Any other triathletes here?

jillj

Hi-  I am brand new to the forum.  I was diagnosed with BC this past week (still waiting on details as to type, stage, etc.) and it's all pretty overwhelming and terribly unexpected since the only things in the risk profile that fit me are over 40 and small breasts.  Anyway, I am a triathlete and was wondering if there are others on here that are as well.  If so, I would love to know if you were able to train through your treatment protocol, even if modified.  Training helps me keep my sanity and I am going to need it more than ever now.  Thanks

geewhiz

Hi Jill, welcome.

I was training for a tri when diagnosed. I modified, and am gearing back up again to complete one in 2012. Sports got me through treatment. Every night after a chemo infusion no matter how bad I felt I power walked an hour. I am a competitive tennis player and refused to give that up. I literally would climb out of a chemo chair and drag myself to the courts...never missed a match and won the city championship...noone ever knew what I was going through! To prove it wasn't a fluke, I returned this year and won again. I love that silver plate! I ran several days a week, and did high aerobic cardio kickbox 3 days a week, that sometimes I just "willed" myself through. I used to hate swimming, and came across Total Immersion...WOW!! I can crank out some laps now using those techniques. I have practiced several times in the ocean, but sttill need work!






I am sure you are more experienced than me, but just wanted to say "hi", and that

geewhiz

Ok, sorry...it zapped me out above. Just wanted to say that exercise will keep you sane, and make you feel strong during the next several months. Keep at it! You will be fine!!

CLC

jillj...I am no triathlete...but I wanted to point out the "Running 2011" thread to you, because they were helpful in guiding me when I first got diagnosed and reassuring me that I would be able to keep running.  There are several marathoners on that thread and maybe it was that thread that had an iron woman...

Hang in there...the first week after diagnosis is a rough one, but it gets better.  You are in good shape and that will help you navigate this.  It is helping me...:)

I wish you the best of luck, strength, peace and fortitude...

Claire

jillj

Thanks for responding.  It's good to know others have kept up their training, even if it had to be adjusted (which I completely expect to have to do).  I want to keep as active as I can b/c it's a big part of my lifestyle and who I am.  I already feel like this diagnosis has changed who I am and I don't like it!  As much as I can stay "normal" the better!  Sounds like you have figured out how to do that and I hope to be able to do the same

jillj

Thank you for the heads up on the thread Claire, I will definitely check it out.  I was a runner long before a triathlete and running is what I love best.  Nice to also know things get better, b/c this week has been pretty rough!  Maybe I'll see you at the races

mdg

I am not a tri-athlete but I am a fitness instructor and I run.  I had BMX with reconstruction (TE's then implants) and had chemo (TCx4).  I exercised 5 days a week on the elliptical on a high level all through chemo. I am back to running too...5-6 miles at a time.  Exercise kept me sane during it all.  I did the cold caps to keep my hair through chemo...I went back to my fitness class a few weeks post chemo and my class never knew I had cancer especially since I kept my hair.  My doc didn't want me teaching classes during chemo....don't really know why but I listened to her and did not teach.  I did workout daily. Some days I had less energy than others but I still did a lot more exercise than non-cancer folks do all through treatment.  Listen to your body....exercise is great for the mind and body during all of this crap!!  Hugs!   

jillj

mdg- That is great to hear!  All the medical professionals I have dealt with to date have said that being an athlete will help me through all this maddness in physical and mental ways so I want to try to stay "as normal" as I can--it sounds like you accomplished that.  I'm new to all this lingo--what is a cold cap?  I haven't read about that yet but sounds like something I need to check into.  I have short hair, so I had just planned to shave my head when it started to fall out (I am a control freak ) but your option sounds better! 

btw, I love the title of your blog.  That is exactly what I told a friend--I will not let this consume and define me.  I will have to check out your blogs

mightymon

Hi Jillj,

I was start to train for my first iron man when I found the lump back in 2010, 2 surgeries, FECx3, Taxolx9, and 5 weeks of Radiation. 30 years very fit and healthy up until then. I'm got a running background, watch Ford Ironman World championship on NBC and I'm got so inspired and start to train and hope one day to race in Kona.

I'm finish radiation in May 11, currently on Tamoxifen. The hardest part on my BC journey is always be the beginning of it. I was so scare of the chemo but actually it not that bad at all when you start the treatment. I had work full time and able to do some training throughout my treatment.

I'm strongly agree that the mental and physical of us athlete will help you through the BC madness.  

lovetorun

Hi there!  Yes yes yes!!!!!  Keep running, training, etc through treatment.  I am a triathlete and was diagnosed while training for my first half marathon last year at the age of 43.  I completed chemo 11/2/11 and radiation 1/13/12 and am on Tamoxifen.  I ran my way through the entire process though not at the pace or distances my head wanted to do but what my body would allow for the day.  My doctor encouraged me and trusted me in that I knew what I could handle.  Said recovery would be so much faster too.  Running has always been my "me" time to think, self talk, and was my therapy.  If that was taken away from me, I would be hurting.  So I kept it up and pushed through on the hard days.  I ran the 3 mile Race for the Cure 4 days after my 4th chemo and it felt alot longer than 3 but I was determined.  I ran it bald too! :-)  Never in a million years did I think I would ever have cancer.  Never did I think I would get cancer when I was in the best shape of my life.  But what I did think was that I was going to fight this and cancer was not going to take who I am or what I love to do away from me.  I am now running at my old speed and distances and will be ready in May for the Half!  I am kickin' cancer's *** and am a stronger and better person than I was before!  Never underestimate yourself and what you can do - we are powerful warriors in PINK!  Keep running girl - it will help your recovery so much faster.  :-)

lovetorun

Hi there!  Yes yes yes!!!!!  Keep running, training, etc through treatment.  I am a triathlete and was diagnosed while training for my first half marathon last year at the age of 43.  I completed chemo 11/2/11 and radiation 1/13/12 and am on Tamoxifen.  I ran my way through the entire process though not at the pace or distances my head wanted to do but what my body would allow for the day.  My doctor encouraged me and trusted me in that I knew what I could handle.  Said recovery would be so much faster too.  Running has always been my "me" time to think, self talk, and was my therapy.  If that was taken away from me, I would be hurting.  So I kept it up and pushed through on the hard days.  I ran the 3 mile Race for the Cure 4 days after my 4th chemo and it felt alot longer than 3 but I was determined.  I ran it bald too! :-)  Never in a million years did I think I would ever have cancer.  Never did I think I would get cancer when I was in the best shape of my life.  But what I did think was that I was going to fight this and cancer was not going to take who I am or what I love to do away from me.  I am now running at my old speed and distances and will be ready in May for the Half!  I am kickin' cancer's *** and am a stronger and better person than I was before!  Never underestimate yourself and what you can do - we are powerful warriors in PINK!  Keep running girl - it will help your recovery so much faster.  :-)

Claire_in_Seattle

I cycled through it all and had roughly the same experience.  In fact, I believe that exercise is essential for a complete recovery.  Lance Armstrong is doing a tri this week.  I may need to follow his example.

I am looking forward to doing the Seattle-to-Portland this year without a handicap.  Two years ago, I as w/i 6 weeks of radiation.  Last year, I had trashed my ankle with a cycling spill.  My cycling buddy Amanda said "at least you can cycle better than you can walk".  I finished both.

So good luck.  Let us know how it all works out.

Agree on recovery up to about the 95% mark, but was surprised at how long getting to 100% took.  Aiming for 110%.

For the record, I did the Chilly Hilly two years ago.  With a wig, the short course, and I walked the hills.  It was six days past Taxol 3 of six.  It was after six AC.  I did it.

Good luck and keep pushing the envelope.  Just so important.  I still remember the expressions on the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance volunteers when I made it through the tunnel in the pouring rain.  They were stunned.  I passed on a cold drink at the end of the Livestrong event and went home to a hot bath.

That is what living is about. - Claire

Claire_in_Seattle

Did you see the news???  Lance placed SECOND in his first professional triathlon. 

I am so excited as his example was ever so helpful to me when I was being diagnosed.

A reminder too that I need to sign up for summer cycling events.  I have learned that I have to do this in order to train properly.

geewhiz

Way too cool! Claire have you read his book? Its very inspriring. I know testicular cancer is not the same boat I am in, but stage 4 anything is not good. The fact that he so monitored his health through nutrition and exercise is quite an example to pay attention to. As well, he discusses the effects of anasthesia on his body chemistry and profiles....interesting stuff!!

Zoe-Lily

Claire,

What an inspiration you are , I admire your dedication. You  inspired me to take better care of myself , infact all you ladies on this forum.

 Thanks!

Zoe 

MariannaLaFrance

Another triathlete here. I am currently in training for an Olympic Distance Ironman in October.  I have always been active, but have to say that prior to my diagnosis, I had a slow decline in health that included painful feet (from gluten intolerance and being severely malnourished), a 15 lb weight gain despite not changing diet or exercise routine, and such low energy levels that I was wasted after doing a 2 mile run. For an entire day, I couldn't function after running.

Fast foward to diagnosis, then nutritional therapy for the gluten problem (which was also not diagnosed until shortly after my BC dx), and I am doing fine now.  Energy levels are back to normal, I can eat and be nourished by my food, no more neuralgia in my feet, and an overall fitness level that is very high for a 42 year old mother of 3!!!

Glad to meet all of you here!  I will have to check out the Total Immersion swimming. I just got back into the pool after 5 months hiatus, and doing 2 laps is HARD!!!!  

traceyb

I bike and swim but have never been a big runner (I was trying to make my big D cup breast last and be somewhat perky lol)...hoping to be a runner now that I had a BMX on 3/20. Today I swam laps,,,didn't feel so great with the tissue expanders. I'm never sure if I harming my recovery with some of my exercise. Going for a long bike ride tomorrow. First time out on my road bike since surgery, I can't wait! (I've been riding my hybrid upright bike) Any tips on the swimming. I did 25 laps today and felft like my chest was having muscle spasms. I usually do 100 laps.

BikerLee

bike racer here - just had a fantastic ride with a big group of around 40-50 mostly guys....  super fun to feel like i could hang with the group again!  super fun to feel like my legs are coming back!

2:20 min...  30.7 kph...  YAY!  

maybe in a month or two i'll be mixing it up in the sprints! 

i definitely need more recovery - any one have good advice for good recovery after hard efforts?

tracy - how's the swimming now that it has been a few more weeks?  a friend of mine told me a funny story about doing bench press with tissue expanders...  basically, her natural breast was resting... and her te was shivering with the effort!  

i rode my bike every single day of chemo (except for a three day business trip, during which i walked walked walked).  i rode my bike to chemo. i rode my bike to work. i rode and rode and rode.  it definitely contributes to sanity... and it helps EVERYTHING.  some days, i rode SLOW...  and some days, i didn't ride all that far.  

my last treatment was also in jan of 2012 - ltr - i think we are on similar paths to recovery.

i'm definitely not at 100%, but i feel like i can ride with my buddies again... and i can ride pretty darn fast again...  and it's all up and up from here (i hope!)!

hope everyone has a great day, and PLEASE keep the rubber side DOWN!

lee

Chicagoan200

Yes TRI lover here (sprint), I was so ready to make 2014 a TRI year, and now I might have to cancel my summer TRI? I still plan to swim, bike, run. Let's do it as much we can. I am still investigate how and how much to do it, what to eat, how to exercise...I am close to start the chemo to shrink the BC and than cut it out. cancer.org have some run club, but most of the custom service people,  I talked to, did not know much about it? Stay in touch...