2010 Running Thread
Comments
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You ladies are so awesome!
I walk.. speed walk...
But running.. it hurts my lungs so bad... I SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO wish I could run... you have no idea....
... Ladies.. can you give me advise.. HOW DO I GET THE painful lungs... burning nose... and lack of air to stop so I can run,,,?????? I have done all the.. count down to running plans....Hi Harley..:)
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Hi, Estepp!
I don't know about your question, but I found, me personally, that I do better when I run slow... otherwise I get burnt out easily and have to stop and walk. I'm also a fast walker
Good luck!
Harley
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Estepp, the advice I got when I was just starting to run (in addition to the obvious, like go slow, build up to it, etc. etc.) was to focus on breathing with my abdomen. Doing that will help keep you relaxed, which will help with a lot of the things that you hate about running - the painful lungs, breathlessness, side stitches, etc.
All I know is, I used to hate running, never ran more than a mile until I was 35 years old . . . and now I love it.
But walking is great exercise, too. (And your kids/partner/neighbors are less likely to back away and hold their noses when you come in from a walk!)
Linda
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I'm excited to report that I ran yesterday and today in SHORTS! Shorts in New England in Jan is pretty exciting! My long run is now up to 6-ish - I've been doing a really great spin class followed by yoga on Sat mornings which I am suprised to find that I love both. Not a replacement for running but a nice addition - and less impact which is nice.
I can't add anything about running w/ TEs - I went straight to a silicone implant at the beginning of Dec and it feels OK. I guess my only "complaint" (cuz I'm not complaining here!) is that my skin across my chest and under my arm still feels tingly and sore sometimes. When I start running, I feel a little sore but then it subsides after a few minutes of running. I wonder how long the tingly, sore-ish feeling will last but I can definitely live with it!
I'm very inspired by this site and this board in particular. I'm thinking that I'd like to do a race this march - a few friends are running a half-marathon but I'm not sure I'll be ready. I may opt for a St Patricks Day 5K instead.
Happy running!
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Hey all,
I have to say that at 28 I feel put to shame by how much you are all able to run. Before I was diagnosed w/ BC back in September 09, I was running/jogging about 6 miles 3 times a week and I loved it. But since surgery, I haven't gotten back into it and have barely used my elliptical. Currently I am going through chemo (finished AC now on to Taxol) and find that I have trouble motivating myself to do ANY exercise, with the exception of yoga. What were some of the things to keep you motivated when all you wanted to to do was stay affixed to the couch? I have gained 5 pounds and have no excuse for being such a sloth. Please help!
Thanks!
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Man oh man, was it cold this morning. I wore leggings under heavy running pants, and my legs *still* looked like boiled lobsters when I got back. On the bright side, at least the pavement was ice-free.
Rosered, I may do a St. Patrick's Day 4-mile. The one here precedes a parade and is always rowdy fun. (And when I say rowdy, I do mean rowdy -- as in, tailgaters tossing cans of beers to runners.) The beer at the finish will help me forget how much slower I am than last year!
Linda
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great to find runners! I thought I was the only one that had to deal with BC and running.
I ran through chemo and surgery, slower than my normal pace and still not back to my regular mileage. I have 5 marathons to date and ran race for the cure 1 month post chemo. I am now 6 months out of chemo and can do 5 miles a day x5 days. It does kill me but after I feel great, Has been helping with the hot flashes also. Doctors said how well I got through the after affects because of running. Also had an 88% ejection fraction on my muga ready to battle the Adria. Never knew I would need this but something always told me to run...
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Ohh, so cold here again too - we had this weird string of warm days but we're back into the deep freeze again. I managed about 45 mintues this morn before heading to watch my daughter run (indoors!) for high school track meet. I find that wearing the compression glove makes my poor finger tips even colder then ever! They finally warmed up after about 30 minutes, oh well.
Linda, too funny about the rowdy crowd and the beer! Sounds like a blast - hopefully, the 5K in our area is as fun!!
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marie111,
yes you will run great again with the implants- I ran with TX for 7 months while on chemo and then ran a 5k 2 weeks after after my silicone were in. No problem , just wear a good sports bra or double it up. If I wear a light bra the silicone jiggles on my chest wall while running and feels weird.lol
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All -
I ran my first 10k post DX last Saturday - hubby and I ran together, my goal was to finish without walking - and we DID IT, despite the turtle start and not great time finishing! I was so glad to be back out there racing! I did not set any records, wasn't trying to, speed will come with more time my father has assured me, a former runner, a lung-cancer survivor. I believe him, will keep plodding along.
