2011 Running Thread

lewing

It's a new year, so time for a new thread.  This is to round up all the runners on this board, so we can support one another and share our goals, our triumphs and setbacks, and the practicalities of running before, during and after treatment.  It doesn't matter how fast or how slow, how long or how far . . . if you run (or jog, or run/walk), you belong here.

Here's to 2011!

Linda

mightymon

Hi Linda & all runners,

Thank you for starting the 2011 tread.

I'm halfway mark on my chemo now, just finish 3 x FEC and will start weekly x 9 of Taxol this Tuesday. I'm running though chemo, much slower pace and shorter distance. My heart rate on my long run is the same when I did my tempo run before chemo, but doesn't bother me at all! As long as I can get out there and run I'm happy. 

Also the longest run for me is 7.5 miles that all I can manage for now (use to be 12-21 miles before chemo)  Hope to increase that very slowly with Taxol. 

Chemo will be done in March 11 (Yipee!!!) so I planing to run my 5th marathon on April 30th 11. 

 I can't wait!!  

Charley

You rock Mightymon!  Awesome!  I am hoping/planning to run my first half in May. (Oklahoma Memorial Marathon) I have a lot of work to do since losing it all last year since "I" was not able to run through chemo like some of you. ;-) Started with a few 3 miles runs here early in the year and hoping to add weekly mileage so I don't kill myself.

Charley

mightymon

Thanks Charley,

 Not easy running with chemo (FEC every 3 wks) especially the 1st weeks. An easy run feel like doing an interval! and also take longer to recover and I did get a little bit of joint pain. I'm only run twice on the 1st wks, 3 times on 2nd wks and 4 times on 3rd wks.

Also did some cross training too (swim, ride, weight training, and Yoga) and had been doing them more during the first two wks. I'm find it much easier than running. 

Good Luck with your first half! and enjoy the training. :0)

ktym

Happy to find the new thread.  I'm still fighting the myopathy so the running is happening in short bursts still, but, it sure feels good

thriceblessed

Glad to have this thread.  I started running (jogging slowly really) during rads last year.  Up to a very slow 3 miles now.  Charley, I have similar plans as you.  SIgned up to run my first half-marathon end of April.  Just starting upping my mileage on one long run each weekend (and cut back to run only 3 days a week now). Mightymom, you're my inspiration, running 7.5 miles during chemo!

UTMom2014

Hi everyone, you guys are such an inspiration!  I had to have knee surgery and can no longer run, but I miss it!  I am however, interested in doing all I can to stay healthy during my chemos.  Mightymon you are amazing--I had 16 nodes removed, four affected only two had cancer.  I did the recommended arm exercises and walked some almost everyday following surgery.  But, last Monday I was aspirated; my breast had almost doubled in size.

Has anyone here had any swelling/liquid increases in the breast following exercise?  I've read on these threads that following aspiration the arm cannot be exercised for about a month.  My dr's haven't said much beyond how everyone reacts differently.  Had round 1 of FEC yesterday which I followed with a 2 mile walk--nothing to crow about really in this crowd but I'm thankful that my knee lets me do that much  I'd appreciate any feedback because I want to increase my fitness routine but not in a hurry to repeat aspiration! 

Keep doing what you do guys--this is one of the first threads I read following diagnosis and I can't tell you what it did for reducing my stress level.  There is health and fitness through this; you guys show the rest of us that life doesn't have to crawl to a stop by any means!  God bless you and keep you strong--good luck on your marathon training!

mightymon

Thanks Thricebless and UTMom2014 for the kind words.

UTMom I'm sorry to hear about your swelling breast! I had 27 nodes removed with one positive. The surgery was in September. I was really worry about Lymphedema after the surgery so I'm go easy on my arm with exercise, starting doing weight after 3 wk and back to swim after 6 wk. I find yoga and riding are easy to do during chemo and I been doing that a lot especially 1st wk after the infusion (I'm also on FECx3 just finished and will start Taxolx9 on Tues).   

