2012 Running Thread

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  • firstcall
    firstcall Member Posts: 499
    edited April 2012

    Thank you thank you thank you, for your encouragement and support.  My blood counts came in ok, so the marathon is on.  I have no idea how this will go, chemo has definately taken a toll on me.  At best, I'll be competing for last place  Smile.  I'm pretty sure I can (slow) run half of it. Then I'll see how I'm doing and determine how much more I can do.  It will be my slowest run ever, I'm sure.  In the unlikely event I finish, it will likely be in the 6+ hour range. 

    If you want to follow me along, they will have timing mats about every 5k.  I'll be starting in the 3rd wave at 1040am EST.  I think you can track runners at baa.org on race day. 

    My race number is 24512.   Whatever happens, I'll be checkin in here afterwards.  Then my final chemo will be 2 days later on 4/18. 

    . 

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  • orangemat
    orangemat Member Posts: 645
    edited April 2012

    I just read this on the BAA website:

    We are now making the recommendation that if you are not highly fit or if you have any underlying medical conditions (for example-cardiac disease, pulmonary disease or any of a number of medical problems), you should NOT run this race.  

    firstcall, I thought specifically about you when I saw that. You might want to consider deferring, which they're offering as an option for anyone who has a valid registration for this year's race.

    Full article here.

    Whatever you decide, please be smart and safe. Best wishes to you!

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  • firstcall
    firstcall Member Posts: 499
    edited April 2012

    orangemat....thank you for that information.   I couldnt get the link to work presently, but I will consider that and ask about it at the expo/number pick up.  Everyone is talking about the heat that is expected, and I am concerned about that. 

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  • orangemat
    orangemat Member Posts: 645
    edited April 2012

    Ah, so it turns out I misunderstood the announcement. The deferment option is only for the runners who qualified for the race. The invitational runners are not being offered the deferment. Just to be 100% clear. Still not a safe situation for people with compromised health issues.

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  • firstcall
    firstcall Member Posts: 499
    edited April 2012

    Presently I'm at the American Medical Athletic Associations meeting in Boston.  It is our group who provides medical staffing for the marathon.  We just had an announcement from the BAA about the deferments.  Its an evolving situation, but they said here that it was available to all 'official runners' which includes charity runners, but does not include 'bandits'.  So it may be an option.  I am looking into it. 

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  • firstcall
    firstcall Member Posts: 499
    edited April 2012

    ok....so here's the deal with Boston.  Initially they said that the deferment was being made available to qualified runners, and now they have changed it to be all official runners.  I spoke directly with the chief medical officer of the marathon, and he confirmed that all official runners includes charity runners etc.  It includes anyone with an official number.  So I have to give this some serious thought. I am concerned about the heat they are predicting.  Its been a long time since I've run in heat, and dehydration is a huge concern esp considering my final chemo two days later.  I'm here, Ive picked up my number, but I'm leaning towards taking the deferrment to next year.  If you cross the starting line you are not eligible to defer.  I have until Monday morning to make my final decision.  Whatever I do, I already picked up my T Shirt!   thoughts from my friends here are most welcomed and appreciated.  

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  • CLC
    CLC Member Posts: 1,531
    edited April 2012

    Firstcall...I cannot give advice...but I can wish you well and the hope that you make a choice you feel good about...:)  Whatever you do, be safe and take good care!

    Thinking of you...

    Claire

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2012

    Firstcall 

    My husband is here for his first Boston Marathon, and he is going to take the deferrment.  He is normally in excellent health, but he is suffering from some sort of respiratory infection....fever, chills, body aches, bad cough....that coupled with the high temps....

    I ran my first marathon last April in Jackson, TN, and it topped out at 88 degrees.  My friend and almost did not make it!  My husband ran it, and it was his slowest marathon (because of the heat), and he could not believe that my friend and I finished (5 hours, 15 min.).  People were passing out, and one of my friends collapsed at the finish line of the half, and had to be taken to the medical tent for IV fluids.  

