2010 Running Thread

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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited October 2010

    Christa,

    Hi.  Welcome to the boards, and welcome to the Running thread...  You are AMAZING!!  These boards were a life saver to me.

    Hey everyone,

    Since I decided not to do that 5K run a couple of weeks ago, my runs have gotten better.  Maybe I'll do another 5K soon...

    Saturday is the STRIDES walk...   

    See ya later.

    Harley

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  • Charley
    Charley Member Posts: 255
    edited October 2010

    Way to go Christa!  That is awesome you were able to complete the half.  Funny how some people think we are insane for running but yet somehow it helps us stay on an even keel. Just keep running! It has made such a difference for me. I don't even care so much about running fast or running long ... as long as I can still get out there and run a few miles ...  Hang in there and keep us posted on your progress. 

    Hugs, Charley

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  • TreadSoftly
    TreadSoftly Member Posts: 192
    edited October 2010

    English teacher - thanks so much for the words of wisdom, greatly appreciated!  Just 10 days to go to the big marathon day, Im getting excited! 

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  • lewing
    lewing Member Posts: 1,288
    edited October 2010

    Been away for a while; it's so great to come back and read how everyone is doing.  Christa, what a feat to run the half while dealing with treatment - likewise, English teacher.  And Treadsoftly, you are going to have a great time in Dublin.  Enjoy your 26.2 mile tour of the city, and recover with a Guinness!

    (I haven't raced in ages, but have been running pretty consistently and staying injury-free.  Today I did my long run along and around the Detroit marathon course, cheering on friends and random runners.)

    Linda

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  • cinnamonrocket
    cinnamonrocket Member Posts: 27
    edited October 2010

    Wow this is a great post. It's great to see so many runners and athletes who are able to continue to do what they love. I truly believe running during treatment was a major factor in my being able to stay positive and tolerate chemo well. Now I believe running will help me stay healthy and cancer free. On Friday I visited my oncolgist if the last time (hopefully forever) as she does not want to ever see  me again ... as I have been in remission for just over 5 years. I will be celebrating by running the New York City Marathon in 3 Weeks.

    Happy Running

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  • lewing
    lewing Member Posts: 1,288
    edited October 2010

    Cinnamonrocket, that's phenomenal!  I'll be spectating at this year's NYCM, on 4th Ave in Brooklyn (probably around 6th st.).  If you want to shoot me your approximate pace, what you'll be wearing etc. etc., I will make sure you get an extra-loud round of personal cheers when you go by.

    (NYC is a great race, you're going to have a blast.  Be sure to save something for the long slog uphill on 5th Ave alongside Central Park, around 22-23 miles.  That's the toughest part of the race, in my opinion.  It gets easier once you actually enter the park.)

    L

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  • swiftbird
    swiftbird Member Posts: 177
    edited October 2010

    Hi ladies, glad you started this thread.  Thanks! 

    Unfortunately when I got hit with the news after New Years, my exercise routine suffered - I walked some throughout but honestly, my fitness level has really dropped off.  Had long regimine and tough bouts with chemo.  Surgery was pretty good. But just now finishing radiation - 2 more and I'll be done on Tuesday yay!!! (although religious about trying to keep my skin hydrated and slathered up with good things, my skin is in horrible shape; I have such sensitive skin... so my 30 rounds of rads have resulted in horrible burns boo hoo)  But I am excited to be almost done, and given myself a Nov 1 (or thereabouts) date - if my skin can take wearing a bra again - I want to start walking/jogging and building up my base again.

    Any thoughts for those of you like me who are wading back in (and who didn't exercise all through chemo and surgeries which made it sooo much easier ;-) ?

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  • ktym
    ktym Member Posts: 2,637
    edited October 2010

    lewing, are you an east sider or a west sider?  (I used to be an east sider)

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  • lewing
    lewing Member Posts: 1,288
    edited October 2010

    Kmmd, I'm an east sider - and have been for all my nearly 20 years in Detroit.  (Excluding the three years I lived in Ypsilanti, which is too far west to even count.)

    L

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  • ktym
    ktym Member Posts: 2,637
    edited October 2010

    You know someone has lived in Detroit when they automatically know what that question means.

