2016 Running Thread

panthrah

I was a little shocked by that as well. and im even more shocked that the half is still open

goldlining

Cute running dresses: I like running in tights especially for longer outings, but I do not like the idea that my butt is out there on display. I have a few of these cute running tunics by Nuu-Muu, and just ordered another as they are having a 30% off sale. I thought I'd post it here in case anyone else is interested. I also wear them over "bike short" length shorts in the summer. The fabric is not clingy, and kind of unique finish and drape among athleisure clothing but quite pleasant. The neckline and overall cut is flattering. They have even added extended sizes on the upper end of the range. One thing I like is that they do NOT have built-in pants, which I hate because the built-in pants on running skirts always ride up (and no, Lululemon, they do NOT stay in place on people with non-Lululemon thigh circumferences). They also don't have a built-in bra top, which allows me to wear the bra of my choice (for me, Shock Absorber Ultimate Run Bra B5044).

The 30% off sale goes through Sunday.

cupcaker

Thanks for posting that goldlining. Those are cute dresses!

I walked 7.5 miles today. Yay! I did more run intervals then last weekend. I'm hoping to get to 10 miles next weekend and then keep doing the 10 miles til my surgery.

I'm still trying to decide whether I want to register for more than the 5K of the Disneyland Half weekend. I went through etsy and found what running costumes I would do if I did the Dumbo Dare - this is all speculation of course, but I'd do Tigger for the 10K and Daisy for the Half.

Here's a picture of my Tinkerbell tutu that I ordered from etsy. It looked a bit more steampunk in the picture when I ordered it. I love it.

geewhiz

I just got my stitches out from nipple recon yesterday and am FINALLY cleared to run after a 7 week hiatus!!! Woohooooo!! I cannot wait to lace-up. Sadly my running partner that was training for our first marathon with me has decided she doesn't want to run a marathon. But its still a bucketlist item for me, so I will use you guys as my inspiration to keep on trekking!!

panthrah

Cupcaker- the joys of steampunk is that its totally a DYI ... sooooo you can add.. mix and match and make it work for how you want to. and it is a really cute tutu. to let you know.. for the dl half weekend.. the 5k is a rubber medal. some people dont know that then are upset at the finish line. If you dont care.. then id say sign up the DDD and the 5k worst part about it?? 3 days of waking up at stupid o clock hehe

geewhiz- so have you seen the bling for the Disneyland Marathon ( Jan 4-8 2017 ..on sale april 26, 2016) ??? every mile is magic.. just saying and massive congrats for being cleared to run again :)

goldlining

I agree on the rubber medal caveat. They are vividly coloured and well themed, an the ribbons are every bit as nice, but don't have the heft of the 10K and up. Rubber medals are a great idea because the 5K have more kids participating and Disney doesn't want to give out medals that could hurt someone if a kid decided to flail it around by the ribbon, or jump up and down and have their own medal smack them in the face. However, I don't give those medals pride of place when I hang my medals in the office.

You're already experienced at longer distances, but some people may be on the fence about 5K vs. 10K and the rubber medal might deter them. I would say based on Disney pacing requirements, if someone can do 5K running, they can easily walk the back half and earn the 10K medal. I simply could not figure out how to move slow enough to be at any risk of being swept on the straggler bus unless I did every photo op and there were long lines at all of them.

I agree about the early wakeup being the hardest part of the multi-event challenges. I will do it for DDD and the bonus medal, but one year I did 10K/Half at WDW and of course that is not a bonus-medal combination. I did that only once!

When I did the inaugural Tink Half, there was no 10K and the 5K was Friday night, about 9 I think. It was fantastic. I just bought the registration at the Expo dropped bags, dressed, ran, and had Saturday to relax before the Sunday Half. In my opinion, it's too bad they moved the 5K to Friday morning. It also adds a day of hotel and missed work.

After loafing all month, I think I should be back to running this week. My daughter's university application portfolio is finished (OMG it was like pushing mud uphill - took more time and energy than running, and it wasn't even my application!) A mother's job is never done.

geewhiz

I managed to run/walk 10 miles yesterday! After 7 weeks off it was torture. My lungs were on fire for the first 2 miles, but then my body seemed to remember what to do and it got easier. I was SO happy to be running again. It was really slow, and I had to walk twice. I had intended to only start with 5 miles, but then I was ok and upped it to 7, then I thought ok 8 well that is close to 10, so 10 it was. No pretty and not fast...but I AM RUNNING!!!

geewhiz

Goldlining - my daughter is a high school junior. The drama over colleges is real! We are trying to make a list of places to visit and she is driving me crazy with it all.

goldlining

geewhiz, the thing that kills me is that she is applying to the university I teach at. If she had the portfolio in 3 weeks earlier, I think she'd have had an edge. She has struggled with anxiety the past couple of years and although she is now treated and overall doing well, she "copes" by procrastinating about the things that stress her. Personally, I thought it was a good enough portfolio, and I hope it works and she gets an offer and doesn't have to go through this to be considered by her backup programs. I'm glad she's managing her stress because MY hair is falling out by the handful. :P

cupcaker

10 miles is fantastic geewhiz! That's my goal this coming weekend.

