2012 Running Thread

paradiju

Good to know about Disney half -- although i too am not sure i'd go all that way for a half. Also its in January which is difficult for us. We ski all winter so we really don't start training till the spring which is what makes the fall marathons so much better timing wise.

11 miles! not that long? You guys really are tough! I haven't done more than 6 miles since my treatments started last summer but you are all such an inspiration -- i am going to start long runs soon

All the best for Passover adn Happy Easter -- hope everyone has a lovely weekend. 

goldlining

There you go, paradiju... I don't get near a snowflake unless I'm on the way to work. (Loved this winter!) I am happy to go to either Florida or California in the winter at any time for any excuse, so a Half is good enough for me! I figure the worst case scenario is DNF and a weekend at Disneyland or Walt Disney World. But the original California DL Half is Sept (Labour Day weekend Sunday) while the new Tink Half is late January. In FL, the WDW marathon weekend (half and full and goofy) is early January, Princess in Feb/ March, Wine & Dine Half in Oct/November (latter is at night). I've actually gone to WDW for a 10K, so badly did I need to get out of here to somewhere warm!

kks_rd

I haven't done more than 6 miles, like, ever.   This is the year all that changes though!

orangemat

11 miles done, in 1:44:25, two dates consumed each at miles 5 and 9 with no stomach distress -- success!!

kks_rd

Awesome!!  Good to know the dates worked out...

Melissa10

Hey Runners! Did anyone on here have TCH chemo (taxotere, carboplatin and Herceptin?) I have my LAST one this Friday. Very excited. However, tried to go for a quick run this weekend and was shocked at how tired and painful my legs felt. Yes, I am out of shape - haven't run in about 6 weeks. My question is, how long will it take for this pain to go away? I am signed up for a half June 24th. I do not expect to PR but it would be great if I could run the whole thing. Any advice? I am so loking forward to getting back in the game! Thanks!

paradiju

Orangemat -- you rock! Running under 10 min miles is great -- and the no stomach upset is even better.

Melissa -- I had TAC no Herceptin -- I tried to run through the chemo but for sure i slowed down. I didn't have any leg pain but then everyone is different. My running started to improve every week after my last chemo and even though they told me i would be tired from the radiation - it never happened -- in fact i improved every week durning the 6 weeks of radiation but i did it slowly -- i ran on a treadmill and each week i upped my speed, starting at 5.7mph i was up to 6.3mph. My norm is 6.5  (fyi i did have to wear two bras -- the chaffing hurt)

Just get out there -- Do it slowly and i am sure you will be able to do a half -- my philosophy is, "you can always walk to finish." Sorry, i know for those of you who are really competitive that sounds lame.  

Melissa10

Paradiju, thank you! i agree with you. If i have to walk, i have to walk. It is what it is! I also agree I need to just get back out there again. It was quite discouraging to feel so out of shape but hearing it got better and better for you each week helps me. Thank you! Regarding the sports bras, was it becuase you had a mastectomy? I had a lump but am skipping rads and going back for the mastectomy in the fall. How long were you down for after?

groovygirls

Paradiju- Its your race. You don't have to prove any thing to anyone. It says "finisher" on your medal too and think of all the people who you are lapping on the couch!

goldlining

This is a nice little series of philosophies the last few posts. Mine is that I am pretty sure I won't win THE race, but I'll win MY race. There are enough medals for everyone.

I just did the Wine&Dine Half registration today so one item off my ToDo. Got the reminder to register for the 2013 Disney Marathon weekend but 20th anniversary special or not, I think I'll pass on it this time and do one of the others.

paradiju

oohh -- i like the win MY race attitude. Now when someone asks if i won, i can honestly say yes!

Melissa -- i had a lumpectomy, followed by 4 rounds of chemo followed by 6 weeks of radiation. I was fine throughout but by the fourth week of radiation my skin got red and sore and eventually even started to peel and chaffe so running / sweating / bouncing hurt. I also got shooting breast pains from the radiation which lasted for two to three months after -- i said some days my boob felt like i'd been breast feeding a litter of pit bull puppies! But if you are not haveing radiation you will get to miss all that. There is an upside to everything! -- Sorry i can't speak to the side effects of a mastectomy but staying in shape can only be a plus! You go girl!

I did 5 miles this morning in 45 min even though my right shoulder still kills -- i think the radiation killed some muscles and god knows what else -- going for PT soon!

orangemat

Melissa, I had a single nipple-sparing mastectomy, TE for 6 or so weeks until the Alloderm was done doing its thing to make the pocket, then a second surgery to switch out the TE for the silicone implant. This was last summer and I was running within a week of both of those procedures. And about 6 weeks ago, I had a third surgery, to switch out the implant for a smaller one (I told that PS I wasn't as big as I appear!) and repair the bottoming out of the Alloderm pocket. Once again, I resumed running about a week later. No rads or chemo for me. And it was all very easy effort for the first 4-6 weeks after each procedure. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

groovygirls

The weather around here is getting better- all set to ramp my my half marathon training- oops- I have strep throat (along with everone else in my family!)

firstcall

So....5 days until the Boston Marathon.  And 7 days until my final T/C treatment.  I have to go have my blood work done today to see if I can be cleared for travel.  My HCT is pretty low, so I'm not thinking I'll finish the marathon, but I think I might be able to half.   I want to try to do what I can.....

orangemat

Turns out I won't be traveling up to Boston on Sunday after my race, but I'll still have you in mind, firstcall, as well as so many others I know who will be running that day. I know you said it's not your first marathon, but is it your first time at Boston? Either way, it's such a momentous experience, and yes, only do what feels right for your body at this time. It's a success no matter how many miles you complete.

goldlining

I'm off to London on Friday for a conference and am looking forward to spectating some of the London marathon on the second weekend I'm there. I hope the weather cooperates a little to go for a run in the Regent's Park and all the walking I want to do. I will be thinking of the Boston and cheering on firstcall over the interwebs. 

iswimibikeirun

So jealous, goldling!  I love running in Hyde Park!

runnergirl4life

orangemat, I didn't go for my surgery. I didn't even really think about it. I'll look into that. Thanks for the idea!

