2017 Running Thread

bareclaws

Jezikah, you've got four months, plenty of time to get ready for a half! I started thinking today about when I might be able to do any kind of race again and decided that a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot is a reachable goal. In the interim, I still have to finish Taxol, have radiation, keep up with weekly Herceptin, and move to another state. So yeah, even a Turkey Trot seems ambitious at the moment.

grainne

Hi, everyone. I have a terrible cheek being on this thread: I am not a runner and I am completely in awe of you all. I'm looking for advice and encouragement. Prediagnosis I took almost no exercise, although I was supple and vigorous and carried no weight. I am now 58. I had whole breast rads and am now on tamoxifen. I have been exercising since june last year, firstly brisk walking and then from last october,trying to run for short and then slightly longer stretches. My progress, however, is painfully slow. Someone earlier mentioned a couch to 5k, which I think usually can be accomplished in 6 weeks. I don't feel as if i will ever be able to do that. I just about ran a mile for the first time a week ago, slowly and slightly downhill the whole way! Any slight hill defeats me completely. Have I left it too late? Has the radiation (left breast ) or the tamoxifen made it too difficult to make any progress? Is there anything I can do to increase my lung capacity? And why can I run a mile one day and a few days later I find even a few hundred steps like a marathon?

Even apart from the effect on recurrence, running/walking really gives me a boost. I am a bit dispirited, however, because it is so difficult to improve. Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

Micmel

grainne~ I can totally relate. I just learned to accept progress that I can see, which is why my mother got me a fit bit. I track everything. Steps, work outs, sleep. It helps me get my steps up each day and I can see the progress even if itisn't as fast as I would like! It just makes a difference to see it build up week to week. I still have bad days, but overall I have to just be happy with what I can do and realize I am lucky enough to feel my feet. Last week I jogged 22 miles, this week I'll be lucky if I get ten. Weather wasn't real great. But any movement is good for you. You will slowly feel better but keep at it. Pay attention to your footing, the last thing you want is to fall! I know how clumsy I am!! Good luck and keeping all close in prayer ! ~M~

bareclaws

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grainne, it's not too late. I didn't start running until I was 61and it took me 16 weeks to get through a 12 week C25K. Please pick a program that's at least 12 weeks long. And then take it at a doable pace for you. It's OK to repeat weeks!! The way you are approaching this, walk and run, is exactly what you should be doing. Do not feel that you have to run nonstop. I don't, never did, never will, but can (could) still place in my age group in races. It's a legitimate and healthy approach to running. (Check out Jeff Galloway.) As for having good and then bad days, we all do! I had a great walk/run yesterday and a much much slower one today, even though my perceived effort was exactly the same. The difference? Temperature and humidity. Also, I went into yesterday rested and today I was sore from yesterday. It makes a difference. But the gains are there, no matter the conditions. I slog through the heat and humidity of a Texas summer with terrible times, but then see the results in the fall when it's a bit cooler and dryer.

You can play games with hills. Pick a mailbox or a fire hydrant and just go for it. Then catch your breath and do light post to light post. Do a few of these every few days. Little bursts, or fartleks, will teach your muscles how to run fast.

Do you listen to music when you run? I have a special running playlist and I always run better when I listen to it. But I save it for once or twice a week at most, otherwise it gets stale and doesn't work. There are some great running podcasts out there too. I highly recommend Mojo for Running by Debbie Voiles. She's dry, but has good information and I really liked hearing it from a woman.

