Race Recap: Lincoln National Guard Half Marathon

Twelve weeks of training, 400 plus miles, average of 5 run's a week, plus five classes a week and a full time job, it all came to an end Sunday. This was the race that Cervical Cancer stole from me one year ago...would I, could I, take it back?

The adventures to the Lincoln (Nebraska) National Guard Half Marathon began Friday afternoon with a my running BFF Jess and the mind numbing drive across Iowa into Nebraska. With a late arrival on Friday night, Saturday morning was the perfect pre-race day, with no rushing, carb loading and relaxing. The expo wasn't too shabby, plenty of booths but really all I care about is getting my bib, shirt and an expo photo, done, done, done.

With Bry (our hostess with the most-est) and Jess at the expo.

From there the afternoon continued to be relaxing with some reading and a nice little afternoon nap, ahhhh. I have to admit I tried to stay awake, for fear it would keep me from an early bedtime, but it couldn't be helped the eye lids were just to heavy to fight. After waking up I felt refreshed and energized so Jess and I took just a quick 20 minute walk around Bry's 'hood to losen up the legs before we were off to the Project Purple banquet. Bry, is PP runner and was kind enough to get us invites to the dinner.
 

At first I was a bit worried about the dinner because normally my pre-race  meal is pizza but as we got there the wonderful aroma of pasta just called my name. Turns out it was FANTASTIC the lasgna was amazing and they had CUPCAKES. In fact the moment we walked into the door I saw those wonderful frosted treats and my eyes began making love to them.

Yes, I took too, and Project Purple sent me home with two more!

Once we got back to Bry's house it was late and time for B-E-D!I had a very specific race plan for the day, I was to wake up grab my Manderin Spark (Advocare) like always, chill and wait for my body to do it's thang (you should know what I'm getting at) and then it was prep time. During training I must have my electrolytes but I'm not a fan of the Gatorade used on the course so I always train with 3Plenish (Complete Nutrition) and since I can't carry it with me I decided that I was going to sip on that in the morning and have only a little bit of water. I didn't want to over due it and have to pee during the race but I also wanted to ensure my hydration/electrolytes.

Once we arrived at the start of the race we had time for one quick pic with the three of us, a not so quick bathroom stop (why can there never be enough bathrooms?) and then it was a jumble to try and get to the start. So many people trying to get to the same place with not so much maneuvering space. Luckily the race started in waves, I planned to jump in just ahead of the 1:55 pace group which turned out to be a GREAT decision. I wanted to finish between 1:50-1:55. The start at this race does well trying to accommodate the amount of runners (13,000) but takes way too long, took like 17 minutes for me to start. That's why it was a good thing I jumped in front of the 1:55er's or I would have to had wait longer.

Jess suggested that we wear purple to support Bry and PP, so naturally I had t pair it with gold!

As soon as the race started it was smooth sailing, my plan was to keep miles one and two at a 9 minute pace, which I did nearly exact, then after I'd pick it up and aim for negative splits. However, as soon as I picked it up my pace jumped to an 8:40 and I then decided if I could hold it stead anywhere between 8:30-45, I'd be golden. A few miles in I changed the plan again because I kept wanting to go faster, it just felt right, so I adjusted it to 8:25-40. Nearly every time I looked at my wrist I was somewhere in that range. I actually felt like I was constatnly telling myself to slow down. I probably could have ran faster but there was still some lingering doubt, could I keep it up the whole run? Will I tank at the end? I couldn't answer those questions so I just kept telling myself to dial it down some and finish strong.

Honestly, I could tell you absolutely nothing about the course or the miles. I didn't notice any of it, I was so focused and dialed in, I saw nothing. I wanted this race, I worked for it and dammit I needed it. There was a portion of the race where we do run on a trail, it was a bit small for this race and Bry warned us about it so I was prepared, luckily I had no problems. Only twice did I have to step to the side to pass someone. Only a few times during the entire race I felt like I was dodging someone, each pass came easily and effortlessly. One major thing that helped me in this race is I didn't have to walk trhough the water stations, which is normal for me. I just cannot master the pinch the cup, run, drink, I always wear the water, but this race...had lids and straws on their water cups! Yes, lids and straws...man it was heaven in a cup and through a straw for me!