    In your case, I would recommend that you defer.  Next year you will be so much stronger, and you will be able to enjoy the race more.  I am afraid that Monday will just be too hot!  I know that you must be so disappointed!!  But please take care of yourself.  I am sure you will make the best decision for you.  Let us know! 

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  • eulabt
    eulabt Member Posts: 194
    edited April 2012

    FIRSTCALL- Thinking of you! We all support what ever decision that you make:)

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2012

    Firstcall

    Well, not my husband has gotten a couple of medications on board and is feeling better!  He is attending his medical meeting today.....and now he is considering running tomorrow!  Are you at the medical meeting?  My husband is a physician too.  Anyway, he says that he is forgetting his time, and just going to run/walk it and have a fun experience.  It is so hard to decide what to do.  

    We all support you, whatever you decide!  Smile 

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  • groovygirls
    groovygirls Member Posts: 223
    edited April 2012

    Firstcall- what a hard decision to make. I was in a similar position a few months ago when I first received my diagnosis. I was in for the NYC marathon after deferring the year before (under training and not ready for it). I was heart broken to have to defer for another year but my PS commented "I'm pretty sure the race will be there next year too"



    as a medical person myself ( and I have volunteered at the finishers medical tent in years past) I want to you to have a last this weekend. Soak up all the excitement, forget about breast cancer for a few moments. Make the choice you feel is the right one. I will be following you and thinking of you

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  • firstcall
    firstcall Member Posts: 499
    edited April 2012

    Thank you everyone for your comments, and for your support.  I have decided to defer my run of Boston to next year.  Roan - yes, I'm at the medical meeting.  Its been a good meeting. 

    I thought long and hard about this, but with the anticipated heat wave my concern is not that I couldnt do it, but that I would mess up my blood work and have my chemo postponed this week.  I have run a lot of marathons, and I ran one on  a very hot day, a few years ago.  It was in the 90s, and they ran out of water/gatorade/cups etc.  I did finish, but after the race I ate and drank all that I could and then weighed myself.  I was still 11 pounds less than before the race.  A gallon weighs 8 lbs.  I didnt have my blood work done but I bet it took a few days for everything to normalize again.   So....I am concerned that doing 26.2 in the heat will put me at significant risk for having my blood work be off a little, and bumping me from my chemo Wednesday.  So...considering the heat, the pending final chemo, I'm going to defer.  

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  • eulabt
    eulabt Member Posts: 194
    edited April 2012

    Firstcall- I can only imagine how hard it must have been to make that decision, but I think you did the right thing!

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  • paradiju
    paradiju Member Posts: 46
    edited April 2012

    Good luck First Call -- i am so inspired by all of you. Looking forward to hearing about your race.

    Thinking of eveyone else running through worse issues than i'm having I went out for an 8km (5mile) run this morning even though it was raining and cool -- got soaked but it felt good, even took off my hat and flaunted my crazy one inch long curly hair -- then I had a nice hot bath :). I think the Tamox is finally starting to wear off, my joints feel better and i'm not as depressed -- cheers all

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  • orangemat
    orangemat Member Posts: 645
    edited April 2012

    Firstcall, as much as I'm sure it's a disappointment to you, I'm happy to hear you're deferring. Better to have many more races in the future to look forward to, when you're healthy and done with all your chemo.

    paradiju, glad to hear the SE of the Tamox are fading away. Exactly the reason why I opted not to take it myself. One of my running GFs had opted not to take it, then changed her mind and took it for a couple months, then decided after all to stop it. She just ran a sub 2-hour half marathon with me today, btw, her first!

    Yes, the More Women's Half Marathon was this morning, and I'm happy to say I finished, feeling relatively good. Not my best effort (14 seconds off my PR) but not too horrible either. And considering I didn't train for hills at all the six weeks I had to train for this to begin with, I think I managed just fine. Official time was 2:03:22. Looking forward to resting for a bit now!