I'm still on the fence about the DLHM. I did the 5K this past year and I had so much fun. I make teddy bears in my free time so I'm kinda a sucker for the Country Bears Jamboree theme of the upcoming 5K. I guess I'll see how I feel tomorrow morning.

panthrah

cupcaker.. just make sure you already have an account on Active and may the odds be ever in your favor

cupcaker

I got in for the 5K and 10K on DL weekend - I think that'll be a good introduction to running two races back to back. Plus it'll give me a couple races to plan for, costume-wise. hehe

goldlining

Yay, cupcaker!

geewhiz

Go cupcaker!!!!

Cute skirt too!!

panthrah

woot woot!!!!

geewhiz

It is really hard to get excited about running again - maybe I need to hang out on this thread a bit more

I was really tired after the 10 miles. I did 5 2 days later and that seemed hard. I might run today - weather looks good. I miss that endorphin high, and I seem to need the running to keep my mood lifted.

I am usually a happy positive person, just seem a bit down and draggy lately Only 8 weeks out from surgery and its rainy and freezing lately, so I should cut myself some slack. But I do need to get moving!!!!!

panthrah

rainy and freezing??? thats a set up for a netflix marathon when in doubt.. do squats

Lunderwood

I am so glad to see activity on the running thread. I need advice! I was diagnosed with BC in November and currently in neoadjuvant hormone therapy to shrink 2.4cm tumor. Running keeps me sane and grounded. I average about 45 miles per week about half on my treadmill and half on trails or soft surfaces. Thankfully I have been able to continue to run so far during the hormone therapy. In June I will probably have surgery, my surgeon believes that it will most likely be a mastectomy due to the location of the tumor. I need advice on reconstruction options that work best for a runner. I have read stories of issues with implants that move or constrict movement. This would definitely be a problem for a runner. I also lift weights and do core work on a regular basis. My surgeon has also indicated that there may be some difficulties (or limitations) with reconstruction since in am very thin and do not have much extra skin or tissue. Any thoughts on what might be the best options? Also how quickly were you able to resume running after surgery? Obviously it will depend on the extent of the surgery and my recovery but I just can't imagine not running for any period of time!

So excited to know that there is still hope for running in my future!

goldlining

Welcome Lunderwood!

I had been cultivating a handy crop of abdominal tissue, apparently for the express purpose of supplying a future DIEP, since my daughter was born 15 years earlier. However, I remember reading a lot of stories about people on the thread running with expanders, then the exchange, etc., so I hope some of those ladies will come forward with stories.

Looking forward to reading about your runs!

Lunderwood

Thank you so much! I most definitely welcome any advice. I held off registering for many races until I had a better idea what my treatment plan would include. But since surgery won't be immediate, I will be running the Texas Independence Relay in early April. This is a wild & crazy 200 mile relay from Gonzales, TX (just east of Austin) to Houston, TX. My team knows my diagnosis and has been very supportive. In the meantime, I will definitely plan on a few trail runs and half marathons. I will keep you posted.

geewhiz

Oh wow, Lunderwood - that is exciting!

I did implants but in hindsight, I might have considered a lat flap. I was highly opposed to more scars and intense surgery but I had to undergo SO many surgeries to get the implants correct. I did have rads so that made it tougher but I did lots of fatgrafting to soften the tissues. I have now seen lat flaps and it is a single surgery, using tissue with a blood supply and that is a huge deal. The scars are tiny thin lines, almost invisible - though I suppose this depends upon who does it. It is not an easy recovery as with any flap but if you go implants, know that revisions are often needed.

I have a hard time doing pullups and pushups anymore. The implant causes weird stretching in my pec, its bizarre looking. I have no problem with running though! And I did hot yoga all through treatment and started back up a month after surgery. My doctors had me out walking literally the night of every surgery, just no running that might raise heart rate and cause issues with stitches etc.

Good Luck with whatever you decide!!

Lunderwood

Thanks so much geewhiz for sharing your experience. At first an implant seemed the simplest option but now I realize that may not be the best route for an active person. I have never had surgery of any type so the whole concept of surgery and recovery is frightening. I can't imagine multiple surgeries but then again I never thought I would have BC either. I will definitely research lat flaps and discuss the option with my surgeon. (I have a visit on 2-23) I am glad to hear that either way running can still be in my future. Four weeks is a quick recovery. You must have been very motivated! I am also encouraged that you were walking again soon after surgery. That seems like a good way to recover and at least maintain a moderate fitness level. I greatly appreciate the feedback!!!