This race went so fast, before I knew it there was just 3 miles to go, then all of a sudden two, I think my last mile was the hardest mile for me. Although I felt strong; my legs weren't hurting, my breath wasn't labored, I kept thinking how I was finally running the race I was denied a year ago. That thought was on repeat in my head, with 1200 meters to go, 800 meters. I couldn't stop thinking; this was the race that cancer stole from, this is the race that I was meant to have. I felt the lump in my throat begin to rise and the urge to let the tears come to my eyes for that last mile, but first, I had to finish.

Recovering in my hospital bed one year ago.

As I made my way inside the stadium and to the finish line, I saw the clock (which of course was gun time) and by the looks of it I thought I was finishing very near my last PR of 1:55:40 something. When I crossed the finish and saw my time of 1:51:34, I was elated, I couldn't believe it! A PR of 4+ minutes!

I didn't just PR I rocked that bitch! A volunteer with medals must have seen something in my eyes because we made eye contact and her face light up so brightly and she said "Come here, you earned this" and put the medal around me neck.

You're dam right I earned that!

Final Stats:
Finish PR 1:51:34
Avg Pace: 8:30
Overall: 1334 out of 7175
Gender: 478 out of 4347
AG Place: 89 out of 817

I Made It To Taper Week!

Always love running with Jess

A week and a half to go and the Lincoln National Guard Half Marathon will FINALLY be here. Really it seems like forever ago that I convinced Jess (yes THE Run With Jess) to go to Lincoln Nebraska and run with me. She has a quest to run all 50 and when she said that race was on under consideration, I threw the dice and said “I’ll go with you and my BFF lives there so she’ll provide a place to stay!” Jess replied with a simple “Done”.  

When I started the training for this race I knew right off I wanted to be aggressive with training because this race is just 9 days shy of my one year cancer free anniversary! I know the marathon was like my big comeback but it didn’t feel like. Everything about that race was hard and it sucked and I hated all of it! Now here I am one year later, I’m finally back at my pre-hysterectomy weight (when they say it takes a year to heal, they weren't joking) and I’m feeling like the strong runner I was a year ago. To say I wanna ‘rock this bitch’ is to say the least. 

Last weekend was my last long run and I wanted to test my limits so I asked my boyfriend to pace me about an 8:45 pace, after an easy warm up mile. I knew he would push me, I was terrified of it but I was ready for it. My time trial splits were: 8:40, 8:35, 8:37, 8:35, 8:30, 8:30, 8:25 & 8:24! With  just a few miles left I was tired but each mile I knocked off my confidence grew and when I hit my cool down mile I was spent but I knew I could finish the half very close to that pace. 

I have a few short runs left this week and next, my longest being 8 this weekend and 7 on Tuesday. All I can say is I’m ready! Let’s do this!

One Year Ago Today I Was Told I Had Cancer

Proudly wearingmy teal today for cervical cancer.

One year ago I heard those words no one ever expects or is prepared to hear ‘you have cancer’. On my anniversary I’d like to take you back to that day….

All of this began with my yearly pap exam back in February, which came back abnormal. It lead to a colposcopy and ECC, which lead to a LEEP and that lead to this. My LEEP was done on March 19th and I was supposed to have the results in a week. Well that week went by very slowly and although I never spoke it, I knew it was going to come back as cancer. When that week came and went without a call from my doctor my anxiety went on overload and I kept saying “I’ll give it a day or two.” I think my boyfriend got sick of me constantly worrying because once it hit the two week point he said that I had to call and find out what was going on.

On April 2nd I called and the first thing my nurse said was she was just on the phone to find out what the holdup was. She told me for some reason the pathology lab was showing they sent the results last week, but my doctors’ office had never received them. So they were expediting the results and I’d know the next day. Let me tell you, if I thought the past two weeks were long, that 24 hours was nerve racking to say the least. I knew the answer, I knew it was unlikely and crazy talk, but deep down I knew.

