Staying Strong

Despite chemo side effects like fatigue and numb fingertips, I remained dedicated to exercise during my eighteen weeks of chemotherapy treatments.  There were days when a short walk was all I could muster, but many days I was able to go to yoga or a spinning class or take a short run.  Exercise was very beneficial during this time to keep my muscles strong, clear my head, and stay optimistic.  Even if I was having a tough day, a little exercise usually always put me in a better mood.

My local YMCA had a spring training program during the month of March that I took part it – the Idle Ironman 2012 – where one completes the distance of an Ironman Race over the course of a month.  Although I am jealous of those that can complete an Ironman in a day, the month long distance goals of 2.4 mile swim (3852 meters), 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run seemed about the right size accomplishment.  To put the distances in perspective, I’d need to work out at least four days a week doing on average 1.64 miles of walking or running, 7 miles of biking, and 5 laps in the pool.  There was some flexibility where spin classes could count toward the biking goal (one class = 12 miles) and water aerobics could count toward the swimming goal (one class = 500 meters).  I showed up to the YMCA determined to fill in my tracking log sheet and meet the Ironman distance goals.  I varied the activities – one day I swam, next day I cycled, third day I ran.  As I got stronger, I tried a brick workout doing two activities on the same day.  One the final day of March, I had to cram in 1000 meters in the pool and a 12-mile bike ride.  I accomplished the Idle Ironman and earned a cool red Idle Ironman shirt.   Few at the gym knew that I was mid-way through chemo and I am pretty sure that I won the chemo category. 

I plan to use this training log again to continue the level of training that I accomplished this year.  Here is a blank form if you would like to try it.  Estimate and log your miles.  Have fun with it.  Do it again another month and before you know it, you’ll want to sign up for a real triathlon.  Happy training!