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  • CLC
    CLC Member Posts: 1,531
    edited April 2012

    Firstcall...I am with orangemat and eulabt...I am glad to hear you decided to play it safe...though I can only begin to imagine how tough that choice was...

    Orangemat...you are something!!  I cannot imagine running for 2 hours...  Maybe it is my imagination that needs training more than my body...:)

    Stay well, all!!

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  • eulabt
    eulabt Member Posts: 194
    edited April 2012

    Congrats orangemat! What a fun race and great time:)

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  • groovygirls
    groovygirls Member Posts: 223
    edited April 2012

    Firstcall- I think you made the right choice. I am sure they will need you medical help today instead! Perhaps I will see you there next year!

    Way to go Orangemat!

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  • paradiju
    paradiju Member Posts: 46
    edited April 2012

    Way to go Orangemat -- 2:03 rocks! It makes me determined to start working my way back up to longer distances again -- i remember our Sunday morning 3 and 3.5 hour training runs and really miss them. And thanks for the input about Tamox -- there are people who make me feel really stupid about quitting it -- it is so nice to talk to like minded people! thanks!

    judy  

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  • eulabt
    eulabt Member Posts: 194
    edited April 2012

    paradiju- not sure about what your story is with Tamoxifen, but I only lasted 7 months on it. My quality of life was horrible. I just got back from my Oncologist appointment and she is fully behind me staying off of it for good. You have to do what is right for you.

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  • groovygirls
    groovygirls Member Posts: 223
    edited April 2012

    I am curious what side effects you had on the tamoxifen. I have been on it since November and have not been bothered by SEs- just wondering.

    I agree Eulabt- you have to do what is right for you

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  • eulabt
    eulabt Member Posts: 194
    edited April 2012

    groovygirls- I had all of the normal side effects- weight gain, mood swings, joint pain, having to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, night sweats and dry eyes. I was able to handle those. Then I got severe vertigo like symtoms and heart rate issues. I was not able to take care of my kids and drive. I never asked for help through my BMX and reconstruction, but had to with these. It took 2 to almost 3 months for me to get the tamoxifen out of my symtem. I am one of those people that has a hard time taking any medication. I can't tell you how much better I feel now.

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  • orangemat
    orangemat Member Posts: 645
    edited April 2012

    Wow, hearing you describe all those symptoms, eulabt, confirms my decision to never even start taking Tamoxifen. Having been going through perimenopause these past couple years with all that stuff (minus the vertigo) was quite enough. Actually, I had several bouts of vertigo for several years after my daughter was born, which were linked to chronic sinus infections at the time, yet another hormonal reaction I suppose. And yes, I remember calling my MIL at least one time, while both my kids were in the tub, saying I was so dizzy I was afraid I was going to fall off the floor that I was sitting on. Horrid, simply horrid.

    I'm also another one who can't take medication. The pill was a disaster for me, 'nuff said.

    Oh, but this is a running thread, so let me talk about running! I was supposed to start leading a group of beginner runners this evening as a weekly volunteer stint, but no one showed up. So I did a nice and luxurious 4 miles on my own, just me and the bugs, dedicating my miles to all those who ran Boston today, as well as all those who opted to defer. Quite a day to be a runner, indeed!

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  • kks_rd
    kks_rd Member Posts: 363
    edited April 2012

    Indeed indeed!  How nice that you're also leading a group of newbies, Esther!  My little C25K group and I had a terrific run today; it was about 85 and breezy and then in the last interval it started to rain, which was really refreshing.  We all agreed the group accountability is what got us started today... I haven't had a day off from work since Easter and it seems like everyone's got something going on that could be used as a reason to skip it.

    Fact of the matter is, I am loving having running back in my life.  I am very grateful for what it does for me.  And I hope never to be forced into a break from it again!

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  • learnin
    learnin Member Posts: 205
    edited April 2012

    Runnergirl4life - hope you see this. I am stageIV also. would love to compare notes.

