A Treatment Plan instead of a Training Plan

My diagnosis in January that I have a blood cancer, multiple myeloma, came with a treatment plan. My local hematologist/oncologist offered the most common plan using Revlimid, Velcade and dexamethasone. I decided to see a specialist for a second opinion about the treatment plan. Some family members had gone to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute with good results and recommended that I consider it.

I was able to get an appointment at Dana-Farber in less than two weeks, so I made plans to go to Boston to meet with Dr Shonali Midha. This appointment went well. Since my cancer cells have a genetic mutation that is considered high risk, Dr Midha recommended a four drug plan which added Darzalex (dararumumab) to the three drug "standard" plan. My local doctor agreed to treat me according to the Dana Farber plan.

Treatment started in early March. Darzalex and Velcade are given by subcutaneous injection at the hematology/oncology office. Revlimid and dexamethasone are taken at home as tablets. Treatment is managed in cycles of four weeks. I have completed 6 cycles in preparation for a stem cell transplant. It gives the best chance to get rid of the cancer for the longest remission.

Treatment has been an easy experience in most ways. Side effects were minor inconveniences - mostly constipation and minor fatigue. As the treatment got the intended results I felt better and better. Cancer markers in my blood were reduced by 85%.

The transplant is scheduled for late September at Dana Farber. My own stem cells will be collected, then I will get high dose chemotherapy and then will get my stem cells back. The goal of this is to wipe out any and all cancer cells in my body. Since the chemo will also kill a lot of good cells, my immune system will be wiped out. The reinfusion of the stem cells will result in the recovery or rebuilding of my immune system.

This is a very strenuous process, so a thorough health screening is required to determine whether the patient is well enough to go through it. It generally takes a minimum of three months to recover from the transplant. Since the immune system is rebuilding from scratch, avoiding infection is the biggest concern.

My next post will be a day by day description of the process and how I'm doing.

Running into Retirement

I started running in 2007 when I joined a YMCA Boot Camp program. I enjoyed the sense of belonging to a group that reminded me of what I had enjoyed as a high school and college athlete. After a dozen or so years of running, many of them focused on getting faster, running longer, and performing as well as I could, my running began taking on a more social and relaxed approach. Even though the last few years included some races, I didn't really train to race.

My run log shows a variety of race results and distances. Many of the races have blog entry race reports.

11 miscellaneous shorter distances or relay legs
17 5Ks with PR (personal record) 21:33 in 2010, I ran a time trial on the track 21:32 in 2013
5 5 Milers with 35:36 PR in 2010
5 10Ks with 46:32 PR in 2013. I ran a faster 10K as part of my half marathon PR
19 Half marathons with a PR of 1:37:45 in 2011
18 Marathons with a PR of 3:32:30 in 2011 (4 Bostons, 4 Marine Corps)
Ultras: 2 of 29 miles, 7 50Ks, 4 50 milers, one 100 miler but dropped out at 75 miles
24 Hour races: 101 miles in 23 hours; 45 miles in 10 hours 30 minutes before dropping out. 

Related hardware - participation/completion and awards. Plus race shirts, towels, etc have scattered.

I retired from work on May 14, 2021. The day before retirement I ran with colleagues Scott and Hari with whom I had shared training runs and races over the years. We ran 4.25 miles on the C&O Canal towpath near Williamsport MD. It was a fun time reminiscing about running and working together.

I have logged 238 runs since the retirement run. All but 3 were just easy runs, primarily to be with my run group friends. 

My last race was on October 17, 2021 - the Western Maryland Rail trail Half Marathon in Hancock MD. From my log: I started with Monique, but I went out too fast. I tried backing off the pace but seemed stuck in 9 to 9:10 pace. I was averaging about 9:05 by halfway but working too hard. Spent more time at water tables in the second half and was able to hang on to finish just under 2 hours. my watch recorded 13.15 miles in 1:59:42

There were two more events:

September 17, 2021 6.22 Miles in 57:36 for the Great American Relay - On the Western Maryland Rail Trail from Big Pool to Little Pool with Monique and Jill. My wife Rose was riding along on the bike. We ran from sunset into darkness. Were surprised a couple times by deer crossing the trail

October 12, 2022 6.24 Miles 59:21 with Kim for the Great American Relay On the Western Maryland Rail Trail from Little Pool to Big Pool. 

To this date I have not run since thiat day. It was another sort of retirement run.

