I am sick of this c crap and am jumping back right in !!!
Previous to sh.. hitting the you know what I used to be a trigeek ( triathlon geek) doing long distance events, I was never competitive but was addicted to the long hours of training. Since july 2007 I had 4 surgeries !!!! chemo rads.. and I have been trying to 'domesticate' myself by being a bit more calm, just doing 30-40 minute workouts at the gym saying that 'this is good for me'
Result : gained 40 pounds, almost went into depression.. according to my hd I was in depression ... and am totally out of shape.
Today is my birthday I felt no compassion to anything whatsoever until I started browsing the triathlon web sites.. Mind me at this point I can not even run 1 minute .. I have done some 5-10 k's prior to my hysterectomy oopherectomy 4 weeks ago but at a slug pace mainly walking them.
And then I saw a Half Ironman event in Disney on May '09 exactly 6 months from today and went ahead and registered for it .. I felt soo good.
I will not comply, I will notchange I liked who I was and I will return to what I was ( minus the cra..py c cells !!! )
Ohh I felt soo good after I hit that registration button, and cannot wait until I get home to write up a training plan.. it will be tough I might not be able to finish the event .. or even if I finish it might not be a decent time but who cares .. the road to the start line is what is important the race is just an icing on the cake. I have done these suckers ( not this one) before and I know their essence.
Phewww a load has been lifted, I am back in the tri scene !!!! I think this is the way to go .. follow your heart to whereever it wants to go,.
Comments
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Happy Birthday!!!! a the best of luck to you!!!
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Happy birthday to you TriGeek, and do what makes you happy!
Sheila
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Happy Birthday!
Team Survivor fosters and promotes opportunities for physical activity for female cancer survivors, including the Danskin tri-athelon series. This is a link to the national website if you are looking for training buddies who understand. It looks like there is an Orlando affiliate.
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Happy BIRTHDAY TRIGEEK! AND YOU GO GIRL!
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on a much smaller scale I am finishing my last chemo tomorrow and running in a 5k turkey trot on Thanksgiving - at least I hope I am. furthest I have gone during treatment is 2 miles but I am hoping adreniline kicks in - or I will walk.
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Trigeek - Good for you to give yourself the best gift possible for your birthday. Happy Birthday! You and I are about 5 months difference in our treatment schedule as the chemo and radiation goes. You had many more surgeries. I can only speak for the chemo/radiation but have to say that for me (approaching one year post treatment), the strength and endurance is finally kicking in.
In addition to feeling much stronger on my runs and able to run an hour each day and a couple hours for a weekend run, I am also seeing my stamina with just getting things done. Getting up at 5 AM and hunkering down to work before my run. Working with a focused effort. Getting projects done around the house like removing wallpaper and painting, yard work etc. It's all been kicking in this last month.
Be good to yourself. It sounds like you are with today's birthday gift. Get your training plan in place and just like any 12 step program - one day at a time. And use us. Give us updates. We're here to be your cheerleaders.
Debbie
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Sheila Candy Wishi !!! thank you so much for your good wishes.
Everyminute congrats !!! making it to the start line of a 5k right after chemo is really impressive
Bomber you are giving me hope chemo never did you in I do remember, I was doing some stuff but mainly walking. Now I have a huge behind that feels like I am carrying a toddler on my butt ! I think 40 pound weight gain is where I really did myself in. Now aiming to lose 2-3 pounds/ week hopefully the registration fee I paid will be a deterrent from seeking comfort food.
Will keep you all posted on how I am revamping. !
Hmm.. not let me try to work on this training plan.. boy this is fun and challenging since it has been 4 weeks since my hysterectomy/ oopherectomy ( luckily it was laparosc.. but there are still internal stitches I was told and I am supposed to take it easy up to 6 weeks.
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Happy Birthday! You go, girl!
I've never been the tri-type, but our local YMCA sponsered a mini-tri a few years ago, complete with training. It was swimming 12 laps, spinning 4 miles, and running one mile on the indoor track. It was a blast! The swimming kicked my butt (I was the slowest) but hell, I was also the oldest woman non-swimmer.