Last year right around this same time, before DX, my husband and I ran a 15k together - that was a distance I'd never even come close to running before (most we had trained at was 7M) and I was so scared about it - a couple of days before the race I thought hard about what additional inspiration I might need to call on to finish and wrote three things on stickies that I posted on my bathroom mirror. I ended up thinking of each of those things during that 15k, they definately kept me going at the right times.
Last weekend I pulled out those same notes and stuck them, granted lacking some "stick", to my bathroom mirror again....they reminded me of where I was a year ago and how far I have come...they inspired me to get through this recent race and reminded me of the challenges I have to look forward to...the notes were still there, in my drawer, and I am still strong, we all are...moving forward, looking forward to the next race, the next challenge...
Tomorrow, a year ago, I was diagnosed. It is going to be an emotional day....for a lot of reasons.
Thank you all for being here to share with. It has helped me!
Run strong, ladies!
Julie
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Julie, what a great story. Congrats on meeting your 10K goal. And those truly are words of wisdom from your father.
"Cancerversaries" are weird, aren't they? I've had two at this point; as the first one approached, I was anxious and antsy and moody without really understanding why. It's just a day on the calendar, right? Umm, wrong.
The second one, just a few weeks ago, kind of sneaked up on me. I'm not sure I would have remembered it if someone who was diagnosed around the same time as me hadn't mentioned theirs. One reason the date has lost (some of) its power is that I no longer feel the "before" and "after" so acutely. Having had cancer is just part of my life now.
Hugs,
Linda
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Winter1NY: yes, it will get better after the exchange. I had a lot of the same experience trying to run with TE. That and the SE's from chemo ended up slowing me down to mostly walking and then little spurts of slow running just because at times I couldn't stand it and it felt so good to run a little. The silicone is heavier than saline, but, they move and feel nice. My PS let me start running again a month after the exchange and it has been chemo SE's slowing me down since then, not the implants.
gd4thesoul: I am so jealous. I did what I could every day through chemo but the myopathy and severe neuropathy slowed me down. I'm being told now that the fact that I'm pushing it and keep trying to run is making things worse and I need to back off and let the muscles and nerves heal. So, I'm back to trying slow and easy at times because sometimes it just breaks out of me and I can't stand not to run a little, the rest of the time I'm walking and doing more upper body stuff and yoga and trying to keep cross training a lot so I'm not straining any one muscle group too much at a time. My goal is to try training for a 5K or 1/2 marathon in another year. I'm told it will be another year before we know how much I'll get back. So, in the meantime I'm doing short easy spurts at times and living vicariously through everyone here.
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blondie1964, Julie
Congratulations on your 10K!! WOW!! I need some inspiration to get me going again. The weather has been so cold... now it's rainy... so no running outdoors for me...
Happy Cancerversary!! I think I will always remember these dates... On Feb 8, I felt the lump... March 8, I had the mammo and u/s, but March 15 is my biopsy... that is when my surgeon took IT out.... so I consider myself cancer-free since March 15 2007!!!
keep the faith,
Harley
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I'm so happy to have found this forum! I am 3 weeks post op (total left mx) and I'm itchin to lace up my runners again. Only problem is I promised my partner that I would wait 4 weeks (I hear in the background "1 month!!") Anyway, what's a day or 2!
I've been running for 30 years (started at 15) and find it to be the best way for me to think, relax, destress, lose weight, stay in shape, etc. My favourites runs have been during times of torrential down-pours! Although, I must admit, my Ridgeback hates those runs!
I've battled lots of running injuries and have had to take time off (the longest being about a year to heal plantar fasciitis). I've run a marathon and vowed to keep my runs under an hour after that....that was before I was diagnosed with BC......but when I can I will be running another one!
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Surprised- why do you have to wait so long? Did you have some reconstruction as well? The reason why I ask is that I had bilateral mast (without reconstruction) and went running the day I got my drains out- 7 days postop. I admit I was antsy to do so, but it was so good for me physically and emotionally to hit the road. I had my surgeon's blessing so I went for it! :-) I pulled on a nice tight sports bra to hold my tender tissue, made sure the numb incisions weren't being rubbed against, and had a glorious time.
I'm looking forward to a nice run this afternoon after work. Unfortunately we've got a major ice problem on our roads and sidewalks, so I've got to hit the treadmill. The treadmill is just NOT my cup of tea! :-( But, I keep telling myself to just get through Feb. and then in March it is usually melted enough to not worry about falling and breaking my neck. You have to know my sense of (dry) humor, but I've often thought to myself how I wouldn't want people saying at my funeral, "Oh, how tragic! She survived breast cancer and then she died because she stupidly ran on ice and broke her neck! " :-)
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Lori... you are too funny!!
