2014 Running Thread

Thanks goldlining, oncearunner and lovestorun. My bf, his dad and one of my best friends are all doing the race too, so I'm really looking forward to it. I was big into long distance running/tri's until about 3 years ago, when I took a job that kept me at work for really long hours and I stopped working out for the most part and totally lost my fitness level. I've tried to get back into things a couple of times over the past year or so, but would get so frustrated with how out of shape I was, that I'd quit after a week or two, because I wasn't seeing good results. But now, after the surgery, I'm so excited to be able to run at all and every time I get out there, it feels like a win. So I'm taking it easier on myself physically and mentally. Blessing in disguise, maybe? And I had also picked up some bad running habits over the years and its nice to "start fresh" and really focus on my form and proper recovery. Hoping that helps me out somewhere down the road...

princess - Congrats! That's so great to hear.

Stillrunning - keep us posted on how swimming feels. I'm a tri-geek too and am hoping to get back to it at some point this year. 

Aloha - awesome news about your swim. I hadn't even thought about the fact that getting out of the pool would be a challenge. Wow. 

Annie - Good for you! I really think you'll have a blast. 

Yay Oncearunner! The Dopey sold out so quickly! The 10K was 60% full in 45 minutes, gone in 2:45 and the 5K shortly after! Lovestorun needs to put you down for all FOUR of the runs you heroically will tackle: 5K, 10K, Half, and Full on four crazy consecutive days! 48.6 miles!

Adrenaline for sure! I was already in, but I spent the first two hours of the afternoon pestering people about getting into the Half before it sold out. I have a group of five colleagues from all over the place going to meet up there. The Half is at 85% now, five hours after registration opened, so it won't last long. Whew! 

Mostly resting today after mowing the lawn so I'm refreshed and ready for my 10K tomorrow morning.  Temps at race time predicted to be 48 degrees - perfect running temp for me!  The race start line is only about 10 minutes from my house, which is such a luxury!   

Lovestorun great job on the half! Glad you had a pretty course to run.

Stillrunning and natsfan good luck on your runs tomorrow. Have fun!

Yay lovestorun! The finish line is what counts most! Good luck to all on the official and unofficial outings tomorrow.

I have passed the 6-week point but I am reluctant to run until I have the stitches looked at. I thought the sutures would either dissolve or be removed but I have whiskers under each arm, and they kind of smart. Who knows what is still inside. When I had my reduction long ago, the suture was 8" long continuous all the way across to the middle. Have an email in to the surgeon's office. I gaze longingly at the people out there running...

Welcome teachermom4. You're so lucky to be so close to a nice trail. The best start is to walk, especially now. You're only 3 weeks out, and the TEs and fills will make your experience variable for a while. Give yourself a lot of slack. Don't push - just enjoy being out there, and listen to your body. Keep in mind you don't have to go faaaast. If you find your legs try to go faster than your heart, lungs, and the rest of you can handle, try using an app on your smartphone or a running watch and use it to make sure you don't go too fast. We're fans of run/walk here. Unless you expect to win, your best bet is to focus on running in a way that doesn't wreck you for your next outing. Many of us have had the experience of being 10 miles into a run event and passing those perky, lithe, fast things who seemed so much fitter at the start. It was a revelation when I realized I could run a little bit slower and go way longer. With my "speed limit", it completely opened my eyes. I was a staunch NON-runner for 50 years and couldn't even do 1/4 mile. Slowing down made all the difference. My other insight was to run the first 30 minutes just to get to the 30+ point, because that is the part I enjoy, after the endorphins kick in. I grumble, piss, and moan for the first 5K, but then the sunshine comes out in my head.

There are some good resources on the internet to help scale up without overdoing it. One popular method is "couch to 5K". The runDisney website has links to free training calendars that can go all the way from standing start to half marathon in 3 or 4 months, fully supporting run/walk strategies.

If you liked the triathlon circuit, I bet we will be seeing you up in the calendar in an event in no time!

