Feel like a slug when running

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bomber410
bomber410 Member Posts: 564
edited June 2014 in Working on Your Fitness
Feel like a slug when running

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  • bomber410
    bomber410 Member Posts: 564
    edited May 2008

    Hi guys, I've been a bit out of touch.  Trying hard to focus on work.  Been traveling for work as well.

    I'm also keeping true to my fitness goals.  But the challenge is that my running stride hasn't kicked in.  I'm post chemo by 8 months and post radiation by 6 months.  I've been on Tamoxifen for 5.5 months.

    The problem is that my legs feel dead.  There's no spring.  I can walk to beat the band.  But when I run, I land on dead legs.  I don't know if this is just a matter of waiting for the recovery to be complete or if it is the tamoxifen or what?  

    As for my life style, I'm probably doing as good or better with diet, sleep, alcohol intake, etc. than before diagnosis.  It is very discouraging. 

    I'd feel better if I knew this will pass.  Of course, I'm not getting any younger, so that is another factor.  

    I look forward to your shared experiences.

    Debbie 

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2008

    Ya know, Debbie, all I can think of is for you to try to train your muscles in order to encourage better development of your fast twitch muscle fibers. These are the type of fibers that give your muscles better short term bursts of energy and can be developed through sprinting or using resistance. I'd suggest that you do walk-runs twice a week, in addition to you usual run-only runs. You might walk for 3 minutes and then sprint for 2, etc. Also, squats and lunges wil help to develop the muscle fibers you want to work better for you. Finally, you might want to look into a nutritional supplement that promises to power your muscles, but I'm not very knowledgable on that topic and would probably just focus on staying hydrated through vitamin water or even Gatorade (though that's more for long-term endurance).

    Just keep running....it could be that it's just a matter of time!

    ~Marin

  • AnneW
    AnneW Member Posts: 4,050
    edited May 2008

    My legs do that when I'm tired from previous activities. You're not doing too much, are you? Not anemic? Thyroid okay?

    I've been doing what Marin has suggested, and it's helping me. I had been training my lower body and core strongly. And instead of just running, I walk for 3, run for 2, or walk for 2 run for 3. Somewhere along the 20 minute point, i may run for 5. The more I do this, the better I run, and I can pick up the pace, too.

    Are you doing any cross training like cycling? That can put some spring back in your step.

    Good luck. I know this is frustrating for you!

    Anne

  • lockerbie2
    lockerbie2 Member Posts: 2
    edited May 2008

    I also feel like my body is not responding as it did before the chemo and radiation. I feel tired a lot, and my bones hurt. my feet are clumsy, and i am just not my self (before cancer tratment) How long will this last? is i a matter of De-toxing from the chemo? or is it damage done, never to heal again?  what is it?  Do you have other sympthoms, like dry eyes and mouth, tiredness, lack of strenght?

  • lewing
    lewing Member Posts: 1,288
    edited May 2008

    Debbie, I can't share any post-chemo tips, since I'm still in the middle of it.  As a matter of fact, I think of you as kind of an advance scout, who can give me advice on what to expect.  So I'm really sorry to learn your running isn't coming back the way you want.

    A few things that have helped me in other contexts (whether it was coming back from injury, or just getting through a stale patch):

    Running on trails instead of roads.  For me, that's a rare treat.  I gather from some of the things you've written that you do more trail running than I'm able to, so it may not be as applicable for you.  But I find that the soft surface and the natural surroundings put more spring in my legs.

    Running in new places.  You mentioned that you've been traveling some for work.  Do you run while on the road?  Could you? Sometimes using running to sightsee/explore helps me.  (Unless, of course, you're stuck in some godforsaken office park kind of development.)

    Going to a race you're not entered in.  I love spectating at longer races, running from point to point to catch runners more than once, or jumping in and banditing part of the course, encouraging people who seem to be flagging, etc.  I find I can get in a decently long run that way without even realizing it.

    Running without a watch.  This is a tough one for me, because I'm kind of obsessive.  But leaving the watch at home and just running by feel is sometimes helpful.

    I hope that sluggish feeling soon leaves you.  And yeah, as you mentioned, this whole getting older thing is a bitch. 

    Linda

  • bomber410
    bomber410 Member Posts: 564
    edited May 2008

    You guys are the best!

    I've been doing the trails and do run when I travel, although some of the hotel locations makes running easy.  I'm in Houston this week.  Today's run was more enjoyable since it wasn't highway and fed into a city park over the course of 5 miles.  That's an improvement.

    As for running with a watch, if I know the course, I don't use a watch.  When I travel and don't know the area, I do run for time and use my watch.

    So the advice I'm trying right now is the shake it up with walking and running combined.  I'm adding to this mix some speed fartleks as well.  Done it for the past two runs. I'll keep it up and see what it nets.  

    I am also working my core but probably need to work on my consistency. 

    Of course, I'm sure the adage "time heals all wounds" will ring true.  I've been told by the docs and nurses that recovery comes around 1 year post treatment, meaning 1 year from last radiation treatment in my case.

    We'll continue to compare notes.   

