2012 Running Thread

I've been absent for awhile... my new job is keeping me busy.  That and getting the kids ready for back to school, seems like every day is bringing so much stuff to do.  This is our last year with child care... we have had the same nanny for years and years and she is a member of the family.  But my youngest (the twins) are in their final year of elementary school, so next year this time, we will be saying goodbye.  That means I am trying to get us all to a more indepedent place, having her work fewer hours this summer, and that means more laundry and cooking for me (and, well, I'll be honest, I kind of suck at the domestic thing.... I am a much better software developer than a cook.....).  

I just put together the schedule for the fall, and now that my children are older, all of their extracurricular activities are later in the evenings, so EVERY night has at least two of the kids being shuttled to and from dance class, tumbling class, cello lessons, you name it......  

So this means NO time.  I haven't run for a few weeks now, last weekend I walked 8 miles which felt WONDERFUL.  How do I work this running routine back into my life?  I am up at 6, get the kids up, drive my son to cross country at seven, leave for work by 7:15, home by 6pm, cook, drive and drop like a stone around 9-10pm when I finally get a few minutes to myself.  I can't say that weekends are any better.  I know I sound like I'm complaining, and I suppose I am.  When I was first diagnosed I reminded myself that being super busy was NOT a real problem, not like a cancer diagnosis.  

How do you find the time?  I would love to exercise at work, but I'm only there from 8-5, and IT, well, it's an overtime heavy culture, I can't justify stepping away fom my desk.  AND I sweat so much when I'm running I have to cool off and stop sweating before I shower, and that makes it a start to finish 75 minute activity.  

Looking for advice... HOW do people do this?   

12 miles today. Hot and humid. Still great to be able to be out there.



Lisa, I have 4 kids too and it isn't easy. You just have to make yourself a priority. Your health, fitness and sanity are as important as anyone else's needs.



That said I get up at 4:30 - 5:30 everyday to get it done before I am responsible for everyone else. Get the kids to do the chores. It is easier to just do it than to let the kids learn at first, but in time the investment pays off.

Hi everyone!  I haven't been on in a while (also very busy!) and am amazed to see all the new names here. Welcome to all!!

Here's a short update. I'd been working up to half marathon distances these past several weeks in hopeful anticipation of completing the Rochester HM on September 23rd.  Last week I did a long run on Monday (for the previous week, I'd been traveling) and it was atrocious.  The location was hilly it was like 85 degrees and full sun; although I had a goal to go 10-11 miles I ended up walking every mile or so and eventually kind of ran out of steam.  Saturday was better; I got out early and did 10.8 miles, but I still needed to walk every 1.5-2 miles.

The needing to walk thing has been consistent for the past 6 weeks or so, and is pretty discouraging.  Have tried varying/slowing my speed but it hasn't seemed to help; I think it will come with experience, maybe just not this season.  I mean, I don't care except that I've heard this is not looked well upon by "real" runners (depending on the race of course).  And I only have like six weeks left!  Between the heat and the time commitment, I'm not taking for granted that it takes a LOT to train properly.

So when I got back from my Saturday run to find an email from a friend who asked if I would like to be a part of her Marathon Relay team, it immediately felt like the right decision.  Each leg is between 6 and 7.5 miles which I know I can do.  And this group of women is all about having fun - I told my friend my usual race pace and she said I'll fit right in.

So, firstcall, please sign me up for the Rochester Marathon Relay on 9/23.  The team name is "Sole Sisters," cute huh?

I think I will still continue to work on longer-distance goals. If it turns out I can do the 13.1 by this fall, I might sign up for a HM in a nearby city.  But I've also signed up for a new gym (they're building it now, it opens this fall) that has a pool and all kinds of different classes, so I think I'm going to do some different stuff.  I've had some pain in my left heel and I suspect it's plantar fasciitis.

In the end though, this whole thing is about feeling fit and having fun (right??) - and I'm getting what I need on both counts.

Hope everyone's doing well out there!  This afternoon should be a lovely 4-miler in more pleasant temps.....

Hi Everyone, I just found this thread and would like to drop in.  I was a non-exerciser prior to my diagnosis.  After treatment I was told by my onco that exercise would help me recover quicker, so I joined the gym and started to exercise.  That was February of 2011.  This year, after losing 50 additional lbs., I decided to try the challenge of running, which was something I always hated.  I made it 1/2 mile in March of 2012 when I first tried but I kept at it, running once or twice a week.  I ran my first 5K in May and have run two since.  I am currently training for my first 10K which would have been in October.  I will, however, most likely be having a BMX at the end of August so I will have to postpone that.  It is very encouraging to read the various restrictions put on everyone by the plastic surgeons.  I will meet my plastic surgeon for the first time on Monday and intend on asking straight away how my activities will be restricted.  I like the fact that everyone could walk relatively soon after the operation.  I would be okay with that, as long as I can exercise in some way...(LOL I have become addicted).  Hopefully when I get back to running I will not have lost too much (I am up to about 5-1/2 miles 1-2 times a week now), but I know that if I could go from 1/2 mile to 5-1/2 miles in five months I could do it again and be ready for the Spring. Any advice would be welcome!

