UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

I'll keep it brief!! Eye op 25 Nov 2005, London marathon 23 April, 2006. Never done one before, training consists of mostly walking 3 min, "running" 1 min and now able to cover 9 miles without collapsing. Any one out there who has had a graft and carried on training? I've got a guaranteed place with guide dogs - may need one on the day! Aiming to complete before the street lights come on - Paula Radcliffe doesn't have much to fear from me! Advice and thoughts appreciated. Tubs

PS Already had graft in left eye 2003 so know what's coming which is why I've entered the marathon - to take my mind off it!

Well......I think youd need to confirm this with your consultant...however I did continue with light treadmill and exercise within 4 weeks of my op......but this was very light........however didnt touch weights till at least the 4 month mark........the thing is not to exert pressure which will

a) cause you to hold your breath
b) put pressure or strain on the head

Thanks Jayuk. I walked two half marathons last year so I'm hoping to start walking asap post op - very gentle, just strolling but getting a few miles covered. I do have a treadmill but intend to go very steadily - even pushing it race walking I can only manage 6.4km/h! My surgeon runs marathons so hopefully he'll be able to advise me. I wasn't allowed to ride my horses for 6 wks post op and couldn't lift hay bales etc my hubby was well fed up having to do all that!

Soon after my post op I was cycling 8 miles most days. My consultnt considerd that a summer job picking strawberrys would be OK as long as I had something to keep dust out of my eyes. So my mum working in a laboratory got some safety glasses for me.

As you can imaging, I spent most the day on my hands and knees and then cycling. At that time I lived in Yorkshire at the bottom of the moors so cycling was a bit up hill and down dale.

Personally I think cycling is better post graft;

a) exercises similar if not same muscle groups.

b) there is less impact on the joints so the rest of the body as the movement is rotational and not up and down.

May mean going down the gym unless you have an exercise bike too. This is just to make sure you do not get dust ni your eye straight away.

My graft was July 1989 and by October 1989 when I had started Uni I was playing in the Uni team, scrum half and regularly getting bashed about. Later went on to motor racing where I had a few heavy crashes. Grafts are now the best part of my eyes now. It is the rest of the eye that is a bit naff now!

Lisa was banned from carrying hay, etc, bales post op:

Did they ban you from doing the mucking out too??? - ad poo picking the paddocks?

Good luck with the marathon - and the horses and RDA.
It was a year ago on Monday since I gave up my part share in the horse I used to share - adn thought this was too long, so rang up to see if I could go out for a hack on her. FOund she's "moved house" and is in a new yard, but appatently in "very good nick" and I'm going out on her round Epping FOrest next Thursday.

Marathon.....?? Goodness.

I'm impressed.

Rosemary

You're welcome to come and ride my horses anytime Rosemary! Help with poo picking appreciated! I have an ex hurdler and a welsh cob. The cob is a handful, but Fling was marvellous when I had my eye op last time, really looked after me. Megs however ditched me in the sea - eye still full of stitches and it was January! Soft landing but very cold! I've got someone to muck out for me for a week or so post op but then should be ok - they're bedded on shredded paper which isn't too dusty and on haylage - the cob coughs otherwise! Tubs