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  • cinnamonrocket
    cinnamonrocket Member Posts: 27
    edited October 2010

    Thanks Lewing. I am hoping to be stay around a 5:10 or 5:15 pace or may be even slower the first 10km as I have been struggling with an achilles issue/injury for the last six months. My bib no. is 16650. I am starting at 9:40. Will probably be wearing black shorts or tights (depending on weather). If I am wearing shorts ... I  have tatoo of a pink breast cancer ribbon, with the letters 26.2 under it on my left calf. Shirtly - probably a bright pink sleeveless top with arm warmers. Thanks for the advice on the hills. I am really concerned about the hills as I haven't been able to train very much in hills due to my achilles.

    Cinnamon Rocket

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  • English_Teacher
    English_Teacher Member Posts: 50
    edited October 2010

    Hey everyone!  I am happy to report that I made it through the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco this past Sunday!  It was my slowest time to date -- 5:29:10 -- but I was happy with that time given everything my body has been through the past five months and the fact that I am in chemo right now (I usually run about 4 hour marathons).  Anyway -- I think running has helped with keeping side effects to a minimum though I have been having tons of stomach issues and skin issues the past few weeks. 

    But I am delighted that I finished and got the Tiffany's necklace at the end!  So if I can do it, I suspect you strong women can do it too!  :D

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  • Charley
    Charley Member Posts: 255
    edited October 2010

    Way to go English Tea! You totally rock!  What a great thing to accomplish.

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  • lewing
    lewing Member Posts: 1,288
    edited October 2010

    Awesome.  Just awesome.

    L

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  • TreadSoftly
    TreadSoftly Member Posts: 192
    edited October 2010

    Congrats English-Teacher, wonderful accomplishment!

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  • mightymon
    mightymon Member Posts: 823
    edited October 2010

    Wow! great work English Teacher! you're amazing!!!!  I can't wait for my run too, Auckland Marathon on 31st Oct. Laughing

    Then will had the port put in on Monday 1st Nov and them my first FEC on Thurs 4th Nov. Cry

    Hopefully to keep running after this.

    Also ladies if you are having a port how do find it when you run? (swim, ride, weight lifting, yoga etc.)  

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  • Charley
    Charley Member Posts: 255
    edited October 2010

    Mightmon - My port did not bother me while running ... I don't know about other exercises. However I did find it uncomfortable in other circumstances mainly because of the location.  Apparently I have small veins so placement was not ideal.  Seatbelt and certain clothing bothered it.  Sports bra was no problem though. 

    Good luck with the marathon on 10/31!!   I will be doing a lowly 5k on 10/30. Wink

    Hugs, Charley

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  • English_Teacher
    English_Teacher Member Posts: 50
    edited October 2010

    Thanks everyone!  I am pretty convinced that my running and staying active has helped so much in keeping the chemo side effects to a minimum (though I do have some pretty bad days, too!).  Good luck mightmon with your marathon!  I listened to my body as slowed down but it still felt great to finish! 

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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited October 2010

    English Teacher

    I agree... keeping active helped keep my chemo side effects to a minimum also...  and exercising helped me to heal faster from my bilateral mastectomy.  My surgeon was shocked at how fast I healed!!

    Harley

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  • mightymon
    mightymon Member Posts: 823
    edited October 2010
    Thanks Charley, and have fun with your run on 10/30. Smile
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  • lewing
    lewing Member Posts: 1,288
    edited October 2010

    I hope Treadsoftly is having a good time in Dublin before her marathon on Monday.  (Treadsoftly: if by chance you check in this weekend, good luck and HAVE FUN.)

    Mightymom, I was more bothered by my port than Charley was (and not bothered at all by seatbelts or any other articles of clothing) . . . which just goes to show how individual these things are.  I never found a running bra that didn't chafe it (or, worse, saw against the side of it).  It sounds as though the placement can vary.  I wonder if it would be possible to show the team placing your port where your running bra straps go, and see if they can work around that area?  But for all my complaints, I found ways to work around the problem, and I'm sure you will, too, if it comes to that.

     You can add me to the race roster: I'll be doing a 4-mile cross country race on 10/31.

    L

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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited October 2010

    Charley,

    Good luck with your run on 10/30!!!  I'll be thinking of you....


