2011 Running Thread

No rads here to share experience of.

But I haven't been running except vicariously as I see the runners on the sidewalks. I've been trying to walk whenever possible for transportation as a means to keep some movement but after all these weeks, finally I think the treatment of my hip (seems to be some kind of soft tissue impingement in the sacral spine) is improving. It has been week after week of adjustments only to have the damned pain jump to the alternate side. This time, I was pain free all the way from the chiropractor to the lobby of her building :-/ 

But after two painful days, it seems to be relaxing. A tentative hooray! But too late now. I have just four sleeps to the MX/DIEP so I doubt I will run until afterwards. 

No, not a birdwatcher, but my bike is a Kestrel.

11 rad treatments to go and things are going great! Yesterday was 2 months since BMX and I did an 8-miler to celebrate. Slow, but it isn't about time. Hoping to do the R 'n R 1/2 marathon in Phx with my daughter in January. 

I have been lucky enough to run and bike consistently through my treatments with little difficulty. I swear that being fit going in has made all the difference. I have taken advantage of not "training" to add some hiking into my regimen and LOVE it! DH and I have done some gnarly desert trails and gotten some great workouts.

Once the rads are done, the plan is to fill the time with yoga, which I do not like but know I need. Will see how that goes.

Booked my rooms for Boston over the weekend. Eeeek!

Because I work in the triathlon industry with a bunch of young kids, I think it is easier for me to stay motivated to workout. No one wants to be the slacker in the office and I feel like I am showing the young'uns what is possible. Of course, some days more is possible than others....

Next week.......9, or maybe 10 miles!

PS - am I the only one who LOVES not having to wear a jog bra anymore???

(((((goldlining))))) Good to see you again - so glad everything went well.  And bonus points on the hip nerve!

I've done 40 stooped over laps of the ward so far today. After the first 20, I napped so deeply some of the hospital people gave up on waking me and came back later! My last set of 10 took 20 minutes and I hardly needed to hold the rail. Had a juice cup for each 10 laps, like a proper race. I need to take gps to measure distance...

In the runner-boob department, PS advised I switched from 700g (just the one) to two made from one 500g ab flap (which obviously is also no longer on my belly) so a lot less weight above the HR monitor and a little less weight below it.

Adding: have measured and so far I've done 5K today. Pace ranging 15-20 mins/km stooped over due to the belly. Not bad at all :-)

You can actually position the HRM strap so the electrodes are in back if that helps. Also, anywhere on your chest will work. Just avoid your incisions!



I'm just a few days postblumectomy for DCIS and LCIS and sentinel node biopsy, and anxious to get back to the gym and back to running and teaching spinning. My family is treating me like an invalid!

Hello Ladies,

I posted a question on a Runner's World forum and didn't get a reply.  I'll try it again here:

 "So... this year sucked for me.  I had planned to train for a 10K but had a mastectomy, chemo, and radiation instead.  I'm getting back on track (haha, a pun!) and have been running again, though not very far yet.  I still have one breast so I wear my normal sports bra.  That's fine when I'm on the treadmill because no one is there to see that I only bounce on one side, but I would not be comfortable running that way in public.  Even though I'm only an A cup, it's hard not to notice.  I do have a mastectomy sports bra and a prosthesis but I think it (prosthesis) would become uncomfortable after a while.  The bra is ok but not nearly as comfortable as my normal sports bras.  Anyone out there in the same situation?  Do you run with or without it?

Also, for those who have had reconstruction, what kind did you go with, why, and how do you like the result?

Thanks in advance...."

I do plan to sign up for that 10K in 2012 since I didn't get to do it this year.  How is it to run with a prosthesis for that distance????

Exercise is hugely important.  It can reduce your cancer risk significantly.  I believe preventing cancer through proper exercise and nutrition needs to be embraced by everyone. 

 On top of this, there are several research areas that are trying to prevent breast cancer.  The first is Dr. Tuohy's breast cancer vaccine and the second is Dr. Pogo's work on the Human Mammary Tumor Virus.  These two areas are vital as they may lead us to eliminate breast cancer altogether.  Unfortunately, the breast cancer community would rather focus their efforts on treatment instead of preventing the disease from infecting women and causing so much heartache.