April 3rd, 2013: I sat on ends all day with my phone glued to my hand and always within earshot and wouldn’t you know it when the call came…I missed it! The message was from my doctor himself and I knew it was not good. The doctor never calls people! I immediately dialed back but he had left for lunch. I had to wait another excruciating 20 minutes before he’d call again and when I saw the number finally pop up on my phone my heart began to race and as I said “hello” I got up  from my desk at work and went to an office where no one was at and closed the door. I knew what he was going to say.

All I can still remember from call is doctor first retelling the mix up at the pathology, apologizing for the wait and then those words…. “You have mild invasive cancer of the cervix.”… After hearing that all I remember is hearing a buzz…my mind…my body…it all went numb and into some sort of haze and then after a few seconds it slowly started coming back to his voice talking, explain how he’d pass me along to an oncologist and him putting me at ease how this is early and very easily treatable, more than likely they’ll do a hysterectomy and that’s all I’ll need. There is a chance for radiation but more than likely just the hysterectomy.

In the following weeks I remember having periods of acceptance and periods of denial, I think it was the "mild invasive" that caused it. I kept thinking that once I met my oncologist he was going to tell me it was nothing to worry about and come back in 6 months. I’ll share more about that later as anniversary dates come.

I was a bit hesitant about blogging on this today but then I got a message from someone thanking me and it reminded me why I do share. Cervical Cancer is a gynecological cancer and one of the cancers we don’t hear too much about. Cervical, Ovarian, Uterine, Vaginal, Vulvar are all gynecological cancers and when found early, treatment is more effective. Almost half of the 78,000 women diagnosed with a gynecological cancer every year are diagnosed in the later stages. Mine was caught so early and only because of my yearly pap exam; I had no signs or symptoms. Please visit tealsthedeal.org to learn more and how you can protect yourself.

Thank you so much for all your support this past year, it's ment the world to me.

F*ck Cancer! PS: I've been cancer free since May 13th 2013!

Does This Mean 'I'm Back'?

Here I am two weeks and two days into training for the Lincoln National Guard Half Marathon (and Marathon but I'm not in for 26.2..at this race or any others for that matter) on Sunday, May 4th in Lincoln Nebraska.

 There's one thing I want out of this race and training and that's for running to feel "easy again" and to feel like I did before the whole cervical cancer BS, OK so that's two things and yes I did just refer to cancer as BS because it is. hahaha

In case you missed it I'm following a little more aggressive plan this time around because I believe it will help me achieve the above. I'm following the Nike Coach plan on the Nike Running app and doing the advanced program. Week one considered my "warm up" with 5 run days and a long run of 8 miles, all done indoors on the tredy because winter sucks in Illinois this year. Week one was a nice re-introduction into my sport and I finished the week feeling good where this was going.

Week two was considered "fundamentals", again I finished the week feeling good where things were going and finally got in a run outdoors. Did a little ice patch walking but I was pleasantly surprised to see a pace exactly where I hoped it would. I don't know if it was because I ran with my guy, because I was outside or because I finally am starting to feel normal when it comes to running.

This week is week three where I "build a base" for the rest of training by maintaining the fitness/distance I've built so far. Today I took on my first progression run and after finishing yet another boremill run I was very happy because my "easy" pace was exactly the 9:20ish pace I want and my progressions went 9:05, 8:50 & 8:25 and I gotta tell ya the last mile was challenging but not out of reach. I finished my 6 miles feeling like my old self, mostly because for the first time since that "cancer BS" (yep I said it again) I finally feel where I left off. My weight may not be where I left off but my fitness feels like its that and that's a step in the direction I want to go in.

I have 10 miles on tap this week and I'm a little doubtful only because its been a very long time since I've done a double digit but I cannot wait to try and I pray Mother Nature isn't to hard on us this weekend and I can get it done outside.

PS: I'm still far from my donation goal for the St. Jude Chicago To Peoria run, please donate HERE and remember the only donation that is too small is no donation at all!

Recap: Mankato Half Marathon

There's a reason I keep coming back to Mankato; it's the home of my first half marathon and they just do it PERFECTLY! The race is small but put on like a big city; well organization, scenic (but challenging) route and spectacular volunteers. This is a point to point that starts at begins with a bus ride Mankato State University and ends in downtown.

