2014 Running Thread

Oncearunneralwaysarunner

Rdrunner - that's a great time for a half, especially one on iffy footing

Well, we are under another frost bite advisory until Thursday here, so I'm not doing all that much running. I did get out for a nice 8k on Sunday and the skin issues are mostly all gone. I'm so happy about that. Mother Nature needs to take the hint that we want to get back to nice running weather! 

I love the idea of shovel and sculpt, I think a lot of us have done our fair share of that work out this year

FairyDogMother

Awesome job on your runs this week and last week. 

I had my 3rd surgery yesterday and Xoft radiation. I was the first patient under 40 to do this type. I'm on cloud nine. Be a addvocate for your care. I'm thinking of doing the bra on outside of shirt this week.  Going to start my 10K training next week, but at least try for a mile tomorrow. I'm a little sore, swollen, boob on fire today. Thank you for all the support.  

sandpiper1

Enjoy the link................

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/03/04/the-inc...

StillRunningNLM

Hello everyone.  I am up in CT.  I am excited that I found this board.  It is nice to be in the company of some many women that keep running despite the long journey.  Most of my family is worried that I want to keep running.  They try, but don't really understand my desire to stay in control of something while I wage the war against cancer.  

I used running in the year before my diagnosis to loose 25+ lbs.  I had a lumpectomy on 12/23 and was diagnosed on 12/27.  My husband wrapped a wide ace bandage around me over my sports bra on 12/29 and I ran a slow 2 miler.  My surgeon said that it just helped prove his theory that runner's are a little crazy (he rides a bicycle for exercise), but I had to do something with all of the nervous energy.  I am currently 1/3 of the way through a 33 treatment course of radiation.  I am already swelling and experiencing discomfort.  But, I have promised myself that I will not let this diagnosis gain weight, even though I have always been a stress eater.  I just ran an 8 mile run last Sunday and my goal is to run the Cheshire, CT half marathon on 4/27/14.  Hoping to also do a Leprechaun 5k in Madison, CT on 3/23/14 and the Jamestown Bridge 10k in Rhode Island on 4/6/14 as part of my training.  So far, the hardest part is finding a comfortable way to keep the girls from bouncing while I run.  It seems hard when I have to resort to the dreadmill because of the weather.

lovestorun

Welcome StillRunning!

RunFree16

StillRunning, I absolutely salute you!  You ran two miles only 6 days after your lumpectomy--you ARE a little crazy!  But I totally get it, and I'm sure you'll have lots of company on this thread.  Running is such a help.  The best part of it for me is that it gives me a detailed orientation toward the future that is all positive.  Looks as though you're doing the same, thinking about races you want to run over the next several months.  How could a family want someone not to do that?!  Congrats on getting 1/3 of the way through rads too.  I hope it goes easy on you.  I'm sure lots of people have said to eat plenty of good protein and drink lots of water, and give yourself time to be tired if you can.  I was pleasantly surprised, didn't have much fatigue or skin trouble at all, but there's a big range.  Is your radiation center far away from you?  

FairyDog, congrats on getting through your surgery!  Hope your skin doesn't mind if you need to run a little.  Put that bra wherever you want!  Oncearunner, so glad to hear your skin is healing up.  

Princessrn, I did look at the Hal Higdon training plans, thanks. They look sort of intense to me, even the beginner ones.  I guess I will stick with the Marathoning for Mortals plan. 

Rdrunner, great time, wow!  I would love to crack two hours for a half.  

Odie, I've never done an obstacle race.  What kind of obstacles will it have?  Sweetandspecial, big bummer about the Dirty Girl.

All you people who are running outdoors in this madness are really impressive.  Give me my treadmill all the way until it tops 40 degrees and good footing.  Could be a while!  Sandpiper, I loved the quote and the video, thanks!

runhappy

I'm counting down the days until I can run again!!  I've always said I need one of those huge bumper stickers that says "Running is cheaper than therapy" b/c I am much more sane when I can run.  And not being able to do it as often these past few months has been messing with my head.   I've been walking my dog daily but honestly was feeling sorry for myself and figured if I can't run then why bother.  

BUT today I geared up with my ipod, left my pity party behind and downloaded a good podcast and just enjoyed the sunshine and fresh air.  Some great, cheap therapy!   Hope your days are bright!

Aloha75

Running is my therapy...which makes the forced time off so much harder especially when you need it the most.