It was good to have a goal. And with a goal, you can take baby steps to reach it. In this case, it's the journey, not the destination (or time.) It's all good!
Please keep us posted on your efforts as you embrace health in this new year of yours!
Anne
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and happy birthday - I am looking forward to following your progress. Just got back from the gym - walked a mile, ran 2 miles - in 34 mins...Well at least I was never really fast anyway so I dont have much to work back up to! Was closer to a 8.5 - 9 min mile before .....
Good luck and keep us posted!
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TriGeek,
I am reading that Lance Armstrong book, you sound like him! ... YOU GO GIRL!!
"May our lives be in harmony with our true inner spirits". (Part of a Yoga blessing).
You are doing it! Follow your heart!
Spring
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May '09?? You will piss it in
(that's Australian for, "You will romp it in") XXX -
Kerry thanks for adding a new word to my dictionary lol... !!! Spring you are honoring me, the only resemblance is my hard headedness which I tried to tame after being diagnosed but apparently it did not work. Anne !!! so nice to hear from you again !
This is my plan, I found a half ironman training plan from www.trinewbies.com it is an 18 week one,their assumption to start training is :
The following program is designed for the triathlete who has competed in several triathlons, perhaps even a season of triathlons, preferably Olympic Distance Races. It also takes into consideration he or she can run at least 7 miles or about an hour with relative ease, swim at least 5000 yards per week and ride at least 25-30 miles 3 times per week on the bike
Counting back 18 weeks from May 17th ( thats when the Florida Half Ironman is) I need to start the training plan on 12th of January that gives me 7 weeks in which I have to be able to work up to the distances stated above sounds doable at this point. Although my slug ( cannot even call it jog) pace is about 14-15 min/mile, and my bike speed on the flats is 13 mph.
Present health challenges/variables:
- 1 - Heel spurs are a big problem in the mornings until I warm up I have to walk by leaning on furniture for a couple of minutes after getting up(I was given cortisone pills which I have not taken yet)
2 - I am on Arimidex which is said to play a trick on the joints it has been 4 weeks I do not feel anything hopefully that will continue.
3 - I will be getting Zometa infusions for bone strengthening starting in January due to osteopenia am not sure of its side effects - 4 - Insomnia due to night flushes, tried Ambien CR which made me have anervous breakdown, presently taking 15 mg Melatonin which is partially working I do not want to take any more meds.
- 5 - A big a.. !! ( the 40 pounds I gained) - will try following weight watchers presently am 166 pounds yikes !!! I was around 130 when this all started.
I am a member of the Central Florida Tri club and the coach gives weekly workouts on the website and meets some mornings for swim and run training ( I do not like them cause they are at 5 am !!! ) I can follow their workouts too occasionally and run my questions by him.
Talked to the masters coach he charges 30 usd monthly from swimmers and they meet 4 times week in the evenings, I do not like infusing myself with the Y chlorinated water but I guess I will go to 2 sessions/week. I do not like the idea of paying 30 usd monthly but I guess Imight need some help on my swim.
I will not be doing weight training because it takes me forever to recover from an intense session(although I probably should due to osteopenia) but instead will do power yoga 1-2 sessions a week I do believe that I have enough body weight to challenge my bones.
Well now back to work ... I will see how this all rolls out.Thanks for supporting me here !
- 1 - Heel spurs are a big problem in the mornings until I warm up I have to walk by leaning on furniture for a couple of minutes after getting up(I was given cortisone pills which I have not taken yet)
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TG,
You are an inspiration!!! I want to follow you so I remember how important it is to keep active! You are the role model!
Spring.
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Trigeek -
Happy Bday and congrats on signing up for the Ironman event!!! That is truly awesome and inspirational. And your training regimen above, whoa. You are something else, girl. Please let us know how you progress.
On a much smaller scale for me as well - I used to run 4-5 miles 5 - 6 x per week before chemo, now at a turtle pace mind you, but nonetheless, I ran - my goal was not to walk. After chemo, I would run 1/2 a mile and be short of breath and just exhausted. One day I almost cried in frustration.
Now about 2 years later, I am running about 3.5 miles maybe 2 - 3 x a week. Not quite back to par yet, but getting there.
