Tri after cancer... and gaining lots of weight

[txred9876]

Well I am working toward my first TRi. I am working with a group called Team Survivor (open to any woman cancer survivor). I started in last fall walking and did a couple of 5K walks. Then the winter hit and everything went back down hill. I have been training since mid feb. I started with 3 days a week on an old bike (mountain bike thats hard to shift....ugh up the hills suck!)

I am now working out at least one hour 5-6 days a week. Due to medical stuff I am concentrating on Swimming (I have a great swim coach/teacher) and cycling because I already know I will walk the 5K.

I am one of those very large woman and so far I have lost 18pounds! I am really starting to enjoy working out with the group.

Any good suggestions out there?

Tina

[salsabike]

It sounds like you're doing great, actually.

I would suggest a newer, easier-to-use bike, but I see you've already posted another thread about that!

Get a copy of Jayne Williams' "Slow Fat Triathlete". It will make you laugh your head off and teach you to stop worrying about how you look. She did her first tri---if I am remember this right---when she weighted 220 lbs. She has done many since, including a half Ironman, I believe. She is a total hoot.

http://www.slowfattriathlete.com/

[txred9876]

I was borrowing a very nice bike to train on the weekends and it was supposed to be for the race but that fell through so..... off to the drawing boards!

I am currently at 263 (lost another 2 pounds!!!) and hope to drop at least another 15-20 by race time in 8 weeks.

I made it about 14 miles on my bike today (the crappy one!!!!!). I took the up hill route and it took me quite some time but I made it!

Before I started I could not swim freestyle 25m to the other end of the pool without feeling like I was drowning! I can now do a very slow 800m non-stop (and its only been about 6 weeks).

I have kind of a funny story for ya..... I had to have a double mastectomy without reconstruction (I had Inflammatory breast cancer). Well I got my suit and prostetics and had been swimming for about a month and it still appeared like I was having a rough time with swimming...... well.... my prostetics were acting like I was swimming with a DRAG suit on!!!! OMG ... one day I forgot my prostetics (about 2 weeks ago) and I swam without them in my suit (looks a little funny but WHO CARES). It was like going from a horrible mountain bike.....to a really nice road bike. I was just flying up and down the pool like no tormorrow.... so now the problem is ...finding appropriate attire to really swim in for the race.

Anyway.... it was kind of enlightening and funny at the same time!
tina

[tulip]

What a story! Thanks for sharing. Please keep us posted on your progress in training and racing. I look forward to your posts.

[HillSlugger]

Congrats on getting out there and doing it. You are an inspiration.

[Tri Girl]

I'm so impressed by your story. I can't wait to hear about your training as it goes along the next few months. :)

The story about your prostetics is quite interesting. I'll bet it felt so nice to fly through the water. I would think they would act more like a buoy than an anchor.

Keep us posted on your progress.

[Veronica]

I knew man made b00bs were bad. :D

Your story got a chuckle out me.

Veronica

[NbyNW]

Just want to wish you luck in your training and your races. Sounds like you've done a great job of selecting your training goals and sticking to your training plan.

There is a history of breast cancer in my family, and I remember my mother working to regain her range of motion after her mastectomy. So I'm especially inspired by hearing about your progress with swimming. Keep up the good work, and remember to have fun!

Looking forward to more updates.

[tribogota]

You have probably already heard of, or read this book. One of the great things about it, is that she runs in marathons with no shirt, defying the law that MEN can go topless but women can't,

Tania Katan, My One Night Stand with Cancer.

[txred9876]

You have probably already heard of, or read this book. One of the great things about it, is that she runs in marathons with no shirt, defying the law that MEN can go topless but women can't,

Tania Katan, My One Night Stand with Cancer.

I would be AFRAID to because I burn so easy being a redhead.

I think its great she does it.

Tina