Running has carried me through

[Runnerdownunder]

I completed C25K during a Covid lockdown three years ago (we were allowed out for exercise). Then last February, just before I was going to attempt a Parkrun, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and sucked into a whirlwind of medical tests and treatment. The doctors told me that exercise could help me cope.

I have since had surgery, a few weeks to recover, then three weeks of daily radiotherapy. And, do you know what? I'm fine! Apart from a couple of weeks after the surgery, I have kept trotting out to run, 2-3 times a week all the way through. 'I don't think you'll be able to keep running during radiotherapy' a nurse told me - fatigue being a major side effect. But I did. Sometimes I only managed 3k in 30 mins, but that still made a huge difference to me, mentally and physically.

Last weekend I finally ran my first Parkrun! It happens to be the hilliest Parkrun course in New South Wales and there were 99 runners on the day. I was the oldest female and completed it in 41 mins. I am so very grateful to C25K. It has carried me through a traumatic life event and set me down gently on the other side.

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

What an incredible journey you've had.

[Rabbit561 Graduate]

inspiring to hear how you’ve kept running through such a hard time and great that you are now feeling so well. Completing a park run is fantastic. Well done!

[ToothPickJafah Graduate]

That is amazing! So inspiring that you ran through radiotherapy!

I’m 7 years in remission from cervical cancer and started C25K 4 weeks ago, I’ve just completed run 3 of week 4 and looking forward to week 5.

You are awesome 🤗

[Runnerdownunder Graduate in reply to ToothPickJafah]

Oh, my goodness, you are awesome too! So inspiring for someone like me at the beginning of this medical journey. I am so pleased you are running - all advice seems to say that exercise is hugely preventative of recurrence. Go ToothPickJafah! ❤️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Inspirational... strength, determination and running your way back to health....

Just wonderful... and now? The runs and we are here with you to build on that great Park Run success!

A Well done seems totally inadequate,,, I feel a huge cheer would do it !!! x

[Runnerdownunder Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you, Oldfloss! I still regularly dip into this forum and your enthusiastic support and wisdom has been much appreciated. 😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Runnerdownunder]

I am privileged to be here and to have shared, in a small way, your running . Thank you x

[BarbieW Graduate]

Very well done you!

We are same age, and I too have been getting over breast cancer. I am absolutely certain that running has helped me get through it all, and Parkrun is fantastic for support.

Here we have a cancer support group called 5k Your Way, who meet up at the last parkrun of every month for coffee cake and general chitchat, and there is no pressure to do any more of the actual course than you can cope with, so it suits all levels of fitness and stage of treatment. Is there anything similar down under?

[Runnerdownunder Graduate in reply to BarbieW]

Well done to you, too! Thank you for telling me about 5k Your Way. I haven't heard about it in Australia, but I'll keep a lookout for anything similar here.

[Naturesweapon Graduate]

Thank you for sharing and what an inspiration you are!

[CS51LOL Graduate]

AMAZING XXX

[BlackCountryLee Graduate]

That’s an amazing story. So inspiring. Well on the Parkrun!