Renee' 

runnergirl4life

paradiju, that's what I thought! It has been frustrating. But now, that's the least of my priority as I have had a reacurrence and will be starting treatment soon. I have been having a hip problem since last August and have gone through the red tape and finally have an appointment to see a physiatrist today. I think I spelled that right. Anyway, since running is the only activity that doesn't give me issues in axilla lymph node area where tumors are the most troublesome, I'm looking forward to having the hip issue diagnosed and resolved quickly!

I'm still planning to run the half marathons as much as I can. Even if I end up walking a good part of them. Life still continues, right?

Renee' 

runnergirl4life

firstcall, I admire you and your determination! I hope to hear good results about Boston. How exciting!

Renee' 

paradiju

runnergirl4life -- so sorry to hear about your reaccurance but you Will beat this too. You have the huge advantage of being fit -- i am so very impressed by everyone on this discussion board -- it seems we run through thick and thin. Hope the hip issues work out. I hate not being able to run when i am injured. Chronic knee issues have kept me from doing a marathon for two years and i am really not sure whether i will ever be able to run more than 10kms but i console myself wiht the thought that at least i CAN run 10km!   cheers

sanbar8771

Ugh... need motivation. Did a 1/2 marathon in Nov 2011 one year post chemo and now I am completely unmotivated. Help!!  Going to the gym tonight after work. Wish me luck I stay motivated.

paradiju

You did a half five months ago -- that in itself is great! Go to the gym, do anything, you'll feel better and more motivated. Look at the bright side -- you CAN run! I am sure there were days you couldn't.

 wishing you luck!

NancyHB

Hi all - I haven't posted since mid-February, and honestly haven't run or done yoga since late February.  The AC chemo kicked my a** big-time - exhaustion and severe shortness of breath.  I had one or two good days a tx (4 x dd AC) during which I desperately tried to get caught up on my grad homework.  Our weather here has been cold so walking outside has been a challenge.  I started dd Taxol x 6 a few weeks back - had my third of 6 today - and developed excruciating bone/muscle pain for 7 days.  With the weather getting nicer I'm getting out more - gardening, walking slowly, trying to do something to keep active (and out of bed).  I know that someday, I'll be back to running.  I miss it terribly, and you are all so inspirational.  Thank you for being here!!!

kks_rd

NancyHB, I want to thank you for sharing that.  If you look back on previous pages of this thread you will see me more or less trying to explain to others in the group why I simply could not run while on chemo.  I feel like I have been overly defensive but that's just how it was for me - the exhaustion especially, and in te grand scheme of things I needed to save what energy I had for the essential things like work and grocery shopping etc. 

See my stats below, we've had pretty much the same chemo Rx.  I do want you to know that it gets better after chemo.  Slowly but surely you will feel like you can take a crack at running again.  Until that day comes, do whatever activity makes you feel good.

Gentle hugs to you....

NancyHB

Kat - thank you for your kind words, and your hope.  I find myself incredibly winded walking across campus (I tend to be a fast walker).  I've also developed neuropathy in my feet and find walking sometimes very painful (I'd happily go back to the plantar fascitis I struggled with when healthy!!)  I try to walk as much as possible, and *will* return to running when I can.  Three more treatments - 6 more weeks - and I'm hoping that'll be the beginning on the end of feeling like crap.  I'm sorry if it seems like I'm making excuses, but I know what I can do and can't do, and have to honor and respect my body as it is, not as I wish it could be.

I never give up...I might just take a short hiatus...

Anonymous

I have not checked in in several days....but I began RUNNING earlier this week!  My PS said that I could run 5 weeks post BMX with TE, but I ran ONE day early!  I ran/walked 4 miles the first day,and then ran/walked 3 miles the next two days.  I ran 6 minutes at a stretch at the most, and then took 1-2 minute walk breaks.  It felt wonderful!  I felt so free!  I also signed up for the Disney Marathon January 2013 on Tuesday!  If I can get my exchange surgery completed in time to rest and recover and be ready to begin training (with 30 miles a week) on Oct. 8, I can do it!  That's my plan!  

I am here in Boston with my family to cheer on my husband in the Boston Marathon.  FIRSTCALL, I hope your run is all that you want it to be! I'll be cheering you on!

kks_rd

NancyHB, I don't take it as making excuses at all; I think that was exactly my point. When I was in your position, I felt like *I* was making excuses, but I can say now that truly, I did the best I could during that time.  Neuropathy, fatigue, bone pain, anemia... especially when taken all together... simply add to perhaps more than even the strongest will and desire can overcome.  Respecting your body is indeed what it's all about!

Roan.. happy for you!!  You sound truly excited about the plan

Wishing you a great race, Firstcall!!

CLC

Thinking of you firstcall!!  Hope you have a great race!

I am so impressed by everyone here!  You inspire me to keep going out and running...thanks!

eulabt

Good Luck FIRSTCALL! I hope you are feeling ok and can't wait to hear about your race:)