Taking Up Running after a Cancer Diagnosis

This was a great article written by an advocate for Running as a form of recovery after a cancer diagnosis.  Her name is Melanie Bowen and I think you'll find this information helpful:

If individuals have recently received a cancer diagnosis, they should look for ways to keep their spirits up as they go through chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Running is an especially beneficial activity when it comes to both physical and mental health. When cancer patients can get together with other runners for a jog through the woods each weekend, they will surely feel better. In this sense, then, one’s spiritual health and physical health will grow stronger through time. Outdoor running allows access to fresh air and is generally more uplifting than running on a treadmill inside.

Running is an invigorating activity and can actually lead to increased energy levels. In fact, physical fitness will allow people to slowly work on their stamina. Once they are able to run several miles in one session, they might even experience a natural chemical high. When the proper chemicals are released within the brain, people will find themselves in better moods. As a general rule, a positive mindset can be quite important to one’s overall wellbeing, which is especially beneficial for cancer patients.

As a solitary activity, running also allows people to get back to basics. By jogging through the forests and fields of the local wilderness, most individuals will develop a much stronger appreciation for the true beauty of the world. Runners who are less than enthusiastic about rural areas might instead choose to run on busy city streets. Taking in the sights and sounds of a bustling urban metropolis as the sun rises over the hills to the east will set the tone for the day ahead. On a very basic level, this can be a way for cancer patients to clear their minds and relieve some of their stress.

Cancer patients who do not currently have the stamina for long runs or jogs can instead choose to walk, or even try other forms of exercise. Simply getting out into the world and moving around a bit will help with mentally and physically. Some people might choose to listen to music as they make their way around the block while others may jog at night. No matter what level of runner you may be, any level of physical exertion can help improve your immune function as well as your mental state.

The wonderful thing about physical fitness is that it will assist people with all kinds of cancer. Whether patients have been diagnosed with leukemia or mesothelioma, they will undoubtedly benefit from cardiovascular activity. Long runs through the woods and short jaunts around the block will be equally helpful.

In a Blink of an Eye

Well, we only have about 3 years until the next Olympic Trials, and to many, that'll come around in a blink of an eye.  When attempting to qualify in the marathon, that only means a handful of races.  Two a year, or more like one every 6 months.  Anymore than that, and you could be frying yourself.  As I'm finally feeling better and getting back into the swing of things, I feel that a solid effort this coming fall will be my best shot this year.  Especially since the qualifying window for the Olympic Trials doesn't open until August 1st, it really won't make much sense to cram a marathon in the late spring.  I guess I'm just trying to convince myself to be patient and set my sights on the long term process.

I know qualifying for the Olympic Trials is going to take planning, hard training, and some luck when it comes to race conditions, ergo, not racing in hot climates.  I know there's a smart way in executing a fast marathon, and the last 3 years weren't how you go about it.  I'm not saying I'm an expect at this, but I feel a lot more confident about planning a marathon cycle, and what to do once that marathon approaches.  After all, we don't get to race this event too often.  And as you can tell, I'm chomping at the bit to be training at full force, but, as I have to keep reminding myself, it's a long process and I have plenty of time... or will it really be here before we know it?

The Mighty Mustache

I can't quite call the small patch of hair above my lip a full fledged "Mighty Mustache", but I can flirt with the idea that hair is definitely protruding from that area.  At a quick glance from a safe distance, it looks full and established, but the curiosity will gravitate you in and see the realness that is occurring.  The spectrum of uncertainty is mindbogglingly as most men will complement that it looks good with reinsurance, whereas most women will question my sanity and judgement as a modern day human that has access to grooming equipment.  As if asking, "do you know you can shave that off?", or the more common question of, "why?".  Sometimes words don't even have to be expressed when a wondering eye makes contact with the "Mighty Mustache".  The sheer look of disgust is written all over their faces, but as in both incidents, I believe it to be jealousy.  Women can't grow one, and other intelligent men know better than to grow one, unless they too already have a fuller more vibrant Mustache.  And until I can get mine to be in the distinction of a worthy Mustache with a capital "M" I shall do the following to improve my "Manly" Mustache:

1. Smell freshly cut wood
2. Conduct a staring contest with a taxidermy bear
3. Catch a butterfly...... in the middle of winter
4. Play the violin

And most importantly... Not to shave my upper lip.