Anyway - again congrats on your sign up and your training!!! Sounds like this is just what the doctor ordered.
Spring - I LOVE the Lance Armstrong book and have read it twice.
Raye
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How goes the training, Trigeek?
I ran my 5k on Thanksgiving am - didnt walk a step!!! Finished in 33 mins (3.1 miles) - certainly not my pre bc time but people still finished behind me (although not too many!) Having my ooph/hysterectomy next week and havent run again though I have been getting my hour of exercise in almost every day.
Wish I had better weather to run in - treadmills are so boring!
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Trigeek: I am SO SORRY! I weighed 166 when I was dx, now I weight 129. That is uncanny! I truly did not mean to give it to you. BUT I AM NOT TAKING IT BACK. You are going to have to find someone else to take it. How about finding someone with big boobs who loves to flaunt them. She needs a bigger butt and a bigger head too!
I lost it by not dieting. Diets never worked for me. It took me a year.I just started eating healthy and exercising daily and the pounds came off on their own, 1-2 per week. Get rid of all the junk and sugar, anything with preservatives, msg, etc, no gluten, no diary. You would be surprised how much better veggies taste when you lose your taste for the other stuff. Drink lots of green tea. It is good for you and ups the metabolism. I eat all day now. Just smaller meals and healthy snacks. Thinking that it was all about good health and not the pounds was my continued motivation. Whenever I think I want a piece of cake, I remind myself that I do not want to go back there, and I lose my desire for the cake. But I still eat lots of chocolate. Make sure is is dark and pure. I am not a martyr!
Also, when I upped my melatonin to 100mg it worked better. They have a chewable 200ml one at trader joe's. I eat half each night. For the first time in a while I get 8 hours. But it is very light sensitive for some reason so you have to wear an eye mask or have a really dark room.
Great to see you back on track! Hope it is all going well.
Everyminute: I hate treadmills too. Weather is no excuse. I walked all winter, in the snow and plan to do it again this year. It is so beautiful and quiet. Even a rainy day with an umbrella is fun. Think "Singin in the Rain". Enjoy mother nature!
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vivre You have inspired me to get my but out the door. I also hate the treadmill. I will bundle up and find a girlfriend to walk with. Thanks
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Thanks gals. I have started my ramp up the real structured training will start in january. The goal was to lose some extra luggage till then but my body does not seem to agree with me .. and my appetite is not helping either !
So I am doing 1 long ride a week ( about 40 miles ) and 2 short ones ( 15-20ish).. started jog walking.. currently i am up to 45 sec jog, 2:45 min walk which averages to about 14:24 min/miles for a long run of 4.5 miles(3-4 times/week) I am increasing the jog portion by 15 seconds every week so next week I will be jogging fr 1 min and walking for 2. Have not hit the pool yet.
So everyminute you are speedy ! My best at a 5k was around 27+ something pre-bc pre 40pounds !!
I am trying to do yoga 3-4 times/week to strengthen my muscles help my osteopenia, and stretch my tight muscles which have been idle for a while. I also started taking Strontium which is supposed to be better than calcium for bone strengthening.
The heel spurs , plantar fascitis is getting worse as my training progresses, I almost need a cane when I get out of the bed in the mornings or when I get up from sitting for a long time. Might bite the bullet and take the cortisone pills do not know why I am not taking them actually.
Can I share something else ? Just as I thought I could move forward my father got diagnosed with pancreatic cancer .. seems locally advanced we are still waiting for results. I might need to go and help him out since his wife is not with him and I am an only child.
I will continue my training but this did bog me down a bit and sent me to the chocolate bin at the office.. I was bingeing on chocolate while talking to myself ' your father is NOT in a dove wrapper.. stop this sabotage' but I needed some tlc some comfort food. All the holiday functions are not helping my goal.
Will keep chugging along with your support !
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Aylin,
I'm sorry to hear about your Dad. And yes, we find comfort in the Dove wrapper, or the Jack Daniels bottle, or the Cheesecake Factory...I rarely hear of anyone (except maybe my trainer) finding comfort in a big bunch of kale. LOL!