In the summer of 2022, I started experiencing some shortness of breath during routine runs. I explained it away as the result of my relaxed training. It didn't improve with more focus on consistent running, plus my back started to bother me. Eventually the back issue hampered my running more than the shortness of breath. I made an appointment in September 2022 with  my primary care practice hoping to find whether any health issue was causing the shortness of breath. 

I started a series of blood tests, a stress test and imaging appointments. Finally in January 2023 I received a diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma, a blood cancer. I started treatment in February and look forward to meeting this new challenge with the same energy that I put into running.

Gettysburg Blue/Grey Half Marathon April 25, 2021

 

I signed up for this race because my friend and training partner Monique had decided to run it. I had done most of the weekend long runs with her as well as other regular weekday runs. The course covers country roads near Gettysburg as well as some miles on roads within the Gettysburg Battlefield National Park. It is a moderately hilly lollipop course that starts with a mostly uphill mile and a half, which means the last part of the lap is downhill. Noticeable climbs also came around the 5 mile, 7 mile and 11 mile marks. The full marathon runners did the same course twice and were started about 10 minutes before the first wave of runners doing the half.

It was a cool, breezy morning following a rainy night. The temperature was low 50s at the start and the sky was mostly cloudy. We started in the second wave of runners. I adopted the same time goal that Monique had - finish under 2 hours.

As expected, the uphill start was a challenge and my breathing was sounding louder to me than seemed good so early in a two hour run. But it was something to be accepted as a warm up. My watch recorded the first mile in 9:07, faster than I intended this early. The race followed a pattern that is typical of training runs for Monique and I. She tends toward a faster pace and I tend to lag behind holding a slower pace, maybe like an anchor. Monique would look back regularly and slow a bit until I caught up.

Early in the race we passed a lady running with a note pinned to the back of her shirt saying this race was her 100th half marathon. We also saw the race photographer and tried to look good as we passed. At various places on the course people were at the side of the road watching, cheering. Some seemed to be at their homes, others had driven out to support their runners. I think it was around mile 4.5 that we saw the marathon leaders coming back, already in the second half of their first lap. During mile 5 or 6 we entered the lollipop loop part of the course.

I'm wearing blue shirt, left background

Monique and I frame white shorts guy

Early miles, smiling is easy.

The rolling hills continued. Midway on the lollipop loop was an out and back section where we saw runners who were ahead of us coming back. We saw a local friend Anna around here. There was a gradual downhill on the "out" and uphill on the "back". There was a timing mat at the turn around. Our mile pace had fluctuated by 20 seconds or so per mile depending on the terrain, as fast as 8:50 and as quick as 9:14. I was increasingly feeling like I was running on the edge of being able to hold pace.

We passed a pair of young ladies wearing matching shirts to celebrate a birthday. One shirt read "Birthday Crew" on the back; with "Birthday Girl" on the other. I wished her a happy birthday. Eventually around mile 10 I told Monique I wasn't sure whether I could stay on pace for the 2 hour finish and that she should not wait for me. Gradually I drifted back to about 50 yards behind her. As we covered the hill climbs prior to the final downhill, twice I yielded to the feeling that I needed to walk. Shortly after one of these breaks, our friend Jill was coming out in the second lap of her marathon. Her happy greeting and smile gave me a lift in spirits for the effort still remaining. I did some estimates of how much my pace could fade without missing the 2 hour goal. I was thinking about surrender.

Finally it seemed the climb was over and it should be downhill to the finish. As is often the case, there was still more uphill in this section than I expected based on coming out the same road earlier. I tried to press the pace a bit and switched between thoughts of "it's only x more minutes" and "I don't know if I can hold on". Focusing on running now rather than what still remained allowed me to hold on. Monique was still in view but I was not gaining on her. Eventually I entered the final stretch and could see the finish line. I decided against racing anyone who would pass me or trying to chase anyone down before the finish.

And I crossed the finish line in 1:58:45. Monique had finished 15 seconds earlier.

Mile splits per Garmin: 9:07, 8:50, 8:50, 8:59, 9:04, 9:14, 9:04, 9:12, 8:54, 8:55, 9:16, 9:32, 8:41, 8:22(0.14 mile)

 

Monique 1:58:30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My time was 1:58:45

 

 

    

End of the Road Half Marathon

 

 

 

 

 

I decided to sign up for this race because of the unique course. It is held on an abandoned stretch of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and includes two tunnels. I was late in registering, which meant starting on the wait list the Monday before the Saturday race. The wait list cleared fairly quickly and I went from 17th position to next to register in less than a day and a half. Due to Covid restrictions the race was held twice allowing 250 runners each - in the morning and again in the afternoon. I entered the morning version, hoping for cooler conditions.