    Debbie 

  • ellenoire
    ellenoire Member Posts: 674
    edited May 2008

    I can't really run yet, still on chemo. Try going to the site www.chirunning.com for running techniques that will help you run using your core more than your legs. It sounds nuts but it really works. Scour the site, buy the book and try it. I took 5 minutes of my last tri using it and my knees don't hurt anymore. It is a much more gentle way to walk and run, and as you recover this may help.

     Cheers, Noelle  

  • trigeek
    trigeek Member Posts: 916
    edited May 2008

    Debbie,

    I never was a 'springy' runner but I know exactly what you mean. The only time I was a 'springy' runner was when I had lost substantial amount of weight ( I went from 165 to 128 2 years ago) so that is telling me what Marin is saying, strengthening the muscles (or in my case decreasing the workload on muscles which is basically the same thing in relative terms). Now I am back to my 2 min 5.5 mph jog and 1 min 3.2 mph walk since I was up to 164( am now 154 working on going down again)I miss  my short lived springiness it really made running an epic experience rather than a torturous traumatic rhino gallop !

    Although I think that I kept fairly active throughout treatments I know that in no way that I am in the shape that I started this whole ordeal. Read somewhere that chemo puts 19 years on ones life.. arghhh.. then I think .. hey if this was how I was going to feel when I was 64 I will take it.

    Morning stiffness is very prominent, I have overcome this by doing a short stroll with my pup and doing 10-13 minutes of yoga with sun salutations, that stretches me out and I feel normal afterwards.

    Noelle,

    It is the second time I heard about that chirunning, will definitely put that in my amazon wish list. My knee is giving me a bit grief so will get that chirunning book. I heard it was similar to the 'pose' method where the focus was to lean forward ( from heel to head.. not bending forward from the waist)

    I will resume my weight training regimen I think that is neeed now, especially that my bone density seems to be lower than desireable .. great !!!

  • wetcoast
    wetcoast Member Posts: 193
    edited May 2008

    Hi Debbie,

    I left my running shoes in Boston, since I got back I have been a bit tuckered (to put it mildly )out and have not been gone out. My white cells were in the ceramic bowl and had some bad side effects so just decided to take a holiday.

    I miss the running as it is my therapy and good for my head space but have settled with puttering in my 1/3 of an acre. I seem to get cramps in my calves and feet during the night but not so much numbness from the taxol. My toes and fingers feel more tight than numb. In any case chemo was done on thursday and hopefully this wonderful potion will part my body and things will get back to normal (?) Can't agree with you more about the stiffness and getting back to the way thing were and can be again. Don't despair we will just have to go after it a little differently. It can be done//

    Definitely will be looking into the chi running book and get going again. Sounds very interesting.

    I have to agree with trigeek about the strengthening, and hills,fartleks and tempo come to mind along some good old core work. Oh my gosh I am at square one again.

    I start rads toward the end of june so not quite sure when I will be getting out there.

    Take care laurel

  • bomber410
    bomber410 Member Posts: 564
    edited May 2008

    Laurel, you'll get your happy feet back.  It will take time.  You are such a good runner. How great you must feel knowing the chemo is behind you.  And radiation is so subtle but does take a lot out of you.  I hope you are getting your rest.

    I was at a race on Sunday and met yet another woman athlete recently diagnosed with BC.  She's a very good runner and was encouraged to hear we are out here and not letting BC get too much in the way of normalcy.  

    I ordered the Chi Running book from the library loan system.  It must be popular because the copies are all in circulation right now.  Can't wait to get it.

    Happy running to you all!

    Debbie 

  • HollyC
    HollyC Member Posts: 4
    edited June 2008

    Hi Debbie,

    I just stumbled on this blog and it is so helpful and inspirational. I am serious about my recreational running, and am having a hard time getting my endurance back. It has been a year since I finished my chemo. I am able to run 3-4 x a week and increase my workouts and then go through periods of sluggishness and heavy legs. I was told by a running coach that they are signs of low ferritin. It might be worthwhile to get your ferritin level checked. It can be low even if your iron level is normal and your red cells don't appear anemic. It makes sense, especially is you took erythropoetin during chemo for anemia. It is worth a shot and is treated with iron supplements.

    I also am beginning to realize that it will take more time than I would like to return to previous levels of conditioning. I am learning to be patient, but I am resolved to get there. Good luck to you all!

  • AnneW
    AnneW Member Posts: 4,050
    edited June 2008

    I find that some days my legs are more wooden than others. Perhaps it's the time of day I work out (mornings are best, lunch time worst) or maybe not enough hydration the day before...I don't know. I'm not anemic, I feel well, some days I just cannot run. So I walk like mad!

    Anne

  • kriserts
    kriserts Member Posts: 224
    edited September 2008

    This happened to me, too. I race bikes, and am used to riding long distances, but I kept complaining of having no snap, no life. I was about ready to give up, I was so depressed about it; I couldn't keep up with my friends on even a very slow ride. Someone told me that one day my energy would just suddenly return and guess what? That's what happened. But it was probably over a year after the end of chemo before I really felt better and strong again. You have to realize that the exhaustion is real, subtle, and longer lasting than you expected, and be patient.

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