It's really hard getting back into the swing. My body will never be what it was before, physically, and I didn't have chemo. I blame menopause. I'm still quite active, but the pounds stick. I'm trying to just accept it. Joint pain has inhibited my aerobics, except for spinning, but chiropractic is really helping. So, maybe I can get back on track here soon.
Be patient, do what you can, and best of luck with your Dad.
Anne
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Aylin, I am so sorry to hear about your father. That's a tough one. It will be a balancing act for you but you really do have to keep it in your head to take good care of you. You'll be at your best and have more to give if you feel you are also meeting your own needs. Not sure I'm saying it right without being too wordy.
As far as the weight and exercise, I just hit my one year post treatment - surgery/chemo/radiation. I do feel like the energy is more fully back on. I have been running regularly (50 mins a day in the woods) and longer on weekends and also doing some bike training indoors. I feel so much stronger. And my brain is so much more engaged with the mega-multi-tasking I need to get done thereat work. Weight wise, I am where I was pre-diagnosis. The big difference is that at age 53, it is sagging. Oh well. Can't have it all.
Just like they say - one day at a time. Don't let the set backs derail you.
Debbie
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One thing I might recommend-weight training. I have always done a lot of aerobic exercise, very active, biking, walking, etc. But I have now started lifting free weights and doing pilates. I think this is why I have been able to lose,even with menopause, for the first time in my life. Building muscle changes the metabolism, which burns more calories. Also, eating small meals several times a day, keeps the metabolism going all day instead of getting those sluggish doldrums after a big meal. And number 1 is eliminate the sugar. If you do nothing else, do this. It is the trigger for all the bad stuff. After a couple of sugar free weeks, the cravings will stop. I went through the holidays last year, without eating any of my famous cookies. I still baked them, I just gave them as gifts as usual. The smell of baking was enough to satisfy me, and no calories. I know it sounds impossible but it really works.
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Sorry to hear about your dad's diagnosis. It is tough taking care of yourself while trying to take care of others! I, too, am the only child (if you dont count my useless sis :-) and my dad moved up here during my chemo - has dementia and continuous falls. We have him in assisted living but he spends more time in hospitals than there - always drama. I try to take it in stride but, as you know, it is tough.
I had my breast exchange, port removal and laproscopic total hyst and ooph on Tuesday. Feel like I was hit by a truck, hoping that each day gets better. Doc says nothin more strenuous than laying on the couch for 2 weeks - I hope I can start walking after that!
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I'm sorry to hear about your father. My mother died 3 days before my mx and I had a hard time figuring out the source of my grief--her loss or the hit to my body. I was very active, and the resulting treatments (6 surgeries all told w/mx, lousy recon w/implants, then DIEP) led to enforced idleness, then getting back into shape, then hitting the couch again--not to mention what I call anesthesia head. I think this last surgery (4 weeks ago) truly is the last. My PS finally understands and let me go back almost immediately to the recumbent bike if I "didn't break a sweat."
Cardio and pilates has been a lifesaver for me, as well as my sister. She's been there through all of my surgeries, and since she's a personal trainer, she designed a weight training program w/in my PS guidelines.
CR
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Go for it! I trained for my preliminary black belt throughout chemo and tested about a month later. I say do what feels good for you.
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You are strong! You are beautiful! You are a survivor!
I have been a runner all my life. I found that I was able to control my sadness, anger and anxiety by running even more in the month between my lumpectomy and chemo. I quietly decided that since I was running so much, I was going to focus on the goal of running a marathon after chemo. I was on a study where I got 4 treatments of Taxol (and then Neulasta) total. They gave it to me every other week. On chemo weeks I was curled up in pain all day for 4-5 days. Then I would be OK again and would get right out there and pick up where I left off until I had to do my next treatment. Running got me through it. I was in great shape and 10 days after my last chemo treatment, I ran the Columbus Marathon. It was not my best time but it wasn't about time... it was about taking control during a time when I felt like everything was out of my control.
Rock on sister. I will be sending you lots of strength and energy on you journey to the big day.
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Runner, Love your pic!!! You go Woman!
You go Jorf!
I am neither a black belt nor a runner, but am up to walking 2.6 miles every day, lots of hills, No more puff puff puff up the hills either! It feels good to feel stronger again! Yoga starts next week!