Out of the four years this race has been running I've ran each year, with the exception of last, my goal wasn't lofty it was just to have a "Mankato PR" which should have been easy considering but it wasn't! Running is hard for me still but I know my body is still healing (from the hysterectomy and the full marathon two weeks ago) so I'm not taking it personally.

There is a reason why it's always said to lay your race outfit out the night before and that is because if you have forgotten something you can remedy the situation. Well in all my races I have never had this problem; until this race. I left my favorite running hat at home, in Illinois, in my dryer! So what was to be a quick trip to Hyvee or Walgreens to buy a new ball cap, turned into a quick trip with no such luck in finding a hat and then a not so quick trip across town to Wal-mart to buy a new one! Hey, I cannot run without a hat, I just can't, it's some sort of security blanket thing for me I guess.

The new hat!

Race day started pretty chilly but armed with a throw away hoodie and my new running hat I was ready to go! The race started with a very light mist but died off quickly and the first 6 miles flew by. I felt decent but rain came back to the race around the 5 mile point and I was grateful to have went out for that hat to keep it off my face but that didn't help my fingers from getting cold and once that happens I'm pretty miserable. Eventually I started to get sore, began walking a little longer through the water stops and eventually stopped to do a little stretch to release some back pains.

Once I finally broke through the country side and was on the home stretch I stopped for a walk break and as I did I herd "just keep moving-your doing good" and those words stuck with me and kept doing just that, moving. I even returned them to a woman who also started walking but it must have motivated her too because she instantly picked it back up and we ran about a half a mile together. As she slowed to walk the last hill she shouted encouragement and gratitude back to me to and I felt like I had to keep it strong till the end, it was just over a mile away now. As I headed in I heard Matty shout out a "good job baby" and with that I smiled as I finished and achieved my goal.

About to cross the finish!

Finish 2:08:14
Pace 9:48

As icing on the cake after the race it was a short drive north to a BBQ with my family! Got to see my aunt, cousins, sister, nephew and loved ones!

Want To See My Marathon Shirt?

Ever since I realized I was going to be capable of running the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon (this Sunday) I knew I wanted to make it special, I mean just coming this far in such a short period of time should be celebrated. No matter how pretty or ugly those 26.2 miles are I wanted to have fun with it, so time to dress it up. I enlisted my friend Jess (Run With Jess) to help me out and she came up with FOUR amazing ideas, one of which was my original idea but I was worried it was "too much". Well, Jess did TOO GOOD of a job designing the shirts because I couldn't decided which to wear.

 

See my problem!

I blogged, I facebooked and Jess even recruited her loyal followers to cast the vote. Instantly there were two stand outs #2 "Ran Cancer Out" and #4 "5 Months Ago". I told the boyfriend about the designs and he simply said "It's OK I'll decide for you" and I was a bit worried because he was the one who put the bug in my head that my initial idea was "too much".

Jess prepping the iron on decal courtesy of www.runnerdecals.com
find her also on facebook here.

He took one look and picked one with out hesitation, Yes, he picked the original design. ha ha I told Jess and her reply "I'm glad he came around, that's the one you need to go with". She's right, always trust your instincts! Sunday I'm running a marathon, I'm running off of 10 weeks of training, I'm running after starting completely over again (I returned with run/walk intervals building back up from the very bottom) and I'm running after beating cervical cancer. It doesn't matter if I PR, I run the whole thing or even walk some and it doesn't matter if in 6 months from now or next year the shirt will be irrelevant what matters is now, this moment and that.....

 

AHHHH Help Me Pick My Marathon Shirt!!!!

In less than three week I’ll embark on a 26.2 mile journey-the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon. This marathon has so much meaning to me, it probably won’t be my best (or worst) race and I probably won’t get a PR (personal record) but just the fact that I’m running is huge to me especially after the the year I've had.

In case you're new to my blog; in April I was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer, in May I had a radical hysterectomy (abdominally) and lymphadenectomy, in June I was told I’m cancer free. When I was diagnosed I was already registered to run this marathon and it wasn’t even a question if I’d still run it or not. In fact I’m pretty sure one of my first questions was “Will I still be able to run my marathon in October?”. I’ve been working towards that goal ever since.

