2014 Running Thread

Gold - great tips for a beginning runner!  And I love your statement that it's what you do for YOU - I think that's something we all need to learn to do. After all, we're worth it!

Nettie -YOU CAN DO IT!  

You may be interested in this article.  It is called, "Start Running in 5 Easy Steps" by Jeff Galloway.  He is the author of The Starting Line, tips for beginners from an easy going coach in Runner's World magazine.  Become a Runner in 5 Easy Steps  Enjoy!

Hi Nettie - great advice from everyone!

I am 60 and started running so long ago that running shoes weren't invented LOL. I remember ditching my Keds for my first Nikes (bright green) and feeling like I was floating on air!

I may have been running for years, but it is so much more to me than a time on a board at the end of a race. While I was a young working girl it helped me to have something to look forward to at the end of the day, a nice social run with friends. When I was a young mother, going out in the morning helped me plan my day and set me up for a less stressful day. I didn't do any races till I was in my forties and built up to it slowly. The half is now my favorite distance. I did one marathon to check it off my bucket list and that was enough for me. I have always been a slow runner, love running outdoors and looking around and enjoying the  beautiful place that I live and the wonderful places I visit. The great thing about running is that you can do it anywhere, you just need your shoes and a good bra and shorts!

Good luck on your running journey and check in with us. We are all here to support you!

http://www.buzzfeed.com/erinchack/thoughts-every-j...

This link is hilarious!

"75 thoughts every runner has"

Nettie, I am 58. I tried running a few times decades ago, but quit because my knees hurt. It's funny to think that over twenty years ago I quit because of the knee pain and figured I was just too old. Oh how I wish I had persevered. I like to think I could be an awesome runner today! Meanwhile my husband has been running for over twenty years and has run marathons, half marathons and 5 Ks.

 I decided a few month ago to try it again. I learned that strengthening my quads (at the gym on the the weight machines) and stretching my hamstrings and calves as well as getting the right kind of running shoes (I learned that I underpronate) could help prevent knee pain.So far so good.  I go out and run every other day, one mile at a time, although I can run longer on a treadmill, but it's boring. I'm hoping to work up from this, but my biggest goal is just not to quit! Both my daughters took up running a few years ago. They are 41 and 32.

I got myself an industrial strength running bra because I'm a double D and after my lumpectomy and radiation, it is painful for the scar tissue in my right breast to bounce around too much.

I ran for the first time on Thursday since my little whirlwind began back in mid-February.  I felt very emotional, but kept it together as I was with the running group.  Running is part of my peace.  It's my time to go deep or stay steady in the moment.  Running does even more for me emotionally/mentally than physically.  It felt so damn good to be back to it.

I was worried about my left breast not wiggling/jiggling too much and found myself partially holding my arm against it to help prevent that.  I'm a 36D, and as good as some of my running bras are, right now I want even more support.

Thanks, Annie, I'll have to look into that.

I ran 4 miles on Sunday after running for the first time on Thurs.  Sunday I doubled up on sports bras to make sure the girls weren't jiggling.
 I'm 1 month out from a lumpectomy, but I'm a little bit worried.  Sat. night I had a hard time getting comfortable in bed with laying on my stomach/side, then on Sunday I noticed I'm a little swollen near my incision (they went in deep-in by my chest wall-and I think the swelling is in the path area of how they went in).  

I've read that there can be periodic swelling, but of course I'm worried about the correlation with running.  Has anyone had a similar experience?

the Jamestown 10k in RI on Sunday was awesome!  The sky was a clear bright blue, the sun was shining bright despite the cool breeze and the views were amazing.  I finished in 1 hour and 2 minutes and was very happy with the result.  I ran about 2 minutes faster a mile than I was hoping for and felt strong doing it   I did feel very tired when I was done and all of yesterday, but I was expecting that.  