P.S. The avatar is a picture of me (with my medal) after finishing my very first race.  It was a very proud day for me.  Most people couldn't believe I actually could do it!

Hi,

New to this but google search about running during & after radioT brought me here.

Avid runner - before diagnosis had ran 1/2 marathons & my typical week would be 2 runs, covering 7 mile & a 10mile.

Have now completed my radioT and 3wks on I'm still struggling to get back into a routine. Ive experienced 'dry chest' during & after the radio (taking a deep breath has its discomforts & can only liken it to breathing hot air if in a sauna) and wonder if this is contributing to my inconsistent runs. Ive managed some 10ks, one 10miler but today got 1.5 miles into the run before my chest felt as though it was on fire!

Does anyone have any advice or have experienced similar?

Starting Week 3 of the Couch to 5K program tomorrow.   My weeks are a little long....everytime I go in for an adjustment to my expanders, I have a 4 -5 day set back.    I think I have about 6 or 8 weeks left of that , then my replacement surgery.   I figure as soon as I get that scheduled then I will decide on my 5 k goal.   Hard to believe that less than a year ago, I was up to an 8 mile 'long run' and had know clue I 'd be coming up on BMX.  I sure missed running, and it's something I'm looking forward to getting back into.   I think it will be good for my mental state too.

Hi all - I've been rocking the aircast boot and it's been helping so much. However this week I am at a construction site all week in safety shoes and so no cast. Standing all day and more walking than I should really do. I don't really have the option to skip the work and just hope to avoid setbacks on healing. But the safety shoes are pretty rigid themselves and it has not been too bad from what I can tell. I'm keeping off my feet off-hours and have been to the pool.

I'm going to pick up the shirt for the Midsummer Night's Run this weekend but I will not be getting the medal :-(

sign me up for August 18th...5k United Way race in Wooster, Ohio....haven't been on this thread for awhile...will try to catch up..hoping everyone is doing well and improving their times!  It is has been so hot in Ohio but still trying to run....a little stinky...lol

kayb I have had acupuncture. I can't say it did a darned thing, but it was cool. My back pain went magically away with 12 hours of general anaesthesia with my DIEP! A miracle relaxer! I can understand why Michael Jackson would do that! Other than that, PT has helped more than massage therapy or chiropractic for the various soft tissue kinks for me. I also am using that kinesiotape. I've had it put on for lymphedema (stretched skin, unstretched tape, thin strips), on scars (stretched tape), and on muscles (anchored and stretched combinations). It may be voodoo but at the very least, it creates a gentle reminder of posture to reinforce innate proprioception.

Titan, what's with the stretching out the legs while running? We were having some discussion not far back in this thread about shortening the stride as the secret to good time and injury prevention. Curious what you mean.

gold...my son told me to to widen my stride when running...it does make me go faster but yeah it does hurt a little...when watching the Olympics I saw how long the strides were...course they are in shape and I'm not even there yet...he said to shorten the strides up a hill and widen them out down a hill...

Ah I see, Titan. I saw the elite marathoners at the London marathon, including some Olympians, and they really do move. I do extend stride downhill and shorten uphill, but am trying to increase steps per minute on the flat because that seems to be a key to faster times.

That's all theoretical at the moment, since for the past while, I have not run at all because of the toe injury and recently the air cast on it. However, I DID THE 15K!

I finished in 2:20 and it was astonishing how many people I passed. I don't seem to have any ill effects from the activity on the injured foot, just a little twinge in the hip from the asymmetry in leg length (shoe height) and some tightness in my neck that I had before. I also still have tightness in the abdomen where the DIEP donor site is still tight, and I particularly felt it on the running-shoe side that had longer to travel than the cast side but there's nothing to do but keep stretching it. I was worried about developing blisters inside the cast with the socks bunching and it being sweaty, however I fussed with the sock just past the 1km point and decided to hang in there. As I approached 3km, the course goes out into a narrow spit that extends into Lake Ontario, with boats on one side and the city skyline with the sunset behind it off in the distance on the other, and looking forward to the 7.5km point turning around at the lighthouse, people all dressed in fairy apparel (with the Midsummer Night's theme), it was so peaceful. I haven't had much time to myself lately due to no running and I think the endorphin surge and the atmosphere just carried me. I am glad I did it. I needed the me-time. The medal is nice too!

Congratulations on the 5K and time improvement sptmm62! Looking forward to the run report from firstcall too! 

Wow, firstcall, that is impressive!  You are obviously well on your way to recovering from the chemo.  I am working my way up to 1/2 marathon.  First is 10K then probably next year for the half marathon.

Your stories are all so encouraging!!!   A 15k, a half marathon, it's so wonderful to know that this is only a tiny , little setback!   I finished my Week 3 of couch 2 5k this morning.   Had my expanders increased this afternoon, so it will be a few days before I run again.  I still manage to feel guilty about doing the run/walk thing, but I found that if I increase my pace for those short stretches, it's satisfying , and feels more like I'm doing speedwork.   Whatever works, right?

 Lisamomoffour, I 'll keep a look out for your posts.....give yourself a few weeks before you make a decision one way or another.  you will feel very tired for the first few days, but it gets easier.

Yes goldlining, love that time out. I have to get a better bra before I stretch it out and take off too. Way too much action going on with my bali bra today.