Where do you run? Try lots of routes and surfaces! Here's a chance to explore. I've lived in the same place for over thirty years but honestly didn't know the neighborhood until I started running. Who knew

grainne

Thank you both so much for your great replies. I don't think I would mind slow progress too much (at least not to the point where I was discouraged) if only it was steady... small but consistant improvements. I can't blame the humidity.. this is Ireland and we are having our usual cool fresh spring. I run/walk on country roads in the glens of antrim, which is very beautiful, if a little hilly! I am completely in awe at the 22 miles of jogging in one week! I like the sound of fartlek and will definitely look into that

I'm just back now from a 2 1/2 miles walk/run ( my friend calls it a wun) and it went a bit better.

bareclaws, I see you are tubular like me

it's good to talk.

bareclaws

"discouraged) if only it was steady... small but consistant improvements

Be patient! Don't look for improvements over days or weeks, but rather months and seasons

cdv4251992

Grannie, great advice here and it truly is never too late. I second the Jeff Galloway suggestion. The walk/run pattern method is very effective and many, many people use it to run everything from just running for fitness and enjoyment to running marathons. I use walk/run when I've come back from injuries or illness in the past and plan to do that again as soon as I am released this time. It's perfect for getting started but is also a legitimate way to run if you never drop the walk intervals.

Micmel

completely agree on the walk and run. Even When I wasn't sick I would use that tactic anyway. They say short bursts are very good for building up stamina. I also agree to use visual aids as you run. If you notice a green house on the side of the street. Say to yourself. I'm going to run to that green house. When you get to the green house, fast walk your pace and take a few mins to steady your breathing and body, then set another visual aid and say I will fast walk to the stop sign. Then when you hit the stop sign, start to jog again. It works for me and I find that when I'm done I still feel those powerful endorphins kicking in with some satisfaction. You can do it! It might take months or seasons , like bare said. But you can see it happening. That's why I love my fit bit! Keeps me wanting to see the results as I improve everything ! Stay strong! ~M~

Now if only I could ditch the scanxiety! Ugh!

bareclaws

International Association of Women Runners

bareclaws

Run Walk Method

I feel like a real poser, laying here on the couch while I send these links and give advice about running.

Micmel

bare~ not my best day of the week either. But last week I did five days out of the week. This week only two. My fit bit resets Sundays. So it looks like next week won't be much better. I scan and have. Bloodwork and XGeva shot. Yuck! Enjoy relaxing! ~M~

grainne

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. I'm loving this thread!

Bareclaws, thank you for those links: I read them with great interest.

Thank you all for your encouragement. I really didn't know walk/run/walk was a recognised technique. I thought it was something I dId because i couldnt run properly. My aim is to run 5k without walking at all. You are right to advise taking a longer view. When i began in october i could only run 50 or so steps before i had to walk. Now, at least I have run a mile, albeit downhill, so I have definitely made progress.

micmel, lm sorry you are facing a scan. I hope all goes well for you.

ClarkBlue

So... I'm not a runner. Never have been. My mom and her dad are/were runners. I always thought there was something spring wrong with them hahahaha

Diagnosed at 45,Feb 2016. BMX, chemo, radiation now OS and AI. The works.

Prior to diagnosis I smoked, ate like shit and never exercised.

A year later, I'm 25lbs lighter, haven't smoked since April 2016, eat mostly a plant-based diet, and have recently started running. I'm currently up to 25min/day or about 1.75 miles. I walk 5 min before and 5min after. My goal is to lose another 15 and run 25miles a week.

Who'd a thought I would be healthier than I was a year ago...???

I gotta do everything I can to keep fucking cancer from coming back.

Thanks for starting this thread!

-Keely

grainne

Hi, keeley. Good for you! That is a fantastic response to bc. I couldn't agree more about a proactive approach. Looks like you only finished your treatment in october so you really have climbed a mountain. Do you run for 25 mins and walk 5 before and 5 after? How long did it take you to get up to that? I see your aim is 25 miles a week. That is a lot! My immediate aim is to run 5k . At the rate I'm improving it will take me at least another few months to get up to that. Eventually id like to do a 5k run about 4 times a week as a kind of maintainance programme but I'm a long way off that! I'm just in from a walk/run and i ran the first mile in 9mins 38 secs. I walked most of the remaining 1 1/2miles but I'm pretty pleased! Like you, i took no exercise at all before diagnosis.

cdv4251992

Ladies who are hormone positive, have you found any effect from tamoxifen or AIs on your running? I am very slightly PR positive and ER negative, but my MO is pushing that I need hormone therapy of some type. My greatest fear is that after being restricted from running for what seems like an eternity, when I do get back to it, hormone therapy and the SEs might derail me.