I signed up for the Disney Wine & Dine 13.1 (11/8)..the race sold out in less than 24 hrs, crazy! Thank you Goldlining again for the tips...I figure the dark won't be an issue because I'm used to running at 5:15am in the morning but with the 10pm start I'm going to be sleepy without some serious caffine:)

Hoping to get a run in the morning. We have had lots of snow...again, so waiting for the streets to dry out.

Hope everyone is having a good week:)

Rdrunner

Running keeps me sane also.. this winter has been hard , so sick of treadmill, ran outside today 10k at -10c. For those that have to battle cold weather and frost bite issues.. well worth investing in balaclavas made specially for running, or even a good buff that you can pull up or down on your face as you need to. That said spring is almost here .....

Oncearunneralwaysarunner

ooooh Buffs, I'm in love with them. I started buying them last summer to cover my bald head without having the heat of a cap. The worst is they keep coming out with new patterns... 

This winter I've been using both the polar Buff (regular buff with an additional piece of polar fleece) on my head and a merino wool one around my neck. I love the versatility they offered and will probably continue to offer for a couple of weeks.

Aloha75

52 degrees, first 5 mile run since sx......a beautiful way to spring forward into daylight savings time this morning:)

Donnabelle

Hi all!

Just finished the SD Half, first time running any distance since diagnosis. As a matter of fact, I had my mammogram where they discovered the cancer one year ago.

Great race and although I was slower than normal, and felt like maybe it was the first half I have ever run (which it was not, I've run quite a few) AND I had to walk up the hill at mile nine, I am so happy and yes, proud that I did it and finished it, despite the fact that it was quite warm.

Dare I say that I am finally feeling like maybe this nightmare is behind me? Running is so life affirming. 

Thank you all for the inspiration this board provides!

Me, second from left!

RunFree16

Donnabelle, that is FANTASTIC!  Love the picture, love the life-affirming!  What a perfect way to mark the anniversary of your diagnosis.  You said, Hey, cancer--EAT MY HALF MARATHON!!!

goldlining

Hooray Donnabelle! And Aloha75, 5 miles in warm temps too! I envy the both of you!

I did the dreadmill today for the first time since the stupid flu in January. My daughter (18) wants in on the inaugural runDisney Avengers Half so she has to show commitment to training before I spend the money to sign her up, and she joined me at the Y today, walking because she needs a new pair of shoes to run and she was boring my larger shoes. She was frittering around until the TV treadmill was freed up then the Big Bang Theory came on and she plugged in her headphones and the time flew for her. I planned to go 40 minutes, but ended up 1:15 waiting to make sure she did her 35! It will be nice to run it with her if she keeps up her end of the bargain.

Wednesday is my surgery for DIEP revision so I'm glad I got some endorphins stored up today.

Aloha75

Awesome Donnabelle! Love the picture:) Good luck on Wednesday Goldlining!

odie16

Congrats Donnabelle! Great picture. Funny what a difference a year makes. 

Wishing you the best Wednesday Goldlining.

Running 3.5 miles twice a week as preparation for my first 5k next month but am open to any other suggestions....

lovestorun

Terrific Donnabelle - way to go!

Hope things go very well on Wed. Goldlining. 

JaMan

This does seem like a great place to be. My first post on this thread. At 3 months post-op, I'm trying to get back to pre diagnosis form. Seems I am awfully SLOW! Part of me says to let go of timing, think about & be grateful for what I can do, stretch out the distance when I can. But another part of me really wants to know if most of you come back so much slower than before. (as in 2 minutes/mile slower, unless I'm only running 2 or 3) And I hate to ask, but I'm older . . .  so, does age matter?

Aloha75

Jaman- My surgery was a couple of weeks after yours. I am 2 minutes slower per mile than my avg pace prior to BMX. I can get it closer to 1 1/2 minutes but then find I need walk breaks....which isn't necessarily a bad thing but my first goal was endurance and then I figured I would focus on the speed. I get frustrated with the slower pace because it took a lot of training to finally get to some of my PR goals prior to surgery but then I remember to be kind to myself...we did just have a major surgery:)   I also gained 6 lbs since surgery which I am equally frustrated with! 

JaMan

Thanks, Aloha!! I'm sorry, but I guess there is comfort in knowing I'm not the only one who lost speed. I, too, was hitting PRs last season. Have gained about 6 also, but not sure I can blame that on anything other than lack of willpower. I was using the 5-2 diet (also known as the fast diet) 3 - 4 months before surgery and was finally happy about my weight. Am using that again and hoping to get this 6 off. I've never been patient, but I tell myself I'm not too old to learn that trait! Thanks again!!

