A Chat with Amanda Plomp: Running with Epilepsy, from Backwoods to Beaches and Beyond

Seize Your Adventure

Amanda Plomp is a runner with epilepsy based in Victoria in Canada. As we heard in the last episode, discovering running in her twenties helped Amanda to feel strong and connected to her body, a feeling she had missed since her seizures started when she was a teenager. Running helps with her epilepsy. And epilepsy helps with her running.

In my conversation with Amanda, I was able to delve into this a bit more. I asked for her tips for me, as a new runner with epilepsy, and asked her to talk me through the different types of running terrain she enjoys.

WE TALK ABOUT:

• How different seizures affect her running
• How running helps with epilepsy
• Hiking and camping in Canada
• Why Amanda chooses not to wear a medical alert bracelet
• Which is better: backwoods running, beach running or trail running?
• Running solo vs running races
• The difference between ‘active’ and ‘athletic’
• The dangers of running solo in bear country
• Her advice for me running my first race with epilepsy
• How important it is to tell adventure buddies about your epilepsy
• Why we should teach raccoons seize first aid...

Please remember all stories presented here reflect the personal experiences of contributors . Neither myself or contributors can advise or take responsibility for individual decisions made with regards to adventure sports or medical conditions.

TERMINOLOGY:

Myoclonic seizures/jerks: partial seizures that cause isolated jerks or twitches, for example in the arms or legs

Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy of Janz: epilepsy with various seizures, including myoclonic, diagnosed before adulthood (read more)

Tonic clonic: a seizure with loss of consciousness and convulsions

Packed trail: maintained dirt path or trail, usually marked

MORE ABOUT AMANDA:

https://tremorsofmyworld.blog/

JOIN ME IN AN ADVENTURE:

https://www.francescaturauskis.co.uk/30-at-30

MUSIC:

Where the Wild Things Grow by Kev Rowe | License: Creative Commons

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Seize Your Adventure is part of the Tremula Network - adventure and outdoor podcasts off the beaten track. To find out more, head to tremula.network

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