I was on the track team in high school and then ran on and off for years.  (Mostly to be able to pass the physical agility to become a police officer).  I went back to running 10 years ago as a way to conquer the weight gain I was experiencing.  I spent 8 months training to run a local marathon.  I finished the 262. miles in 4 hours and 35 minutes and was very proud that I had completed it.  Since then, I have completed 3 half marathons, several 5ks and 10ks and 4 sprint triathlons.  I felt like I had the best all around fitness the year that I trained for the triathlons.  Changing from swimming (translation - not drowning) to biking to running allowed me to workout harder more days a week.  I took a summer off do to a family situation last year and I have to wait until may I am cleared at my May 5th follow up before I can go into chlorinated water.  Running and excising has meant many things to me over the years - feeling strong when I finish a difficult run, time to thing and sort things out while my body works out, feeling alive and so much more.  I will continue to run as long as I can, and then I will walk.  I hope those of you who are just starting out build slow so you can remain healthy and strong and enjoy the sport for a long time ti come  

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Hi Everyone -

I need your help and advice.  Prior to chemotherapy I ran at least five miles a day and often much more.  A couple weeks into chemo and I was so sick that I decided to just make certain to do an hour of light cardio everyday.  I finished chemo three weeks ago and decided this week to try running.  Day #1 I ran for one minute and was wiped out.  Day # 2 I managed 2 minutes.  I've taken breaks from running before but I was always able to get right back to it.  WTH!  This is incredible.  Can anyone give me advice on how to get back to running and an estimate of how long it normally takes?

Thanks in advance.  

Warrior, I had the same thing after finishing taxotere, I noticed that was one of your chemo drugs. I'm convinced it's the drug and trust me when I say it does get better. I could barely run for a minute at a time without my legs feeling so sore and heavy. My cardio was decent but the legs would just not cooperate. That was at about two-three weeks after my last treatment. I has also having major leg pain when I was going up stairs, could barely manage one flight. I found it took 6-8 weeks after my last treatment for that feeling and pain to go away. I had surgery four weeks after my last chemo so I was forced to take a break from running. When I got back at it, it was much better. I built my distance back up by alternating running and walking, and my long runs are up to 10k now and I got back to running in January. I'll be increasing over the summer too. It will get better, it just takes a bit of time. I know that is probably the last thing you want to hear right now

Oncearunner - Actually, that is exactly what I want to hear.  Running is my thing and I would be devastated to give it up.  I have surgery in a couple weeks and once I am healed up I will hit the trail and do the run/walk/run/walk.  Your description is exactly what I am experiencing and I am glad to know I can make a come back and it won't take years.  

Lovestorun-I was lucky in that my mass was benign.  They found LCIS, so I'll be going on Tamoxifen at some point in the near future.  My mom had breast cancer (55), her sister had it (at 44), and my grandmother was diagnosed with it when she was in her 80s.  Mom had genetic testing done back in 2003, but it was before the full testing was available.  So she's in the process of doing that now.  We're waiting to find out her results because if she's positive, I'll get tested.  And if I were to test positive, I'd have the prophylactic mastectomy.  BUT... I'm not worrying about that right now.    I'm just happy to be running again.

I ended up calling my surgeon's office.  They told me to go back to wearing support at night, being extra careful about support when I run, and ice.  Thanks for the additional advice!  I need to get training for my half marathon 6/8!

Aloha-I'm up in Saratoga Springs, NY, and we're FINALLY getting some decent weather.  Rumor is that it may even get up to 70 degrees next week!  Exciting!

This gives me hope.  After my surgery I will start with running again.  Hopefully it won't be an impossible challenge by that point.  

I kept my promise to myself and ran 4 miles when I got home from work yesterday.  It felt good and was worth falling sleep early last night.    Taking the day off from running to do chores.  I am hitting the road for a 12 mile run tomorrow.  The Ion Bank half marathon, 4/27, is in site  

Running for me is about sanity.  It is the one and only time I can let my mind wander wherever it wants to go without interuption.  I don't have to worry about my kids, my job, my unfinished yardwork, or laundry, money, extended family, the long shift I am working today.  Nothing ...  I can watch the sunrise and think about how lucky I am to be able to be outside running.  On my worst days after surgery my early morning walks were what held me together. 

groovygirls - good luck in boston. 

I have a few events coming up, as always, but the biggest one is Broad Street 10 miler on May 4th.  Still can't break the time I ran before surgery but manage to stay in the same ball park.