By the numbers

I got my official results for the race today. I am thrilled that my time was even better than I guessed. My "chip time" was 29 minutes, 6 seconds. That is the time between my foot crossing the starting line and finishing line. I'm also satisfied that I was in the first half of my group. In my division, I was number 143 out of  336. That means 193 were slower than me!

Hopefully next year I'll do better.

Tonya Jamois #6342

San Marcos, CA

Age: 41 Gender: F

Distance	5M
Clock Time	29:49
Chip Time	29:06
Overall Place	687 / 1457
Gender Place	515 / 1196
Division Place	143 / 336
Age Grade	86.8%
Pace	9:22
Agegrade	52.9
Placeagegrade	767
Ttlrace	1457
Ttldiv	336
Ttlsex	1196

Run, mama run!

Today I ran in my first race, the Carlsbad 5000.

If you would have told me two years ago that I would be running in a 5k race, I wouldn't have believed you.  But then again, if you would have told me a year ago that I had cancer, I wouldn't have believed that either. Life is full of surprises, isn't it?

I've been working on my 5k times over the past several months at the gym. My goal on the treadmill was to do 5k in 30 minutes or under. I never quite got there, although last Thursday I clocked it at 30:22. Secretly, my goal today was to do it in under 35 minutes. I'm not an experienced road runner, and with it being my first race, I was cutting myself some mental slack.

Wouldn't you know it, I finished in under 30! I don't know my exact time yet, we left before they posted them. They give you a little tag that you wear on your shoe that starts your time when you cross the start and finish lines. They will post them online tonight and I'll check to see then. But I know I was under 30 because when I crossed the finish line, the posted clock was 29 minutes and change.

There were hundreds of women in the "masters" class.  That's a nice way of saying women of a mature age. Ahem.  Yes, 40 and above.  I was worried yesterday about embarrasing myself by being slowpoke. Once I got there and saw some of the other women, that concern was gone. I definitely wasn't in the best shape of everyone there, but I wasn't in the worst, either!  I overheard people talking about how they were planning on walking the course. So I knew I wasn't going to be last!

Near the starting line, they had flags that said "10 minute mile," "9 minute mile," "8 minute mile," and down to 5. The closer you were to the starting line, the faster the mile. I guessed that you were supposed to stand in the general area of your speed to start.  It seemed like a logical point so the slower runners wouldn't be in front and be in the way of the speedier ones. I went ahead and stood in the 10 minute mile section.  I tried to warm up a little bit, but it was kind of hard. I was anxious.  I had my heart rate monitor on and just standing there my heart rate was at 90.  Ridiculous.

When the horn blew for the start, everyone slowly started moving forward. When I got to the start line, I started to run. I found out quickly that not everyone was honest about their speed when they were lining up. I found myself passing a lot of people, and having to run zig zagged to get around them. At that point, I figured, forget about time. Just run.

From the get go, my heart rate went through the roof.  I think it was the adrenaline and anxiousness. I didn't like to start out so high, though. It didn't bode well for my endurance. But it was liberating to be participating in the race. I thought in the early minutes about what I've been through over the past months. Running this race was like a victory in itself. I even shed a little tear over it. Eric and the kids staked out a spot near the beginning of the race and cheered me on as I passed. That was nice. I'm glad I asked them to come with me this morning.

Then it became about finishing. I wanted to run the whole thing, if possible. At the 1 mile mark, they had a clock running. I saw that I was under 10 minutes. Cool!  If I could just keep that pace up, I figured I might just make a decent time for myself.  The course itself is gorgeous-you are running in Carlsbad Village and most of the course is parallel to the beach. Lovely! The weather was perfect for running. Slightly overcast, but not to chilly. Especially once we started running.  I spotted an elderly lady running in front of me at a steady pace. My goal became to keep up with the "old lady."  At the 2 mile mark, I was under 20 minutes. That was encouraging, and I knew I was getting done.  But my heart rate was way too high, so I walked a little bit. I fell behind the old lady and that was that.  I would say I only walked about 30 seconds. I just couldn't stand seeing people passing me!