Whoo hoo Annie!!!!  What a great feeling, huh???  I'm so proud of you!

Annie - congrats!  Still - how was your half??  Loves - who knows why some runs are wonderful and while other times your body just doesn't focus.  I think it's fabulous that you finished, and as you say, just keep going and see what the future holds.  And running faster than last year shows you how far you've come. 

Teacher - be sure to obey any post-surgical restrictions limiting exercise.  I know you want to get going, but running or doing other exercise before your surgeon wants you to can actually impede your healing, and could trigger other issues like lymphedema.  That said, most surgeons have absolutely no issues with walking, and most encourage patients to do as much walking as they can post surgery.  So start walking!  Once the restrictions are lifted, you can start doing a bit of running.  As gold says, run-walk is a good way to go, like walking for 2-3 minutes, then running for 30 seconds.  As you get more fit, you can gradually increase the running intervals and decrease the walking times.  And absolutely don't worry about speed - few of us are elite runners here!!  Here's a link to a thread with great info about developing a safe post-b/c exercise program: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/58/topic/...I'll bump it for you too.

Had a great 10K yesterday.  Usually the distance between each mile marker seems like it's at least a mile and a half to me, but yesterday I was honestly startled at how close together they seemed!  My total time wasn't much faster than it has been previously, but I finished strongly instead of being exhausted by the end - that is a totally new feeling for me.  From there we went to the Nationals baseball game in DC, where I enjoyed a nice cold victory beer!! 

Hugs rdrunner

I am doing a walk/run combo.

I am frustrated because the most I have done consecutively is 2 miles. I am suspicious as to whether I am developing adult onset (exercise induced or an allergic response driven asthma or the combo of the 2). I am becoming short of breath and had expiratory wheezes...limited, today......and the last few runs.

We are all trying...persevering and want to overcome setbacks. I was in better shape 2 years ago. immediately after surgery...now I am stumped.

BUT........like so many here...I keep on.....

That said.......the Pgh Marathon is this coming weekend. Totally sold out on the half and full marathon . I knew I would not be in shape for the half and I have a bridal shower on the Sat of the 5K, however, I am volunteering for the fluid station at the 6 mile mark.

I am so excited because I know so many people running the half this year!!!

I am hoping to run a 5k in June. I am going to phone my Primary doc for an appt to get the respiratory issue sorted out, but may not be for a few weeks. In the meantime...

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

and happy trails to all

Piper

Half marathons are not for patsies as far as I'm concerned. As my oval car magnet says, "13.1.   Because I'm only half crazy". 

Thank you goldlining!  Setting up email reminder now...

Hey piper -- is Pgh Pittsburgh?  You are in PA?  I used to be in Philly.  I haven't run it, but I hear Scranton is really flat and fast. X

Yes PGH is pittsburgh.

I checked the pollen count in my township and it is considered "high"

I have been taking my Zyrtec daily now, Havent run since last week. 

Run on gals

xoxoxo

Piper

Awesome AnnieL.

I did run the half marathon on April 27.  I crossed the finish line in 2 hours and 21 minutes, with nothing left in the tank.  The run ended at the high school track with a lot of spectators, including my husband and step-son, and the eyes on me kept me going.  It is not my fastest half marathon time, but then again, I had never run a half marathon with in a month of finishing radiation treatment before.  I was able to train, but not do hill repeats or speed workouts, so my stamina for the second half of the race was not there.  But, it was a beautiful day and I was so grateful to be well enough to run, that I was very satisfied with my performance.  Up next, Hopkins Vineyard Sprint Tri on July 19.  My RO cleared me to get in the pool when I saw him on Monday and I finally got a Giant road bike.  Good bye heavy hybrid!  I have already logged 22 miles total for 2 rides and a 1100 yd swim since Sunday.  It is tiring, but it feels really great to be tired from physical exertion instead of medical treatments.  I am sure the rads and the Tamoxifen are contributing, but I will push on!

Ooops.  This Saturday, 5/10