2011 Running Thread

citykitty

Sharon & Shansen -- I'm going the TE/implant route, too.  I had a uni mx w/TE Dec 1, and the first week of January I started chemo and resumed running.  I finished a half-marathon, very slowly, in 4-degree (F) weather after three weeks of running and two weeks of chemo.  (After the race I took off my knit cap and found a hatful of hair -- the first sign of chemo-induced hair loss!)

I've had no trouble running with the TE (although chemo definitely has cramped my style some days); in fact, there are days when I think I should have gone bilateral, because then I'd have no risk of bounce on the "good" side, and my running bra worries would be over!  I am hoping for an April 22 exchange surgery and a return to running ASAP afterward (4-6 weeks).  I have two fall marathons in my sights and I need to get there injury-free! 

lesleye -- I can relate to your situation.  I was diagnosed with a tibial stress fracture from marathon training last fall, just about the same time as my bc dx!  Hard to say which one felt more traumatic at the time!

My latest conundrum is what to wear on my bald head while running, now that the weather is getting warmer.  Any tips?

I wear a wig to work and most public places.  For winter running, I've been wearing knit beanies.  But it's just about too warm for that now.  My interim solution is a very lightweight little hat I found in the biking section of a sporting goods store; I think it's meant as a helmet liner.  I'm wearing it under a ballcap (my normal summer running headgear) when the weather is not-so-wintry.  I suppose I may even ditch the ballcap on overcast days.  But it feels weird to have my ears covered in warmer weather, and yet it will feel weird to expose my naked scalp, too!  I had hoped to be brave and go bald when the occasion required, but so far I've done that only on a weekend ski trip with a few girlfriends in the privacy of our rented condo!

I've looked briefly online at the ballcaps with hair attached, but most of them seem to have bangs.  One of the reasons I always wore ballcaps before was to keep my hair OUT of my face. Seems like a cap with bangs woud be counterproductive in that department.  But I might have to look at that option again.  Just curious what anyone else has done?

Thanks & happy running! 

goldlining

lesleye - Absolutely! I think I find it compelling because it feels like control. Like, I decide I will run another km or to stop now. Not "them" deciding one more image, one more biopsy etc. I'm still on my post-event rest break but will start up again soon. I'm starting to envy the people out in the Spring evenings.

lesleye

goldinlining:

Love your attitude.  Well today I am going to ride the bike 2 weeks after knee surgery.  I am starting to feel human again, until Friday when I am under the knife again, for my breast.  Hanging onto this feeling human feeling for one more week.  Does anyone know when I can use weights again after lumpectomy?  I want to schedule my trainer!

mamaoftwo

City Kitty- I've been wearing a baseball cap with a bandana underneath.  Although I haven't done wigs, just sticking with scarves and hats, I'm still self-conscious about that big opening in the back of the baseball cap so the bandana covers it. 

I did four days of 20-minute runs this week, my first runs since January 11 (pre-surgery)!  Yay.  It is surprisingly hard, but it's only the first week.  I'm hoping to run and bike through chemo and build up again.

 Lesleye - I'm not sure about the weights, I did a BMX plus recon and still haven't touched a weight.  Might want to check with the surgeon about that, and start with easy weights.

Sharon789

Hi citykitty and charley,

Thanks for sharing your experiences with implant reconstruction and running.  I'm going to my PS this week and feel better about that option.

Beautiful spring weather today!

Sharon

Charley

Training for my first half ... long run of 9 miles on Friday.  10 miles next week!  I have found the magic of the ice bath.  Love it and hate it. I was doing long runs like this every week before my diagnosis last year.  Feels good to get back to it. 

goldlining

I have a head cold and body aches all over. Blah. But in my decongestant-induced delirium I've decided to sign up for a half on May 15 :-)  Something to tide me over until Fall. 

Charley, the cold bath, man --  I read it in the literature in the race kit for the Disneyland half and tried it and did it ever make a difference!! Just that 20 minute soak makes all the difference. Does NOT feel pleasant at the time! Needs a nice big towel over the whole top half!

Adey

Hi, I started Couch-to-5K last week.  Week one done, week two-workout one done.  I'm hoping to do a 5K this May or June.

mamaoftwo

Good for you Adey, I'm inspired! 

Going to try to run 20 minutes during lunch today.  I scoured the internet last night for any information that exercise would be harmful if you're taking anthracycline chemotherapy (i.e. adriamycin, epirubicen).  It is supposed to be "cardiotoxic" and I wouldn't want to risk hurting the heart.  I'm surprised to find so little information or available studies on this issue.

