half marathon after bil. mastectomies

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Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited June 2014 in Working on Your Fitness

Hello,

I'm one year out from bil. mastectomies and recently started training for a 1/2 marathon.  I was wondering if anyone out there with implants has run a half or a full marathon.  How did the foobs hold up?  I just ran 6 miles.  I have a supportive bra, but my chest feels a bit sore.  

Curious about others experiences, and if endurance running was a problem? 

:-)

Sue 

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  • achen2iron
    achen2iron Member Posts: 64
    edited August 2009

    Sue,

    If your chest is sore, your bra may not be as supportive as you think. I know people with implants that run distances and I formerly was large chested and ran marathons, I went with the 2 sports bra route. It was the only thing that worked. You can never have too much support.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2009

    Thanks.  I'll give that a try!

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  • everyminute
    everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
    edited August 2009

    I am also one year out from surgery and training for a half (oct 11th)  Ran a long run this weekend (9 miles) and ended up with cellulitis in my right breast.  Doc said lots of trauma from running without support and since I have no lymph nodes there is no where for the inflammation to go! 

     Good luck!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2009

    everyminute, I'm sorry to hear of your experience.  Bummer on the cellulitis! 

    I only required sentinel node biopsy (took 4 out which were clean), so I'm hopeful my lymph system won't be impacted negatively.

     I wish you the very best.  Are you on a hiatus from running while it clears up?  What did your doctor say about resuming running?

    p.s. What does your tattoo say?  It's hard to read in your picture.  Does it say "Hope"?

    I think the tattoo is cool.  I got one after coming through breast cancer to the other side, and becoming cancer free.  I had a butterfly tattoo'd on my right wrist to signify the whole transformation process I've gone through.  Cancer actually helped to refocus and re-prioritize my life.  I'm choosing to make lemonade out of lemons.  :-) 

    God's richest blessings to you,

    Sue 

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  • everyminute
    everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
    edited August 2009

    cellulitis should clear up in just a few days - I have a long run scheduled for Sat so I hope so!  Took last night and tonight off :-(  I have run other long runs and run about 20 plus miles a week regularly so I dont know why this time it is a problem - maybe I got a bug bite or something while I was out there.

    My wrist says "Hope"  My husband and I also got "Long May She Run" tattooed on the arch of our foot(s).  Both right after cancer treatment.

    I cant say that being diagnosed with stage 3 bc has made me a better person - I hate the constant fear I live in BUT I do try to make the best of every minute I have!!! 

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  • me1ani
    me1ani Member Posts: 38
    edited August 2009

     
     Hi Gals,
     
        I was a long distance runner and training for the NYC marathon when I was diagnosed five weeks ago. I'm four weeks out from a unilateral mx and not sure when I will be able to run again. My trainers said wait a few more weeks but I'm so anxious about it I can't wait to start back. I opted to not reconstruct and am small breasted anyway, but even a soft post-op bra still irritates my armpit on that side. I tried to run for a minute on the treadmill two days ago and the motion hurt, so I stopped.
     
       When were you able to start back?
     
     
         Me1ani 
     
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  • yogamommy
    yogamommy Member Posts: 115
    edited September 2009

    I just want to say you are all an inspiration to me.  I am in the middle of chemo and really am not active at all.  I find Taxol to be nearly debilitating.  That said, I USED to be a long distand runner (only up to half marathons) and my dream, now, is to run one again after my treatment is over and I have recovered somewhat.

    Keep Running!

    Vickie

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  • everyminute
    everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
    edited September 2009

    I started running again during chemo but very slow and short runs - 2 miles was my limit.  Did a slow 5k a week after chemo was done and have been building up since.  Never did more than 8 miles pre bc and am up to 9 now. half marathon is in 5 weeks, have had cellulitis and not been able to run for a week (gulp)!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2009

    Everyminute - how is that cellulitis doing?  praying for you to rock that 1/2 marathon, girl!!!

     I'm training for a 1/2 in october.  I have a flare up of iliotibial band on the right leg.  I'm trusting God that with His help, and with icing, stretching, and some therapeutic strengthening, I WILL complete that race and shout Hallelujah when I cross that finish!  It's kind've like a celebration of getting through this whole thing and being an overcomer!

    Keep us posted on how your training goes.

    Vickie - hold onto that dream.  Be gentle on yourself in your recovery, but keep pressing for your goals!