Micmel

CDC~ I take anastrazole(arimidex) for my ER positive cancer and have been for about six months. At first I had to adjust because it does cause some back pain and joint inflammation. But I never gave up, I have a pallative care doctor and she's amazing, I take a small dose of Percocet a few times a day, for mild bone pain and back pain, with some Aleve and other supplements. I also am and have been a runner, day I was diagnosed at stage four I ran that morning 6.5 miles in a little over an hour, I still am back to running and it's hard but I'm doing it. Tuesday I ran for about 38 mins and it was awesome. Don't ever stop running. It's good for your body and mind. Good job everyone getting out there!! ~M~

bareclaws

Keely, you totally rock. But you are wrong about one thing. You ARE a runner!

grainne

We all rock! How focused and determined you all are. I feel energised just sitting here watching tv. I'm definitely getting out on the roads tomorrow!

cdv my bs told me running would help with sides effects of tamoxifen. I have very few side effects so he may be right.

micmel, i will be thinking of you tomorrow

Micmel

grainne~ thank you,very sweet for you to remember! I'm a nervous wreck. You all help so much. 💜~M~

stephincanada

Hi all,

After finishing rads, I worked my way up to jogging (slowly) four miles a day. I pulled my hamstring and have been out for three weeks. I am so bummed! It is just not healing. Any tips?

Grainne, another suggestion (in addition to the great ones already posted here) is good music. I find it completely energizes me.

Finally, this meta analysis of the lifestyle factors that affect our mortality is all the motivation I need to get off the couch:

http://m.cmaj.ca/content/189/7/E268.full?sid=7f8ff7bd-4f52-4360-b533-584e0b2c120a

Note that "physical activity can reduce breast cancer mortality by about 40% and has the most powerful effect of any lifestyle factor on breast cancer outcome".

Whenever I don't feel like moving, I just say to myself: "FORTY PERCENT!!!!"

Thanks for starting this great thread.

Stephanie

cdv4251992

Grainne, that is so encouraging to hear about tamoxifen. I love reading about people who are able to tolerate the drugs because it makes me feel hopeful. Chemo went well today, just a long day being the 1st treatment and all. I'm hoping to talk to the surgeon tomorrow about how long the activity restrictions will last. I did go back to the gym with my husband this week to walk on the treadmill while he worked out. It took will power to keep the leisurely pace. But I don't want to risk anything happening after dealing with the stupid infection. You all give me such hope I can get back to the runner I was in November.

ErenTo

Hi All, hope you don't mind if I join you! I'm not a serious runner, always did it on and off, but have always been pretty serious about exercise and had gym membership all my life. Decided not to renew my membership for the next few months, so I'll be forced to run outside. Like grainne, started with running & walking, hoping to increase the running intervals. Also a big fan of HIIT. Unfortunately, slipped down our stairs and hurt my pinkie toe (Ouch!) and have bruises all over my left leg, but hoping to get back to running soon.

Thanks for the thread and inspiration!

grainne

hello, all. Shortish walk/run tonight. Long and stressful day at work and tempted not to go, despite being so keen and enthusiastic yesterday (while lying on the sofa). My husband, who runs for miles every other day, offered to go with me and we did about 25 mins with a bit of interval training. He was so shocked when he said "now , up the pace" and I SPRINTED! Only for about 30 yards but he just didn't think I was capable! So that made me feel good. What is HIIT, Erento? How are you feeling now?

Stephincana, i pound grimly along muttering 40% too. It is an amazing statistic. I can't understand why the doctors don't make a bigger fuss about it. It's a better reductioñ than tamoxifen, no side effects, many benefits and absolutely free.

I hate having had bc and all the crap that comes with it and the unending anxiety pushed to the back of my mind but never quite gone but I am hugely grateful for the totally unexpected benefit of this new interest as well as the chance to connect with all of you from half way round the world.

