2012 Running Thread

I am so happy to find this group!

I was just diagnosed less than 2 weeks ago with Non-Invasive DCIS and am having a Lumpectomy on December 6th. Just met with a surgeon last week and he said after surgery I will go through 6 weeks of Radiation about a month after the Lumpectomy and then take Tamoxifen after that. This is all based on if the DCIS is only in the milk duct and is not found in the surrounding breast tissue.

I started running in April ... I love it and don't want to give it up!! Since September, I have been training for my first half marathon with a friend using the Galloway Run/Walk Program. I registered mid-October for the Run with Donna Half Marathon in Jacksonville, FL which is on February 17, 2013. Ironically, the marathon is a fundraiser for Breast Cancer Research and To Empower Women Living with Breast Cancer. It never entered my mind that I was going to be doing this race as a Breast Cancer Survivor. I am so thankful that the DCIS was found in my routine mammogram and is the earliest of stages.  If all goes as planned, I should be either finished or close to being finished with the Radiation. I would love to be able to do the Run/Walk program still for the half marathon ... it is 3 minutes of running 1 minute of walking and our average time is between 11 & 11:30 minute miles with the run/walk long distance days. Otherwise we run between 8:45 & 9:15 minute miles on the 3-5 mile runs.  Time isn't that important, but just being able to do the half marathon itself is.

Is it realistic to still have this as a goal or should I lower my expectations due to the Surgery/Radiation? Has fatique/pain been effecting your running at all during treatment or after treatment? As long as I can move my legs, I am going to do the race ... I'm determined. I AM SO ENCOURAGED BY YOU ALL FROM WHAT I HAVE READ SO FAR ON THIS FORUM!! The nurse at the surgeon's office said that the majority are fatigued during radiation and she felt walking the race would be my only option ... I would love to prove her wrong. Family/Friends don't want me to push myself physically ... they want me to focus on healing but don't understand that this will help me to stay feeling better ... both mentally and physically.

I just ran my first race .. it was our local 5K Turkey Trot. This Saturday I am doing a 10 Mile Race ... wasn't planning on this one, but since it happeded to be the weekend before my surgery date, felt it would be good to do one long race before surgery/treatment so I would be able to compare the before with the after.

Would love thoughts on what to expect with the Lumpectomy, Radiation, and Tamoxifen while continuing to run/walk train for the half.   If anyone else is doing the Run With Donna, would love to know that, too.

firstcall: 2013 calender ... please add me to the list for Run With Donna Fight to End Breast Cancer, Marathon, Half and Relay, Jacksonville, FL February 17, 2013.

Thank You For This Forum ... It's Exactly What I Needed At This Time ... Looking Forward To Getting To Know You All!

SharonLC,

I agree with LuvLuLu that your goal is totally realistic.  I wasn't training for anything in particular while I was doing my radiation, but I joined a Galloway group and was doing fairly long (up to about 13 mile) runs (walk 1 min/run 1 min) on the weekend and my usual 11 min mile short (4-5 mile) runs once or twice during the week.  My biggest complaint with radiation was the annoying ink--but I finally got a 'tattoo' so they didn't have to put the ink all the way up to my neck (slight exaggeration).  Anyway, they did include my nipple in the boost which meant I had to use body glide (the kind without sunscreen doesn't have zinc) or petroleum jelly and a little pad under my running bra.  Other than that I really didn't have any issues.  I felt sleepier than usual at night and would occasionally fall asleep pretty early and sleep through the night, but it didn't really feel like exhaustion to me, it was kinda nice to sleep so well after all the stress of the new diagnosis, treatment etc.  If anything, I feel like I run better on tamoxifen (actually I think getting off the birth control pills helped me run a bit better), but that's probably all in my head.  You'll do great!

SharonLC...I had a mastectomy for dcis and I didn't have radiation, so I cannot speak to what you can expect physically.  But I can tell you that I can completely relate to the idea that being able to continue moving can only help maintain your sanity.  It was the most important thing to me...to know that I'd be back to moving quickly...since that maintains my sanity.  And when do you need that more than in the midst of a cancer diagnosis and treatment?????  My advice is to continue to move, but listen to your body and allow yourself the space and time to back off if your body tells you to.  You will avoid injury that way and will be able to ensure that the moving is helping you heal.  Keep your awesome outlook and spirit...and you will be just fine...:)

zsterling, I know I guess I should have that as part of my signature, maybe I'll go back and correct that.  I just put in the recent stuff . . .