    God bless you wonderful ladies!

    Sue 

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  • rosered
    rosered Member Posts: 23
    edited September 2009

    I love these posts!!  I had surgery last month for left masectomy and I'm a long distance runner just itching to get back on the roads.  I'm about 6 weeks out from surgery and I've incorporated some running with my walks so seeing your posts about your races are so inspirational.  Since I had one positive lymph node at surgery, my plastic surgeon didn't want to do the TE at that time so I'll be have that surgery in the next month or so.  That said, I'm far away from getting back to long distance shape!

    I'm not sure if this is the place to ask this question - but wondering if any of you running girls have had issues with tamoxifen and maintaining fitness level?  I know I'm extremely lucky to be able to go from surgery to hormonal therapy so I feel sort of silly worrying about staying in shape.  But seeing all the posts about gaining all sorts of weight on tamoxifen has freaked me out a bit.  

    I'm posting this here as I'm hopeful someone will understand - I'm SO grateful to be lucky enough not have chemo - but concerned about the hormone treatment side effects.  

    Thanks in advance! 

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  • Blondie1964
    Blondie1964 Member Posts: 116
    edited September 2009

    Rosered,

    I am also a runner and a tamox gal.  I had a unilateral masec in March, reconstruction surgery in August and have been taking Tamox for 4 - 5 months.  I've not gained weight on Tamox but have had some difficulty with getting my running stamina back - not sure if it is the Tamox, lingering effects of multiple surgeries or just a mental thing.  I try, today I ran 4 miles (not all running, some walking breaks) - before all of this 5 miles was my norm and not even really a challenge.... now. it seems that any distance is a stretch....I am hoping to train for a race sometime in the near future...a 5k or 10k....

    Hang in there!  I also did not do chemo, just hormone therapy after surgery....

    Julie

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  • everyminute
    everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
    edited September 2009

    Cellulitis is gone (tho I am still on antibiotics!) I am staying on levaquin until after the half (on my doc's ok)  Hopefully I dont have the tendon side effects - so far so good.

    Half marathon is in two weeks - this past Saturday I ran 13.5 in 2:24.  I am going to keep miles low for the next two weeks and hopefully do well in the half.  After that my goal is to improve my swimming for a while, hoping to do another triathalon in the spring.

    I have not gained weight on tamox. I am very active and watch what I eat. 

    Julie - it took me a while to get my running stamina back after everything.   I am now faster than I was (by about 1min/mile) that before chemo - but yet, the first 3 miles are always hard!  :-)

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  • HelenaJ
    HelenaJ Member Posts: 1,133
    edited September 2009

    Rosered, I had a bilat mast and my exchange surgery was in June.  I run 5kms 3 to 4 times a week but on a break at the moment whilst my new fipples heal (only got them last Monday).  I have been on tamoxifen for 6 months and although I have been fatigued from the 3 general anaesthetics in 10 months the tamoxifen has made no difference to my energy levels.  What has stuffed my energy levels is all the stop starting with surgeries and recoveries, very frustrating.  I need to have my implants replaced but we are probably going to do it next year as I just want to enjoy life and running for a few months without any interruptions.  I wear two sports bras for better support.

    I am in awe of you lovely ladies who have either run through or returned to running so quickly after chemo.  How fantastic is that.  I am 47 and hoping to get to our City to Surf run in Sydney next August - 14km and the biggest fun run in the southern hemisphere.  I'm not likely to run the distance (as their is a huge hill in it called "heartbreak hill") but I sure am going to try. Something to aim for.

    I hate seeing people running when I am out walking, I feel like telling them that I am really a runner.  Sad isn't it.

    soft hugs

    Helena

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  • rosered
    rosered Member Posts: 23
    edited September 2009

    Thank you for the great replies, Julie, everyminute and Helena! 

    I am finally getting out there and my goal is to get into some sort of shape before my tissue expander surgery.  Helena, I can see what you mean about the start/stop frustrations for sure.  Also, your note about seeing other runners while walking - I feel the same way too!  Worse is when folks ask "hey, why aren't you running?!!"  Ugh! 

    Good luck with the half-marathon, everyminute - I hope you're feeling well and have great race.  Not sure where your from, but fall running here in New England is my favorite time so hope you have a great day. 

    Julie, best of luck to you as well!  I hope you get in a 5K soon!

    Soft hugs (i do love that!)

    -Rose

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