ErenTo

grainne, HIIT is High Intensity Interval Training. It's basically a cardio workout that alternates between short periods of intense anaerobic exercise with recovery periods, it could be 1 min intense, then 2 min recovery repeated in several sets. It's basically a short but intense workout. You can do it by running, cycling, body weight, etc. It's not for everyone, you need a decent baseline fitness to do this.

Here is an interesting article from NY Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/23/well/move/the-b...

But more unexpected results were found in the biopsied muscle cells. Among the younger subjects who went through interval training, the activity levels had changed in 274 genes, compared with 170 genes for those who exercised more moderately and 74 for the weight lifters. Among the older cohort, almost 400 genes were working differently now, compared with 33 for the weight lifters and only 19 for the moderate exercisers.

I'm better, thanks! Still have bruises but not much pain, managed to squeeze in a 20 min slowish run.

panthrah

*list updated Jezikah :)

Nice to read all the posts again glad people are out and moving. me?? Ive been couch ridden with bronchitis and a sinus infection for 2 weeks. watched 15 movies this weekend. this coming weekend ( mothers day) I have a 10k sat and a half on sun. I dont expect a pr.. but im going to go for it then the following is when i have my next u/s. I set it up that way cause after one they always want to poke me! I decided not before race weekend.. so there * stomps foot*

panthrah

OOOOOOOOO I forgot to post Post run pics.. the castway cay 5k ( disneys private island) and the darkside challenge medal pics! this was husbands first coast to coast run.. thats why he has 2 more medals than me .. i did that last year . its was 76 at 230 am and 83 % humidity yuk

Micmel

way to go ! Pan! That's awesome! youre a lovely lady! I am also battling that mean cold and have not been able to get out there. Not to mention the pollen is awful, I don't know what I'm breathing in with all this yellow coating all cars and etc with pollen. We need a good few days of rain to Get rid of all this pollen! In the northeast Yuck! Great job. Inspired hoping to at least walk some today. ~M~

I've also noticed that my foot is really bothering me on the inside. I know I have been pushing myself these past weeks to get back out there, I don't think my body likes the asphalt too much. It's tough on my knees and feet. I am forced to stay off of it for a few weeks at least. I hope it will heal. I'm not very pleased at all. It makes me so mad, before this awful cancer diagnosis,I was running 6-8 miles a day four or five times a week along with strength training and free weights. I miss feeling strong. I miss feeling like my old self! such a miserable disease this is. I also Am not ready to join a gym again, I dont really want to be around people who knew what I used to be.

grainne

Thanks for that, Erento. II'll maybe work my way up to it! It sounds like the sort of thing you really need someone to supervise or plan for you.

Panthrah, I too am seriously impressed. If I posted a photo of me post exercise you would see a woman in late middle age with a face the colour of a tomato leaning up against a wall gasping for breath. I'll spare you all the pain!

micmel, you sound very down. How did your scan and bloodwork go? Your last paragraph is painfully honest and speaks to us all...one of the great benefits of being on this board. You were clearly tremendously athletic and fit before diagnosis. Why wouldn't you be again? Things are different now but they won't always be. Rest your foot and give it a chance to heal. It has nothing to do with cancer, it's just a standard running injury. You will feel well and strong again. It is a rotten miserable disease but, to use Bare's phrase, we totally rock!

grainne

micmel, I'm going to run for you tonight! I'm going for a walk/run in a cool green pollen free forest 3000 miles away from you and I will be thinking of you.

Micmel

Grainne~ I did get my results back, yesterday! There was nothing shown on any soft tissue organs at all and I am considered stable. I'll take it. A small portion of a bone met shrunk, I am hoping that they will keep me on the ibrance arimidex combo for a good long time. Some scar tissue was mentioned, counts were a tad low but blood work was again good. So I'm thankful to the results. Thank you so much for asking. I do love my excersise and it hits me hard when I can't even control that. You're a sweet woman. I think I would like to hug you!!😊 Prayers always ~M~