Normally I’m not a dress up kinda girl for a race but this one I wanted to make it a big deal. The color for gynecological cancers is teal, so that’s what I wanted to wear and exactly what I found, you can read the blog here.

Now, it’s time to find my design for the back of my shirt because I want the people behind me to be inspired and know that they can overcome anything, I want to raise awareness and be reminded that no matter how I finish it's a victory. My wonderful friend, running partner and blogger (Run With Jess) designed 4 shirts for me. Unfortunately, she did too good of a job and I can’t decide which one to use.

That’s where you come in; I want you to tell me which one is your favorite, whichever one gets the most votes/likes through the blog and on facebook will be the one that I wear on my back.

Options:

Which one do you like????

One Month Till Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon

Me after 18 miles last weekend.

Here I am nearly 3.5 months from having Cervical Cancer/Radical Hysterectomy/Lymphondectomy and exactly 1 month away from running a marathon.

I've got 4 full weeks left of training and I don't feel ready. I've been going through some not normal body stuff; I actually have feelings and cry now (YEAH can you believe that) sometimes I feel like I cannot control my emotions, probably just my body going through adjustments after the surgery (I do have ovaries still), I've gained weight (so hate that) and the one that drives me crazy is I sweat like CRAZY, I normally sweat a lot but it's SO bad now-when I'm done with a workout my shoes will be soaked in sweat like I was running through puddles but it's sweat not rain...so gross!

The weight gain has bothered me more than it should and its hurt my confidence big time. I'm having a really hard time taking the weight off, so much so I had my hormones and thyroid tested...they're normal. It's face the music time, I've got to hunker down and get serious. Small portions, better choices..plain and simple. Overall I'm glad to hear that, I hear doing hormone replacement can be a big trial and error and a long process, I've lost weight twice, I can do it again, just gotta focus.

I've also been doubting myself on every, single, long run, I always go into the LR thinking they are going to be hard, they're going to hurt and I wont be able to do it. I've done the big ones 16, 18 and 20 is coming next weekend, yet here I am going into my 2nd 14 miler this weekend and all I can think about how much its going to hurt and how hard it's going to be. I've said all along, me just being able to do this training and marathon is HUGE there are very few women who've had hysterectomies and abdominal ones for that matter that would even think a marathon 5 months later is possible. It was never a question of not going for it or saying maybe next year, so I don't know why I feel this way. I've got to get past this self-doubt funk I'm in; if you find my confidence will you return it please????

My Garmin died too. But honestly, I'm happy it was a POS anyway and once they came out with the new colorful Forerunner 10's I HAD to have one...in purple of course. The money was the big issue, with thousands of dollars in medical bills outstanding I really shouldn't and couldn't spend the measly $130 on a new one....but I did anyway. lol

This whole summer has been surreal. When I truly take a moment to sit back and think about it all, I still can't believe it...and I've lived it.

2013 St. Jude Chicago To Peoria Run Recap

By The Numbers:

Chicago To Peoria Group raised $302,000!
Peoria Police Team raised $31,684.88 2nd top fundraising team
As an individual I raised $6,547 top fundraiser for my team and out of all 191 Chicago runners!
I ran 13 legs and covered nearly 34 miles.

I got a shiny award!

Four months ago my only wish was to have a successful surgery, not only to beat cervical cancer but to have a good recovery so I could lace up August 2nd & 3rd and run for St. Jude. The past two days have meant more to me than any run ever has. As little as 4 weeks ago I still had doubt that I was going to be able to even run, those doubts were not only pushed aside but they were shattered and burned; I ran 3 miles more than last year. I think it's safe to say I'm back...with a vengeance.

Our motto is "We run for those who can't!" and that's the best way to describe the run, that and the number's I've posted above. I hope that with the run we've given hope and inspired others and maybe someday (sooner rather than later) we'll be a part of  finding a cure not just to childhood cancers but ALL cancers.

