Getting Fit after Chemo: Sandman Triathlon 2023
Sandman Triathlon 2023 (Anglesey): 2nd place in my age group
Always Aim High
Before I became ill in 2014 I regularly competed in triathlons, runs and various bike events. I was, and still am to some extent, an exercise addict.
Triathlons generally consist of a swim followed by a cycle/bike, followed by a run, and the distances involved can vary significantly, from a ‘sprint triathlon’ being among the shortest (approx. 750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run), to an ‘Ironman’ or long distance triathlon among the longest (3.8km swim, 180km bike, 42km run). I used to compete in all distances, specialising in none, and generally just entering whatever took my fancy.
Since my illnesses, getting myself fit enough to compete in such events has been no easy feat, and to date, I’ve only competed in one other triathlon. This was in June 2019, and unfortunately, at this time, I was carrying a sacral stress reaction (chemo legacy issues..), which was becoming increasingly acute. Despite the huge discomfort and my inability to do much more than hobble whilst on the run, I struggled through to the end - amazingly though I still managed to beat my husband - something which I suspect I’ll continue to remind him of.😊
So Sunday’s triathlon, run by the aptly named ‘Always Aim High Events’ company, is the first one that I’ve competed in since fully regaining my health and my fitness. The field wasn't huge but there were some great athletes out there, and after a rather gruelling 1.5km swim, a 58km cycle, and a 10km run through some energy sapping sand dunes, I finished 2nd in my age group (40+), and 8th female overall.
A few pictures from the event
Getting ready for the swim
Relieved to be finishing the bike
Running out of transition
Thankful to have survived the sand dunes
So what’s next
Me & the Knutsford Triathlon Club (KTC) crew at the 2023 Sandman finish line
My ultimate life goal is to remain in great health. But being prone to some typical ‘Type A’ personality traits, I have a natural tendency to put too much emphasis on the work/training element and not sufficient emphasis on rest, and as I fully appreciate now, this can result in burn-out with at times catastrophic results. Consequently, while I work to increase my fitness, I similarly prioritise rest and recovery by building into my schedule lower volume and intensity weeks, and ensuring that I always keep to them.
As per my last post on this subject, running is the one area where I’ve struggled to get back to my previous form, so this is where I’m focussing at the moment. I’ve a hilly 15 mile trail run at the end of October, but my primary goal is the 2024 Manchester Marathon. Due to one injury after another, with some being more serious than others, I’ve not yet been able to build up my mileage to marathon distance. 2024 will be 10 years on from my last marathon distance run, so if I can complete this, it will be another huge post illness achievement for me.
I have a plan (I always have a plan..), and I am working with a great physio at the moment who I am hoping will help me finally get over that line injury free. He’s tailored my strength work for endurance running, but only time will tell if it works. I’ll keep you posted!
Getting fit after chemo: my strong belief that it was possible
For the most part, I always had faith that I could regain my health and fitness, but there were certainly times when I questioned myself. These doubts were most prevalent, as you’d expect, in the first couple of years after the chemo. Chemo took my health woes to another level, leaving me a broken shell of my former self. I lost all my muscle mass, I was so thin, I was weak, and I was plagued with debilitating fatigue. This new norm was not going to fly for me, it was not going to stay my new norm for long.
I have always been a person that ‘can do’, whether that’s a physical challenge or my attitude at work. To now be a person that ‘couldn’t’ was incredibly hard for me. So I redirected my goals, I channelled whatever energy I could muster into improving my health, one day at a time, and as is my tendency, I became a little obsessed (‘Type A’..). I read everything that I could find that would help me to better understand how I could achieve this, and I tried all sorts of things - some more ‘out there’ than others. I won’t go into all the details here, but the fundamental not aspects to my new way of living were as follows:
A 100% wholefood plant based diet, eating primarily organic products, juicing daily (multiple times)
A drastic reduction in my overall chemical exposure (household products, cosmetics, pesticides/herbicides/fungicides etc).
To sleep as much as my body needed.
To move/exercise only as much as I felt able but to move daily.
To consciously work on my ability to handle day to day stresses as they arise.
To develop healthful, positive relationships and distance myself from any toxic ones, of which there were a few at the time.
The development of a regular Kundalini yoga practice.
At this point, I had totally removed myself from the medical system, so I was able to take full control of my health. For me this was incredibly empowering, and while there were many instances where it felt like I was moving two steps forward and one back, I generally felt that overall I was moving forward. Day after day, I prioritised my health, and ensured that I was making the best choices for my health. In todays world, this isn’t always the most social of choices but for me my long term health had and still does have overriding importance.
Its also helped that I carry with me at all times, my rather long-term life goal of running London Marathon at 100 years old. It came about from an off the cuff comment but it has become a huge motivator for me. To achieve this in 50+ years time, I ideally, need to have 50+ healthful years where I keep up my fitness and my strength. Therefore I need health promoting habits in my life day in day out, meal after meal, restful night after restful night, etc. etc….
Illness was never going to define me - I just couldn’t accept that - I wanted my health, vitality, strength and fitness back and I was prepared to do everything in my power to regain it. Our bodies are amazing vessels which most people do not respect as they should. I was one of those people but thankfully our bodies also have an amazing will and capacity to heal, regenerate and repair if only we provide it with the right environment to do this. I honed in on this fact, and I have made it a reality for me.
So in the main, I always believed it was possible. I am, after all, a ‘can do’ kind of person.
Now let me help you.
If you or a loved one have been affected by cancer (or other chronic illness) and would like support in rebuilding your health then I would love to help. Take a look at my 90 day programme for more information as to how I can support you, alternatively if you have any questions then you can contact me directly here. I know from personal experience just how difficult this time can be, and I would greatly like to support you, helping you to avoid some of the pitfalls that I encountered, whilst empowering you to take a more active role in your health, your recovery, and your return to health and fitness.
“We fall, we break, we fail... But then we rise, we heal, we overcome.”
— Anon
If you would like to read more about my personal experience with breast cancer and my journey back to great health then please click on the following links for more in depth information.
You can also join my Facebook group - Thriving after Cancer and follow me on Facebook or Instagram.