LuvLuLu

Welcome, Lunderwood . . . You sound much like me as far as your workouts. I run about 30 miles/week, do weights, hot yoga, and ride a horse. I am happy with my TRAM flap. I would have liked to have a DIEP, thinking I would lose core strength, but I didn't lose much really. I can still do plenty of crunches (in spite of what I had been led to believe). I was walking within a day of my surgery and running/walking within a month. If you go with a flap, be patient, listen to your body and you'll get there. However, you do have to have enough fat on your body to go this route. Also, the scars aren't really bad. It depends a lot on how you heal.

I think I'm the old lady of the group - turning 63 in April - but running keeps us young! I had my surgery in 2012.

Have signed up for a few races, maybe you can add to the list, goldlining?

BAA Distance Medley which consists of 3 races in Boston: 5K on April 16, 10K on June 26, Half-Marathon on October 9.

Also signed up for Boston Run to Remember Half-Marathon on May 29.

Run strong, ladies!

Lunderwood

Thank you LuvLuLu! I really appreciate your advice! I will definitely discuss the options of DIEP and TRAM Flap. I would love to say I don't have any body fat but there is definitely some to spare (in spite of all the crunches and running). I don't worry too much about what the incisions look like (I am definitely past the bikini age - if there ever was one for me.) It is so encouraging to hear how active you are and that you have resumed normal activities again. By the way 63 yrs old is not old - especially for trail runners. Last weekend, two of my running girlfriends, paced a 70+ gal in Huntsville, TX for a 100 mile trail run. She finished in 28 hours and set a new record for her age group. I truly believe age is only what you let it be and you are very young at heart and spirit! Keep running!

Last weekend I ran the MardiGras 5k in Nocona, TX and was 3rd place female overall. (Behind a 15 yr old and 21 yr old) not too bad for a 55 yr old grandma. This was the first competitive event I have entered since my diagnosis. Thanks to everyone's encouragement I will try a few more in the coming months.

cupcaker

Wow, Lunderwood, that's awesome that you placed in the 5K! Congrats!

I wanted to come in here and record my achievements this week. On Thursday, I did 3.3 miles at 43 minutes, doing run intervals, so I was able to achieve a 13 minute pace mile for the first time ever. And then yesterday, on Sunday morning, I walked 10 miles in 2 hours and 45 minutes. I also ate several cupcakes, so everything balanced out.

I just bought a book on ultra-marathoning. Not that I'll ever do a ultra-marathon, given that I still need to complete my first half-marathon, but it seems very interesting and a good way to distract myself during recovery.

Lunderwood

Good job cupcaker! You are well on your way to being ready for that half marathon! I had never run a step before until I was 46yrs old. I joined a group of women my age who ran trails (I had heard it trails were better for your joints) I had no idea they were endurance runners or even what ultra running was about. It's really as much about building mental endurance and confidence as much as the running ability. And women seem to have the mental toughness needed to keep going so I am absolutely sure you will be able to do an ultra run someday if you decide to give it a try! Keep up the running (and enjoy the cupcakes too!).

cupcaker

Thank you for your encouragement Lunderwood! I had tried getting into running 2 years ago but I started my current job and had a 2 hour commute for more than a year. So once I got closer to work this past fall, I knew that I was going to start making myself run again. I've been reading books about adventure sports, and I think ultra-marathoning is the only thing I'd be up for. I just read a book about George Mallory who tried to summit Mt Everest and now I'm reading about a woman who has climbed and skied all 7 summits. I admire people who can push themselves beyond their expectations.

My surgery is in a week and I've been feeling pretty positive this week. I had a horrible day today though - my mom took her car in this week and we're pretty sure that the dealership purposely screwed up her car. So now she doesn't have a car to get to and from the hospital. I have to teach her how to drive my car this week. BUT! when I was starting to feel low today, I got online and bought yet another pair of running shoes! I'm so glad that I got into training for a half - it's really been my lifeline for the past couple months!

Thanks for having this thread! (sorry if my posts sound like blog posts!)

goldlining

Aw cupcaker, sorry about all the obstacles jumping in the path, but I'm on the same wavelength ordering new shoes as a kickstart. My size hard to find in the store, which I can twist into another excuse, but just ordered a pair (new version of the same shoe I've had) online from roadrunner. Fingers crossed for both of us for the motivational shoes

Lunderwood

I think new running shoes are a super motivator!!! I've had good luck ordering from Roadrunner. They are great if you have to send them back or have an issue. Keep up the training! Every little bit will make a difference.

goldlining

I did 5K today around the circumference of the theme parks. Felt cranky and wanna-turn-back for the first 1km, but kept going. Had some convenient distraction from some ID pieces along the path that appear to have been removed and tossed from a stolen wallet. Picking them up took my mind off being cranky and I had a decent overall pace including mandatory walking through the park section. (And walked the stuff over to the park and gave to a city police officer there later.)

Hope to keep it up - felt good.