When I turned onto the last street, I saw the finish sign. I did my best to sprint, and I did pick up the pace a bit. But I couldn't keep it up. I saw the clock under the finish line and it was at 28 minutes and change. I did my best to run as fast as I could. I could hear the announcer talking about an 80 year old woman who had just finished in under 30 minutes. Good for her. Could I do the same?  I did my best and sure enough, crossed the line before the clock turned to 30. Eric and the kids were in the crowd at the finish, but I didn't see them.

It was a tough run for me. As I went, I thought about things I would do differently next time. For one, I ate too much last night. My bright idea was to have pasta. I also had some chicken. That was all well and good, I just ate too much of it. I woke up full this morning. I even skipped the planned banana. I did have some green smoothie, but that was it. I felt like I had a bucket of lead in my belly the whole time. Yuck.  Next year, don't overindulge the night before! I also didn't run with music. I think next time, I will bring my iPod. Music can really pump me up and keep me going when it gets tough.  Finally, I was suffering from a bit of sore muscles in my left side. I can thank Jillian for that. I usually like the feeling of being sore, but on the run it gave me pain to think about.   Next time, don't get sore the week before!

But I did it! I beat my personal best time. I'm glad I did it, and hope to do it again next year. Maybe I'll make it in 25 minutes or less.....

Reality check

Miners take a canary down into the mine with them for safety.  If the canary dies, they know that they have a very limited amount of time to get out of the mine or they will suffer the same fate as the bird.  It's an early warning system.

I've got an early warning system of my own.  It's my left arm and hand.  I measure it every week to keep track of my lymphedema.

Yesterday, my measurements were up in several places.  In fact, on the upper part of my arm, it was over the number my physical therapist gave me as a goal number to stay under.  Darn!

As they told Maverick in the 1980's classic movie, "Top Gun," "You're writing checks your body can't cash!"  Maybe I am as well. I think its time to readjust my fitness regimen as well as my lymphedema management.

I had scaled back the manual draining to once a day. I was bandaging each night, but only wearing it for about 8-9 hours at most. I also was not wearing my compression sleeve all of the time during the day. I had definitely taken a step back just to see what would happen.  At the same time, I upped my activity level.  Particularly regarding upper body exercises with weights. I was using 3 pound weights, but doing the "Ripped in 30" workout every day.  The second level of the workout had a LOT of exercises in plank/pushup position. So even the cardio intervals were hitting my arms, shoulders and chest with strength training.  I don't have sore muscles in my arms, but I suspect I created a perfect storm which allowed my arm to swell a little bit.

It's not a huge deal. Luckily, I measure weekly so I was able to catch it early before it got out of control.  To address the situation, I'm back to twice a day massage, bandaging for longer, and wearing the compression sleeve more during the day. I also decided not to do the Jillian DVD every day like I had originally planned on doing. I can still workout, just not so hard on the upper body. Slow progression is going to be key, I think.  So maybe it will take me 60 or 90 days to get "ripped" instead of 30. It's frustrating, because I could have done it a year ago. But a lot has changed, and I need to meet my body where it is at now.

I'm still planning on the 5k on Sunday.  Olivier is going to run a 1 mile race in the "Junior Carlsbad" tomorrow. It should be a lot of fun for us both. I was looking around a bit online to see what people's times were for a 5k.  Some were talking about 20 minute times. Seriously?  I haven't even broken 30 minutes yet.  Even at that, I thought I was going to die! So now I'm a little worried about coming in last like a snail. Not that I'm competing against other people. I just don't want to embarrass myself! Yikes.

Anyway, please pray that my swelling is able to get under control. I wouldn't mind prayers for lots of energy and endurance on Sunday morning at about 8 a.m. Pacific time as well.

Training

I'm running in my first race this weekend.  The Carlsbad 5000, promoted as "the worlds fastest 5k." Well, the race may be, but I may not be.

I've never run in a race before. In fact, I always despised running since Alvarado Junior High when we had the dreaded, "running day" each week in PE.  I had my periods of being in pretty good physical shape, even if I was overweight. But it was never because of running. It just wasn't my thing. Besides, being "well endowed" gave me a handy excuse. It was way too uncomfortable!