You ladies are all an inspiration! Our bodies are designed to be used. Keep Moving!!!
Spring (Beverly)
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Everyminute how are you doing ? Runner4life ARE YOU FOR REAL ???
I think all of us have been through something equivalent of an Ironman if you got chemo. Actually yes thats exactly how I felt after each AC .. so if you;ve done chemo you have done multiple Ironmans !!!
Well the new year has started and I am not quite where I wanted to be but thats ok, not going to beat myself over it.
Personal stat:
1 - Took the cortisone med helped for 7 days then the foot pain was back !
2 - I fell from a sidewalk on New Years eve at Universal studios( and no .. the only alcoholic beverage I had was an Irish coffee ) and banged my knee on the sidewalk urgghhh... sidelined for 10 days.
3 - My fathers cancer is inoperable currently he is staying with me and I am trying to help out with his decision making. He will be going home to Turkey by the endof this month after seeing Dr. Fine at Columbia and getting an assessment at the Cancer Centers of America - at PA. We are looking into complementary therapies as he is not quite keen on chemo especially for pancreatic cancer.
4 - Doc took me off Arimidex and will start Femara in 2 weeks. The foot pain, insomnia, vaginal dryness was a bit too much. Will also use Estring -- I got it but am afraid although he assured me that it was perfectly safe.
5 - Took my first Zometa IV treatment for osteopenia and also for the side benefit of mets prevention last monday, hit me pretty bad was down with flulike symptoms ( fever shivers) for 2 days and then was pretty wiped out. Luckily do not have another one scheduled for 6 months.
6 - Lost one of the most awesome gals that I have ever met to the battle before christmas, I felt like someone was squeezing my heart at her memorial service. Another gal that I am mentoring is not doing well and I have not had the heart to visit her in 10 days.. I only can take so much.
Training :
Vivre, In addition to my regular triathlon group coach I have contacted one of the personal trainers that I respected a lot that i had worked with 2 years ago, he also is going through a very severe illness but has accepted to train me once a week on weights. Will see how that goes, if he has negative vibes I will not go there. He had a gold medal at Worlds in the 80's so he knows what he is doing.
I have not lost any weight but have not gained any either registered to Weightwatchers since I know that it does work, but it just stressed me out. I already am spending soo much time on the supplement/nutrients I am taking I just cannot bear living with measuring cups around my neck ! Just will try to stay away from excessive sweets and eat good treats when I get cravings that should get me where I want to.
My bike or run has not improved but I feel that my cardio, strength and endurance is improving.
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I was just thinking of you, Trigeek - my DH is really hoping to do a mini tri at some point (never done one before) checking out programs at the Y.
I am hoping to get the go ahead from the gyn surgeon to start running when I see her on Monday. I have been walkiing 2- 3 miles on the TM at 3.5-4 mph several nights a week and on weekends - even did a half mile running on the TM last week but between radiation and tamox and trying to work and juggle kids, hubby, dad it gets to be too much by the end of the week!
I am planning on running in a 5 mile race in April that I ran in last year (and felt great - the week before I blew my knee out and then knee surgery and then bc.........)
I changed my radiation appt to 8am (I have been going after work at 4 and it has just made for too long of a day. Leave the house at 7am and dont get home from the gym til after 7pm!
Keep your fingers crossed that I am running again on Monday!
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Trigeek- I am really sorry to hear about your father and your friend. I am also really happy to hear you are still working toward your goal. I am setting my sites on a marathon for either March or April. We will see; I don't like to put too much pressure on myself. The main thing is that I am putting on miles and weight training everyday and feeling healthy and positive. I hope it is having the same affect on you. You too everyminute!
Vivre is right about the sugar... I am "cleaning house" right now and trying to get back on track with an anti-inflammitory diet that my husband and I were following last year. I think she has a lot more will power than I do. I wish I could have been happy just smelling all those cookies over the holidays. Now I am wearing them on my hips .
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Yep about the sugar. I am trying to eliminate it as much as I can!
TriGeek, hang in there. Keep your eye on the goal. Don't give up!
Spring.
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