When I came back from the hospital, I went for a walk, drain tubes and all... I didn't start running til I was getting chemo... I have had periods of time when I slacked off on the running... that is, I don't consider myself a runner... but I have built up over time, and the only race I've run was that 5k about 5 years ago.
It's raining cats and dogs here today so no run for me...
Harley
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I love this thread!
I am 29 years old, and was diagnosed with BC last September. While I have visited this discussion board regularly, this was the first thread I really wanted to contribute t0
I love running too. I really just got into it a year before diagnosis. I ran 3 half marathons, lots of 10K's and was gearing up to run my first full marathon in October 09 - unfortunately this had to be put on hold. I did chemo first and continued to run (albeit shorter distances) throughout treatment - like many of you ladies I really believe it kept me sane and the energy levels up. I had my lumpectomy 2 weeks ago and got the good news today that the margins are clear!! Am gonna go for a nice long run to celebrate!!
I have just signed up to a Half marathon on April 11th and a 10K on April 18th. Got my boyfriend (who never ran a race before in his life!!) to sign up too so we will have fun training together!
Chat soon, S
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Hello to all,
I am not a runner, but I am trying to get into it. I will be starting on Saturday a running class that is hosted by a local store and new balance. It is call "from a couch to a 5 K". I am a bit nervous. Harley....we can be the "short" runners.
Thanks to everyone that has told their story.
kim
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Hi Lori - You have a remarkable fitness story! Congratulations! I guess everyone heals at a different pace. I've enjoyed long hikes/walks since my surgery and I'm sure my dog is happy for the change of pace!
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Surprised- You are exactly right- everyone heals at a different pace. The most important thing is to listen to your body and give it what it does (or doesn't) need. I really hope that I didn't come across as sounding like I was "high and mighty" when I mentioned my quick return to running. That wasn't my intention at all! I was just hoping that you weren't being forced to stay away from running for X number of weeks by a surgeon that maybe was a bit too conservative in his/her postop recommendations.
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LoriL, no, not at all. Funny you mention that. On the exchange thread there is a lot of talk about different instructions after recon. What becomes obvious is that every PS has very different ideas about what is OK post op. You do start to wonder how much of a difference it makes. Mine was VERY conservative. Although with the original surgery I don't think I could have done much earlier on, after the exchange I think I could have done more sooner. I just always wanted my PS surgeon and I to be albe to trust each other so followed through on the instructions. But, when you start comparing notes with everyone you do start to wonder.
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Lori - Actually, I don't think my doctor really cares! She only cares about the incision, swelling, and the pathology report. When I saw her after surgery, she didn't even ask me how I was. I didn't care because I already know she has NO people skills, but she's a damn good surgeon! Anyway, I promised my partner I wouldn't rush into running, so I'm just keeping the peace at home!
(until Friday!) And....you didn't come across that way at all! Don't worry...your posts give off good energy!
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LoriL - you are too funny about your comment about getting thru BC but then stupidly running on ice and breaking your neck! I had the very same thought last week when I thought I'd go for a run after work (with my trusty headlamp to light the way) - but the roads were quite slippery so I decided to just walk instead... I kept trying to run and was slipping all over the place before I just gave up!
Suprised - I think I ended up not running for close to 4 weeks after my left side mx (w/ no recon). I was in good shape running-wise prior to surgery but I really found that my chest was super sore the few couple wks- I had trouble walking at a normal pace! I walked as much as I could every day - and I feel like you will know when the time is right for you to start running.
Happy running everyone!
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Surprised- Ah, yes, always good to keep the peace at home! ;-)
A word of caution to you, and anyone else that might be getting back into running postop..... do NOT.... I repeat NOT, be like me and think that it is a good idea to strap a heart monitor on postop. (What WAS I thinking?!) I like running with a monitor and since the strap was well below my incisions, I didn't think it would be a problem. It was snug, but not too snug, and my sports bra held it in place. Or so I thought. :-( Well, since there were no boobs to hold the bra in place, the strap crept up. Of course my chest was completey numb so I had no idea that that sucker was inching it's was toward my tender swollen tissues! Imagine my horror when I got back from that glorious run, felt on top of the world, only to find out that my beloved heart monitor had produced a plum-sized bulging bruise beneath one of my incisions. Yikes! It took well over a month for that bruise to go away. Needless to say, the heart monitor stayed in my drawer for the rest of the summer. I figured I didn't need to be concerned about heart rate or time anyway.
I was wincing then, but I can chuckle about it now. And, in the end it was a good lesson for me in more ways than one. It "retaught" me the joys of running for the sake of just running. It reminded me how nice it is to adjust my speed according to how my body feels, and not getting too wrapped up in pacing or making sure that I am in my target heart rate "'working zone." Hmmm, yet another good lesson that I have learned from this darn cancer....
