Any other triathletes here?

Hi Jill, welcome.

I was training for a tri when diagnosed. I modified, and am gearing back up again to complete one in 2012. Sports got me through treatment. Every night after a chemo infusion no matter how bad I felt I power walked an hour. I am a competitive tennis player and refused to give that up. I literally would climb out of a chemo chair and drag myself to the courts...never missed a match and won the city championship...noone ever knew what I was going through! To prove it wasn't a fluke, I returned this year and won again. I love that silver plate! I ran several days a week, and did high aerobic cardio kickbox 3 days a week, that sometimes I just "willed" myself through. I used to hate swimming, and came across Total Immersion...WOW!! I can crank out some laps now using those techniques. I have practiced several times in the ocean, but sttill need work!






I am sure you are more experienced than me, but just wanted to say "hi", and that

jillj...I am no triathlete...but I wanted to point out the "Running 2011" thread to you, because they were helpful in guiding me when I first got diagnosed and reassuring me that I would be able to keep running.  There are several marathoners on that thread and maybe it was that thread that had an iron woman...

Hang in there...the first week after diagnosis is a rough one, but it gets better.  You are in good shape and that will help you navigate this.  It is helping me...:)

I wish you the best of luck, strength, peace and fortitude...

Claire

Hi there!  Yes yes yes!!!!!  Keep running, training, etc through treatment.  I am a triathlete and was diagnosed while training for my first half marathon last year at the age of 43.  I completed chemo 11/2/11 and radiation 1/13/12 and am on Tamoxifen.  I ran my way through the entire process though not at the pace or distances my head wanted to do but what my body would allow for the day.  My doctor encouraged me and trusted me in that I knew what I could handle.  Said recovery would be so much faster too.  Running has always been my "me" time to think, self talk, and was my therapy.  If that was taken away from me, I would be hurting.  So I kept it up and pushed through on the hard days.  I ran the 3 mile Race for the Cure 4 days after my 4th chemo and it felt alot longer than 3 but I was determined.  I ran it bald too! :-)  Never in a million years did I think I would ever have cancer.  Never did I think I would get cancer when I was in the best shape of my life.  But what I did think was that I was going to fight this and cancer was not going to take who I am or what I love to do away from me.  I am now running at my old speed and distances and will be ready in May for the Half!  I am kickin' cancer's *** and am a stronger and better person than I was before!  Never underestimate yourself and what you can do - we are powerful warriors in PINK!  Keep running girl - it will help your recovery so much faster.  :-)

I cycled through it all and had roughly the same experience.  In fact, I believe that exercise is essential for a complete recovery.  Lance Armstrong is doing a tri this week.  I may need to follow his example.

I am looking forward to doing the Seattle-to-Portland this year without a handicap.  Two years ago, I as w/i 6 weeks of radiation.  Last year, I had trashed my ankle with a cycling spill.  My cycling buddy Amanda said "at least you can cycle better than you can walk".  I finished both.

So good luck.  Let us know how it all works out.

Agree on recovery up to about the 95% mark, but was surprised at how long getting to 100% took.  Aiming for 110%.

For the record, I did the Chilly Hilly two years ago.  With a wig, the short course, and I walked the hills.  It was six days past Taxol 3 of six.  It was after six AC.  I did it.

Good luck and keep pushing the envelope.  Just so important.  I still remember the expressions on the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance volunteers when I made it through the tunnel in the pouring rain.  They were stunned.  I passed on a cold drink at the end of the Livestrong event and went home to a hot bath.

That is what living is about. - Claire

Way too cool! Claire have you read his book? Its very inspriring. I know testicular cancer is not the same boat I am in, but stage 4 anything is not good. The fact that he so monitored his health through nutrition and exercise is quite an example to pay attention to. As well, he discusses the effects of anasthesia on his body chemistry and profiles....interesting stuff!!

Another triathlete here. I am currently in training for an Olympic Distance Ironman in October.  I have always been active, but have to say that prior to my diagnosis, I had a slow decline in health that included painful feet (from gluten intolerance and being severely malnourished), a 15 lb weight gain despite not changing diet or exercise routine, and such low energy levels that I was wasted after doing a 2 mile run. For an entire day, I couldn't function after running.

Fast foward to diagnosis, then nutritional therapy for the gluten problem (which was also not diagnosed until shortly after my BC dx), and I am doing fine now.  Energy levels are back to normal, I can eat and be nourished by my food, no more neuralgia in my feet, and an overall fitness level that is very high for a 42 year old mother of 3!!!

Glad to meet all of you here!  I will have to check out the Total Immersion swimming. I just got back into the pool after 5 months hiatus, and doing 2 laps is HARD!!!!  

bike racer here - just had a fantastic ride with a big group of around 40-50 mostly guys....  super fun to feel like i could hang with the group again!  super fun to feel like my legs are coming back!

2:20 min...  30.7 kph...  YAY!  

maybe in a month or two i'll be mixing it up in the sprints! 

i definitely need more recovery - any one have good advice for good recovery after hard efforts?

tracy - how's the swimming now that it has been a few more weeks?  a friend of mine told me a funny story about doing bench press with tissue expanders...  basically, her natural breast was resting... and her te was shivering with the effort!  

i rode my bike every single day of chemo (except for a three day business trip, during which i walked walked walked).  i rode my bike to chemo. i rode my bike to work. i rode and rode and rode.  it definitely contributes to sanity... and it helps EVERYTHING.  some days, i rode SLOW...  and some days, i didn't ride all that far.  

my last treatment was also in jan of 2012 - ltr - i think we are on similar paths to recovery.

i'm definitely not at 100%, but i feel like i can ride with my buddies again... and i can ride pretty darn fast again...  and it's all up and up from here (i hope!)!

hope everyone has a great day, and PLEASE keep the rubber side DOWN!

lee