2012 Running Thread

goldlining

I'm not certain what is in it but silicone would be my guess. It was the Amoena "light" prosthetic. I think the foob was about 12 oz and the other breast once they removed it was 26 oz. I tended to use the even lighter beanie (or nothing) for running because it was covered in wicking fabric.

Most of my shoulder grievances were 24/7, not just running. The real breast is attached all around by skin, while the foob is only supported by the shoulder strap and I think I must have been sort of hiking it up with my shoulder and may have also been twisting around my spine to square my shoulders with misleading chest appearance. I was also stressed because I wanted a bilateral mx in the first place and the surgeon wouldn't do that, so I resented the imbalance. Running was the time I was most peeved because I did not need or want all that extra cargo.

My DIEP is a smaller size (B-C range, 16 oz/side or so) and I look and feel leaner and balanced: very happy with that. I do have some swelling but still learning about LE from the therapist. Thanks to work, some shoulder stress has come back but my hips/legs feel better. I'm still stretching out the hip extension and abdominal fascia after the abdominal part of the DIEP, with the assistance of physiotherapist, but in the half-marathon even with no opportunity to get any running training post-op, I had no sports injury at all, which I think was a miracle but my legs felt really great. I just was careful to make sure I was on level pavement or alternated slopes along the course. Having my left foot higher than the right was the situation when it was most affected before (with the extra weight on my left side as it was) so I am very observant of the slope now.

iswimibikeirun

@goldlining:  do you think that being slightly smaller has/will improve your running?  My surgery is in 2 weeks and while I'm not huge (D cup when I go to the high end lingerie stores), I think being slightly smaller will make running easier.  I notice all the fast girls are at most small Bs!  I know my coach suggests that optimal running weight is 2 lbs per inch of height.  I'm far from it (but I know the DIEP and BMX will naturally lighten me).  

goldlining

@iswimibikeirunI love the smaller size and yes it does seem easier and feels more runner-ish. Also looks much nicer in the medal photos :-)

I'm not back into condition yet time-wise though. My outdoors running has been limited in frequency to business travel and fluke warm spells, and my indoors running is limited in duration by treadmill sharing. Once it is warm out, I will be able to put it to the test.

One side is a bit larger than the other and I am waiting to see how much is just swelling. Once it settles I am really undecided about reducing the larger or increasing the smaller. Honestly, probably 75% of my motivation for the latter is just to have a pretext to suck the fat out of my hips just beyond the ab incision so that it is even all around.  I do not relate to the people who have a DIEP and get a B then add implants to go up to D or DD. To each her own.

iswimibikeirun

@goldlining . . . here we're in pretty good running temps.  Today especially.  It's dry and in the upper 50s.  I want to get as much running in now while the weather is good!  Once it starts getting hotter, I won't mind so much that I can't be out there!  I'm with you on smaller hips!  I'm still wondering if my muffin will make me have to get new shorts (not that I'd be complaining!  the ones I wear now cover it nicely).

goldlining

Ugh it is soooo cold here today. 10F overnight and only 20F when I was doing most of my building-to-building movement. We hit a hard-won big 28F by quitting time, and although the wind has gone down, it doesn't take much to make that temp feel really bitter. My walk to the streetcar (1km including detour) was my outdoor "exercise" for the day. I envy 50F! Enjoy!

firstcall

OK you guys.....I had my chemo treatment yesterday and I did an hour on the recumbent bike today.  I hope to get a couple of runs in this week.  Are you keeping up with your runing?

orangemat

No running here, had my revision surgery Monday and still have the drain because it's the weekend and PS's office closed. Things seem to be healing nicely and I'm quite happy with the smaller (and more appropriately sized) implant. As an A-cup, 210cc is much better for me than my previous 270cc. Seriously, what were they thinking!



Hope you're continuing to feel well with your chemo, firstcall. My HM is in 5 weeks, so here's to returning to running very soon!



Hugs to all.

iswimibikeirun

Well, I did my last "race" before my BMX--a 10k.  It's one of 2 races that I'm streaking.  It was cold (well, at least for Houston), rainy, and windy.  Although I didn't pr, I ran a pretty good race considering my level of training, current weight, and everything.  Of course, it's barely rained since the race ended.

I wonder if I should avoid any other races this year as the only 2 I've done have been in the rain! 

eulabt

Congrats iswimibikeirun! I am 1 week out from the NYC Half and I can't wait. I am hoping to PR, but have to get over wanting to PR and just enjoy the race! Wish me luck! This is such an important race to me after my cancer crap!

firstcall

eulabt - Good Luck!  We'll look forward to a report

goldlining

Loved those reports.A Half in NYC sounds fantastic. Enjoy it eulabt!

Did anyone read about those zombie runs? They are 5K events in a series of cities, and zombies chase you. Well, some zombies are chasing and others are shuffling and just create obstacles. There are other obstacles as well that require climbing and crawling. If you don't want to run FROM the zombies, you can register to BE a zombie, and they do all the makeup etc. There was one zombie run last weekend in Atlanta that the Centers for Disease Control was actively talking about. I am not much of a cross country person. I don't like having wet feet. I like the urban environment or the fantasy Disney environment. But the zombies, well, that sounds cool. Their website is runforyourlives.com.