C25K interrupted for about a month due to cancer effing crap........

Walked 1/4, ran 1 1/2, walked 1/4 today.  Should I still try to do the Santa Shuffle this Saturday?

Hi Adey, I agree 100% with CLC. You should go for it! You ran half the mileage of the race today ... being in a race is exciting and the momentum from race itself will help carry you through to the end. Don't feel bad if you have to walk some ... lots of people do who don't have cancer are walking. Participation will motivate and time is not important. Have fun doing the Santa Shuffle ... you will be proud of your accomplishment!

Yay Adey, I'm pro-shuffle too. Back in June when I was not training, just a few km at a time, and that Niagara Falls WOmen's Half Marathon came along, I was going to skip it, but then I allowed myself to at least go pick up the loot bacg (there was WINE in it after all), and then I talked myself into running the first few km, and in the end, I finished the whole thing. The crowd excitement and motivation made up for it. My time was no hell, but I was faster than a lot of people even walking the back half. Go have fun and reward yourself with the event! Enough cancer crap, have some Adey time!

I did it!  I did it!  I did it!  Not the Santa Shuffle (dh got the flu/cold/crud and I didn't want to fight downtown traffic and crowds on my own, wuss).  But....... I did put on my Santa shirt, walk to the Prairie Path and proceed to run 3 miles without stopping, except to cross busy streets.  Woot!  Woot!  Run = jog very slowly but I'll take it!  (c:

Woot Adey!

Way to go, Adey!

Did my 8 mile run this morning.  It was nice out, in the 30's with a very light dusting of snow on the ground.

I hardly ever enter races anymore.  I guess I get nervous, don't know why, I'm only competing with myself really . . .I did do the Boston Marathon way back in the 1990's and that was a blast, but after that it's just been a few 10K's, a couple of half marathons here and there, just local stuff. But I'm thinking I need a goal now, so maybe I'll register for a half in the spring.

SharonLC,

I started running in Sept. 2011, was diagnosed 11/1/11 with IDC, did a lumpectomy & SNB 11/16, and was back to running and crosstraining boot camp within 2 wks.  I had + margins and opted for BMX with tissue expanders 12/9, chemo, then radiation.  I was able to run once healed from surgery, and during chemo and radiation.  I did not experience fatigue during radiation and my skin tolerated it well.  The running made me feel so much better and helped to keep my mood stable.  I think your goal is reasonable - as long as you listen to your body and adjust as necessary. 

I think you will prove the nurse at the surgeon's office wrong

LovesDogs

Hi all! I thought someone here might be able to answer a question for me. My BS highly recommended that I get an IV port (picc?) for chemo in my arm rather than in my chest. I had a BMX with immediate implants 3 weeks ago and he doesn't want a chest port potentially messing with my implants. Do any of you have thoughts or suggestions about the arm port vs. chest or side? I would love to get back to running once I'm long-enough post-op and if I feel strong enough while I'm on chemo. Did anyone find the arm port bothersome while exercising (running--or swimming)? Many thanks! And on another note, I love reading about all of your runs. I was diagnosed 8 days after my first half-marathon. I dream of the day I get to get back to running. Thanks to all of you and your fabulous posts, I know I will!

Banksy -

I cannot help with the picc line; I had a petite power port and it worked like a charm. 4 AC and 12 weekly Taxols - I am thankful I went with the port.



I ran all through chemo and rads. I hope you will be back to running in no time. Listen to your body and make certain you give your body time to heal.

Morning, all . . .

Did my usual 8 mile run this morning.  The temp was in the 20's - yesterday was in the 50's.  My usual running partner is a little faster than me.  She's also 6 years younger if that matters.  But it's good for me to run with her, she pushes me.  And what she does is get ahead of me on the hills, then she'll turn around and "tag up" to meet me so she still gets some speed in as well as a little extra distance so I don't feel guilty.

Well, this morning we had an even YOUNGER lady join us - and this one is literally 20 years my junior.  I guess it's good for me because even though they were well ahead of me I did push my pace and finished strong.  Problem is, I enjoy my nice leisurely pace.  But I guess if this new one joins us once a week that's a good time for me to push it.

These kids are gonna kill me.......