Member-only story
In the last few months, I’ve been pursuing the goal of getting ready for the 2019 NYC marathon while undergoing chemotherapy treatments for a non-aggressive form of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (stage 4, grade 2, if you’re keeping score at home). I started both projects at roughly the same time.
I had questions and doubts. Was it a good idea? Would I be too sick or weak from the treatments to adequately train for the race? Would longer runs (greater than 10 miles) be too grueling? Would I trip and fall and get terrible infections, like the nurse feared?
I have enough information at this point to say that I’m right on track for the race. Treatment is going well, too. For instance, I’ve never had to get any of those Neulasta shots that you see on TV…the ones designed to boost your immune system during chemo (given the strength of the anti-cancer and immunotherapy drugs that I’m getting, this was a distinct possibility). But my immune system is doing just fine, thanks!
Here is the data (including runs since treatment started):
- First chemo date: 4/30
- Total chemo sessions: 8
- Number of runs: 38
- Runs longer than 10 miles: 8
- Total miles: 265
As I write this, I’m sipping coffee and relaxing after a 15-mile jaunt in hot and humid weather. It was difficult, but not impossible. Chemo weeks (every 4th week) are a little rough, definitely. I can sneak in…