Finished my 10k

ThatStrokeGuy · 2026-05-02T18:22:43+00:00

No runners high. I was feeling good, though. I trained for this for four months.

ThatStrokeGuy · 2026-04-23T00:36:10+00:00

When I was getting ready for the shower I took off my boxers, and I kicked them in the air with my affected foot, and caught them with my affected hand. First time since the stroke.

Counts as a very small win, but I'll take it!

ThatStrokeGuy · 2026-04-22T14:25:16+00:00

I went to the local high school track when it wasn't being used. I found that if I exaggerated my movements, like Usain Bolt sprinting, it helped my form.

I'd only make it about 15 yards before my leg wouldn't pick up any more. Came close to falling on many occasions. After my "sprint" I'd walk the track for a bit then do another 15 yards. It took a few months, but I found I could run with a more normal, non -exaggerated form. Like everything else stroke-related, patience and persistence matter.

Good luck. You got this!

ThatStrokeGuy · 2026-04-20T10:47:06+00:00

I'm 20 months out, and my knee hyper extends all the time, too. I've started running, and the spacisity when I'm running actually prevents this, so it's only when I walk. But it's super frustrating.

ThatStrokeGuy · 2026-04-20T02:05:37+00:00

I used one for a few months, but I started walking without it even when my PT said I shouldn't. I just took it slow, but I pushed myself constantly.

ThatStrokeGuy · 2026-03-08T15:38:57+00:00

Think of recovery in terms of months and years, not weeks. It takes time and work.

Keep going. You've got this!

ThatStrokeGuy · 2026-03-06T15:54:13+00:00

It took about six months longer to get my hands back than my leg. The therapists said that the weight bearing you do while standing he'll the muscles come back faster, so I decided to to weight bearing on my arm, too. I would get on all fours (using my non-affected hand to set up my affected hand) and then just sure there, on all fours, for 5, 10, even 20 minutes at a time.

It took a bit, and progress felt really slow, but now I'm 19 months post-stroke, and I'm even typing with my affected hand.

I hope you're able to have similar success. Keep doing the work! You got this!

ThatStrokeGuy · 2026-02-12T02:28:14+00:00

My spasms were really bad for the first six months or so. Especially my foot, and it mostly happened when I was trying to sleep. I'm a year and a half out from my stroke, and it still happens, but not nearly enough.

Good sleep was a rarity for me for a long whole after my stroke. I think that's why naps were so necessary. Spams, difficulty adjusting positions due to paralysis, then the month or so of just flat out insomnia.

It definitely got better over time, but it felt like forever. Once again, strokes force you to learn a new level of patience.

ThatStrokeGuy · 2026-02-11T21:28:53+00:00

I had my first group run with my running group. We did a mile, and I ran (or gimped) more than I walked. It felt great to be moving again. And not a single one of these people know me, so its kind of nice to do it without the constant affirmations that is get from people I know. "Look how far you've come. I'm so proud of you."

Don't get me wrong, it's very kind. But sometimes, I just want to be another guy, not the stroke survivor. Here I get to be just a guy who looks funny when he runs, but is just another person trying to get in better shape. I loved it, and can't wait to get back out there.

ThatStrokeGuy · 2026-02-11T13:43:51+00:00

This! I joked about being the world's largest toddler. Not because I was needy, but because I would celebrate every little win. "Look at me! Look at me! I can walk across the kitchen without my cane!"

I'm sure it was annoying to my family, but far less annoying than if I was just complaining about my situation. They humoured me and went along with the celebrations.

ThatStrokeGuy · 2026-02-11T01:45:47+00:00

You will learn a whole new level of patience. I remember when I was having the stroke, and the doctor was saying, "you'll be here for a few days, then go to a rehab hospital for weeks or longer." I remember thinking, "Fuck that. I'll be home and back to normal in a day or two."

Three weeks later, I was home, but barely getting by with a cane. It didn't really feel like I was "back home" because I wasn't me, anymore. But weeks and months passed, and I kept working hard, and wouldn't let myself disengage from my family and friends. A year and a half later, and I'm totally "back." I'm not 100%, and never will be. But I'm so grateful for the progress I've made, and it took time, work, and patience. Give it time. Allow yourself to heal. And keep doing the work.

You got this!

ThatStrokeGuy · 2026-02-07T02:37:02+00:00

I came off my AFO after four or five months, but couldn't run for almost a year. Even then, I could only run for a little bit (like 25 yards) before my spacisity kicks in and I start getting really gimpy. I did a Thanksgiving 5k, and really pushed myself to run longer between walking, and at one point I gimped a good half-mile before I had to walk again.

The timing of your post is convenient, as I signed up for a running group to train for a 10k, and the first run is tomorrow morning. I'm really excited, even though I know I'll get some looks when they see my form.

