Over 30 races, 35 rounds of chemo since cancer came back

beaumontdave said:

That's some kind of drive and

That's some kind of drive and endurance, in the face of a solid excuse to do very little. I had to work through the Folfox treatments and that had its issues, but I muddled through, then started the work outs after. Two years ago, my ankles [and the podiatrist] made it clear I was on a daily ''step count'', but I knew it was coming for a long time. That's when your hobbies become mainly reading, music, and good movies, lol. The elliptical doesn't wrack my ankles as much as just walking does, so it's a nice place to start back up on. I won't be hitting your levels or distances, but getting in 30 minute hard programs, every other day would suit me fine, and maybe get me back to weights. Congrats on attaining such a high level with your program, that kind of conditioning has to help in the overall fight.................................................Dave

There are many days where I am tired (especially chemo weeks) and I am really tempted to watch TV and do nothing.  That little voice "Well, you have cancer, it is not like you are making this up."  But then I kick it to the side.  I have gotten better at figuring out if I am so tired I really cannot/should not do something or drag myself to do something.  I am fortunate that I work for myself with my family, so Ihave latitude in that aspect.  I am not sure if I could have worked for others (which I have done ) and been on chemo.  

Reading, music and movies are great hobbies (three of mine ) and I loathe running.  30 minutes every other day is a great target.  Something to keep in mind - more and more training is based on going slow and not pushing it.  For instance, the runners who can do sub-5 minute miles in the NYC Marathon will train at 10 minute mile pace.  It is a concept of 80/20 training.  80% of training is not driving heart rate too high.  20% is harder/faster workout portions, such as intervals, where speed gains happen.  It is based on heart rate and testing speeds.  The longer workouts are usually at slow paces/lower heart rates.  I am slow even when "racing", so I am a natural

SnapDragon2 said:

THIS MAKES ME SMILE BIG!!! 

THIS MAKES ME SMILE BIG!!!  Yes, amazing.....

I tell people all the time that I try to smile as much as possible during all this.  Not to say there are not days where there are frowns and bumming, but smiling is a lot better and keeps things positive.

Real Tar Heel said:

That's pretty incredible. I

That's pretty incredible. I was a sprinter hated anything longer than 400m and only did that because I had to. Always thought the distance runners were off in the head. I'm trying to get off my butt earlier with each treatment and go to the track but it's tough, we know how difficult it is so this is again incredible what you're doing.

I never ran my entire life.  Maybe as a kid playing outside.  And even then sloths felt bad for me with my speed.  I always thought triathlons were cool - I did swim in high school but was not fast - and biked when in school with friends.  Casual around the park, not the spandex pelotons you see on the road nowadays.  But then there was the running.  Yuck.  

Before my lung surgery I was told that the stronger my lungs were, the better it would go.  It was 4 weeks or so from the time it was determined I needed surgery to the surgery, so I did some running then.  And I did a run a week after the surgery, just as part of my stubborn response to all of this.  Then stopped.  (This was September, 2016).   I started my current routine when my cancer was confirmed as back in December, 2017.  And for the record, I am really slow.  People like you who have run make me jealous.  It seems you never lose it.  LOL.  It is crazy.  I have people in my age group going sub 10 minute miles .  A race last week had 24 people go sub 8 minute miles after swimming 1.2 miles and biking 56 miles.  Crazy.  

Yup, it is difficult to get going during treatment, I just mentioned that myself in the other thread that Abita has on the eliiptical - really psyched for her that she has got that going on.

Trubrit said:

New Here running   Trubrit

New Here running   Trubrit sauntering .  

I was going to say 'I can't run to save my life'; but several months ago, 2 dogs chased me, and do you know what? I ran to save my life. So, it can be done, but hiking is more my style. 

I admire you tremendously. You are living now, becasue of your determination to not quit.  May we all find our way to stay alive. 

Tru

I need to remember the chasing dog trick for my next race, maybe that will get me faster than a turtle on crutches

Hiking is tremendous.  As mentioned to RTH, there are articles about professional triathletes who count hikes as part of training.

abrub said:

not running races

But biking,  walking or kayaking at least an hour most days., and I feel great.  Thanking you for all of your support.  It means a lot to me.

Alice

Is great to do.  All three of those are good exercises.  Plus they work different muscle groups and complement each other.  That is why I like triathlons.  There is also the great part that I now am bad in three things.  LOL.  The rotation of sports also helps offset some downsides.  For instance if you just bike, it can cause certain issues.  But if you also run, it offsets the potential downside of biking. Hope the summer weather is great for you this year and for your kayaking.