Oncearunneralwaysarunner

good luck tomorrow Goldlining, positive vibes going your way!

Great job on the half Donnabelle  

I convinced the brachytherapy nurse to let me run 10k on Sunday provided that i listen to my body. Had brachytherapy radiation yesterday and today, needless to say that having 5 plastic catheters inserted for about 30 hours limits the amount of activity you can do for a few days! Still trying to fully wake up from the conscious sedation.

JaMan, Im about 1 min per kilometre (probably close to 2 mins per mile) slower than I was before and carrying an extra 20-25lbs since last year, but my pace is slowly getting faster with consistent runs. As frustrating as the slow pace is, it does get better.

Aloha75

I had to look up the 5-2 diet...sounds interesting and always good to hear testimonials of it actually working. I found by eating less and running more that I had really good success with weight loss last year and I know that also helped with the faster running times. I contribute my weight gain to 20% lack of will power and 80% to not working out for 2 months but eating a similar amount of calories. So I'm really hoping as I am able to increase my workouts that the weight will start to come off. I really need to add back the strength training/crosssfit.

Oncearunner- a 10K this weekend sounds really impressive after that radiation treatment you had to endure...you go girl:) Thanks for giving us hope about the speed returning.

RunFree16

Aloha, are you saying you've done Crossfit before?  What do you think about it in terms of risk to our treatment arms?

Goldlining, good luck in your surgery tomorrow!  Hope you're not getting this new snow storm.

Donnabelle

Goldlining, good luck tomorrow!

JaMan, I am quite a bit slower now. I think our bodies have been through a lot of insults and traumas, and we should not expect to come back 100% right away. Sure it's kind of depressing to be slower, but think how strong you are to get out there and get back on the road after what you have gone through, when there are millions of people who never had cancer sitting in front of their TVs. That makes all of us unique, strong and focused. Let's be proud!

Oncearunner, have a great 10K. You are a real warrior getting out there so soon!

goldlining

Thanks everyone. Nervously packing now. Don't even know if I am staying overnight, and yes, there's a big crapload of snow coming. So sad after so much melted off today. 

I had the same slowdown after my surgapalooza. It lasted about 18 months. The slowdown was related to my heart rate. Because my heart rate tends to be so high, I run to my heart rate comfort level, and I would hit my limit at a slower pace. It wasn't just deconditioning, because I had just started to run 18 months before my first mx, and was faster after 50 years of deconditioning than I was after a six week break from regular running. I do find that I still take a lot of walk breaks and of course, assuming tomorrow's surgery will set me back a little again. I decided that now is the time to just enjoy being out there. Speed will come.

I'll post as soon as I get back to a computer. Run some runs for me!

princessrn

Everyday we run is a good day.  There are plenty of really healthy people sitting on the couch!  Slower does not matter, every mile is a good one, fast or slow!  BRAVA ladies.  And Donnabelle....fabulous work!!

JaMan

Thanks SO MUCH everyone!! Best of luck for your surgery tomorrow, goldlining - or whenever after the snow. That would super-su** if you had to wait again. And oncearunner, I can't imagine running anything let alone a 10k after treatment. Oh My! You ladies ARE an inspiration! Donnabelle and princessrn - thank you for your input! So glad I found this site!!  Anyone here a swimmer, too?

Donnabelle

Thank you all, wonderful runners, for the congrats and affirmations  

Oncearunneralwaysarunner

I re-read my post and I thought I should clarify, I'm not doing a 10k race but rather just going out and running 10k I'm expecting it to be one of the best types of runs, a slow gab-fest with the girls.

StillRunningNLM

Race or not, 10k is impressive Once.  Enjoy the time with your friends!

Goldlining - I hope the weather did not interfere with your surgery.  I also hope you have a speedy recovery!

JaMan - was have done a few sprint triathlons and was ready to train for a early May triathlon out on Cape Cod when I was told that I could not swim during radiation treatments.  I was thinking that being in the water and the arm motion for swimming would be a good way to stretch and relax, but they are worried about the chlorine and the bacteria in the pool at the YMCA where I swim.  I have completed 17/33 as of today.  Swimming is my weakest leg of the triathlon, so I know I will not be ready for May.  But, I will see how long it takes my skin to rebound after the radiation treatments and pick a different triathlon to work towards.