POST-CANCER P.R.

RunnerZ
RunnerZ Member Posts: 185
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
(Post Cancer Personal Record)I wanted to let you all know that on Sunday I ran a 5 kilometer (3.1 miles) run in 20:16 (6:32 per mile). That is my fastest time since being diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer almost seven and one-half years ago. In fact, it was my fastest time since I was 33 years old (I'm 43 now). I'm trying like crazy to break that elusive 20 minute barrier that was so easy when i was in my 20's, but 16 seconds is not too much to shave off. I remember that when I was diagnosed, one of the first positive things i did was renew my subscription to "Runner's World", even though I did not feel certain I would be alive for a whole year, let alone being able to think about running. Well, I AM BACK!! It is running for me...it may be gardening, or shopping, or sightseeing, or taking care of grandchildren, or cooking, etc...but to beat cancer and return to normal life...that is a victory. For anyone new to the site, please read Lance Armstrong's books. They are powerful survival tools. I may not be able to control my destiny...but I can control how I treat each day. And Sunday, when I ran so hard that I thought I might drop (and almost did), I lived. Cancer = Power over our life. "Carpe Diem" Survivors!!

Comments

  • HowardJ
    HowardJ Member Posts: 474
    #2
    Great story...very inspiring! Thank you for sharing.
  • terril
    terril Member Posts: 296
    #3
    I love reading your posts. I hope to be where you are!!! I believe attitude is everything!!! God bless you, RunnerZ!!! Terri
  • kerry
    kerry Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    #4
    Runner, You area certainly an inspiration to us all. Thanks for sharing!! Makes me want to get up and get going!!!!

    Kerry
  • jams67
    jams67 Member Posts: 925 Member
    #5
    I'm glad you shared your accomplishment with us. I went to the gym today and worked harder than I have in a while, not as hard as precancer but a good start. Anyway, sometimes, it has just been a couple of months since Ive been NED from stage IV, I need to hear that I can go on with life and that I might just make it another few years and it is really worth the effort to work out and get a subscription to a magazine. jams
  • JADot
    JADot Member Posts: 709 Member
    #6
    What a great post Runner! You're such an inspiration! Run like the wind because you carry the hopes and dreams for all of us!

    Ying
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #7
    YEA YEA YEA YEA!
    You are a GREAT example of willing this beast away...NEVER letting it win!!!
    Hugs, Kathi
  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #8
    Hi Runner -

    You are SO inspiring. Thanks for sharing. Everytime I read one of your posts, it renews my energy for moving on. Today is the one year anniversary of my surgery - a mix of hope and trepidation. Your post definitely beefed up the hope side of the equation. Thx.

    Betsy
  • WendyMarie
    WendyMarie Member Posts: 48
    #9
    I was glad to read your post today. I started running about a year before I was diagnosed at stage 3 and actually started back just a few weeks after surgery with an ileostomy and while on chemo. Have since had ileostomy reversed and am training for my first 5k ever in October. I'll be 41 then. And even though I am not very good at it, running still helps get me through the hard days.

    Wendy
  • chynabear
    chynabear Member Posts: 481 Member
    #10
    WendyMarie said:

    I was glad to read your post today. I started running about a year before I was diagnosed at stage 3 and actually started back just a few weeks after surgery with an ileostomy and while on chemo. Have since had ileostomy reversed and am training for my first 5k ever in October. I'll be 41 then. And even though I am not very good at it, running still helps get me through the hard days.

    Wendy

    Thanks for sharing this record!

    I used to do a lot of running in junior and high school. I don't remember being super fast but I could go a great distance.

    College, I could never find the time to work out let alone run. I ate all the wrong stuff (wouldn't admit it back then) and gained weight.

    After chemo, hit depression (more junk food). Realized that something had to change and started eating healthier and slowly started excercising.

    I'm running again, finally. I was happy with my best (so far) and you just put it to shame. Guess I now know what I need to be working up to :o)

    Thanks for the inspiration!!!

    Patricia
  • jana11
    jana11 Member Posts: 705
    #11
    Every single one of your posts is incredibly inspiring... you give so much to this site. Thank you for posting, for running, for living well, and for sharing and giving to all of us!! Continue - you make this world a brighter place. thank you. jana
  • Moesimo
    Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    #12
    What a great post. I also feel soooo good these days. My youngest graduated from high school last nite. When I was told I had cancer 3 years ago, I would drop him and his brother off at school and cry all the was to work, I never thought I wou;d be here for the grad. I am so happy to be here.

    I never thought I would get better either, I just joined a gym, my friends are still laughing. I am not the gym kind of person

    I am doing a relay this w/e. I can't wait. My team is Moe's Marchers.

    Have a great day.

    Maureen
  • kangatoo
    kangatoo Member Posts: 2,105 Member
    #13
    Moesimo said:

    What a great post. I also feel soooo good these days. My youngest graduated from high school last nite. When I was told I had cancer 3 years ago, I would drop him and his brother off at school and cry all the was to work, I never thought I wou;d be here for the grad. I am so happy to be here.

    I never thought I would get better either, I just joined a gym, my friends are still laughing. I am not the gym kind of person

    I am doing a relay this w/e. I can't wait. My team is Moe's Marchers.

    Have a great day.

    Maureen

    Thanks for posting that Runner. The great thing about stories like yours is that it not only gives everyone that inspirational feel it also helps to ease the pain and fear our new "family" members to our group must be going thru.
    cheers, Ross n Jen
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #14
    Runner -

    AWESOME!! I can't run half that distance in 20 minutes (well, OK... 13 minutes)...

    Way to go! Thanks for sharing.

    - SB

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