As for the actual run it's self I'll say that I was surprised at how fast the time went by and how great I felt. The entire run I wore Caleb's number on my arm. I had a lot of people ask "What's that number for?" or tease me and say "What are you doing a triathlon later?" and then I would explain to them each St. Jude patient gets assigned a number and it's how they are identified for their treatments and that was his number. I'd say wearing it served it's purpose. I wore it the entire run, it had to be touched up a few times but it was always on me.

 

The runners on my RV were a great community, we got along great and just had a lot of fun and laughs together, I couldn't have asked for a better group. Not only were they cheerleaders for each other but they were for EVERYONE on the entire run. One moment that sticks out is one run we did had the mom from Team Alivia, she had lost her daughter to cancer in November of last year and so they were running in her memory and to give back to St. Jude because St. Jude gave her a few extra months with her daughter. Well, she wasn't a runner but she gave this run so much heart and one run she was struggling to keep up and was so close to the finish but so far away. It was taking everything in her to not jump in the chase van but with every step that's where she was heading. So two of my teammates told us up front to hold up so they could bring her to the front and she'd lead us to the stop. And she did. She took us in. She finished the run with tears streaming down her face. That same woman (I believe her name is Amanda) also led us into the civic center yesterday and lead the entire Chicago group to the stop once again. As I watched her and her sister run, arms wrapped around on another I felt like I could read their emotions of pride, not only that they made it but what they had accomplised and overcome. They had set out to do impossible, to give back and honor her daughter and niece, and that's exactly what they had done. As I watched them I couldn't help but think about what I had overcome, I did it too, I concurred my own impossible.

PS: I really wanted to end this with that last statement but I have to add that one of the best parts of this whole process was hearing Matty tell me that he was very proud of me. I didn't know where to fit that in but I really wanted him to know how much that meant to me.

12 Weeks Post Op/Cervical Cancer Update

No news IS good new right? It sure is when it comes to my recovery, I haven't had much to say because there isn't much to say. I'm 11.5 weeks post hysterectomy and doing amazing. Just take a look at my numbers:

Milwaukee Lake Front Marathon Training Week 2
Longest Post Surgery Run 11 miles (on a rolling hill course) and done at a 9:25 pace.

 

Lake Delton, WI Dells (Nike pace is off I forgot to pause)

Three days later I followed it up with my longest bike ride ever...30 MILES! Yes I'm biking now too! During my recover we took our bikes in for tune ups and have been trying to get in a good ride every weekend. I love how much harder it is than I thought and its nice to be active, outdoors and do things I enjoy with my guy.

Now, I wish I could say everything is coming up roses but that's not the case. I have gained a little bit of weight and its been the hardest thing for me. I know my body isn't 100% healed and I'm sure the more I recover the weight will come off but its very hard for me, my clothes are VERY tight and I took pride that I was the smallest size ever pre-cancer/surgery so its really taken a toll on my confidence that I'm not there right now. Also, the hormones are out of wack. I can go from happy clam, to sad sally to pissed off diva all in a matter of minutes, I still have my ovaries but your body still has hormone adjustments it needs to go through. A few weeks ago I lost it and had a major break down I was Captain Queen of negativeville and I didn't just cry I bawled for nearly 4 hours straight until I finally fell asleep. I was very down about my weight, bills coming in, and for the first time during this whole ordeal I allowed myself to feel. I never was angry, or sad or scared throughout the whole ordeal, I held everything in check and this one day it all came out. I know I needed to feel and boy did I feel...like SHIT!

I'm mostly back to normal, I'm still disgusted with my weight, I don't think I'll be happy until my clothes are feeling normal again. I'm trying to accept that I had a major surgery and this IS expected but its hard, its probably my hardest battle during this whole process. I hate knowing I've lost my lifetime status at Weight Watchers, luckily have etools free till October, but I really want to get back to me meetings, I do better at them. But if I go...I have to pay and I can't do that right now. I need every spare penny I can because those pesky medical bills are rolling in, I have property taxes due, a mortgage and everything else everybody else has. I really try not to think about the money stuff, because it makes the depression and helplessness worse, so let's not go any further.