 Keep up the good work ladies! Don't let's BC stopping us from living our life to the fullest! 

hymil

i don't run far and i don't run fast but you can hear my heavy breathing at the back of the pack! Might manage another 10k this year, if all goes well. Or will maybe sign up for a 5k and decide to run it all....

TreadSoftly

Hi fellow runners!

Lewing - thanks for starting up the 2011 thread - great idea!!  Ive taken a complete break from running since doing my first marathon last October but Im getting back into it now again, with just a few 3 and 4-milers...  Next race is a half marathon in March so looking forward to working towards that!

Happy running everyone!

sunflower71

I did it!  Finished my first 1/2 marathon on Saturday!  I was slow (3:12), but hey I am in the middle of chemo!  I am hooked now. 

Breast cancer can't stop us!

mightymon

Congratulation Sunflower71, half marathon during chemo! you're amazing and very inspiration!

Charley

You guys that are running through chemo are awesome! If you guys can run thru chemo surely I can run a half a year later!

Cheers and congrats,

Charley

hymil

Thats amazing Sunflower, Congratulations! I got back to the gym today after too long a Christmas break and managed my 2.5km but it took over 20mins [:oops:] well it's a start. Trying to decide on new fitness goals for the year on Friday.

lewing

Congrats, Sunflower!  What an amazing accomplishment, to run a half in the middle of freaking chemo!  It was Disney, right?  Did you like the course?  Do they still have you start in the dark and run through the park?  (I've never run it myself, but a group of my friends have, multiple times, so I've heard a lot about it.)

I was in Denver for a meeting over the weekend, and did my usual run-to-explore-the-city thing.  I learned that the only thing more fun than running at altitude is running *uphill* at altitude.  By the end, I was having serious chemo flashbacks.  (But, on the plus side, the neighborhood I was running in was lovely.)

L

thriceblessed

Way to go, Sunflower!  As one of my BC friends said, one of the things she has learned from cancer is she is stronger than she ever thought she could be.  You too -with a 1/2 marathan during chemo.

citykitty

Hi, all!  So nice to have a place to find other runners going through this bc craziness!

Mightymon, you're amazing!  Do I understand you intend to do a marathon a month after finishing chemo?!

Sunflower, congrats on your half!

Lewing, I LOVE doing the "run-to-explore-the-city thing" when I travel!!  Denver would be such a fun city to run!

I started chemo (Taxol + Herceptin weekly x 12 weeks) about 10 days ago.  Just before that, I had been off running for most of the previous 3-4 months, what with a tibial stress fracture and 3 bc surgeries, including mastectomy on December 1.  I resumed running right after the new year, and I'm so thrilled to be back!  I'm taking the pace really slowly.  I did 8 miles this past Saturday, and that will be the longest run since before my mastectomy.  I'm planning to run a half-marathon next weekend -- even if I have to walk half of it!

Happy running, everyone!

Charley

Citykitty - good luck this weekend.  You all running through chemo are my heros! I have started the 30 Day Shred w/ Jillian Michael (in addition to my running) 2 weeks ago.  Lots of core and light weight lifting - hand weights. So far NO problems with lymphedema at all. I am going to keep it up with *hopefully* no problems. My upper body and core has really suffered over the past year ...

lewing

Echoing the good luck wishes to citykitty - can't wait to hear about your race!  I'm still casting about for a goal race this spring . . . possibilities include the Glass City half in Toledo (April 17), the River Bank 25K in Grand Rapids (May 14), or the half in Ottawa (May 29).  Between a crazy work schedule and my daughter's college application process (have heard from two, waiting on three, will want to revisit various campuses before making a decision) . . . well, planning races is a challenge.

Charley, I've also slacked off on upper body and core work.  I'm curious what your routine is like.  Care to share it?

Linda

txstardust

I'm returning to the running scene after about 20 years away - I just started "running" last week.  If you call it running!  I got some advice from a friend who is a runner to start very slowly, by walking 5 minutes then running 1 minute.  Every week, to increase the running a bit and decrease the walking a bit.  It was not as torturous as I thought it would be!  I hope to be able to do a 5k in March for my birthday.  Any advice from you experienced runners on ways to reach that goal is more than welcome!