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Lori: ow! ow! ow! ow!
I can't top your story (nor would I want to), but I did develop a post-surgical seroma that was approximately the size of a clementine. Whatever the arm-equivalent of "bow-legged" is, that's how I ran for a week or so.
I also had problems with my running bra chafing my chemo port. The first time I ran after it was inserted, I came back and was horrified to discover that the skin over the port was raw and oozing. I don't know which scared me more: the threat of infection, or the prospect of having to explain myself at my next treatment.
(Fortunately, it healed uneventfully. I never did find a bra that worked with my port, so I became very adept at taping gauze over it as part of my pre-running routine . . . until that became too much of a pain in the neck and I just ran commando, bald and braless.)
Linda
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LoriL: that sounds really really sore!
Linda: you are very brave to run commando, bald and braless! I dont think I would have the courage!
A quick question: I just spoke with my Rad-Onc today, I am to start 6.5 wks of radiotherapy in 3 weeks time. I asked him about running and swimming (my second great love!) during Rads. He said there shouldnt be any problems for the first 3 - 4 weeks but after that, I may have to cut down or stop altogether for a while..... Have any of you ladies run during Rads and, if so, did you encounter any problems!
Many thanks, S
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Lori you are TOO funny...and determined!
I decided I'm going to run today! I feel great and it's been almost a month so what the heck! It's very mild out and NOT raining for a change. Speaking of mild and raining: Vancouver is buzzing with pre-Olympic activity with only 8 days left until the openning ceremonies. The downtown area is grid-lock and I have to try to get to my oncologist appointment right in the middle of it all!
I'm happy to not be working right now!
I have a question that I'm hoping someone could answer. I don't know what my treatment is going to be yet so I'm trying to guess what it 'might' be. When you see the oncologist for the first time are you given choices of treatment? Or do they just tell you what it's going to be? ??
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I am more of a walker who aspires to be a runner! I am hot and cold with my exercise routine so I can never run very far. Just recently made a goal to run a local 5k in April with a friend who is an avid runner. I was soo excited and was training pretty hard. Then my biopsy and hematoma put a damper on it for 2 weeks and BAM- I have bc! dmx scheduled for March. The dx is making it tough mentally but I fought through it and started back this week. Even bought brand new running shoes to help motivate me.
I won't be running even the 5kI wanted to this spring but my new goal is to run my own 5k before dmx and hopefully be in great shape 2 fight this bc down! All you long distance runners are amazing to me. Keep up the positive energy and enjoy the life you have! And keep posting to help motivate all of us.
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lewing- youch! The thought of explaining myself to my onc or surgeon scared me, too! On really hot days, I found that a bra caused too much chaffing, too, but I needed the tissue support. Especially during radiation. So, I tried going without, but then my shirt would stick to my radiated side and rub. What I finally ended up doing was gobbing a bunch of aloe over the radiated side and then pressing a single sheet of Kleenex into it as a dressing. That stayed in place, protected my skin, and acted as a barrier between me and my shirt.
TreadSoftly- I ran through rads without any problems. I looked at my training journal, and during that 6 week time period I cycled 500 miles and ran 50. There were a couple of times that I felt a little more winded. But, I made sure that I got a LOT of sleep. Even if it meant taking a little nap before a workout. I found that the fatigue got a little worse about 2 weeks after rads- lasted a week and then went away.
Surprised- most of the time the Onc. goes through the specifics of your situation, shows you what the current recommendations are based on stage, grade, etc. and then lays out a plan. You certainly should have some input into the plan.
These days, I always just run bra-less. Except when I'm at the Y- I try to be a little more "politically correct" and wear something that resembles a bra under my shirt. I'm fairly thin so my flat physique doesn't look out of the norm. But, for some reason I just don't want people to think that I'm going braless, know what I mean? When I'm not exercising I wear my little forms, or go braless under a heavy loose sweatshirt.
You ladies will like this story....I was out looking for a little "bra" that I could wear under my shirt at the Y....since I didn't want anything with a cup or heavy straps, I went to the girls section at Target. Found these GREAT little thin cotton things that are meant for budding 10 year old girls- just a little flat pullover thing with straps. I turned the package around and guess what is printed on the chest of the bra? "PRINCESS"! I got the biggest kick out of that! LOL I thought to myself, "here I am trying to be politcially correct in giving the appearance of a "bra" under my shirt at the Y, but yet I'm prancing around with the words "PRINCESS" showing through my shirt!" Luckily, I found some white ones that didn't have any writing on them....
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Thanks Lori!
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