E/C 4X2, then Taxol 4X2 weeks
Diagnosis: 12/15/2010, IDC, 1cm, Stage IIa, Grade 2, 2/11 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-

citykitty

Charley -- Amen to the love/hate affair with icebaths! 

Goldlining -- Forget the towel. I wear a sweatshirt in an ice bath -- and shorts, a hat and socks, too!  The only part you need to expose is your legs! 

Do you guys plunge in?  I can't -- I have to ease into it.  I get into the tub while it's empty, then start running the cold water.  Once my legs are covered, then I dump in the contents of the refrigerator's ice maker.  After a brief moment I'm numb, and that's a good thing.  I sit there with a podcast for 10-15 minutes and that's it!

Tip:  Make sure you empty all pockets before getting into the bath.  Do not leave your cell phone in your shorts while sitting in the water.  Good way to drown a phone. Not that I would know....

goldlining

Duh ... Never occurred to me to leave the clothes on!!! and they have to be washed anyway. So dumb! That's how many brain cells I have left after a long run. I'm lucky I remember to peel the banana. But I don't go for the ice maker. I find that the cold temperature out of a California or Florida "cold" tap is cold enough. Even the runDisney-Jeff Galloway training tips don't demand ice, just "cool" water. 

Adey

2 weeks down, I'm off the couch and on my way...

mamaoftwo

Adey, I'm inspired!  Keep it up.  It's great to have a goal; I'm going to look for a good 5k race to do in June too, right after finishing chemo.

TreadSoftly

Hi Ladies,

I have not been brave enough to try the cold bath!!

I took a 3 month break from running after running my first marathon last October.  Im getting back into it now again, and have signed up for a half marathon on April 10th - its quite a difficult run, with lots of up-hill, especially in the last 3 miles

I went for a 7 mile run yesterday, and can feel it in my legs today, despite stretching afterwards!  Im aiming to do 8 -9 miles next weekend and then hopefully I can do the 13.1 miles the week after.....

Adey

Week 3, work out 1, done.  Hope to someday be able to call myself a runner.  (c:

mamaoftwo

I'm up to 30  minute runs, good enough for me in the middle of chemo.  The legs are so slow, but feels great to be active again.  Need to get back on my bike and in the pool again very soon. I hope other people come back and post.  It's very motivating.

Adey

I'm on week four on my way to a 5K from the couch.  So far so good.  (c:  Are you a triathlete?

mamaoftwo

Good for you Adey!  When is your race?  Couch to 5K is nothing to sneeze at, that's a great goal.

Pre-cancer, I did 8-10 tris so I guess that makes me a triathlete.  I don't feel like one now!  I feel like a turtle.  My brother's girlfriend is a coach, so she said she'll help me get my mojo back and hope to race by mid-August.  Goal will be to finish; no speed records on this end.  Having a goal helps to focus on life after chemo.

Adey

Speed!  Ha, now that has never crossed my mind!  (c:

Week 4/Workout 2 done.

I haven't signed up for a race yet but am looking.

Harley44

YAY!  Goldlining, you are my HERO!!

Harley

mamaoftwo

Adey- Lucky you, there must be a ton of 5k's to choose from in Chicago.  I encourage you to register for one so you spent the money and have a concrete goal.  I love the wigs in your picture.  I'm getting bored of scarves, wearing a bright red wig to the office would be fun.

goldlining

Finally shaken off most of the head cold and made it back outside today. A slow 30 minute/4k but enjoying the sun, lakeshore, and buds coming out on the trees, none of which I've seen for months. Just over a month to crank it up to 21km again. I ran without the prosthesis this time. It's so much more comfortable but looks a little funny. Peculiarity suits me. Am thinking of sticking with that for the half, and see just how peculiar the official race photos turn out...!

Member_of_the_Club

SeRUNdipity!  Yes, thats me from RWOL.    You look great in your photo BTW, glad to see you are still running.

I ran my first marathon two weeks ago.  It was really thrilling but I went out too fast and had to take some walk breaks toward the end, disappointing.  But I finished strong and my kids crossed the finish line with me.  I'm going to run the Marine Corps Marathon in the fall, older and wiser. 

I have to confess that when i was going through chemo i was very self-conscious about running bald and mostly ran inside on a treadmill.  I think its great if you can get out there.

 And a great alternative to cold baths is Endurasock in a warm bath.  I thought it really helped after a long run and felt great. 

