2017 Running Thread

bareclaws

cdv, I had to postpone #11 Taxol due to SEs piling up, not dissipating at all before next treatment. So that puts us in the same place! I plan to finish the last two in the coming two weeks. Neurapthy, yes mild symptomsi in my toes. but nothing that prevents me from walking or running, so far. My MO suggested magnesium cream for those symptoms but I discovered they are all in a softening cream base. My foot callouses were hard earned and are too important to my running to farkle with. No foot creams for me.

I'm having pulmonary issues from Herceptin, so mostly walking and little running, although I try to pick it up on the downhills. Also very hot here and that slows me down considerably. It is what it is.

marie11

Anyone here with any experience with wetsuits. I am concerned about the compression being a risk factor for lymphedema. I am doing a tri in September and would like to wear one but don't want to create any issues.

panthrah

lx #3 aug 14th.. back to work on the 16th ( first day with students) .. 10k and half marathon two weeks after surgery . I might be power walking it depending how things feel

nightcrawler

I'm sorry to hear about your setbacks, Panthrah. I'm sure you'll get through both of your races, even if you do have to walk most or even all of the distances.

I didn't do the 5K on the 4th of July, largely because both my husband and I had to work at noon that day, and I didn't want to have to drive out to the other side of town and be back here and ready to work by noon (we work from home). However, we have scheduled the Vestcor Bridges 5K this coming Saturday evening!

My biggest concern is that I will get my period. I am not missing this race. I will pop every pill in my cabinet and dope myself up until I can barely stand so I can stagger to that start line and crawl to the finish line. (F endometriosis. This disease has done more damage to my life and caused more problems than the cancer.)

LMichele

hey all,

I am glad to find this thread, I am back on the prowl on bco after disappearing for several years... I have an upcoming reconstruction revision and it is freaking me out...

I have plenty of time to fret and worry about the surgery because it isn't till December... BECAUSE... I am planning to run the Philadelphia Half Marathon in November (My second annual!)

(I am planning to replace my implants by DIEP surgery on top of smaller implants) (Scary and with a lot of downtime)

Looking forward to seeing what women who love to run are going through

Michele

marathongirl

I haven't checked in on the BCO running threads lately. Last time I did was late 2015, shortly after my simultaneous mastectomy and reconstruction. I have a goal to run a marathon in all 50 states. I had to alter my plans a little that year but I did manage to complete my 40th state in November of 2015. I now have two states left, Maine and Rhode Island, which are both planned in October. There is one little glitch that has brought me back on this site recently. My mammogram last month was abnormal. It showed architectural distortion but US and MRI are normal. They still want to do a biopsy which is scheduled Tuesday. (More detail about this in Biopsy or MRI thread.) I'm hoping and praying that all will be OK this time and that two out of three normal test findings is a good sign. Anyway, it is so great to see that there are so many other breast cancer survivors who are determined to stay active and fit during their treatments and beyond. Keep running ladies!

Jezikah

I haven't been on in awhile - busy living! But wanted to give a quick update on my half-marathon training. For those who don't recall my background, I've done a 5k here and there, but not a ton of running since high school and now I'm training for a half marathon! Training has been going really well. I've done my last 2 long runs with my best friend (since 1st grade!) who talked me into this and is doing the half with me. She's awesome. Anyway, I'm up to 7 miles on my long runs, will be 8 on Saturday. I ran 4 yesterday 2.5 this morning and have been adding a mile per week to my mid-week runs and a mile/week to my long runs.

It just really amazes me what my body can do and how resilient it really is. On my 4 mile run yesterday, I didn't stop once and I was under 12 minute miles, which is what I hope to do for my race pace. I beat my 4 mile run from last week by almost 3 minutes. In May when I started training, I couldn't even run a single mile without stopping to walk and it took me over 15 minutes to go one mile. I am just so gosh darn proud of myself and I want to scream and cry and have all the emotions sometimes when I think about it when I'm running. I know I'm just going to be a crying mess at the finish line when I finish this race. It's going to be amazing!

marathongirl

Good news! My biopsy was benign. And good luck everyone on your upcoming races!

bareclaws

Jezikah, you're a rock star! Way to bounce back and be an inspiration to everyone! I hope to copy you and be running HMs again in 2018. Seems a stretch at the moment but I'm determined and motivated.

panthrah

Im glad to see all the happy posts Ive been out at comic con and my roller derby convention ( they even have a team of bc survivors ) all is well here. Just putting all the things away from 2 back to back conventions. but 14 days of 12 hr days.. mostly without sitting or breaks totally counts for training right? I also think next year i will be bringing my running rehab stuff to rollercon ( foam rollers, gu, tennis ball, bio freeze, the stick) because i think the skaters need to know about these things . when my worlds collide

cdv4251992

So I got tired of waiting for everything to feel perfect and went for a run. My feet feel weird and I used awalk/run program I used 10 yrs ago when I started running, but it's something. And it felt good to move.

