2015 Running Thread

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  • Outrunning
    Outrunning Member Posts: 178
    edited September 2015

    scrunchthecat YAY! for being done.

    I've never run a race longer than 5K. The 10K I planned to run in November seemed a stretch. But I made it to that distance before surgery and felt comfortable

    So between you all, and the conversation I had with a bunch of runner parents from school on Friday, I've now got the bug to do a half. We were discussing short vs long runs. I was saying how I was surprised that the second half of the 10K distance felt better than the first every time. And the one who did lots of half and full marathons agreed yes. And encouraged me to try longer than 10K. I wish the Disney ones weren't all full. As that would be perfect for me who is the Disney freak. There are several here in DC area though. I guess I should start looking and set a goal huh? Just not sure I have enough time in my week to run enough to train for longer than 10K. Even that long run on the weekend is hard to get in.

    Meanwhile, I'm hoping to get back to the 10K distance in a couple of week. I ran this morning. Only two miles. Mostly running with a bit of walking. It was a little ouchy in the healing incisions. Had on my best bra but still the movement hurt. But no more than bumps over pot holes on the way to work so I kept going.

  • goldlining
    goldlining Member Posts: 1,178
    edited September 2015

    Fascinating - the Dark Side is still only 50% at almost 3 hours into registration. I wonder if a lot of people are like you, panthrah, and are holding off to do it when they can get the special SW coast to coast medal.

  • goldlining
    goldlining Member Posts: 1,178
    edited September 2015

    scrunchthecat I told my brother the same thing. He runs 2km and hates it. I say km 6 is the best part. The first 5k, I have this cranky inner dialogue about how I have other things to do, my socks are lumpy, I didn't bring enough water, I brought too much water, the sweat is in my eyes, etc.etc. When I get through that first half hour, the endorphins kick in and I completely forget I am running sometimes. I am not conscious of anything below my lungs. Just breathing and seeing the scenes. This is why I ***love*** the Disney runs. I am not a Disney berserker. I have warm thoughts about it but don't sleep on Minnie Mouse sheets or anything. However the Disney courses (except the WDW Half and WDW Princess) have a lot of park time in the first 5K. Disneyland is best for that. Their Halfs are various different courses outside the parks, but they all have that initial loop through the parks that carries me through the cranky bits (and has real washrooms for those times when I miscalculated on fluids before the start). The Wine & Dine Half runs for a couple km on the roads and then gets to Animal Kingdom and pretty much the rest is in and out of park-y space, but also it's dark so you concentrate a lot on not tripping! The WDW Half and Princess are pretty much 6km of road to start out. It's probably fine for first timers (Princess was my first Half) because the novelty takes care of my first-5k ennui. You can also race yourself to see if you can get to the castle (the halfway point) to see the sunrise. I never do - between my pace and my corral, I see the sunrise as I am on the approach to the park and it's daylight as I run through the castle.

    So anyway, scrunchthecat, you still could get into the Dark Side at WDW :) No word on which of the two WDW Half courses it will follow.

    My reason for preferring Half to 10K: I am not fast enough to impress anyone with my 10K time (Personal best 66 minutes). However people are impressed just at surviving a Half, which despite my age and lackadaisical approach to training, I seem to manage faster than at least 60% of the people in the runDisney Halfs!

  • scrunchthecat
    scrunchthecat Member Posts: 269
    edited September 2015

    Hooray! Chemo is over and I registered for the Star Wars Disney 5k Run on Friday, April 2016. I live in Miami, so I will be driving up to Orlando and stay at least until Saturday. I am still debating whether to stay at an AirB&B or spring for a Disney World Resort. If anyone is going and might be interested in a hotel share, let me know. I will probably make my reservations in December.


    sj

  • goldlining
    goldlining Member Posts: 1,178
    edited September 2015

    Congratulations on taking the plunge! If you can swing the Value resort, I'd recommend it. It is not impossible, but it's hard to get to the starting corrals without access to the Disney transportation because they close the roads. I am staying in Orlando at the moment but I plan to book a room the night before my next run. (Must get on that.) Disneyland has many more accommodation options. The Hilton type of place is just as good but half the price as the cheapest Disney hotel, and there are a lot of cheaper places.

    Also FYI, the phone number "wdw-irun" in your confirmation letter will get the sports room rate (and probably a free mini golf you won't use) but it must be prepaid - usually $200 on booking and the rest by a certain advance date. If you book through the regular Disney hotel reservations number, you only pay for something like one night in advance and the balance on check in. If you have access to a discount code from a mailing or a passholder package, that can be a lot better for cash flow on multi-night stays. (But I don't think they've released discount codes that far off yet.)

  • HockeyCat
    HockeyCat Member Posts: 222
    edited September 2015

    geewhiz, good looking boy! Hmm... #9? Godie Howe?

  • marathongirl
    marathongirl Member Posts: 40
    edited September 2015

    Geewhiz, Yes, it does seem like a lot to jump from a 10 mile long run to 15 in one week! I remember following Hal Higdon's beginner schedule for my first marathon and it had you dropping down to a long run of 10 miles every other week. So your long runs would go something like this: 12, 10, 14, 10, 16, 10, 18 etc. The 10 to 15 jump could make sense if you ran your half, did 10 the next week, and then went up to 15 the next. Of course, I think it is important to remember that those marathon schedules are not set in stone and can be tweaked as you listen to your body. Good luck!

  • seebeanrun
    seebeanrun Member Posts: 1
    edited September 2015

    Hi Everyone,

    This is my first post on the boards! I felt like this was the most appropriate place to post as running is one of the things that I'm most passionate about. When I received my diagnosis in July, one of the first things I said to my husband was "what about the marathon?" since I'm planning to run the Marine Corps Marathon on October 25. At the first consultation with my BS when he asked what other questions do you have for me, I asked "how soon after surgery can I run again" and "will I be able to run a marathon at the end of October". As the surgery was any easy lumpectomy with no lymph node removal, he said a light easy run on the 3rd day after surgery and he didn't see any reason why I couldn't run the marathon. I've since had 2 lumpectomies and have somehow found the strength and determination to get my long runs in. I've certainly had to adapt my training plan, but I'm still on course to run the marathon on October 25. Next weekend will be my last 20 miler. So after my long winded rambling, oncearunneralwaysarunner, will you please add me to the race list above? I'll stop being just a lurker now!

    Michelle

  • geewhiz
    geewhiz Member Posts: 1,439
    edited September 2015

    You go seebean! Please post pics of the race. I live vicariously through everyone's running!!

    yes, Hockeycat - Gordie! And my youngest always wears #19 for Stevie Yzerman (and is named Stevie as well).

    And Marathongirl, I think I will augment my plan...well, I will have to now anyway. I was running around barefoot outside a few days ago and slammed my toe into something and it looks like a crumpled purple grape now. OUCH. Definitely broken. I am so sad...I was starting to feel like I was gaining momentum with my running, Not sure how long this will take to feel better to run distance. I can't put any pressure directly on it. Stupid toe, so silly. I guess I will hit the gym to keep aerobic capacity up. Stationary bike for an hour, UGH!!!


  • marathongirl
    marathongirl Member Posts: 40
    edited September 2015

    gee whiz, Ouch! Sorry you jammed your toe. Though sometimes the opportunity to cross-train has its benefits. I hope you're able to get back in the running sadle soon.

  • goldlining
    goldlining Member Posts: 1,178
    edited September 2015

    welcome seebeanrun! I look forward to your run report! Love your doctor! My DIEP surgeon was the same way. I said "am I crazy to do a half marathon 7 weeks after the DIEP?" and he said "of course you are because your time will suck because you can't train." but he said it in a way that was like, of course, being crazy doesn't mean you don't do it anyway. And the surgery was delayed a week, so I did it at 6 weeks. It was slow and it was fine, and doing it was what got me up off the chair instead of vegetating for 2 months.

    geewhiz, sorry about your toe. I am prone to stubbing toes myself. Can you use a rigid boot and powerwalk? I did a 15K in an aircast boot with a stress fracture in a toe. I was having a lot of pain in the toe and thought I would have to pass on the event, but when the sports medicine doctor gave me the boot, I remembered seeing a woman doing the Princess Half in the same kind of boot. The boot completely immobilized the forefoot and took pressure off the toe by redistributing it over the shell of the boot as it rocked forward with each step. I had some friction blistering around the ankle but I was glad not to miss the event. I also got a LOT of attaboy's from the other participants!

  • chevygirl54
    chevygirl54 Member Posts: 18
    edited September 2015

    Yay, I'm so glad I found you!!!! I just began chemo and had my second infusion on Friday, most people call me crazy but I am running a 5k tomorrow morning. I want to continue to run as long as I am physically able, is there something wrong with feeling that way? The chemo nurse says exercise is good but running is pushing it, not in my eyes :) Happy running everyone!

  • chevygirl54
    chevygirl54 Member Posts: 18
    edited September 2015

    Seebeanrun! I too was going to run the MCM for the very first time, I had to bow out gracefully. My husband is running for me. I had a simple lumpectomy with the sentinol node removed on July 27. On Sept 18th I began chemo and will be going every week for 12 weeks, then I will get a tiny break and will have to start radiation in Jan or Feb. Somehow I would love to meet at the MCM as I plan to be there and cheering my husband and Red Felt family on at mile 20 as long as this chemo regiment doesn't knock the wind out of my sail. Keep running and remember run happy :)

  • Outrunning
    Outrunning Member Posts: 178
    edited September 2015

    I'm in DC. If I'm not frantically making two Halloween costumes that day (because of course THIS year both kids want mommy originals instead of store bought) I'll come out to cheer you on too seebeanrun

    No running for me this weekend. At the Cycling Worlds in Richmond. Walked 7.2 miles today tho

  • Suzanne50
    Suzanne50 Member Posts: 280
    edited September 2015

    So great to see everyone signing up for races and running through the whole BC ordeal. I had an unsuccessful lumpectomy followed by a mastectomy but was cleared to run 3 weeks after my mastectomy. I jumped right back into 'marathon mode" and haven't missed a training run since July 22nd. It has helped that it hasn't rained at all in NY but that is about to change. We are in for a rainy stretch. I did 16 on Sunday and plan to run 18 next Sunday. Then my LAST chemo on Tuesday. I have to back off my long runs chemo week....just too wiped out so will do 14. Then one more 18 and then I start to taper. I am thrilled that I have been able to keep up the training despite the chemo. It makes me feel like a whole person. If I can train and run a marathon, I can certainly beat cancer! Keep running ladies! Good for the mind, body and soul!

  • geewhiz
    geewhiz Member Posts: 1,439
    edited September 2015

    WOW Suzanne, that is awesome!!! Maintaining that level of training while going through chemo is incredible. Very empowering. Good luck with that final chemo, you are in the home stretch. I felt this HUGE weight lifted off of me after that last one.

    Podiatrist said my toe seems to be minor, and showed me how to tape it to run. I only missed a week of running but was winded getting through 4 miles on the treadmill. It was raining, so maybe the treadmill was jsut boring. My gym has them face a blank wall, sort of like treadmill time-out lol.

  • Oncearunneralwaysarunner
    Oncearunneralwaysarunner Member Posts: 252
    edited October 2015

    Welcome seebeanrun and Chevygirl54, I hope you find the motivation you are looking for in this thread. Feel free to ask any questions.

    chevygirl54, your chemo nurse must not be a runner :) I always encourage people to check with their medical staff before doing any major activity but I find the ones that want us to baby ourselves in these situations are usually not the athletic ones. I switched family doctors because my previous one kept telling me to stop running if it hurt and not to run when I was pregnant (puhleeze). I think that we know our bodies best and know when things are too much. I'm much happier with a medical team that tells me to listen to my body and gives me warning signs to look for.

    I will be doing the Niagara Falls International Half Marathon with my dad on October 25. My dad was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (brain cancer) a year ago and this is one of the things he really wants to do so we are doing it. Only 20-30% percent of people diagnosed with this type of cancer make it to the one year mark so we are just very happy that he's doing well and that the MRI do not show any change since he had surgery. It will be a run/walk for completion but we are all looking forward to it. It will be a nice weekend trip to Niagara with a stop to stock up on wine from one of our favourite wineries and a trip to the outlet mall :)


  • Ginger48
    Ginger48 Member Posts: 1,978
    edited October 2015

    I did it! I completed a very windy, cold and rainy Abolish Breast Cancer 5k this morning. It was a fundraiser for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in memory of a local woman who lost her battle with breast cancer. My broken toe has held me back from doing much training but it felt so good to run today.

  • Outrunning
    Outrunning Member Posts: 178
    edited October 2015

    Yay Ginger.

    Just back from the first real run (no walking) since surgery a month ago. Crazy schedule and rain more than my physical state have been the problem. Goal today was 5k. Did 3.25 and because I'd pushed it a bit for the last half stopped to walk. But after a very short walk I decided it was still too far to my car to go that slow so I easy jogged another .25.



  • Gully
    Gully Member Posts: 268
    edited October 2015

    Hello everyone! Its so great to see so many out running and participating in life despite our BC detours! Well my second half is complete. I am happy to report that I improved from 2: 14 to 2:05 with a 9:38 pace. I am sooo tired right now but it was so worth it! Time for a nap :} Maybe that sub 2 hour half is not so unrealistic.

    Someone above mentioned the Hal Higdon half training plan. It is what I used as well...went from running 6-7 miles to 12miles in just a few weeks using it. Not sure I am brave enough to try the marathon distance.....Running 14 -18 miles on chemo Susanne wow!!!!! You are amazing! TC kicked my butt! :0

    Gully

  • scrunchthecat
    scrunchthecat Member Posts: 269
    edited October 2015

    image

    This weekend, 10 days after my last chemo, I participated in the Komen Race for the Cure 5k in St. Petersburg, FL. About 5000 people showed up for the festivities in Albert Whitted Park for the evening run, and the weather was perfect (mid-70s). I finished the 5K, although I had to walk half and it kicked my ass. But onward and upward. If anyone on this list is participating in a race in South Florida, drop me a line and maybe we can join up.


    image

    I wore my black "PINK IS NOT A CURE" tee-shirt, and while I clashed with the tu-tus and the sea of survivor pink, everyone treated me nicely. A few even complimented me on my message. The pink was overwhelming, but I was happy to see restraint. I saw cheerleaders but no "ta-tas." There was a "remembrance" booth, where you could write down the name of someone who had died from breast cancer. I racked my brain and wrote down the two breastcancer.org usernames of women who recently passed that I could remember - fuzzylemon and freedomchild82. I sometimes read the postings and blogs of those in our community who have been taken by this terrible disease – looking for hope and inspiration. I'm sorry I did not remember others, but next time I run a Komen race I will keep a list. I recommend this for anyone participating in a Komen event. Media reports make me think that Komen may be starting to change its stripes – the recent studies that show mass screening and early screening simply do not reduce the number of breast cancer deaths may just be enough for them to focus more on research.

    image

  • geewhiz
    geewhiz Member Posts: 1,439
    edited October 2015

    Awesome Gully!

    And Scrunch - I love it. Great post. Awesome t-shirt. And wow, I miss FuzzyLemon - she was so much fun!! God bless her family. I know she is smiling down on them.

  • Jumpship
    Jumpship Member Posts: 305
    edited October 2015

    finished my first1/2today. Yeah! Although at mile 10 both my hip sockets were hurting really bad. I'm thinking mets? No this is symmetrical pain. Followed my the pet scan gal said from lips to hips-so did the scan get the sockets too? Or is this caused by tamoxifen like when your joints hurt in pregnancy due to that relaxin hormone thing. Any thought? Gully- great time

  • geewhiz
    geewhiz Member Posts: 1,439
    edited October 2015

    Minivan...that is so awesome, and very motivating. I just did 13.5 - longest distance yet for me. I am not terribly interested in doing that again anytime soon. I had to add some walking in towards the end and minivan...my hip sockets are killing me. I didn't even think mets...I think this 49 year old body is revolting against what I just did to it, LOL

  • Rseman
    Rseman Member Posts: 281
    edited October 2015

    I've been AWOL for some time because of treatment changes, etc. but my marathon training continued and I am ready to go on Nov 1 for NYC!! I just ran Grete's Gallop this passed Sunday (which I forgot to put on the list). It was a half marathon and I PRed with a 1:58 time!! And that is in Central Park with some rough hills. I am so very excited right now and can't wait to get this marathon under my belt!!


  • Suzanne50
    Suzanne50 Member Posts: 280
    edited October 2015

    I am also NYC marathon ready! I ran my longest run on Sunday - 18 miles, I felt good throughout and recovered nicely. I have my LAST chemo today and then two more long runs before I start to taper. I can't believe I am actually pulling this off. I am going to bawl like a baby when I cross that finish line. This race symbolizes so much more to me than just 26.2 miles. It's hope, strength and faith that when one puts their mind to it, anything is possible. If I can run a marathon, I can certainly kick cancer.

  • geewhiz
    geewhiz Member Posts: 1,439
    edited October 2015

    AWESOME you guys!! Good luck at NYC!! It's a bucket list race for me...maybe next year!

    (Holy crap...under 2 for a half?? That's smoking!)

  • cassylou
    cassylou Member Posts: 52
    edited October 2015

    every single one of you on here are awesome, you're my idols!

    Just 6 months ago I was a regular 39 year old training for a marathon, running up to 28 kms for my longest run. Now, I am 2 weeks from finishing my neo adjuvunct chemo and I struggled for run 2km with my friend the other day. I mean, REALLY struggled. I have been for 3 runs since I started chemo and each one has been worse than the last. I had so hoped I would keep my fitness up with all this going on but I am pining for the day that I can run again. I am just so exhausted, I can barely get out of bed in the mornings, let alone run.

    I have my BMX, recon and ovary removal scheduled for 13 November, then I plan on recovering until 31 December and I will go running on the 1st of January (ok, maybe run/walk to start). Oh yes I will, you guys have inspired me. I've been feeling like I'm destined to be unfit from now on but I have a new lease of running life after reading your posts. You've given me hope to be a runner again.

    Well done all of you, you're fantastic!

    Cass x

  • geewhiz
    geewhiz Member Posts: 1,439
    edited October 2015

    CassyLou...start where you are. Maybe it's a walk to the end of the block. Every night of chemo I walked around the block with my kids. It was all I could do, but it made me feel in control of my body again. Each step I envisioned taking back a little bit of power. The day after my mx, I walked laps around the hospital floor - the nurses were laughing, but again it made me feel like I could control some outcomes. And I do feel like the activity keeps these chemicals from chemo and surgery moving quicker through our bodies. HUGS to you!!

  • goldlining
    goldlining Member Posts: 1,178
    edited October 2015

    Gully, Rseman, those are great times! And minivan, geewhiz, and suzanne50 with great distances. Ginger48 and outrunning also rocking it. (And Scrunchthecat - loved the subversive shirt. I'm not a fan of patronizing Pinktober.) Welcome cassylou. This is the happiest thread on BCO. Sorry anyone has reason to join, but we have your back. As long as it takes to get your speed and endurance back to where you want, we have been there or are still going. At this point, it doesn't matter what your pace is or your distance. To us, you're a runner any time you put on your shoes and "went for a run" and spent the time listening to your body and your spirit. When you need to run vicariously, you can read our runs and they're yours too.

    I'm using that now, enjoying all those great posts just above, because although I have been walking a lot, as a transportation mode, currently in Sweden, my eyes are really sore. Physically I feel great, although to be honest, it's a little cooler than the running clothes I packed. I can't remember which person at the opening reception said "oh I've just gotten over pinkeye" and I thought to myself, I will stay away from him, and I thought I did, but there was a bit of wine and you know, maybe not as obsessive compulsive about the sanitizer gel as I might have been in all the mingling and chitchat. The punchline is my eyes are so irritated that I don't feel like running. I will try to make it up next week in California! When I travel on business, I like to run in each place to get a souvenir map in my Garmin online history, so I'm cranky about it.

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