Hope Runs - Runners blog

Options
everyminute
everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Hope runs

February 25, 2011 at 7:48 am by Mary Katherine Ibbetson

In an effort to be an athlete (who'd a thunk it??) and run like it's my job...it has become like a job.  I set my alarm, I put on my "uniform" (some sort of tech fabric and $100 sneakers), pack my "lunchbox" (Spi-belt full of Gu), punch the "clock" (Garmin GPS) and go put my "time" in while training to get the "payback" I want (hopefully).   

Wait...back up....That is not why I run.  I will never be paid to run, I will never win a race or even place in the top 10 (unless there are only 10 people in the race) and at the end of the day I don't care.  I admit I get sucked up into the challenge of challenging ME.  Getting stronger, getting faster, seeing improvement and maybe even surprising myself now and then (like Miami). But honestly, none of that matters.

I run because I can.  I run because it keeps me healthy and strong, emotionally and physically.  As a cancer survivor, I don't live in fear (I refuse to) of it coming back,  but I do live with the reality of it.  You know the saying "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer?"  So it's always there, hanging out in my peripheral vision - It doesn't block the view but I know it's there.  But it can't run.  And I can. So I do.

Will running cure me?  Maybe or maybe not.  Research shows that breast cancer survivors who exercise regularly and intensely are less likely to recur and more likely to survive.   In the meantime, though, and maybe more importantly, the thought that it might (cure me) and that I am doing something to control something so out of my control is a powerful drug called HOPE.  And if you think hope is not that big of a deal, consider being on the other end of the spectrum - hopeless. 

So to me running = HOPE.  In the middle of the night, when I wake up in fear and before I have a chance to boot it out of bed, I go over the miles I have run.  I remind myself how strong I am, how healthy I am, what I have accomplished, what my goals are and then I go back to sleep....but not for long since I have to get up early to run!

So yeah, the weather is annoying, the treadmill is boring, and I can do speed work til I am blue in the face (well, that would be bad!) but at the end of the day, running keeps me sane.  It is my HOPE.

Bookmark and Share Posted in Bloggers, General, Mary Katherine Ibbetson | Edit | 1 Comment 1 Comment »

  1. Started as therapy.
    Evolved into physical challenge.
    Provided many new friends.
    Changed my life.

    ‘Push Thru' indeed!

    Comment by  Jennifer27 - February 25th, 2011 @ 9:19 am

RSS feed for comments on this post.

Post a Comment

Logged in as Mary Katherine Ibbetson. Logout »

 
Note: All comments are read and approved before they display. Comments with profanity or personal attacks will be rejected.
FreeCreditReport.com® See Your Credit Report in Seconds! Easy to Read and Viewable Online. http://272885.r.msn.com/?ld=4vuKUn3lLIUTr6XSfXmnMiZ4UMj1nW3CUS0d_l1ckb3KPIYitjGHjwT-eu1YpExVxQAnYglWHJERNVPrZTBU1WseNmvigKRLwN01Q7r5zo81kkO8Zab2bi7iXGwNQo_ucyJ5uZyMnO3CX7xoScDcd4zL9T0S-drrgtPnyFzvCfGW8nbn2zJFMQkHiU_Vx34pEbooTHFg9stL97IyW--_9EeuaXA6AvltSc2QrEEGDZzekt6XK0jiTc9bv4_4S6244czWMRWXjqjqLLUbI6OABzTgHEq0ksLwTYe2o3UEdto3M1VAlMksQfCasY0Hhz_XRLm-U08RAmY3M9DKOkxMb7q6PPe2fFc61wPPqnBxkPk6y8G6OEFPHKFRY 1 tip of a flat belly Cut down 3 lbs of your belly every week by using this 1 weird tip. http://0.r.msn.com/?ld=4veSzl9dwsAWA6_c7eQuRP-IagGTYRI2RHhKKLXLh3kMYxjsaeU4yi46gXa50qd41Kpz-Q7mts5OazGXwzonn3S54AodpixXWeDJp1nHq8OCK3Inm8TyOEDlkrXqTs4R5bW9WXYIKFTYmTSvzlkNwk2goLtr1-Xcz7Wj-s_4JSoLrxA5SVEE-dF1ej3E3CRbwEsM8mKXG9_C8MLY9PU-mFRCdLtONiK1RpzZv9dL2sPw41VAlMb2yBgmkcXTUMcYuy6J_nkRAmY3M9C36D58QSLwcs8V8r3iI_ra4yMU5KNC9uKHnKDmdXEBI $79/Hr Job - 266 Openings Make $79/hr Working From Home. Bad credit ok. Must have computer. WAHM.com/jobs
Ads by Yahoo! 		RSS Posts | Comments Log out | Site Admin Note: The Times Union is not responsible for posts and
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2011

