More race, more tests

Another race....two weeks ago I ran Survivor Harbor 4-mile race in baltimore with the Cancer-to-5K team and my friend Lisa.  It was hot, humid, sunny, sweaty, sticky, steamy, exhausting -- and an amazing experience! Was not feeling well the day before and almost turned around and went back to DC Saturday evening as I was driving up to baltimore.  But I managed to talk myself down from the ledge, did some good deep breathing exercises, and turned around and headed north to baltimore.  I told myself - if I don't feel well tomorrow, I can always just walk for four miles. It's about being part of something, finishing, and not necessarily worrying about being the fastest.

I had my own volunteer "sherpa" to help pace me during the race, Jenn.  She pushed me to keep running until we get to the each mile marker, and then take a well deserved water break. After the first 20 minutes, I was pouring as much water down my back, on my head etc. as I was drinking.  My frozen water bottle helped immensely.  The last mile was rough - sunny, hot, and more than I'd run since March 2010!  At the finish, my GPS watch said the race was actually 4.17 miles...finished a few seconds shy of 55 minutes! 



And more tests.... a continuing weird blister led to my surgeon recommending an ultra sound.  Although I'd had a clean mammogram just a month ago, was still nervous.  Thankfully, it didn't show anything cancerous (or much of anything at all).  


Some bruising on my arm, so I need to get my platelets tested soon.  And some female symptoms and may need to go for an endometrial biopsy.  Uterine cancer is a side effect of the tamoxifen that I'm taking - I think it increases the risk from 1 in 1,000 to 3 in 1,000.  Ugh.  And I have heard that that test hurts like holy hell.  Oh well, I'll deal.  


Have been hiking the last few weekends, near (Great Falls) and far (Shenandoah).  

And have now lost 7 of my 10 chemo pounds.  3 more to go!  

Two medals, Part II

Last Sunday was the goal race for my Cancer to 5K training program.  It was a 5K in Bethesda, along the Capital Crescent trail (a paved bike path).  I was SO lucky that the weather was cool.  I was hoping to run it in under 40 minutes and..... drum roll please ...... I finished in 39:05!

Here's a few pics from race day.

Can you find me?

Me with my race day "sherpa," monica

My teammates & our medals

For the story of race day, I'm going to cheat and paste below my race report I shared with the cancer to 5K email group last sunday, appropriately entitled "Phyllis ran a 5K!"

* * *

It's hard to believe, but just eight months ago I was getting my last round of chemo, and on my worst day (always Day 5, which would have been September 13) could barely walk around the block.  And today I RAN a 5K race.  And ran it hard!  This feel great.

I was a little nervous about today since yesterday I joined the sea of pink and walked the race for the cure.  Not an early riser, I had to get up by 6 a.m. yesterday, and was exhausted by the time I got home yesterday afternoon.  Still not an early riser, today I had to get up by 5:15.  Luckily, my two beastly cats made sure I was up by 5.  Upon the advice of Coach Bob, I even ate half an english muffin by 5:30.  

Just as I was thanking the weather gods for the super cool June weather, the skies opened up as I was driving to Bethesda and suddenly it was pouring!  Even more miraculously, the rain stopped as I pulled into the parking lot.  The choice of this race was perfect because parking was easy and it was not too crowded.  Found my peeps in the yellow shirts and we milled about waiting for race time to start.  

I was just about to start my wave when I heard my name being called to drop back ....Cancer to 5K was getting its own wave start!  Joined the group and we started at 6 minutes.  Monica was my steady sherpa.  I wanted to keep up with the others but my wise sherpa started to pull me back.  I started to obsessively check my pace on my GPS watch and it was definitely too fast at first.  Before I knew it we were at the 1 mile marker.  And I think even before then, we started to see the first runners already coming back!  Wow.  

Next up - that bridge I had heard so much about.  I'm thinking, ah good - an excuse to walk.  But Sherpa Monica had other plans for me.  Take the bridge slowly, short quick strides, chest up, but keep running.  After we get over the hump, she promised, I can take a water break.  Which I did.  Cheered on Carmen & Esther near the halfway mark.  At some point after the turn-around point, I started breathing heavier.  Monica was talking to me, and all I heard was "womp womp womp" -- the sound that teachers and adults make on Charlie Brown.  Finally caught up to Cyndi's red pony tail on that darned bridge.  For a while was running right ahead of Coach Bob and he reminded me - short and quick steps.  You'd think I'd remember on my own by now.  That - and Monica pouring cold water down my head & neck - got me through the last mile.  One more quick water break, and then the final stretch.  

While Monica was pulling me back earlier, the last 10 minutes she was pushing me to go faster towards the end and I found one last burst of energy for the last .1.  Then - finished!  YAY!!!  Lots of cowbell!!!  And I met my goal of under 40 minutes!!!  Just think about what I'll be able to do in the fall!

Next, photo shoot (with my obscenely red face), chatting & bagels.  And strutting around with an awesome new medal to show off.  The rest of this morning/afternoon have a date with my couch.  Feeling good.

Thank you SO MUCH Coach Bob,  my sherpa Monica, all the volunteers, Holly for getting this started, and my teammates for inspiring and pushing me.  I'll see some of you next weekend in Baltimore and hope to run with all of you again sometime soon!

* * *

the end of part II

Two medals: Part I

This past weekend I participated in two 5Ks:  saturday was the Komen race for the cure, a walk I did with my friend Janel's team, and sunday was my goal race for my cancer to 5K training program.

Saturday was special because I got to walk wearing the survivor t-shirt with my friend Janel, who's been my rock steady exercise buddy since we both started going to a cancer fitness spinning class together six months ago.  I also wore my earrings that I bought to distract me from my bald head last summer and the bracelet Aunt RoseAnn made for me.  And the little $2 purple backpack I usurped from mom while in west palm beach around diagnosis time last  year.

It was an effort because it was early and crowded!  But glad I did it.

The team!

Janel & me at the finish

Part II to come...