On the flip side, I'm healthy, I'm cancer free and I'm loved...what else can a person ask for in life?

Six Weeks Post Hysterectomy/Cervical Cancer And I'm Running

Today the Nike Running app on my phone so kindly reminded me that I’m nearing 500 miles on my shoes and that “you’re never finished, but your shoes are.” At first this made me excited because runners LOVE to get new shoes, it’s fun, they are always updating your favorites and coming out with cool new colors. Then I realized that I don’t have one single red cent to my name, cancer has sucked me dry! 

Don’t get me wrong; I’m beyond grateful this was so easily treated and cured and I am now cancer free, but I hate the amount of dept this “small cancer” has put me in. Although it hurts to not be able to enjoy new things, like running shoes, I know it could be worse. There is a reason why I’ve laced up today and am trying to run again, St. Jude! When everything right now is about dollars and cents I’m so happy to know that even though things hard for me, they are harder for these kids/families, and I can do something to help them…and help me. I can raise money, so they don’t have to pay-or go through the financial hardships of cancer. I can run, so they can focus on getting better, stronger and beat the monster that is cancer.  And when I run, not only am I helping them, but I’m helping myself. I am a runner, it’s what I live to do and just doing lets me forget about my worries, even if it’s for just a moment. 

The St. Jude run is 5 weeks away and I’m happy to say that I’m back to teaching RPM (spinning) and on my off days from teaching…I…AM….RUNNING! Sort of, I walk about .75 of a mile and then run the last quarter and repeat and am slowly adding on. Today, I was able to walk a half a mile and then run the last half, no pain…well maybe a little but only in the lungs and my weak legs. But I’m doing it and I hope to be able to run a FULL mile by the weekend or by mid-week next week.

I’m doing my part but I still need YOU to do yours, let’s make cancer run scared, and donate to the run today, all it takes is $10 www.stjudepeoriaruns.org/akinkade

National Running Day: A Recovery Update

I'm not running today or even tomorrow but I will soon, here's a little update on my progress so far.

Shhhh my running shoes are sleeping since I can't run yet! They are dreaming of all the miles they've logged an will rack up again soon!

 

I've been saying for the past few days I've been able to experience all the so called joys of pregnancy but without a uterus. I have mood swings (and I still have my ovaries' dammit), I constantly feel like I have to pee, my back aches, I can't sleep with out my body pillow, I get tired easily, my belly hurts and by the end of the day swells to the point where I look pregnant and to top it off none of my jeans fit so I wear a maternity band because I cannot stand dresses or yoga pants anymore. But...it could be worse.

 

For a woman who just had an abdominal hysterectomy I'm doing FAR FAR FAR better than most even better than some women who had theirs done laparoscopic and robotically. People who don't know me are shocked at when I returned to work, began driving and how much activity I am capable of doing. It's a testament that when you're physically fit and eat right it helps your recover at much better rate. At my two week post op appointment I was given the clear to easing back into exercise which I haven't done yet. I did try doing an RPM class and my abdominals are not strong enough for that yet. I even jogged across the street during one of my walks and came to the same conclusion, there just isn't any strength or support in my belly for those kind of activities yet.

 

To make sure I ease back into fitness properly and with out causing damage I'm meeting with a women's health specialist at Accelerated Rehab tomorrow and I'm very excited about this. I know my abs are very weak and that they need to be strengthened up before I even attempt any thing more than walking. Currently I am walking about 4 miles a day, I did try doing 5 miles and its crazy how that one extra mile is just too much for me right now. So I'm back at 4 and feel great with it and am walking faster and faster every day.

 

My goal right now is to still be able to run the St. Jude run the first weekend in August. I may not be able to cover the miles that I did last year but as long as I can go out there and do a couple of the runs I'll be happy. I hope to also be able to complete the marathon I had registered fore before my cancer diagnosis and surgery. However, If I can't I'm still grateful for what I am able to do so soon after this surgery and even more so to be cancer free.

 

I want to thank everyone for their thoughs, prayers, cards, well wishes and so on but I do ask you to please help me in the fight against cancer and donate $10 to the St. Jude Run here: www.stjudeporiaruns.org/akinkade