cdv4251992

Shoe question. I've used Brooks Adrenaline for years and they work well for me. I have a narrow heel and they come in narrow, which helps the fit at the back of my foot. Now, with the neuropathy in my toes (numbness, tingling) I'm wondering if something with a bigger toe box might be better since I can't really feel if there is rubbing, etc. Does anyone wear Hoka's? I've heard they are very comfortable. I know they look funny,but I've gotten over wearing cute shoes because I wear a 12 and no one makes their cute colors in that size, lol.

stephincanada

CDV, I am a size 12, too!! I love Saucony running shoes. I just googled Hoka shoes and, my, those are big soles! But if it works for you, go for it. Life's about you seeing the world, not the world seeing you. (I say that to myself when I fret about my eyebrows not having grown back, etc.) So sorry to hear that your neuropathy is so bad. I hope it resolves once you are done.

GreenEyes81

cdv4251992, I wore Brookes for years and had to switch due to them getting too narrow for me. I just got a pair of Saucony as well. Amazing! Still fits in the heel but my toes can breath!

I just found this thread and so excited! I had a single masectomy 3 1/2 weeks ago. I am scared to walk, let alone run and cause a seroma. How soon did you guys get back out and run?

How about after double recon? Looking at that in a few months as well. Not seeing the end of this at all.

Daira

Hi everybody. I'am breast cancer survivor (2012. - 2013. operation, chemo, radiation) and I am going to my first half marathon (I'am 49). I don't know may I take BCAA (Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplements) just for few longest training and half marathon and also some energy gel. Will it be 'food' for cancer cells if any exists in my body. I haven't found anything at the forum about protein supplements for runners so I don't know if you are taking theese. Thank you and best wishes to all you runners.

panthrah

well ladies.. I survived the Disneyland Double Dare.. this was the hottest race to date!! the start was 83 and we finished in 95 degrees... 3 weeks post op from my 3rd lx ( dr said no activity for 6 weeks) .. I knew I wasnt going to be running because of being post op.. but omg the heat!!!!! so I would leap frog people. the half was insane so I power walked 90% of it. if there was any running I held my boob ( I have a race pic of me clutching my boob hehe) Dr gave me extra steri strips so I wouldnt split back open and said there might be swelling. well nothing opened and the original swelling hasnt gone away so it seems fine. actually pre race the incision looked angry. and now it looks way way better. many people people were dropping out at mile 2, 5, and 8 ( no idea why those miles). the race even got red flagged. I read it got black flagged ( no other confirmation on this) . my finishline pic on the half makes it look like Im praising the runDisney gods that the race was over LOL .. my only goal was to finish.. I didnt care if i was last. this was not a race for time.. wouldnt have been safe. and because I walked ( looking like a little chiwawa ) Im not sore today * shrug*

kalenji

I had a unilateral mastectomy last year. Did a 10km about 10 weeks after the surgery. I did it slow and easy. Any sign of discomfort I would walk. I was more worried about getting lymphedema and am still careful about it. Did a couple of events this year including a half marathon in April. Have lined up a 10 km in Sep, another half marathon in Oct and a 10 km in Nov. I no longer go for speed at these events. Just happy to finish the distance without injury and complications.

For shoes, I've used Brooks Adrenaline but I like my Asics Kayano more. I wear about 2 sizes up to give lots of wriggle space for my toes.

This month I'll be getting my first mammogram for my remaining breast after my surgery. I'm nervous about it. I hope to be able to do the HM in Oct with peace of mind.

Moderators

Daira, welcome to the BCO community, and so excited for you to try your first half marathon. The other members may have some experience with Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplements but we strongly recommend that you talk with your treatment team before taking anything.

panthrah, congratulations, and fabulous photos!

panthrah

Kalenji- if you give me the names of the races I will add them to the list

anyone else have races that need to be added tot he list??

And Moderators .. Thanks

I run in Brooks Ghosts .. they seem to have a wide toe box for me

Runnermum

Hello! I have been following this thread and believe I posted in it a few months ago right after I was diagnosed.

I have been a runner for the past 13 years. Ran in HS too but quit for a number of years before starting up again. Half marathons are my favorite race distance. Mostly I run to feel healthy, strong and because i love to run! I continued to run this summer after diagnosis and between my lumpectomy, re-excision and before starting chemo. I am now continuing to run during chemo. My pace is about a minute per mile slower and my legs are heavy but I am still running. Trying to get about 15 miles a week in on my off chemo week right now. Less miles during chemo week but doing lots of walking too. Who else ran thru chemo? I am half way done...start DD Taxol next week. I credit my running and yoga for how well I am feeling!

bareclaws

Runnermum, I tried to keep running through chemo and have been mostly successful, although there was a four week period during AC where I did nothing. I shed all my foot callouses during that regimen. Taxol was easier and my energy started to return during radiation. Running will help you through this, for sure.