    Oh Mary,  I would give anything to run again like I used to.  I used to go every evening before dinner and go for 3 miles.  My kids were in middle school.  I felt so good, and strong, and fit. This continued while they were in high school, and during that time I was riding my horse a lot and somehow the running gave way to riding.  For several years I would go to the barn every day like I was going to work, and put on my riding "uniform" and the payback was the feeling I got while riding. To make a long story short that was all pre menopause, and pre breast cancer.  I will turn 61 next month, and at this point am fearful to take up running again.  My left knee is not good and I don't want to cause an injury.  I often wonder if my knee issue is from the runninng and riding I did in my yournger days.  I have always looked and acted very young for my age, and if I could I would start running again and just push threw my issues.  I'm not consistant with continuously working out, and this long winter has really given me cabin fever.  When I used to run, I'd be out in below 0 weather.Undecided  Keep running, Mary.  I know if I were able to run like you I would definitely feel like I was literally running away from a recurrence.

    image

    Barb

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited February 2011

    Mary....beautiful....I've never been a runner...body just not meant to run....and today as a post menopausal middle age woman, my pelvic floor with no muscles, my bladder is not happy is I try to run....BUT, I can walk...but I have been bad and not doing it regularly.....my knees don't like me doing stairs as an exercise (like lots of repittions).....Need to put walking on my schedule, but then I always find excuses!!!  Thanks for your wonderful post.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DCMom
    DCMom Member Posts: 624
    edited February 2011

    I'm printing your blog for over my kitchen sink. Once again Mary you have put a little fire under my behind to get out and run.  You need to send that in to Runner's World for their Penguin chronicles. Keep the good stuff coming and I'll be running that half-marathon in no time.

    Thank You so much.... 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • wornoutmom
    wornoutmom Member Posts: 90
    edited February 2011

    Just happened upon this as I was looking for my first post, new to this.  But you gave me hope.  I am an avid runmer and the hardest part of healing from my mastecomy was not running.  3 weeks post op I was up an running.   I actually get moody if I can't run.  I also find that being outdoors when I run releases the stress which definitly  boosts my spirtis and a good attitude is the best medicine, at least that is what I believe.  I just happened upon this woman Ruth Heidrich who is a 22 year survivor of BC that spread to the lungs I believe.  She is a runner and is in her 70's and winning medals in the ironman!  In this video they said she is one of the fittest women and the next woman is like 35.  Maybe were on to something =)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • everyminute
    everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
    edited February 2011

    Thanks guys! 

    Welcome Wornoutmom.  I began running again, albeit slowly, during treatment when I could and walked when I couldnt run - just about every day I did something.  It kept me sane. 

    I kid you not, the day I came home from the bilateral mast - my hubby tucked me into bed and then went and bought me a treadmill - set it up and had me walking on it that day - drains and all!

    I had a great group of friends who I ran with that would walk with me when I couldnt run and run with me when I could - at my pace.  It kept things normal for me. 

    I have a face book page - "Because Mary Says So" that I use for exercise motivation - many of my "friends" on that page are survivors and I write for the local paper's running blog as well.  You can also email me!

    I train survivor runners for a 5k program called No Boundaries - through Fleet Feet Sports with is a nationwide 5k training program (not specifically for survivors).  I started asurvivor division last Spring with 2 survivors, in the fall I had 5, this spring sesion I have 12 suvivors and 4 spouses of survivors.  I am able to give that feeling of HOPE to more and more people - you already have it!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • x-raygirl
    x-raygirl Member Posts: 373
    edited February 2011

    Everyminute - I wish you lived near me!!!!  I need someone like you!  Will check you out on FB.  Thanks for your encouragement and inspiration!   ~ Daiva

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited February 2011

    Great post...you encourage me to do & be better.  Thank you.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mom3
    Mom3 Member Posts: 170
    edited February 2011

    Mary, you rock! I love your post. I'm also a runner. I began running after chemo (2 1/2 years ago) and never looked back. I wake up before it's light out 5 days outta the week and head to gym. I run about 5 or 6 miles a day! I shoot for 24-26 a week. I come home feeling full of energy and ready for my day. I always stop off at my fav lil' coffee shop and pick up a delish hazelnut coffee. I love it! I live in CA so the weather is not bad all year long I just like to go early b/c I have a hubby and 2 small kids who are still asleep when I leave. When I come home their day is starting and it feels great to get it outta the way, ya know? I also have my 'gear'...a pair of way too expensive Nike Airmax running shoes, ipod, a gel shot and 1/2 banana, water & towel and I'm good. I'm 3 years out and in the best shape of my life!! I love to run, I love the way it makes me feel, I love how I can think better, feel better, I love that it has help to be healthier and get rid of my muffin top (I'm a size 6 thanks to my running!!). Oh yeah, WE ROCK!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Let-It-Be
    Let-It-Be Member Posts: 325
    edited February 2011

    Mary! You got me runnin'

    For that you deserve many many medals!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories