Exercise and well being during chemo and radiation

Moondust, awesome, keep doing what you can, slow and resting doesn't matter. I had to walk my bike a short way up a hill I can normally do during chemo, but hey, it all counts! Once chemo is done, I think the fact that you have stayed active will help you recover quicker

Moondust - that is awesome! I'm so impressed! I think you have the key - rest and do what you can.

I've been feeling good this weekend and rode about 25 miles in two days. I have some parts coming for my road bike - I'm looking forward to getting that out on the road. I also did some weights. Went to dinner at a friend's house last night, then came home to watch the rest of Game of Thrones, so I'm tired today. We'll see if I do anything.

Biking, spin class, and walking last week for a total of 9 miles. Beach walking last week was amazingly beautiful.

Ksusan, I hear you on the hills. In San Diego, a lot of the terrain is up or down, and some of the hills are a big pain. We took my step daughter riding with us one day, we rented an electric bike for her so she could pedal when she could, and use power assist when she couldn't. She loved it

Wow, everyone did well last week! CJ, you rocked the bike riding! I am tempted to drive two hours to the beach for walking. It is going to be 107 or 108 here all week!

Hooray everyone for getting some exercise!

I'm sidelined again since I'm 5 days post-op. Not allowed to run until this weekend after my follow-up visit, but even if I was allowed to run I couldn't due to pain around my hips/abdomen/torso. I can walk though. Been walking 3-4 miles daily before work (work 10 hour days so it's the only time I can do it since after work is way too hot), but did 6 miles Saturday at 10k elevation in Santa Fe. It was so beautiful out! I'm hoping this break from running will help my tendonitis (Achilles and glute medius).

Hoping to get to a 14-er in Colorado in late July or early August. There's still too much snow now.

have a fantastic week!

- xo

I also get it on the bike and hills. When I moved to my current home (definitely in the flats of the Central Valley) from San Francisco, one of the first things I did was buy a bike!

And yeah, triple digits all week here also. I am taking Italy's advice: heading to the coast for 4th of July weekend. Meanwhile my foot is FINALLY healed (from a second degree burn)...and so, we will be doing lots of beach walks!

Octogirl

Andra, I know the break from running will be an excellent thing for you in the long run. I would like to do some of the 14ers in Colorado, maybe next year. I've heard thunderstorms are quite a nuisance though. In Calif I've done Whitney, Langley, and Russell. Russell is by far the scariest, climbing on a knife-edge ridge with nothing on either side. Most of the other 14ers in Calif are harder to get to, so would probably have to be a backpack instead of a day hike. That's why I want to try some in Colorado.

Octo, I'm so happy to hear your foot is healed up! I bought a new hiking vehicle last week. The camper shell is ordered too. I'm ready!! We better hike and camp while we can before it all burns up.

New vehicle:

Moondust - congrats on your new ride!! woohoo!! I have the 2011 Tacoma with the extended cab in silver and camper shell/topper. I love it! Right now it's my only vehicle though (used to have a Subaru as well), and going back and forth 4.5 hrs each way for chemo and med appts over the past 10 months in a truck wasn't the best. Thinking about getting a new Subaru for my commutes that don't require a truck. In Colorado the thunderstorms can be an issue when hiking 14ers, but you just go early during monsoon season and always plan to summit before noon. I shoot for summit at 11am! It's also nice there are many clustered together so you can plan a trip and hit many 14ers over a few days (especially the collegiate range), and some areas allow for more than one in a day! (Sunshine and Redcloud near Silverton CO can be bagged at the same time since they are approx. 1.5 miles apart summit to summit along a ridge line with a min dip in elevation).

Hooray an your foot healing Octogirl!!

Planning to go for mountain bike and road bike rides this weekend in Santa Fe. I'll be allowed to run, but even just walking is painful with my tendonitis (gluteus medius L now worse than Achilles R). Ready to be done with tendonitis! So weird how problematic it's been since mid chemo and the abx drug reaction. Of course, nothing heals as quickly in my 40s as it did in my 20s.

- xo

Moondust - love the truck! I would love something like that. I've been really considered getting a camper/tent of some kid. With a tent I can take one dog, but with the camper I could take all 3. It would be nice to just get out and hang. Stay cool - those temps are killer!

I love the 14ers in Colorado. I've done Whitney and White Mountain here in California. And Princeton, Yale (Yale was a DNS - as we were about 200 feet short, but the summit was ice with a nice drop so we decided to be safe) and Holy Cross as well as some 13'ers. The photo is from Holy Cross with the Washington Mountains in the background. I have a good friend who climbs a lot and is willing to have me tag along.

I've got my bike all set up for a ride tomorrow. I'm going to start with a 20 miler on a local bike path - that will probably drive me insane, but there are a lot of open areas where I think I can let 'er rip. But I'm more interested in working on my handling as it's been a while since I've actually ridden. I've been playing on my spin bike. I just miss spending hours on my bike and really enjoying it.

CJ, I hope you had (or are having) a great ride today! Nice photo!

Azrescue, I have a good friend in NW Arkansas I'm planning to visit this fall or next year. I'll definitely get in touch with you about outdoor opportunities!

Feeling a little punk today, but really not that bad as long as I stay low-key. Tomorrow I'm planning a 6 mile hike.

finally had my movement restriction lifted after 8 days. Thank the flying spagetti monster for good health!

Way to get it, ksusan!

AZRescue - your trails sound awesome! I love riding new ones.

MoonDust - I've been enjoying my bike! My legs are sore today, but I'm still planning a ride. Hope your hike was amazing.

Polkadot - I totally get that. I feel like an overstuffed cow right now. I find if I move more, I eat better - it tends to be all related for me.

LBF - Yay for exercise restrictions to be lifted!

KSusan - I would love a treadmill desk. I just don't know where I'd put it. I've considered a desk for over my spin bike just to get SOME movement while working.

Today is another ride. I have a goal of 50 miles a week (combination indoor trainer and outdoor riding) with 10 miles a week walking/running. That sounds doable and good goals for July. I just invested in a Wahoo Cadence and speed monitor for my cross bike. It's cool because I can run 1 app and upload to four. I have several different challenges and they all use different apps, of course.

Moondust - Sounds good. I'd love to tell you all about the trails and great things to do see and do around here.

Littleblueflowers - GREAT! on the restriction being gone.

Need some suggestions ... I went on a pretty decent bike ride back in May (was on chemo #5). Ever since then the muscles around my knees are really sore. I have since completed my chemo. Last treatment was 6/15. But those muscles around my knees are so sore still. I try to keep them stretched. But they really burn when I try riding. More protein? glutamine? Thanks!

for me, strength training has helped my knees. If I make the muscles around my knees strong, then I have less knee problems. If I slack off, I get some knee pain. The strength training doesnt have to be weights, it can be yoga, squats, whatever works. Keep cadence high. I've learned to ride in gears that make me spin more instead of relying on my leg strength. Also go to a bike shop and make sure your saddle is in the right position. If it is too high or too low, then the knees get stressed.

And yes, eat more protein!