2014 Running Thread

Groovygirls - congrats on doing Boston! 

Goldlining - hope you continue on your speedy recovery. I did a cross training work out for you this morning with lots of core work!

Sandpiper - that was a great article, speed is relative to the people around you, I was surprised to read that a person with a 13 minute 5k could consider themselves slow. Reading that really helped put things into perspective. 

I'll admit that I love passing people in the later part of a race, especially in the last kilometre of a race it's my competitive nature coming out. 

I have a question for all of you, anyone one here diagnosed with lymphedema? I'm developing very mild lymphedema in my upper arm and armpit according to my PT (she's a certified lymphedema therapist as well) and was wondering if you are doing anything specific to keep it at bay when you run. I'll be getting a sleeve once my doc signs off on paperwork for insurance purposes but I want to keep ahead of it. Any advice/info/tips you have would be great.

Nice advice on the LE. Glad you all liked the article.I needed a gentle and kind reminder that I am running to run. If not for the pleasure just to know I can accomplish something/anything! I, like you Nat, have settled in on the 12 -1230 min/mile. I have done faster ones, again, that would involve downhill action (I did a 9+min/mile during last years 10K, but rounded it out with lot's of other varied times)

Of course I am a novice runner and do not plan to really take my running to any new heights. I just do it! It was something I had never liked or been able to do in my younger years. I have always liked my walking. I am astounded that I could do several 5ks and a 10K last year after only months of training.

I am again surprised that I can run more than a mile after such a long hard winter-even more amazing is me running on the treadmill for more than a minute let alone doing over 25 min yesterday. I have never run on a treadmill for any length of time until this winter.

I am getting ready and confident to begin signing up for some local runs. It really is all I want to do. They are short and fun and yes, last year I passed people who were less than half my age and had people 10-20 years older passing me. I am just happy to be moving and even happier to see people of all levels doing the local runs (even walking them). 

I am having fun being out there in whatever way I can. I will never be fast, but I am determined and so far, despite my "self perceived slow pace" I haven't been last in any race or my age group. Now that is an accomplishment for me!

My very first 5K, about 5 weeks into running, I ran 4K of it and had to walk the last 1K. As I rolled in to the finish line at 39 minutes, the last two participants of the 5K run came in as I was drinking my water and eating my banana. They had dogs with them and had walked the whole thing. Turns out they had signed up for the 5K run by mistake, had intended to sign up for the 5K walk! (I don't know why there were different categories anyway.) So, their error saved me from being dead last. I didn't care - point of pride. Last but I did it.

(And those DLF > DNF > DNS shirts are always in front of me at every Disney run. I don't know HOW they do it! Definitely a cup and a half of can-do in whatever they eat for breakfast!)

Hi all, Just found this thread and here's my story. I used to run 2-5 miles about 3 times/wk. Really got away from it this winter, it was too icey and cold and I hate the treadmill. My hubby and I went to Fla last month and I got to run a few times then. I've done several 5k's a few 10 k's a couple mud runs, couple 10 milers and 1 half marathon. Anyway, on Valentine's Day this year I was dx with ILC, long story short, I had my first chemo 13 days ago, looking at lumpectomy end of July, then rads x/6 wks.

Anyway, I'm feeling fine, had side effects only first 8 days and tonight I'm so blue. So I'm thinking I'll call the Onc tomorrow  for an anti-depressant, which I may still do, but it hits me... I need to get out there and run!! Supposed to be high 40's tomorrow, excuses are gone. So then I saw this thread and here I am. So tomorrow I'm lacing up my running shoes and gonna take advantage of the next 6 days before next round of chemo... Thanks ladies for the motivation....

Welcome Genny!  I don't post here often but wanted to say I was doing really well Jan and Feb this year working out 3 days a week and building up my running the other days.  Now I've been hit with self-diagnosed plantar fasciitis (as well as a lasting bout of daily fatigue), dammit!  Haven't worked out much at all for all of March.  I'm doing some of the stretching therapies I found online (towel stretch, big toe stretch, stairstep stretches, roll a tennis ball under the arch, etc) and will stop in at the local Tru-fit specialty shoe place soon and see if an affordable pair of inserts would work with some of my dress shoes.  I also remember seeing on one of these threads mention of a flip-flop brand that has good arch support but can't remember the name.  Can anyone help me with that?

Haven't posted here in awhile, but just read the article Piper posted, and really appreciate it. As a beginning runner who's only worked up to one slow mile, one of the most helpful excerpts was:

"...regardless
of your pace, you’re doing better than almost 80 percent of Americans.
In a study conducted by the CDC, researchers found that less than 20
percent of Americans get the recommended levels of exercise, and more
than a quarter of U.S. adults do not devote any time to physical
activity."

One of my primary goals is just not to go back to that 80 percent! 

Last time I posted, I was having trouble finding the right running bra. I finally found it. It wouldn't work for everyone, because it's not pretty and I suppose it does give the uni-boob effect, but it's industrial strength and that's what I needed. I wanted something that provided maximum immobility and wasn't too hard to get on with my bad shoulder. It's not quick to put on, since it fastens in front with 10 hooks & eyes, but it I can put it on without hurting my shoulder and it immobilizes the girls more than anything else I've tried. It's the Enell Sport bra, which is sort of like a chest corset   I found a running store locally that carries it, so I was able to try it on before buying, instead of ordering online.