Today is bursting with pent up sunshine but still only 6C and forecast 16C. When the temp goes up a little more, I plan to run outside. Maybe not too far but I have a 5K next weekend so have to get back to that after my little slack session.

kks_rd

You all are amazing! My little victory of the day was running continuously for 45 minutes.  As I have been slowly re-training after my 10 months of treatment, I felt like there was this "wall" of sorts after 20 continuous minutes of running.  I would always have to stop to take a teensey walk break.  Then I could go for more, but again, only about 20 minutes at a time.  Well today I did 45 continuously in the sunshine and felt strong until the very end.  I felt strong during some hills, too - that is a new thing and compares with the runs I did immediately after chemo when even walking up a small hill felt daunting.

My pace sucks but for now I am just happy to be getting out there again and getting something resembling a real run in.  As I develope more of a routine I will begin working on speed... 

groovygirls

This is week 2 of my half marathon training for the Boston's Run to Remember end of May. I am running for the Alzheimers Association and have to raise $1000 (gulp). For those you don't know- my dad has Alzheimers. It is the saddest and I run every step for him.

Today was supposed to be a rest day. I live in NH and it was in the high 60s. Who could possibly stay in with weather like that! The rest of the week will be just as nice- bonus!

I feel like I have turned a corner. My foobs don't hurt so much and I can do about 5 pushups! I still wear a compression top and a good sports bra but I am feeling more comfortable with my new implants.

ymac16

Well, I finally did it - for the first time since chemo started and only the second time since my surgery in November, I went out for a run. It was a beautiful day in Washington, DC today; it went up to 70 degrees and I just figured today had to be the day. I went down to our local school track and decided that I was just going to go for time and not worry about distance. I did a 5 minute warm up slow run on the way to the track, then started a run/walk at a 4-1 minute ratio. Boy, am I out of shape!!! After 15 minutes I was struggling, had to cut it down to a 3-1 ratio for a cycle but got back to 4-1 to end my 30 minute run. So, it was a crappy run, but a run nonetheless and I'm happy to have finally done it! My next chemo tx is this Thursday so I'll have to take another break for a week, but now I know I can do it so I'll be sure to get out again during my good weeks.



Reading all your posts with your great runs and upcoming races gave me the motivation so keep it up everyone - I admire all of your strength and commitment!

firstcall

good job ymac....Good luck with your next chemo too.  I had a treatment Friday, so kinda draggin....hope to get another run in soon

orangemat

iswimibikeirun, I must've missed where you posted it, but when is your BMX? Good job on your recent 10k!

Go get 'em, eulabt! No pressure to PR, just race happy!!

So will you be a zombie runner, goldlining? Yes, I've heard of those races. Fun!

Good job on the run, ymac! You too, kks_rd! Yeah, it's tough not to judge oneself, to say "that was a bad run" or "I'm so out of shape". Point is, just go out there and do what you can and be happy with just doing it. I like running for time as well, especially when I do my speed workouts (1 minute fast, 1 minute recovery, 2 minutes fast, 2 minutes recovery, etc.) Somehow, the pressure is off to "get there", ya know? If you just keep breathing and keep moving, the time will eventually elapse.

Good luck with your chemo treatments, ymac and firstcall.

Woohoo groovygirls, so glad for you! Yes, at some point, something just "clicks" during the recovery process and you feel OK in your skin once again. It's a good thing. Happy running to you! 

Tonight is my running club's first spring track workout and I'm a week and a day post-op. Thinking about actually trying a bit of jog, we'll see. Been walking since Saturday (am I home yet?? ) and my endurance threshold feels fine. Yesterday I actually had two outings, walked 5.5 miles and 5.4 miles, and aside from a little stiffness I feel great this morning. So we'll see.

I did have a thought about wearing my HRM while walking (I don't usually when I run) just to see how hard (or not) I'm working. But then I realized it would sit right at my incision site  so that won't work. Oh well.... 

Happy and healthy running to all! 

iswimibikeirun

orangemat, my BMX with DIEP is scheduled for Monday, the 19th.  I know I'll have to start walking asap.  The problem is I do rely on running to keep me "regular" and shorten "transit time."  So, I'm a bit concerned about the surgery.  I hope that by the beginning of May, I'll be able to start running again.  Fortunately (?) one of my friends will be coming off her stress fracture and starting from scratch as well.  (I guess it's actually worse for her since she qualifed for Boston and can't run it).  I have to admit, I am using my DX as an "excuse" for not training harder.  But, hoping the surgery will at least make me a bit lighter (I know I could run so much better if I was 20 lighter--hoping the surgery will take off 10 and help shrink my stomach).

Houston weather is awful.  It is more than 20 degrees warmer today than it was on Saturday.  Our short 3 mile run was so hot!  You'd think it was the end of summer instead of the end of winter!