VL22

Hi! Before all this BC nonsense I was running 15 miles per week (9 minute miles) and walking about 30. AC is knocking me out, especially the 3rd one. I'm still walking a lot, but running only 2 miles per week at s turtle pace.My 4th AC is this week. I'm hoping on weekly Taxol I might be able to do more - it is not the tiredness as much as nausea that is slowing me down.

Glad to see others are faring better! Running is my saving grace mentally and not being able to do it has been extremely hard emotionally

Runnermum

VL I agree. I need to run, it has saved me thru everything the past 5 months. I ran thru all of my AC treatments! First DD Taxol is this week. I think I am too stubborn to stop. My main is issue is fatigue in my legs...My legs during my 3 & 4 mile runs feel like I am running 13 miles. Just plain dead all the time. Need to do more yoga and Epsom salt baths. And I too hope Taxol will be easier. Like my neighbor told me the other night when he saw me out running "keep on, keeping on"

bareclaws

VL22 and Runnermum, I found it much easier to run through Taxol than AC. In fact, there were about four weeks during AC when I couldn't run at all, and even had to have someone walk my dogs a few times. Please consider icing feet during Taxol to save your nails and mitigate neuropathy. My strength started to return toward end of Taxol and throughout radiation. So,have a good run!

Unbreakable01

I haven't posted in a while, but have kept running. I ran the Global Energy 5k this past weekend. My goal was 8:50/mile I paced at 8:56. We got there as everybody started and had to rush and zig zag through people. This is why I normally don't race with people, they show up late.

It was fun. I may run a 5k in October. It may be my annual bday run.

My dog hurt her paw so we've been walking these past few weeks instead of running. I know how she feels, but she needs to heal.

Runrcrb

I did not run through chemo - I found it too depressing to see just how short a distance I'd run compared to how I felt. Decided that was my body telling me it could really only do one thing at a time and it needed to fight cancer. I ran after mastectomy until a week or two into chemo. I walked or swam an hour a day during chemo. I had to stop swimming for during radiation and started to run again at that time (with a few bike rides thrown in, weather permitting). I ran a 5K two weeks after radiation ended and another one (Race for the Cure) about 3 weeks later. I ran and did bootcamp workouts all summer, getting my run/walk combo up to 8:1 and just completed a half marathon on Oct 1.

I did notice that upon starting anastrozole (1 month after radiation ended), running was harder, legs felt heavier, and I'm just plain slower - off 1 min per mile. Of course, the hot flashes impeding a decent night's sleep don't help. I am one week into exemestane - hoping to see fewer side effects and less joint pain.

I'm back in the pool until reconstruction in December and since that surgery will put me back at ground zero for all activity, I'm not sweating my slow running, swimming or biking.

Keep up the great work of being active, even if the running is slower, during chemo.

panthrah

you are still lapping everyone on the cough AND while dealing with all this crap. so please be proud of yourself.. you are doing amazing

panthrah

I think all my runDisney folks have moved on from the group or are no longer posting. but in case any of them are here or anyone of you were thinking about joining a disney race. all disney races at disneyLAND have been canceled until further notice.. they are talking 2-3 years . disneyland and anahiem are fighting .. each stating different reasons .

If you are looking for a race in your area or other places.. this site has been repeatedly posted in my other running groups as a good go to site .

Running in the USA

Since disney was my go to race place.. I will be checking out this site. my husband and my bank account are very happy with the cancelations of the races

marathongirl

Hi Ladies,

Happy Pinktober! I haven't been terribly active on this thread but I just wanted to report the good news that I reached a long term goal of mine earlier this month. I have run (or run/walk I should say) a full marathon in all 50 states! I suppose it is fitting for a BC survivor to finish in October. I ran my first marathon in 2000 and got serious about completing the states in 2008, around the same time of my first DCIS diagnosis. Keep running ladies! Nothing gives cancer the middle finger like crossing a finish line and accomplishing a goal. You are all beautiful and inspiring!

Carolyn

Unbreakable01

I ran a 5k on Saturday.It was supposed to be my birthday run and first birthday in 3 years without anything major with cancer, just tamoxifen. They messed up on the course. I was in the front part of the group and we weren't supposed to loop but the volunteers let us go. It was an extra .42 miles added. Mile 2 was at mile 1. I was all messed up. I wanted to pace near 8:40, but after that first mile I had no idea if the rest of the course was messed up. Based on my 3.52 mile 5k I paced at 8:53. I must add one by de