I finally figured out that I'm a 34 DD, after years of wearing all my bras with too large a band size and too small a cup size. I needed a size 1 in the Enell.

Genny - That's the spirit!  We are here for you

Jenny -YOU ROCK!  I have done 30/33 rads treatments and have been able to keep training for my 4/29 half marathon.  It hasn't been easy, but it has been necessary for me.  I know exactly what you mean about pain from something familiar and regular as a run.  Do what you can, when you can.  We are here for you

I ran on the treadmill for 2 miles Tues, 6 miles Wed, and 2 miles on Fri.  Then I did my 10 mile run outside Sat morning before the rain came.  Still on track for my half marathon.  I am also looking forward to the Jamestown 10k this Sunday.  I am so glad I feel well enough to take it on!

lovestorun - I was taking a look to see who was running what races and noticed you had me down for the Chilly half on March 2, I believe Rdrunner ran that race. I want to make sure credit goes where credit is due Can you put me down for the Army Run half on September 21, please? This will most likely be my first half marathon since diagnosis. I may find another half to run before then though.

HA! The 20%! Resonated with me as well. And as I look around, listen to people complaining about the why nots and cannots....I always think...."I am doing something!" Be it fast or slow. 

So yesterday I parked in town and walked to the ball park. I was cruising past people left and right.

I forgot to put on the pedometer.

'Today I went for a quick 2 mile walk, felt slower than yesterday, but still had a little kick to my stride.......  my first mile was 14min and some odd seconds and my second mile was 13:50. @ years ago I was able to walk a 12 minute mile on rare occasions. I have to remind myself it isn't about the times it is about my moving. But I do like to track my progress on occasion too.

Nice reports from everyone and healing wishes to those in active tx. You ladies Rock.

xoxoxoxo

yep it was me that did the chilly half march 2. Did the Around the Bay 30km on Sunday Mar 30, what a time, great fun huge crowds of supporters on the course and the weather gods smiled down on us. Went well although finished slower then i wanted. The lift bridge we ran over at the half way point had these steel nobley thingys.. they triggered major foot pain neuropathy left from chemo i guess. Anyway had a great time, finished in 2.44.57 was aiming for under 2.30 and was on track until the foot thing.. oh well a goal for next year.

Check out Jeff Galloway-he's the guru for run/walking.  That's how I do my half marathons, and I very much consider myself a runner.  I'm a big advocate of it.  It's much easier on your body overall, and some have found it helps improve their time.  If you think about how some people push too hard at the beginning, then run out of steam, the whole run/walk thing keeps you going at a consistent rate.  

I'm new to this thread and I've never ever been a runner, but I'm just curious as to the age range of ladies that are running!  If I even attempt to run, everything shakes like jello!  I just can't make myself do it - I used to be a walker, but since treatment, can't even make myself do that!  I'm not by any means a self motivator and since I work full time, it's hard to go to a gym where there are others around!  

Maybe reading here will jump start my motivation, who knows!

Anyway, I'll turn 50 this year, not in terrible shape, but definitely not in good shape!

Nettie - welcome and no excuses!  You're a young pup at 49 - I have almost 10 years on you!  I'm 58, and didn't start running until I was 55, 3 years after dx.  And yep, I've definitely got that jello thing going! 

I also was a walker, and got into running almost by accident.  One day it was raining and I didn't have an umbrella, so I ran from my office building to my car.  I didn't kill myself doing it, and thought it might be fun to see if I could run a bit more.  I did a lot of walking in my neighborhood, which is a standard suburban neighborhood with sidewalks bisected by driveways.  I started running from one driveway to the next, then walking from one driveway to two driveways past that, then running from one driveway to the next, then walking for two, and doing that over and over.  Gradually I went to running for two and walking for two, then running for two and walking for one, and so on.  After a time (probably a month or two) I was able to run a mile!  Then a co-worker was dx with Stage IV ovarian cancer, and put together a team for the local ovarian cancer 5K run and walk.  I was going to do the walk par tof the event, then decided it was a great goal to try to run the 5K.  So I kept increasing my distances and trained for the race.  And on race day, I did it - damn near collapsed as I crossed the finish line, but I did it.   I'm still slower than heck, but who cares?  I'm enjoying myself thoroughly.  

If you're interested in running, why not try it?  Start slowly and work up gradually.  You could start by running for 20 seconds or so a few times during your normal walk.  Gradually increase that time and see how it goes! It may turn out that running is not your cup of tea, but you won't be wondering anymore if running is right for you. 

Thanks for the encouragement, maybe soon I'll get started!  We shall see!

Nettie - if you want some support and inspiration for any kind of exercise program, check out the Let's Post Our Daily Exercise thread as well as this running thread.  The Exercise thread has all kinds of women in all kinds of shapes and at all stages of treatment.  Some are still in active treatment, where a slow walk to the corner and back is a victory.  Other women have been out of treatment for years and are quite active.  People do all kinds of exercises - one of the regulars is a walker - she started walking after treatment was done in 2009 and started using a pedometer and has now walked over 4,000 miles! Another women does exercise DVDs at home. One woman does a lot of bicycling, and one woman does a lot of hooping, one takes classes at her local gym, and others of us do a mix of things.   It's like this running thread - great women supporting each other, no matter what our level of fitness.