I ran a frickin' Marathon!!
Just wanted to post a bit of encouragement to those newly diagnosed, or going through treatment.
Three years ago I had just finished Chemo, and was about to start rads. I had a pretty serious diagnosis, and felt I faced a very uncertain future. I was bald, out of shape, and pretty fragile emotionally.
Well, on Sunday, with a lot of encouragement from friends and family (especially our own everyminute!!) I ran my first Marathon!!
It was one of the hardest things I have ever done, nothing I would ever have contemplated before I was diagnosed. I started running a bit after I finished up treatment, and found myself running longer and longer distances. More and more research is pointing towards how important exercise is in preventing reoccurence, and that was certainly a motivating factor for me in the beginning. But I think finding a passion helped my emotional recovery so much, having something other than cancer to obsess over is always a great thing. In January I felt I was ready for the challenge of the Marathon, and I am proud to say I finished in the top third of the field!! Yay me!!
So if you are needing some encouragement, know that the future is still there for you, and it is pretty rosy. Know that you will get through the sickness, the uncertainty, know that you can have goals again and you will be able to achieve great things! None of us know what is in store for us in the future, but I know I am not going to let fear stop me from doing anything.
And having a ponytail swishing behind me as I run is totally awesome!!
Comments
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Kerry - How wonderful! Congratulations! Thank you so much for sharing your achievement with us. I guess I'm part of your target audience as I've had chemo and UMX, getting ready for rads, feeling out of shape and a bit directionless. I don't know that I'd ever be able to run a marathon - my knees aren't the best - but I was thinking about setting a goal to do the local Turkey Trot (5k) this fall. What an inspiration you are!
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Congratulations to you, Kerry!! Yes, running, or doing anything physically challenging with your body is so TOTALLY empowering, and kudos to you for tapping into that strength that we all have inside of us. Which marathon did you run? Come on over to the 2012 Running Thread and share your running stories with us.
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Yay Kerry! That is amazing. I am really looking forward to tapping back into the "fit" me after treatment. So glad to see, we can be the women we once were or always wanted to be. So happy for you!
Xoxoxo -
Congratulations! What a fabulous achievement!
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Kerry- congratulations! Thank you for sharing and letting us know there is light at the end of the tunnel.
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congratulations!!! You done really really good!
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Kerry...that is fantastic! You will definitely inspire others to get out there and get moving. Excellent.
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Congratulations Kerry... an inspiration and motivation for us all ! Thanks for sharing.
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Kerry, that's great!
You go, girl!
Leah
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Great for you, Kerry! You're an inspiration!!
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Congratulations, Kerry! - What an achievement! Hats off to you!!!
Thank you for your inspirational and motivational post! -
Congratulations Kerry!! Most excellent endorphin runner :-) There is nothing like the run!
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fantackular!!!!!
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pretty awesome, that is all i have to say about this*
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Truly motivating, Kerry. That is amazing. I just walked 39.3 miles in the Avon Walk- something I never fathomed I could ever do during treatment. You are truly an inspiration. Thanks so much for sharing!
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Bravo! Keep on running.
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Yay you!!! Great job.
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Congrats Kerry! Awesome job!
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Congratulations Kerry! I am, as always, so impressed. You continue to inspire me to stay fit and exercise.
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Wonderful! Congratulations. I ran my first marathon just a few months before my cancer diagnosis in 1982 and the feeling of accomplishment really carried over to my handling of the breast cancer. I wish everyone would at least walk or bike or do some kind of exercise on a daily basis. It will truly change your life.
I know the feeling you are having now --it is awesome isn't it. You feel so all-powerful. I am so thrilled for you!
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Take f ing that cancer!!!
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Kerry, thanks for sharing your awesome achievement - love the avatar too!
The Mods
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Kerry you are truly amazing!!!!! I remember when you were running longer and longer distances, and i even remember your post when you did your first 6 mile run. And now look, more than 4 times that 6 mile run!!
You really ROCK!!! You should be so proud! I know I am!
Jackie
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You rocked it, ponytailgirl! (Mary has pigtailgirl). Great job! And congrats to your hubby for doing his first 5k! Looks like you've put the bug in him
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Major congrats Kerry. It really can be better than ever post treatment. Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo very proud of you.
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Thanks for sharing this Kerry.......It's also very encouraging to me that you would have never thought about it before your diagnosis. How long was it after you finished treatment that you started? I just finished with chemo 2/14, radiation 4/26 and now I'm recovering from a hysterectomy/ooph and taking Aromasin.
I saw that your treatment looks pretty similar to mine. I can't tell you how much you've encouraged me as I thought this last surgery would be nothing compared to everything else and I've found myself pretty worn out from it.
Congratulations on a great accomplishment!
Thanks
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You should be so proud of yourself! You truly are an inspiration!
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Huge congrats Kerry, that is spectacular! Keep running!!
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Thanks everyone!!
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of course you did! what's next?
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