I feel like I'm kind of out of my league with all of you marathon runners!  But I figured that if I read along with you, I'll keep up my motivation to get moving and stay inspired. 

~Shelby

Charley

Shelby - That is just the way I started! Before you know it, you will be running a 5k without stopping.

Linda - Each workout (there are 3 levels to chose from) has 3 components - Strength,(3 minutes) Cardio (2 minutes) and Abs (1 minute) which are repeated in 3 intervals. The whole workout is only a little over 20 minutes long. The abs consist of crunchs, double crunchs, planks, side planks, sit ups, superman, pushups ... alot of variety. Hopefully it will keep me interested enough to do it on all of my "off" days.

citykitty

Hi, all! My Manhattan HM went great, thanks! I took it very slowly; ran with a friend from my running club who is even slower than I am. After being off running for so long, I didn't want to injure myself again by running too hard! We finished in about 2:30. (Last year I broke 2 hours and normally I can do 2:10 without killing myself.) Temp in Central Park was 4 degrees F with the wind chill, but I was well bundled and not very cold at all!



Shelby, good for you! Run-walk is a great way to ease into running. Some people try to do too much too soon and end up injured and quitting. I think when you're starting out, it's best to do less than what you feel capable of. You're smart to give yourself time to build up slowly!



BTW, when is your March bday? Mine is March 2 -- I hit the big 5-0 and enter a new age group for race scoring! I'd love to run a race ON my bday, but there are not many races on a Wednesday! I might do a 5k the following weekend -- or I might fly to Fla and join my SIL running her first halfie! I've also been targeting a special marathon this fall as part of my 50th year celebration.



If we could lose a little of this snow and ice, it sure would make for easier training! We had another 19 inches this week. I love the snow but I also want a clear path to run! Hope you all are getting through this winter weather OK!

citykitty

Charley, your workout sounds like what I need, too! At the moment I'm a little leery of too much upper body work because I have a tissue expander. I'm trying to squeeze in some yoga videos when I can but I should look at your Jilllian Michaels workout down the road.



Linda, I'll be interested to hear what race you pick. I have a bunch of friends doing the Flying Pig in Cincinnati May 1. I won't be able to join rhem, though; I hope to be recovering from exchange surgery by that time.

Member_of_the_Club

Hi everyone, I haven't been on these boards for a while because I'm busy training for my first marathon -- the National, here in DC in March.  This morning my long run was 15 miles, so I'm getting there.  My goals are modest:  (1) finish, running the whole way, (2) hopefully under 5 hours, and (3) have fun.  I'm excited and nervous.

LisaSec

Hello, ladies! I am so glad to have found this thread and hope that many of you can share insight with me.  I have always been a great walker but also always wanted to run.  I decided in early 2010 to start training to begin running so I could run my first marathon. However, God had different plans for me because I was diagnosed with BC. 

Almost everything about my treatment has been hard but the worst of it is that I get winded easily and as I'm starting to walk again, I fear that I will never work up to running, much less running 26 miles. Last year I was going to train with a friend but she has since moved away.

I am hoping that one of you (or all of you for that matter) can either point me in the right direction to find a resource on how to train or help me out directly.  I would welcome any training schedules, things I need to know, anything a novice runner needs to learn, etc.

Thank you in advance for your input and support.

Member_of_the_Club

I should add that I work out with hand weights a few days a week.  I do have lymphedema, very mild in my fingers and hands.  I developed it 4.5 years after my surgery.  I always wear a compression sleeve and glove when i run or work out and that has helped a lot.  If any of you have any questions about lymphedema, there are some amazing experts on these boards in the lymphedema section.

txstardust

LisaSec -  I'm a "newbie" - I've only in the last couple of weeks put my toe in the water!  A friend sent me a link to an article that you might like to read...

http://www.active.com/running/Articles/Running-101-Take-the-First-Step-Today.htm?cmp=17-1-9

I felt that I got permission to go SLOWLY at first!  I tend to jump into things with both feet, so it's a different approach, but it's working, and I haven't given up on it! 

