C25K come back

[Frankie1405]

Hi all,

I joined this forum a few years ago when I ran through the programme a couple of times. Since then, I’ve gone on to become a very avid runner…fell, trail, road and sub 4 hour marathon and averaging around 30-40 miles per week consistently and very happy at it!

In July this year. I had the shocking news that they had found cancer in an ovary/cyst I’d had removed in June. Found, purely because I asked my GP about a cramping I’d always experienced when running (not related to the ovary and I already knew the explanation for what I was feeling, but it lead to my GP feeling my stomach and he felt a lump…I had absolutely no idea and no symptoms) and after several scans and tests all looked none concerning and the ovary was only removed as I’m a runner!! (They were happy to leave it in situ, but advised as a runner, you’re more prone to a painful ovarian torsion with a cyst present so removal was wise) So running has (hopefully 🤞) saved my life. Being fit and lean also helped massively with the surgery that then followed….both the method they could use (robotic rather than open abdomen - I was a good candidate due to being slim) and I’ve physically bounced back quite well and quite quickly.

So now I find myself having chemotherapy (as a mop up/insurance policy….hopefully the initial surgery actually did the job before we knew there was a problem!) and after not running since the September surgery and promising the medical team I’d be sensible, I decided to bring myself back through C25K as a safe way to reintroduce running after major surgery and as an easier goal setting method through chemo.

All was going well until my immune system decided not to play ball and they’ve had to give me nasty little injections to force it to work and they make me feel more fatigued than the chemotherapy! So I had a bit of a stall for 2 weeks whilst they did their thing, at Wk 5 run 2…..so Christmas Day morning, I did the dreaded Wk 5 run 3 and made it 💪 it felt good to run for a little longer but I was a bit tired at the end. So now I’m writing this, listening to the rain, putting off Wk 6 run 1, haha!!

Anyway, thought I’d share some positives about running and give you all a wave whilst I battle through the rest of the programme (I suspect I’ll have to have 1 week in 3 off whilst I’m on the injections after each treatment) but hopefully, the programme will get me safely back to 5k in time for the conclusion of my treatment and I can start to live life again and push on up the miles until I feel like my old self again. I’ve loosely set Loch Ness 2023 as a marathon target….but I guess we’ll see!!

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Welcome back , what an amazing story !So glad to hear you are on the road to recovery and wish you every success!

Just one small point to take up with you!

Week 5 Run 3 is not 'Dreaded' 😁

It's one of the most satisfying runs in the program !

Good luck 👍

[Frankie1405 Graduate in reply to Instructor57]

Oh I definitely agree!! I seem to remember everyone being nervous of it beforehand……and then ecstatic afterwards when they realised they can do it!

[Hidden]

What an amazing story and great to hear from someone who has become such a good runner! I wish you well for the rest of your treatment and back to running distance again.

[Mothmoss Graduate]

Thank you for sharing your story x

[GoogleMe Graduate]

What astonishing news! Good luck for a full recovery... who knew quite what sort of an investment you were making in your health by starting running?!

[Frankie1405 Graduate in reply to GoogleMe]

Exactly! If I didn’t run, I’d be sat here now oblivious, quite possibly until the problem was much worse.

[CBDB Ambassador]

Amazing! Thanks so much for sharing! Sounds you are well on your way to C25k graduation again! Awesome!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator]

Wow-reading your story you’ve been through so much. Thanks for taking the time to share it. Just wishing you all the best for your running journey (and health journey too). We’re all here with our pom poms waving ready to cheer you on. 🏃‍♀️💪❤️

[SerialC25Ker]

Thank you for sharing your story with such a positive mindset. Ovarian cancer runs in my family and I’ve been trying to find the motivation to get my trainers back on. The Sweaty Betty running haul for Christmas has helped a little, but your story is the final push I needed. Thank you, and good luck with the rest of your treatment. Oh, and the marathon training!

[Frankie1405 Graduate in reply to SerialC25Ker]

Good luck and enjoy it!! I do a lot of “destination running”, I drive places to run that I think I’ll enjoy. I’m lucky, I live in a very scenic part of the country (Peak District…lots of big hills!!) but a new route and some new scenery can be very motivating if you’re struggling mentally to get out xx

[SerialC25Ker in reply to Frankie1405]

Great tips, thank you xx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Welcome back and HUGE well done to you! Good to have you here with us!

[Pegix Graduate]

What an inspiration you are. All the very best for the future, health wise and running wise!

[Frenc Graduate]

What an incredibly positive story. I am so pleased to see you are getting back to full health! Well done on the week 5 run too 😊. Did you brave the rain for W6R1? The weather isn’t playing ball at the moment at all is it 🤣.

[Frankie1405 Graduate in reply to Frenc]

I confess I didn’t….that’s one thing I find harder through this programme, the bad weather….when you’re going out for umpteen miles running, it’s easier because you know you’ll be warm even if you’re very wet and I’ve run in EVERY weather (knee deep snow drifts on the moors, icy wind I can barely stand up in…you name it….) but when I know there’s walking sections, I fancy it less, haha!! And I’m staying with my parents and forgotten my running jackets (excuses excuses) I did get wrapped up in waterproofs for a walk though (I walk a lot too).

I’m glad it sounds positive. Believe me, there are plenty of days I do not feel positive. Somehow writing it down can make me stay in the positive and not let my mind wander down some of the very scary paths it has been and still tries to go.

[Frenc Graduate in reply to Frankie1405]

I don’t blame you for not going out! I have no excuse really except I’m just heartily sick of the rain but am hoping for better weather tomorrow 😊. And yes, you do sound positive even though I’m sure it doesn’t feel like it at times. Keep on writing! And when there’s a break in the clouds, I’m sure you’ll be out there for a smashing week 6 run 🏃🏻‍♀️.

[Vespina Graduate]

wow, Frankie, that’s amazing how they were able to catch it because you’re a runner. The positive things that we don’t expect when we start the programme! Congratulations on all your amazing, inspiring runs to date - I’m sure you’ll be back out at those distances in those landscapes before you know it. I’m looking forward to following your progress.

[JeremiahObadiah Graduate]

That was beastly news for you . But as you say, better to get it sooner than later and the running was instrumental in that. And inspiring to read, thank you.

Wonderful to be able to use C25k as physio to get yourself back gently, a gift that hopefully will give you back again what it gave you before.

Will look out for your updates. Best luck to you with it all.