    In 2005 I was a week away from running my 5th marathon (Chicago) when I was first dx stage 3C, and started chemo instead. Another kind of marathon.



    Through treatment, my running got harder and slower, and eventually even walking needed rest breaks. Felt like a toxic waste dump. After treatment, I started running again, but was so discouraged by my slow times, compared to previously.



    Best idea - I wiped my head of any prev PR. I gave myself a new running nickname, and treated her/me like a new runner. Celebrated each step as if it was a first. Took 6 years, but I finally ran a marathon. My toughest marathon, but the one I am most proud of. And likely my last.



    So now I am stage IV. Pain kept me from running at first. Then Xeloda foot SE. But now I am going to Tamoxifen, and I am really joyfully anticipating being able to exercise more easily.



    Most recent run - 2 km run walk was all I could do. Exactly like when I first started 20 years ago. I think it's time for a new running nickname, to honor this as a new chapter in my running life, with different goals.



    Ideas for a good nickname? Any other stage 4 gals who run or used to run and how they adapt?



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  • firstcall
    firstcall Member Posts: 499
    edited April 2012

    Well, Boston was fun.  Didnt run it, and I really wanted to.  But with the heat, I'm pretty sure I did the right thing.  It was so hot that I would likely have messed up my blood work enough that it would have kept me from doing my chemo Wednesday.  And in that this is my final chemo, that is my current finish line!  I did go out for a run for a few miles.  Its true, you have to let go of your previous times/ pace etc.  I decided that 13 minute miles is the new 9 minute mile.  I was pretty comfortable with 9 minute miles before this all happened, but the surgeries and chemo have reset everything.  Hopefully with the passage of time I can get a little faster, but I am grateful I can run at any pace. 

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  • paradiju
    paradiju Member Posts: 46
    edited April 2012

    Groovygirls - sorry i've been away but i did want to respond to your Tamox question -- even though this is a running thread. I was on it for three months -- i was fine for the first two and then the SE started kicking in -- night sweats, hot flashes, joint pain, anxiety attacks and depression!! Even running did not cheer me up or make me feel better. Hated it all -- i have been off it for three and the fog is just starting to lift -- halleluja! I have heard some women who opt to go on a whole pile of other medications -- anti anxiety, antil depressant, anelgesics for the joint pain, and on and on -- if it works for them great. I hate drugs so i am going for quality rather than quantity. It is all very personal -- if you are not having any SE that is fantastic.

    Learnin -- I love that you keep running, by the sound of everyone here it looks like running is the one thing that is life reafferming for all of us -- I'd say use "intrepid" you fit it to a T!

    At the end of the day it doesn't matter whether you do 9 min or 12 min miles -- what counts is you are getting out.

    cheers to all

    Judy 

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  • firstcall
    firstcall Member Posts: 499
    edited April 2012

    Well, I had my last T/C treatment last Wed. Thursday I still felt ok, so I went for a run.  It was about 6 miles, and it went ok, just slow.  But I think I underestimated the effect of the treatment on the nails, as I ended up with 2 black toenails afterwards and my feet were a little swollen.  So I've been mostly cross training, biking since then.  I'll probably try another run this week and see how it goes. 

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  • iswimibikeirun
    iswimibikeirun Member Posts: 743
    edited April 2012

    firstcall - glad you're done with chemo, but sorry about the black toenails.

    I still can't run yet, but did 6 miles (but it took an hour and 50 minutes!).Embarassed

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  • learnin
    learnin Member Posts: 205
    edited April 2012

    Firstcall - Boston 2012 sounds like Chicago 2007! I think you made the right call to postpone. Is next year a possibility for you?



    Judy- thanks for the encouragement! "life affirming" is a perfect word. Went out for 2 1/2 Km with my 13 yr old son this morning. Snow and wind in our face, running on the shore of a choppy grey lake. I don't care what the weather is - just great to be out in it.

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