 Neither the vaccine nor breast cancer virus have much funding and nobody is willing to stand up and help these scientists get rid of this disease once and for all.  We need to change this, please help me get the word out.  Please research and send info to all your friends and family - with everyone's voice, we can eliminate breast cancer.

lkctjs...  I had a umx without reconstruction and I am a size D.  I run with my old regular sports bras with no filler.  I really find the forms uncomfortable.  I haven't found any issues with people noticing me or caring if they do.  So...I am sorry to say I don't have much advice, other than perhaps to give it a try one-sided.  Since you are an A cup, you will be noticed even less than I am...

Oh...I have one other bit of advice...you could check out "breastfree.org"  The woman that has set up the website is very helpful.  She emailed me back with good info while I was considering my umx.  She has lots of info about forms and bras for those of us that don't reconstruct.

I hope you find a solution you are happy with.

Claire

Finding the right sports bra (or any bra) has been such an issue for me. I have found if I wear a good one (love lulu lemon) and a compression top over has been the most comfortable. I had immediate reconstruction with silicone implants and I don't think completely the goofy challenge was in my PS recovery plans!

Whoo hoo! One hour on the treadmill at 4mph. That's a good enough pace for the TinkerBell Half and I have four weeks to stretch my endurance. I'm not quite walking upright but it wasn't bad. I managed to fall about 25 minutes in and got belt rash on both knees but kept going. It might have even been a useful distraction. I don't have a new bra yet but the DIEP boobs stayed put at walking pace. I will probably sleep well tonight -- if not sooner! Happy New Year, runner-sisters!

Hi thriceblessed. I've got my first marathon coming up this weekend (Disney), so while I don't have the real race-time experience, I do know about the long training runs involved. Are you having enough nutrition and hydration along the way? I remember when I was first building up to longer runs I'd have issues when it got past the two hour mark. Being more generous with your gels, Chomps, whatever really made a difference. Best of luck to you on your goal, you'll do great!

goldlining, thanks! groovygirls is going to be there too, right? I've been a bit out of touch on this thread, and on BCO in general. Just haven't had my diagnosis on my mind lately, which is a VERY GOOD THING. As for running, well, now that's a whole 'nother story... !!

Oh, and the forecast calls for mid 70s during the day, and low to mid 50s overnight. Perfect!

thriceblessed, I'm strictly a half-marathoner. At my speed (best half, 2:43) I would be eating my windbreaker if I tried to go farther! But one thing I learned from experience is the gel energy makes a difference for me in quieting the whiny voice that wants to stop. I don't know about powerbars-- I stick with the Clif Shot Bloks. Chewing those and avoiding choking is a distracting game for my mind as well. I am also a thirsty runner and I can't carry enough water to stay hydrated past 15km so I am always undertrained! At least I know I can rely on the brilliant Disney water/powerade layout on the big day. The runDisney events are all great, from the expo to the finish line. They have a lot of fans on this thread. This year my plan is Tinker Bell (Disneyland) and Wine & Dine (Walt Disney World) for the Coast to Coast Challenge medal. Looking forward to race reports next week!!

Woo hoo! Finished the first part of the goofy challenge! Five minutes slower than last year but I'll take that since I am not supposed to be running yet!

Not really looking forward to tomorrow's full.



Many positive thoughts and pixie dust for those participating tomorrow!

MariannaHB, 1:13? holy!

I had a lot of help from a physio when I got IT band problems. She stretched it out better than I could because she would keep going when it hurt, and I would be inclined to stop. She also required me to use a foam roller, where you put it on the floor and roll on top of it and it hurts like hell, and I am sure that helped. The pain diminished gradually from treatment to treatment. I even took the roller with me in my suitcase and used it in the morning before the DL Half and had no pain from that. Just one pause about 11 miles in to stretch for 30 seconds. I also learned about doing a 20 minute cold soak after the finish and started that there and I am sure it helped.

groovygirls, we're so proud of you! Rock those three medals tomorrow! Hope for good report from orangemat too!