2012 Running Thread

I was going to suggest the same thing as marie11: run slower. Once you've acclimated to the heat and humidity, maybe two weeks or so, your speed should reassertion itself naturally. See, I've always run in the summer, as well as been a slower runner, so I never really noticed much of a difference!



Thanks for maintaining the calendar, firstcall. I think I may not be doing the Avon Walk unfortunately, because it's two weeks before NYC. Not the smartest thing. But don't remove it just yet.

Thanks everyone for these replies.  I think I will be running in the evening (6-9pm) or, on the weekends, before it warms up too much.  I'm a redhead so the UV factor always forces me outside at off-peak hours.  If we get a streak of unbearably hot weather, I suppose I could try the dreadmill at the gym.  But I'd rather acclimate to it outdoors

Just wanted to shout out to firstcall to say thanks for updating the calendar!  I'm seeing that I really need to start thinking about what my next race might be!  I'm trying to talk one of my C25K friends into a Firecracker 5-miler. We'll see!

Didn't run today but adjusted my training calendar to a Sun-Tues-Thurs-Sat schedule...

Tried a little experiement yesterday and ran the old program on the treadmill, at zero incline, just to validate that the weight loss program I switched to, is actually increasing my endurance.  I was able to do pretty well, so it validated the weight loss program for me.  

But it is taking me a loonnngg time to build up to a 5k.   A bit discouraging, but I'm going to hang in there.  

Natsfan -- Thank you for the encouragement!  I really appreciate it....  fingers crossed I'll make it to my goal of a 5k sometime this summer!  

It's funny how the run length recalibrates as  you go on. My very first attempt to run at all was about 800 metres and it took me nearly 20 minutes, and I was SOOOO proud. I told my husband I ran almost a kilometre. (Of course, at 20 minutes, you can tell I walked the last half of it.) I did a 5K about 5 weeks from that (ran 4K and walked 1K and was very slow, came in last except for two ladies walking dogs who signed up for the "run" when they meant to tick the "walk" box). But I kept at it and did a 10K 6 or 7 months after that. Another 6 months later, I went to Walt Disney World and did a 10K (which they used to have). It was such a special event, a 10K!

Thanks to my stinky mood, I'm currently deconditioned and can barely run 15 minutes before I need to start substantial walking intervals, but I got back at it for a couple of runs on the weekend.

To the C25K sisters, I'll tell you, the km 6-10 are much better than the km 1-5 for me. At about 4 or 5 km, the whiny voice in my head shuts up. I can't wait to get into 10K condition. (And you might notice a wee problem, given my half marathon in 2 weeks. I foresee a great deal of walking...)

I second all that Natsfan said...I never guessed I could run anything...and I just started adding little by little.  And now I am hardly a veteran, but I can run close to 8 miles...  If I could do it, anyone can.  Just keep plugging away!

firstcall...congratulations!  It is wonderful to improve.  I am sure you will find yourself back where you were...especially because you have such a great attitude!

I ran intervals today on the treadmill.  I alternate a minute fast and a minute walking 3mph.  Today I managed 9mph for the fast and did 9 intervals...my most yet.  I was pleased...

I believe that it might be time for me to consider surgery for my bunions.  I am going to talk to an orthopedic surgeon soon, I think.

I hope you all are well.

Claire

Last year this time, my running club was all excitedly planning the big annual race that they sponsor. Everyone was signing up to volunteer for registration and course marshaling duties, as well as other tasks. Some of us even got to run in the 5k or 10k, or even both.

Last year this time I was having my UMX and could not really participate in any of these events. I did go to the race, I was barely a week post-op, still had my drains, but I was there and stayed for the picnic afterward. I don't remember much because I was still loopy from the pain meds. I do remember making sure I stayed in sight of people I knew, but I wasn't really of any help as a volunteer. I think I gave out some kids' medals for the fun run.

What a difference a year makes.

This year I'm still not running either race, but I'm course marshaling both. I'm also doing pre-registration and packet pickup, on Friday and Sunday. The big event is Monday, Memorial Day. And I'm so glad this entire year is behind me, finally.

Every run we do is an accomplishment, no matter how fast or how slow. Everyone here is amazing. I just thought I should tell you all that.  

Any input appreciated...

 I had my last A/C treatment last week, now on to 4 rounds of Taxol.  The last A/C really wiped me out...I have been hiking, biking and swimming but no running.  My biggest issue is in my head!  I cannot handle my pace.  My husband said to leave my watch (garmin) at home and I think I better do that! My problem is, I know my pace, even with out the gadgets!

Anyway, my question to you all is...what can I expect with the Taxol treatments?  I know everyone is different, that is a given.  But I would like to know, in comparision to how crappy I have felt over the last 2 A/C treatments (4 weeks) what can I expect now that the regime is changing?  I am getting antsy...can you tell?  If you could share your experiences so I can have some idea.  Through all of this I have kept great control of my anxiety (I have had very little) - but the last A/C through me for a loop, it was quite difficult.  I have some big plans post reconstruction (Goofy Challenge 2013!) and I am getting nervous!

Thanks SuperStars!

My half marathon is Sunday and I am a bit nervous (okay alot!) I am in a funk and feel like a can't do it. I have to do it- my dad who has Alzheimers is counting on me plus all those who donated.

groovygirls...I will be rooting for you!!  (And really impressed when you tell us that you finished it, at whatever time, at whatever pace).  I hope you have a great day and that you manage to enjoy yourself!

You can do it groovygirls. I will be cheering you on this weekend. (I'm in the same boat next weekend.)

Hope it's perfect weather with the wind at your back and you have a great day at whatever pace. 

Thanks for that article, Kat. Though just because the odds seem to be stacked against us, that doesn't mean we should quit trying. Believe, and you can, that's my motto.

orangemat, I agree.  It's all the more reason to get out there and keep trying... it's far better than the the other options.  And our successes despite these setbacks is all the more triumphant!

goldlining, haven't you said in the past that you've been told/read somewhere that anesthesia impacts cardio/pulm function too?  I have to believe so.  What i take away from this article is that there's much we still don't know about how a BC dx impacts cardio fitness, but that it definitely does.  Despite the obvious causes (like the "red devil" Adriamycin chemo, which not everyone gets), there are likely less easily identified causes.  Indeed, throughout much of the article there was no distinction made by treatment type:

The researchers found that women with breast cancer, regardless of treatment status, had significantly worse cardio-pulmonary function than healthy women of the same age who were sedentary. Even among patients who had completed cancer therapy years previously, cardiopulmonary function levels were markedly impaired, suggesting that fitness levels may not recover after therapy. 

There's more we don't know than what we know.  In any case, there's no denying that an active lifestyle is good for us.  Of course, I'm preaching to the choir.   I guess my point in posting the article was as a friendly reminder not to be hard on ourselves on the days when it feels a little tougher than usual, or than before.  For me, the important thing is to keep trying!!

Yep, makes me want to exercise more (and I need the incentive)!  C25K week 3, workout 3, check.

I think I get what you mean, goldlining. But I feel the effects of the coddling differently. I get exceedingly frustrated with the limitations and self-restraint I've had to put on myself. Can't run too hard, or the effort will be bad for me. Can't put my entire body into the yoga pose, because the stretching will pull on healing tissue. AGH! It makes me want and scream, all this living so MEDIOCRILY. (And yes, I know that's not a word, but it should be.) And so I want to run, just run, FOREVER, so I can at last feel in control of my body... and have the resulting exhaustion validate me, finally...