 Happy trails, everyone.  Remember:  Lance Armstrong was a much stronger athlete after his cancer treatment!

eulabt

iswimibikeirun- good luck with your surgery Monday. You will feel so much better once it is over.

ymac and firstcall- good luck with your chemo's this week./ you huys are doing great:)

orangemat- conitnued ggo dhealing vibes and take it slow.  I was so anxious to get back to my running as well.

groovygirls and  kks_rd- good luck with the training!

goldlining- good luck on your 5K

Thanks to you all for your posts. It is great to have this common bond! 

groovygirls

I am so impressed and amazed by everyone!

I am giving each and every one of us a vitual pat on the back

orangemat

Well I ran tonight, a whole 4.16 miles in 50:09... hardly worth the shower, almost, I was going so slowly. Round and round on the track I went, switching direction every mile, while the rest of my running club did the speed workout that the coach had planned. But I have to say, I was glad I was there, doing my recovery run (literally) and trotting along at my 12 minute/mile pace. I think the most effort I exerted was making sure I don't run too fast or swing my arms too much... but I was still thrilled that I ran.

goldlining

Man, orangemat, I did 3.25km and was happy with that :-P In mins/mile I was doing 10-11 until the 250m at the end uphill to the house. But I haven't been out since Feb 28 so I will take it. Hope to get out at least once more before the 5K Sunday.

iswimibikeirun I am sure you will be running by early May. I started walking on the treadmill at the 4mph setting at 2 weeks for an hour at a go. I was stooped over but I credit the treadmill for helping me straighten out. Thank heavens for football playoffs to kill the time. Give some thought to having a physio help you stretch your shoulders and hips. I started that about 3 or 4 weeks post op. Helps a lot. The hips will be in flexion due to the abdominal tissue that is removed. I knew beforehand but I did not really internalize it. The front is easily 4" shorter than the back and it's very very tight. I lost maybe 5lb, not 10, and the reduced eating capacity didn't last as long as I had hoped. But it feels great to run with less cargo on the front! (Do not delay starting those stool softeners in the mean time, and just because they say you can eat up to midnight before, don't have a big last meal.) Good luck!

Congratulations to all on the good outings and progress. Keep those reports coming!

iswimibikeirun

Thanks, goldlining!  I had my preop with the PS today . . . I'm supposed to move/walk starting the day they send me home . . . and start with stool softeners now!  I think my last big meal will be the night before (although my parents are taking us out to celebrate my birthday the night before surgery).

orangemat

iswimibikeirun, Colace was my savior after surgery. The pain meds stop me up terribly. Plus I was just cup and after cup of tea...

Yesterday was a walking day, so I ran today again. A friend called and invited me to run with her, and while she's typically a good 1:30 min/mile slower than my training pace, I felt I couldn't keep up with her. So after a while I just let her go on and ran at what felt comfortable for me. 6 miles in total. After yesterday's 10.3 mile walk, I think tomorrow will finally be a rest day.

iswimibikeirun

Wow, orangemat!  That's a long walk!  We just came back from a 3 mile run.  Unfortunately, it's in the 80s here and humid.  So, one more long run this weekend and then I'll start the Colace.  It's great that yo have a friend who's a bit slower to keep you going.  This is such an encouraging thread!

orangemat

It was actually three separate walking segments: 2.8 miles on some trails with a new walking group I just joined, 5.1 miles with an injured running GF, and 2.4 miles round trip to visit another running friend who'd lost her BIL to a recent illness. Honestly, I think the reasons for my walking were more rewarding than the calories burned yesterday!

Humid is good; I like humid. Where do you live?

iswimibikeirun

I'm in Houston . . . we have almost summer, summer, still summer, and "winter."  The only good thing is that we don't have dry skin!

orangemat

OK, I'm officially in a panic. I just looked back in my running log as to how I did my return-to-running recoveries for the previous two surgeries. After the first one, I had 49 days in between, no races scheduled (duh), but I felt relatively OK. After the second one, I ran a HM 53 days later and PR'd. Now I've got only 41 days' recovery until this upcoming HM, which is in 30 days. What was I thinking??

kks_rd

Esther... forgive me for not knowing but wasn't your first surgery the most complicated of the three?  And would you say the most recent surgery was the most straightforward?  You might need less time to recover than you think. (I hope?!?)

kks_rd

Hey eulabt, isn't your NYC Half tomorrow?  Good luck!!

orangemat

Yes Kat, you're absolutely right. This most recent surgery was pretty much the same as my second, the TE exchange, though no lift on the other side, so it makes this one the least tough to recover from, I do realize that. I guess I'm just intimidated by how well I recovered the previous two times, and I'm expecting not to be able to duplicate that process this time... heh, talk about psyching oneself out about oneself! I guess I don't actually remember exactly how I felt in those early days and weeks, and since I've recovered so thoroughly since last summer (it's been eight month now), I guess I'm expecting to bounce back faster than I am? I don't know, I think I'm finally succombing to the stress of it all... ARGH!

That said, I finally got out to run this afternoon. 5.5 miles, 9:39 avg pace, pretty much a progression run from 10:03 down to 9:10 (9:07 for the last half mile). I guess I really don't have to worry that much after all...  

Good luck tomorrow eulabt! Hope everyone is doing well. Hugs to all!