Melanie_Ann

Hi ladies. I haven't posted anything here yet..just found the thread. I'm in the midst of chemo, but have tried to continue with my favorite exercise, which is running. It's nice to see others who enjoy the same activity. Great job Member of the Club on your marathon. I ran my first one last January. Everyone thought I was crazy, but I just wanted to do something to get me motivated to run again. I was then diagnosed in December and started chemo exactly a year after I ran my marathon. It was a little depressing knowing that year ago I was in such good shape and now I was fighting for my life. And I'm only 26...it was all so surreal.

But anyways, I'm hoping to do a marathon again and improve my time. It's nice to see others who have accomplished goals after treatment. I'm so looking forward to the end of my treatment but also trying to live the best life I can while going through it too. 

With that being said, I ran a 10k a little over a week ago. 11 minutes slower than last year but I'm glad I got to participate. 

I'm also hoping to do my first triathalon. whew...we'll see...I need to learn proper swim technique first I think. 

Member_of_the_Club

My feeling about triathlons is that I would love to do one if they got rid of the biking and swimming part.  But good luck.  I tell everyone who runs that signing up for races is so helpful, just giving yourself that goal.

KSkier

Greetings runners.

I was originally staged at III in 2008, did the 8 AC/Ts and Mx. Had some of my best running experiences following that experience as I felt that I was clawing my way into recovery and gaining in strength. 

In August 2009 I was staged at IV, and it's been chemo ever since.  I just wanted to chime in to say that now I claw my way out every month.  I spend the week after chemo feeling weak and tired, and just when I feel like I can run near my old pace, it's chemo day again!

Since September I've had a monthly tradition of getting out 6 days post treatment with my very slow friend, just to get out.  I go her pace; it hurts for the first 1/2 mile, it takes nearly 50% longer to do...but then I am so glad that I did it.  I feel that I am sweating out the poison.  

But the reason for my post today is this: Last night I had a breakthrough.  Treatment was Thursday, and last night (Tuesday, just 5 days later) I did my <5K NOT at a snail's pace.  I really pushed myself to RUN, and I feel so good about it.   I wasn't a whole 10 minutes slower than a good day, just a minute or so.  It feels like such an accomplishment!

The Komen race in my area is scheduled for 2 days post - treatment.  Thinking about trying it.  S-L-O-W-L-Y, with a sign on my back that says "Sweatin' out the Poison"; or something like that.  Any ideas?  

Charley

KSkier - Sweating out the Poison!  Awesome!  You are getting stronger *in spite* of it all.  Keep it up. What an inspiration for all of us!

Melanie - you have plenty of time to get back into the best shape of your life. I know ... I was depressed knowing I was in the best shape of my life right before I was diagnosed but I think it helped me make it through with less complications. I have not ever attempted a tri but I have thought about it. Whatever you think you can do.  Go for it!

Doing my last long run before I taper down for the half marathon May 1st.  12 miles. Sounds so long!!! Okay ... I'm done whining.

Charley

Member_of_the_Club

I was also in the best shape of my life when I was diagnosed but I am, in MUCH better shape now.

Melanie_Ann

I'm also looking to get into much better shape! -than I thought I already was. Cancer---what a motivator! I think that's the only good thing I have to say about it.

goldlining

Enjoy the taper Charley - my favourite part ;-)

I have a half on May 15 and I can't face my shoes. Been having a lot of mood problems and anxiety between all this, and related and unrelated work stuff. Waiting for the PS consult for the left prophy and bilat reconstruction. That consult is in June and I feel guilty entering into work commitments knowing I might fink out on them at the mercy of the surgeon schedule. Having taken it out on my molars, I am in the midst of a crown-a-thon with no place to chew. Ran out of valium so not getting any decent restorative sleep. Gotta get me an appointment for new Rx. I know a run would improve my outlook but I haven't been able to emotionally cope with the cold snow wind drizzle gloomy sky. I am sure a lot of you have the same cruddy non-spring where you are.

In addition to the May 15 half locally, I'm booked to do the Disneyland Half as a destination run at Labour Day and hoping my OR date is shortly after, so that I am able to resume lecture duties in Winter term and not bugger up both teaching terms like this year with the lumpectomy in the fall and the mast at Xmas. My intention was to be in extraordinarily great shape by the DL half and of course for the long surgery. Thanks a lot for everything, Mother Nature.

On destination run news, runDisney announced a new half marathon event that will be 2012 Jan 25-27 weekend at Disneyland Anaheim with a "Tinkerbell" theme. I'll bet the medals will be spectacular, the tech shirts will almost certainly be women's fit. Rather than tiaras like the Princess, I'll bet everyone will run in fairy wings. For sure, the race will sell out way early!