Good luck, and just get out there!   

lewing

Welcome, LisaSec and txstardust!  Totally agree with taking things super slow.  LisaSec, I don't think it's unusual at all to find that you're easily winded post-chemo.  Don't despair.  It will get better.  I think that both Runner's World and Running Times have good resources on their websites for beginning runners (RW skews more toward beginners, RT more toward experienced/competitive runners, but still worth checking out).  And I'm a huge advocate for local running stores.  Stop by and chat with the people there, and find out if they have group runs for beginners.  If they do, the camraderie and support can be awesome.

MOTC, it's great to see you post here - I'm thrilled you'll be running your first marathon!  Go, you!

L

goldlining

This thread means a lot to me because running has been so tightly entwined with my BC experience. I was a new runner when I got the diagnosis and running has been my constant therapist.

I never in my life ran anywhere that did not culminate in boarding a bus or arriving late for class. No endurance whatsoever, not fun, picked last for teams etc. etc. But after a hand injury that turned my life upside down, I had nothing else to do, so I started off with a 700m 20-minute "run". Following that with a bit of experimentation, I learned that pace was everything. I used a gadget to avoid going too fast, and in six months had worked up to a 10K. Quite impressed with myself at 50+, I set my sights on the Disney Princess Half Marathon 2010 as the culmination of this turnaround of my sedentary ways.

Literally as I was packing my suitcase for the trip, my husband nonchalantly mentioned the hospital wanted me back to "redo" my mammogram the next week. As you all know, that would be the mag views appointment at the top of this slippery slope we come to know so well.

I managed to put the ominous recall to the back of my mind and focus on the run, had a spectacular experience and finished upright and smiling (fast, pfft. No, 2:43, but who cares?) Even the IT band injury couldn't tarnish my tiara medal.

When I got home, I had the mag views (look! tiny specks!) and in April, the stereo biopsy (probably DCIS!) Had it been invasive, I like to think that I would have acted immediately but I was so stressed out from work at that point, and I wanted to spend the summer getting fitter for anaesthesia and recovery, and reclaim a bit of a sense of control. Candidly, though, I also was keen to do the Disneyland Half Marathon at Labour Day, earn the coast to coast bonus medal! The surgeon said there's no rush and October would be fine. The DLHM was such an emotional experience and I crossed the finish line in tears. I think the drive to "survive and prevail" meant more than just running 13.1.

I submitted for the lumpectomy only to find the DCIS was extensive with negligible margins, and I asked for a mastectomy in December where there was additional DCIS found. I'm 6 weeks out from that now, and I started with a 60 minute walk at 3 weeks, as soon as the incision was healed. Immediately my physical aches and pains reduced! I have worked up to generally alternating 2.5 minute walk, 2.5 minute run, a couple of times a week for an hour each time. I've started to work in some inclines, and will also try more continuous running, but I'm not really focused on performance. I'm still in the "prevailing" frame of mind. It takes my mind off the past threat and the decisions still lying ahead.

I'll be at the finish line of the Princess Half Marathon 2011 on Feb 27, no matter how long it takes me. 

Running has been the #1 best thing I have done to survive this unnerving experience, possibly for the physical benefit but absolutely for how it focuses my head and gives me back a sense of controlling something physical. I'm so grateful for it.

I hope you all get what you're looking for in running for 2011.

goldlining

Running related question:

Does anyone post-mastectomy use a heart rate monitor with a band around the chest (e.g., Polar)?

The local branch of a certain nationally known alliteratively named running store that claims a lot of fanfare for its pink ribbon donations was clueless and flustered about the compatibility of the band and the incision. Nor did they have an open box / demonstrator or willingness to open one. Silly and exasperating, but I'm glad to know I can come back and poll the wisdom of people in the know.

Charley

Goldlining - I have used one both  before and after my mastectomies.  I have implants so there is virtually no difference with the before and after effect. Are you concerned the scar might work as a barrier to the monitor or that it will not stay in place? (Assuming single mastectmy with no reconsitruction ...)