This madness will be over soon, and I shall not attempt this hideous look until Movember rolls around.  So, as my loving and supportive girlfriend puts up with the itchy and scratchy feeling my mustache provides, I will soon be shaving it all off upon completion of the 2013 Boston Marathon!  Thank you Arlene for always loving me for who I am, as suppose to what grows above my lip.  And for those of you with a more notable and prominent Mustache, I congratulate you.  Well Done!

The sadness and reality.  More to come.

Not Completely Optimistic

With so many things to think about during this time of year, I still feel optimistic about what the rest of the year has to offer.  Just like in all the races I have EVER done; I have never quit, or dropped out of a race, which parallels the teaching predicament I am in, which is not to quit.  Being a first year teacher can have its toll on life, and the things you love the most.  So, just as all the books and people that attempt to prepare you for your first year say, "it's going to be hell, so just get through it!", you never quite believe them... until you're the one being burned alive by all the chaos that chars your soul.

Well, back to the optimistic view I was talking about.  Basically, I don't have much longer at this school and I have greatly narrowed down what avenue of teaching I want to pursue, or more importantly where I don't want to be.  And once my emotional stability comes back to me, and I can breath again, I will set my eyes on a fast fall marathon!  One that will capture the new Olympic Trials Standard (2:15-A, 2:18-B) and boost my love for life.  I know nothing is life is going to be perfect, and that (God forbid) our school doesn't end up as a target for a shooter, or sociopath bent of murder and self glory, but when I hear my students screaming that they hate their life, it just doesn't sit well with me.  It could be worse.  I feel jaded by the tendencies these troubled kids act towards one another, and can't help but accept that we as humans are doomed.  More likely, I am failing as a teacher, and can't direct them to NOT: lie, steal, or cheat.  Their evil nature is too much for me... but I must go on.  No matter how cruel and unsympathetic they are towards each other, I figure, if I can survive the negativity that boils within a young child and just attempt to show them that someone cares and will make an effort to make them better, then a 26.2 mile foot race will be nothing.  Heck, 2:12 for that distance will be nothing!  This is great mental training, and I need to get the best out of it, while hoping to change someone for the good (but that's not really going to happen, since they already have a mom/dad).

Okay, now that I've stated how much I hate some of my students, and can fully understand the criminal system, I can move on.

The Marathon!  One race I have grown to love ever since I ran my first one.  This is such an amazing event, and I can't express how much I wish I could do all the courses in the world!  Since, that will never happen, I will be picky on what courses I run, and how I train for each of those races.  Boston had been on my mind since 2008, and I've wanted to run this race more than any other race (except for the Olympic Trials, and Olympic Games Marathon).  And in only 8 weeks, that dream could come true.  The excitement is killing me!    

An Unfortunate Turn of Events

After having an excellent week of training and a weekend packed with races, I am now feeling the aftermath of over racing.  I only ran a mile on the indoor track, then came back the next day with a 5k on the roads...  which was all too much for this ill-prepared marathon body.    

Indoor mile - I'm in the Orange (photo courteous of Liz Turner)

I have to admit - spiking up was a great feeling.  The nerves, anxiety, and quite-panicness that flows throughout your body could never be replicated unless you toe the line of a mondo track.  And once that gun echos off in your head, you're already instinctively rounding the bend with your eyes fixed on the spikes just inches from your shin.  Yes, it's a great feeling.  Every last bit of the lung scorching, and relatively slow 4:25 mile, felt as if I would benefit from it.  But once the day was over and Sunday came along, I felt a little "off".  I ran a hard and even paced 5k, but once I finished my IT-band had tightened up and I couldn't even walk, let alone cool down.  This was a bad sign, and one that I am too often familiar with, especially during the winters of an odd ending year.  (Example: 2009 - injured with a peroneal tendon issue, 2011 - Patellar tendinitis which took 5 agonizing months of NO RUNNING)  Now this!  

I can only hope the celestial plan of keeping me out of the 2013 Boston Marathon this year will be altered and I will control my own destiny of toeing the line in Hopkinton.  That fate lies in a few days off, some major massage sessions from Laura Bresson, icing, and blah blah blah, all the other things that come with being sidelined.  I shall report back soon.  Also, I'm not growing out this mustache for nothing!