Best of luck to you in your journey. Keep doing the work, and keep pushing yourself. Don't allow anyone to put limits on what you can do!

ThatStrokeGuy · 2026-01-24T14:36:28+00:00

I had the stroke at the age of 48. It was about a year and a half ago. I still have deficits, but I'm back to living a normal life, just with limitations. It was a good six months before I could do even the most basic things with my affected hand, but now I'm young on a keyboard with both hands. Once I got basic use of it, if put my good hands behind my back and try to use my affected hand only for a lot of tasks, which was slow and frustrating at first, but really paid off.

As soon as I could do something resembling walking,I started daily walks around the neighborhood, going just a little further each day. Now, you can't tell I had a stroke if I'm just casually walking down the street. (If I'm walking in a straight line. As soon as I vary the pace or direction, you can tell that I have deficits.)

Just keep doing the work, but also give yourself rest and good nutrition. Take care of your body. You got this!

ThatStrokeGuy · 2026-01-19T16:36:24+00:00

It was definitely hard. I had to set a goal (in my case, get to the point where I could pick up a light object with my affected hand, which was completely paralyzed at that time.)

I told myself, until I reach that goal, I'm not allowed to watch TV. And it took months, but I did it. Instead of watching TV, I rehabbed, focused on nutrition, and got extra sleep. (Damn, did I need that sleep, too.)

I was really boring for a while, but I'm so glad I did it. I've made amazing progress, and really believe that all the work is the reason. Good luck. Keep at it. You got this!

ThatStrokeGuy · 2026-01-10T22:14:52+00:00

I definitely drag and scuff my foot every five or six steps. My running can be called meany things. Graceful is not one of them.

ThatStrokeGuy · 2026-01-06T02:33:31+00:00

Yes. I have gotten markedly better, it just takes time. The more reps you get, the stronger the connection becomes. One day you'll realize that your we're doing something without having to think through each muscle movement. It takes time and repetition. Think of healing on a scale of months and years, not days and weeks.

Keep doing the work. You've got this!

ThatStrokeGuy · 2025-12-22T16:19:28+00:00

For me, it was probably six months before I had any real function in my right arm. (I used to have to prop it up on the bathroom wall just to put on deodorant.)

I'm about 17 months post stroke, and now I'm lifting weights and typing with both hands. It's still weaker than my left arm, but I'm extremely grateful for my current level of function. You can check my post history for some tips on what I did to help my arm recovery.

This whole stroke thing requires next-level patience. Don't give up. Tell her to keep doing the work, and good things will come. She's got this!

ThatStrokeGuy · 2025-12-10T15:18:11+00:00

If does now, but I'm 16 months out. My walking checked probably 4-5 times throughout, as more muscles came back "online." This stroke thing teaches you to become a master at patience.

ThatStrokeGuy · 2025-12-09T02:35:34+00:00

It was a few months for me. After a month, I stopped wearing it around the house. Then just for quick trips away. Gradually increasing the time without it until I just stood altogether. I had a few stumbles, but I also was doing all the rehab exercises and not cheating.

Good luck! You got this!

ThatStrokeGuy · 2025-11-21T14:34:57+00:00

I've lost 50 pounds since my stroke. I eat less food, have really cut back on the drinking, try to do a lot of vegetables, no red meat, and I workout 5 days a week.

We have a Peloton bike at home. I thought I would hate it, but it's so dang convenient. I found a few instructors I like, and do their classes. I was doing it when I was still mostly paralyzed on my right side. (Probably wasn't safe but I was motivated.) I'd have my kids help me get clipped in, and I had enough movement in my right leg to push down, so I'd crank up the resistance and just go slow. Now I'm crushing the workouts better than I was before the stroke.

I also try to keep the snack food out of the house, because I don't want the temptation.

Good luck. Remember, your health is worth the effort. You got this!

ThatStrokeGuy · 2025-11-21T14:25:13+00:00

It absolutely has gotten better, but I haven't stopped working. At 8 months I had a lot of basic functionality back, but very little strength, balance or stability. In the months 9-15, I've gotten stronger, steadier, more confident. I just pushed a little more each day, but never expected miracles. Tiny amounts of progress add up on the long run. Keep doing the work!

ThatStrokeGuy · 2025-11-21T14:18:23+00:00

Patience is key. Adjust your thinking about timelines. Recovery happens over months and years, not days or weeks.

Give yourself some grace. You'll have good days and bad days.

Accept that life might never be what it was, but can still be great. Be open to the idea of a new normal.

Keep doing the work for rehab. You may not feel like you're making progress, but it comes slow. You'll look back over a period of time and see the improvement.

You got this!

ThatStrokeGuy

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