from personal experience that it’s very hard not being able to do “normal” activities. Sometimes no matter how hard you try, you’re foot just won’t move, or worse, it won’t stop moving. It’s like the wire connecting your foot to your brain got jiggled loose.

I am not a doctor or a trained physical therapist. I respect doctors very much, I’ve just learned when it comes to limits and treatments, they are often wrong. So, here is a short list of things to improve running and your CP, that a doctor never told me:

Take up weight lifting. Not just therapy, but actual weight lifting. If you can’t lift weights safely, please talk with your physical therapist. Demand actual weights that will tire your arms in less than 20 repetitions.
Read books about running, Chi Running is my favorite.
Expect to get injured. Plan to take it slow. As a disabled athlete, you’re going to face all the challenges everyone else does and more.
Do a little bit every day, with lots of rest days in between. If you don’t practice often, you won’t get better.

Weight lifting changed my life. It improved my balance and coordination. As a child I fell down every single day. As I grew up, it got better, but I still fell often. It wasn’t until I became a serious weight lifter that I stopped falling down. I know very few people with CP will be as lucky as I am, but if I can go from falling down daily to never falling, I know it can help many of us. The act of training your muscles to lift heavier weights makes your brain smarter.

If You Can Lift Weights, Do!

When I started running with Cerebral Palsy, I was very young. It was difficult for me. But, at such a young age, I didn’t even know I had a disability, let alone one that could stop me. My childhood running made it much easier for me to pick up running as an adult. If you can lift weights do! If you can run short distances, do it often. If you can’t run, is spin class possible for you? If you’re not sure what your capable of, work with your PT and find out. But please, don’t take my advice as medical advice. I’m just a guy with CP who runs.

Comments About Running with Cerebral Palsy

// 5 comments so far.

Anna Harris // December 12th 2010

What an inspiring post. It’s nice to see real advice for real people – running is such a rewarding activity, everyone should be able to know that special ‘burn’ if they’re so inclined
becca bruton // August 01st 2011

i too have mild cerebral palsy and have been running since I was in middle school. my senior year in hs i was the 11th fastest female 2 mile runner in the state. i went on to run in college for a couple of years before the training got to be too much. the hardest part was being injured so much. i spent lot of time in the rehab room. now at 28 i run on my own. last year i completed a half marathon in 1:59:31 while pushing a young man with severe cp ina racing chair and i plan on doing it again this year.
Amber // August 13th 2011

Hey there, I stumbled across your blog and am interested in learning more about your weight training. I also have very mild cerebral palsy. My right leg is my dominate leg and I limp sometimes with the left. I go through phases where I fall often. Although Ive accepted my disability its still embarassing at 23. Im looking to muscle train my entire body but specifically legs. Any advice for a beginner? I walked alot when I lived on campus. Im thinking I need to increase my flexibility as well. Thanks and take care.
C R // October 04th 2011

Hi, I have a mild case of cerebral palsy. I was born premature and the doctors said i would never walk,talk or…..RUN. I do cross country for my school and we have to run 2 miles and everybody is so pround of me, especially my mom.When I went to my first cross country meet and ran the whole 2 miles, everybody was so proud of me. So who cares if you finish a race, track meet because it’s fun
T // October 29th 2011

I have mild cerebal palsy as well I have a limp and a very soft voice, the doctor used forcebs as I was coming out and caused lack of oxygen to my brain. I have always hiked, walked, but never did I dream I would want to run. Its hard! I have just started, what I do I start out walking a few steps then I start into a jog then its running, but not far running because I have asthma as well. Once I catch my breathe I start back running. I run about half a mile to this church down from my house, and I end up walking back. Yet in doing so it has only taken me 30 minutes from beginning to end. I am hoping that by building the muscles in the back of my legs I will one day be able to run completely without stopping. Its going to be tougher than a “normal” person but I suggest start out slow, you know how your body works. An start doing other exercises that will also help with your muscles, get on a bicycle and ride for a mile or two then ride back. There is nothing we can not do if we are willing to do it. An talk to your doctor, he or she might can recommend more things or know of equipment that might help in helping build the muscles back.