I started running a little bit about a year ago, even before my breast cancer diagnosis. I had lost 50 pounds, and gone down two bra cup sizes to a B. I decided to run a little at the gym on the treadmill.  I gave it a shot, and was able to do it.  Maybe not for long, but I was able to join the ranks of the "runners" at the gym for a few minutes.  I would start out by walking 5 minutes, running 10, walking 5, running 10 for about an hour. It felt good to be able to do something that I had only envisoned people in really good shape being able to do. I was slowly joining their club! Jillian's admonishment echoed in my mind, "You have no idea how strong you are and what you can do until you try it." I was doing it!

Then I was put into a club that I never aspired to be in.  The pink ribbon club. Surgery set me back in my exercise.  I lost some definition and strength in my upper body. I managed to keep my cardio going, even if it was the recumbent stationary bike. I had to be careful not to be too "bouncy" with anything while I was healing from surgery. But I slowly made it to the elliptical, then the stairmaster, and ultimately back to the treadmill.  Working out throughout my treatment made me feel stronger and gave me more energy.

Now I consider exercise ongoing treatment. It's not an option for me anymore. It is something I need to do if I want to do all I can to cut down the risk of recurrence.

I wanted to run in the Carlsbad 5000 last year, but I was too chicken. But this year, I'm going for it. I'm not in it to "win it."  I just don't want to embarass myself!  I'd like to run the whole thing and get a decent time.

I don't know much of anything about training for something like this. Besides, its not like a marathon...it's only 3.1 miles. I started out by just seeing if I could run 5k on the treadmill without stopping. My first attempt in mid-January was successful. It took me 38 minutes, 34 seconds.  I've been peeling seconds off of that time ever since.  My ultimate goal is to run a 5k in under 30 minutes. I came close today-30 minutes, 22 seconds.  I ran a 10 minute mile most of the time, and then upped it for the last 1/2 mile. It was tough!

I haven't only been doing flat treadmill runs. I've also been running a little bit outdoors. That is probably the most helpful because of the natural terrain and elevation changes, but its hard because of the kids. At least at the gym, Jean-Marc can go into the "Kids Club." I've also been cross training on the elliptical and stair master, as well as switching up the treadmill to do intervals and hills.

I also am doing something a little extra, just for fun.  Jillian Michaels has a new DVD out, "Ripped in 30." It is similar to her "30 Day Shred" program. It's a half an hour workout with 3 circuits. In each circuit is 3 minutes of strength training, 2 minutes of cardio, and 1 minute of abs. There are 4 levels of workouts. The idea is to progress each week to the next level. I decided to give it a shot 6 days a week, on top of whatever other workouts I'm doing. I figured it might be a good way to get back some of the strengh in my upper body. Besides, I do want to drop at least another 10 pounds. Adding some extra physical activity should help with that.  We'll see if I can get "ripped in 30."

I have 2 more days before the big day. I plan on doing the Jillian workout at some point each day. I'm on week 2. Tomorrow, I want to do some cross training on the Stair master and bike as well.  I'm going to take most of Saturday off, with the exception of the Jillian DVD in the morning.  If it wasn't for my little goal of dong the "ripped" series, I'd take the whole day off. But 30 minutes in the morning isn't going to kill me.

I have to be there pretty early on Sunday morning to check in. I plan on having my green smoothie ready to go the night before so I can just drink it as soon as I'm up.  I'll take a banana with me and eat it about 30 minutes before we take off.

One thing I'm a little concerned about is my shoes. I got these shoes last July, right before my surgery. They are definitely falling apart. But I don't want to get new ones before the race. So I'm hoping they hang in there and protect me feet and legs a little bit longer. Then I'll go down to Road Runner and get a few pairs to break in as we begin to seriously train for the 3-Day.

Prayers and well wishes are welcome. I've never done this before. It is definitely out of my comfort zone. I have no idea what kind of time to expect or hope for. I don't know if it is realistic to compare it to treadmill times, especially since I'll be on the road with hundreds of other people. I just want to go in and have fun. It's one of those things that I never imagined myself doing.  It's one of those things that I thought about doing as I was recovering from surgery. With every step, I will feel like I am kicking cancer's butt!