    Harley

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  • gatsbydog
    gatsbydog Member Posts: 8
    edited October 2010

    Hi all!  What a great thread!  I have been a recreational runner for thirty years, and I had chemo last year and a full year of Herceptin which just ended last week.  I like to run for an hour a day, which usually translates to six miles.  During chemo I was very slow, like 5.5 miles an hour.  As chemo progressed, I became really anemic, so I felt exhausted while running.  I counted minutes, not miles.  Run ten minutes, walk five minutes, etc.  Finally, in July, about seven months after chemo ended, I could run for a complete hour.  Since July, I have gotten faster, almost to 6 mph.  I try to do a race a month.  I have never run a marathon, but I'm thinking of going to our local running shop to sign up for a training program.  This whole experience has made me more appreciative of exercise. It got me through with nominal side effects.  Nurseronda10, the Herceptin was not a problem for me.  My ejection fraction dipped to 50 once during treatment, but I started to take CoQ10 (200 mg.), and it bounced right back.  The low ejection fraction was a month after radiation ended.  I think that radiation affected my body's recuperative powers, so each Herceptin infusion during radiation weakened my heart a bit (temporarily).  You will not feel side effects with Herceptin, but you have to get your three-month echoes or MUGAS because you can have asymptomatic heart issues.  You will be fine!!!  We Run For Life!!!

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  • gatsbydog
    gatsbydog Member Posts: 8
    edited August 2013

    Mightymon,

    The port is fine for running. One of my jogbras would chafe (or as lewing says) "saw" into the skin around the port, so I went to chemo once with eroding skin over the port site.  My wonderful chemo nurse told me to put a maxi pad between my port and my bra.  I wore tee shirts rather than jobras alone and bra-tanks through chemo so that I could protect the port with the pad.  I was told that I could lift weights with the exception of overhead presses because the overhead movement may dislodge the line and shove it into another (smaller) vessel.  I developed a weightlifting program with cables, and that has been very effective.  I lost no muscle mass through all of treatment.  I'm rooting for you and all of the amazing women on this site who run  and lift and swim through these obstacles.  You are my heroes!!!!

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  • lewing
    lewing Member Posts: 1,288
    edited October 2010

    Ha ha ha!  Gatsbydog, your fix was much more creative than mine - I wish I'd thought of it.  I relied on folded squares of gauze and tape.  Eventually, I got over my fear that the bouncing would make my remaining breast fall off, and just ran (or, by that point, slowly ran/walked) braless. 

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  • mightymon
    mightymon Member Posts: 823
    edited October 2010

    Thanks Lewing and Gatsbydog for your advices, the maxi pad sound like a great idea. 

    Also I will try to discuss the bra issues with the port doctor see if he can help me with this. (finger cross)

    Gatsbydog I'm so glad to hear that weightlifting is not a problem for you, and you not lost so much of muscle mass through all of treatment!!! Yippee hopefully that will me my case too because I love and very enjoy weight lifting!! (a note to mention this to my PT to come up with some new program for me and my port) Laughing 

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  • lciscarroll
    lciscarroll Member Posts: 91
    edited October 2010

    Hello My Running Sisters,

    Went for a 5 mile run in the POURING rain here in Washington.  Been sorting out all this information in my head about BC as I run.  Running has always helped me to feel good both physically and emotionally. 

    I am due to have surgery PBMX in December for LCIS / ALH diagnosis.  Really required a lot of thinking and sorting of information before I decided on my decision.  With all the stress of three biopsies, surgery from resulting hematoma, ultrasounds, blood tests, mammograms, MRI, doctors, and worrying I am so glad I have my running.  My shoes are always waiting for me when I wake up, welcoming me to the world outside my home. 

    Need to stay in good shape for surgery.  However, I wonder how long before I can run again.  With the extensive surgery I will be having I can expect a long recovery time.  Oh well, I will start slow walking and learn to  run again very slowly.  Slowly but surely.... 

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  • lciscarroll
    lciscarroll Member Posts: 91
    edited October 2010

    You are an inspiration to us all. Congratulations on your completion of the marathon.

    Laurie

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  • lciscarroll
    lciscarroll Member Posts: 91
    edited October 2010

    That last message was for English Teacher- Congratulations on the finish of the marathon.

    Laurie

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  • lewing
    lewing Member Posts: 1,288
    edited October 2010

    Laurie, welcome to this thread.  So sorry for your diagnosis - I saw the date, and all the tests and procedures and appointment you've been through in the past month.  Many people will say - and I would agree - that the period you're in now is the hardest and most stressful.  So glad that the running is helping you through it.  (I'm thinking now about all those runs I did in the wind and pouring rain, just thinking things through.)

    And you are so, so right that being in shape will help you post-surgery!  (A tip: a strong core is really, really helpful post-mastectomy.)

    L 

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