I’m due to finish chemo in a couple of weeks. Previously I was very active, running and doing Pilates but this has had to change. I now struggle to run a mile. I’ve mentioned running to my breast cancer nurses, but they’re not helping, generally saying how impressed they are but that they couldn’t do it. I really need someone who’s been through breast cancer treatment and chemo who was a keen runner and how they got back to it. An advocate. I just feel like most people don’t get it and feel like all the exercise programs are aimed at people who’ve never exercised before and are overweight. Is there any advice?
I ran for half of my chemo and carried on doing park runs and training but had to pack it in between cycles 4-6. I haven’t found any training advice online about this either. I did try running when my chemo had finished and felt so utterly knackered that I decided to leave it for a bit until I was more recovered (then had surgery and still not allowed to run under surgeon’s advice, it is driving me mad!) Anyway, I would advise asking for your latest blood test results from chemo to see what your red blood cell count is like. Shortly after my run following my last chemo I came down with neutropenic sepsis and was admitted to hospital for IV antibiotics and fluid. So I think it depends on your recovery after chemo and how well you feel in yourself as to when you can get back to running. Whilst I’m waiting to return to running I’m doing some leg work, squats and lunges to keep my legs strong so that may be worth a thought? Hope you can get back to it soon!
I got back by doing the C25K programme. It was hard for the first couple of weeks but soon improved. I started about 6 weeks after finishing treatment. Unfortunately it didn’t last long as my cancer spread and with more treatment and more complications, it hasn’t been doable.
I am currently reading a book called ‘Moving through Cancer’ by Dr Kathryn Schmitz about exercise and strength training through cancer. I’m a runner too but didn’t have chemo so can’t help with that. I’m just reading the chapters in the book that apply to me and am finding it useful. Good luck, I hope you’re able to get back to your running soon.
I’m not a runner but am active in yoga, body combat and walking at pace. Chemo took its toll and slowed me down however yoga helped keep me strong and balanced. Walking improved after chemo finished so I could speed walk and go distance again. What I would say is start small, Little and often and build it up. listen to your body. Maybe use the couch to 5k method,
Hope it goes well and congratulations on finishing chemo xxxx
There is a charity called ‘Move Against Cancer’ - they have some really keen runners in it. They might be able to help with advice or at least shared experience.
I have stopped the gym while im having chemo. Plan to do c25k once I’m finished. I thibk you’ll have success with c25k, and may find you’ve retained a lot of residual fitness. Good luck.
I finished chemo in June and had a mastectomy 6 weeks ago today, so I’m only just cleared to run again but I’m going to start with C25K because there’s no need to rush into things. I’d kept up with being fairly active during chemo and before/after surgery (strength training, light cardio, lots of walking) but no running for the duration so we’ll see how it goes.
I was so keen to keep running throughout chemo but by the time i finished my first course of chemo I had been pretty knocked around mainly with blisters, something I’d never experienced before in my 30+ years of running.
I had signed up for a 10k in July and I managed to do that but it was very slow. At one stage I was overtaken by another lady, and she was taking a walking break
So I then pared it back to walking regularly for the next 12 weeks and even that became less than regular.
Once i finished radiation and the burns cleared I’ve been waiting for some cooler weather to get back into it.
It was nice a cool this morning (I live in Central QLD) so I managed to do a parkrun today in 40:38, so I can still run a little, there was a lot of walking though.
I like the suggestions above about C25k.
I’m so pleased to have found this forum as I don’t know how everyone else is going but I’m finding that my legs have been aching and I’m not strong.
So I’m doing a little strength work on my legs mainly and I’ve been stretching more. I’ll start introducing the C25k routines into my walks from here and will see how that works.
and was admitted to hospital for IV antibiotics and fluid. So I think it depends on your recovery after chemo and how well you feel in yourself as to when you can get back to running. Whilst I’m waiting to return to running I’m doing some leg work, squats and lunges to keep my legs strong so that may be worth a thought? Hope you can get back to it soon! 