Course description
The lead up to the first tunnel is about .7 miles. This is a small climb (about 60 ft of total climb during this 0.7 miles). Sidling Hill tunnel: There is very little elevation change within the tunnel. This will be the warmest portion of the course as you will feel about a 20 degree increase in temperatures from the 40 degrees outside. Remember, in this tunnel you cannot see the other side when entering so lights are mandatory!
After the tunnel is where the elevation starts to really come into play. Athletes will descend quickly for a half a mile coming out of the tunnel and then have a steady gradual climb over the next 3 miles to Ray’s Tunnel. This will be a beautiful section of the course with awesome views, and picturesque fall foliage!
Tunnel #2 (Ray’s Hill Tunnel): This is the shorter of the two tunnels, but since you will be running out one side, turning around, and running back in, you will be spending close to 1.5 miles underground!
Retrace the route back to the start.

Runners coming for packet pickup had their temperature checked and were asked about covid symptoms and exposure. Masks were expected except when running and the start area was marked off to enable safe distancing.

The race started at 9:30 and the crowd quickly spread out. The tempurature was in the upper 50s. Almost immediately I was getting out of breath due to the uphill and the effort of starting without warming up. I knew I had to give myself a little time to adjust. My goal for the day was to keep the run enjoyable to the turnaround and then decide what effort to make on the way back which would be mostly downhill. I would like a finish time under 2 hours, but didn't think I was in shape to manage that.

I was carrying an old cell phone to get some photos and video of the course and was messing with that as I approached the tunnel entrance. My breathing was surprisingly loud on the the videos when I reviewed them later.

 

 

 

I'm wearing the orange shirt

There was a lady running just ahead of me wearing a skeleton shirt as I entered the tunnel. It got really dark in there and without anyone running the other way there wasn't much light even from other runners. The pavement, although wet was in fairly good condition so it didn't take too much focus to just follow along through the tunnel. Now and then someone would yell to make a spooky echo-ey sound and then others would repeat it. It seemed like about 5 minutes until some light started showing from the other end. It was far enough away that at first it looked like a white road sign reflecting light back our way. Eventually it was possible to recognize the shape of runners silhouetted against the bright tunnel opening.

Coming out of the tunnel I was still working a little harder than seemed good this early in the race. The downhill helped ease the effort a bit even while my pace got faster. I ran beside another "senior" runner from Wheeling and talked about the race, running in this unusual year, etc. His goal was a little faster than my wishful 2 hour mark. As our pace quickened we passed the skeleton shirt lady. The downhill gave way to the long uphill and the effort increased which meant the pace slowed.  He and I continued together until I took longer at the next water table/aid station. He went ahead.

As my pace slowed, the skeleton shirt lady passed me before the second tunnel and again I was trailing behind her through the dark.  More spooky shouts echoed here too. The second tunnel is shorter and light from the other end was visible right after things got dark. Shortly after leaving the tunnel was the halfway turnaround and a timing station. I saw the race clock showing 1 hour, 1 minute and some seconds. I was tired enough to doubt the second half would be faster.

As I made the turn I noticed a guy who could be in my age approaching the turn. Soon after I reentered the tunnel, this runner caught and gradually passed me. After exiting the tunnel and the course became downhill, I gradually caught up and ran alongside of him. We ran for a while without conversation until one of of broke the silence. My/our pace quickened again with the assistance of gravity. We talked a little about our running history. He is a former smoker and has been running for just a couple of years. I learned he is from near Johnstown and often trains with younger runners, something I also do.

We passed the lady with the skeleton shirt. I suppose her pace was more consistent than mine had been. Uphills seemed especially hard for me. We continued along making good time through the long downhill. As the course transitioned from downhill to uphill while nearing the longer tunnel another runner caught and passed us. It was a lady, but not the one with the skeleton shirt. I think this was the only runner to pass me after the shorter tunnel on the return trip. As the uphill wore me down and made me breathe harder, I took some walk breaks. Walking for a minute or so allowed my breathing/heart rate to mostly recover and I could transition back to running.

As I came nearer to the tunnel I saw a group of cyclists along the side, seeming to be waiting for the road to get clear of runners. I stopped at the water station before the tunnel entrance and my second half run partner entered the longer tunnel 50 or so yards ahead of me. I could barely see him ahead of me in the darkness. This longer tunnel was like the crest of a hill as the uphill leveled off and gradually turned to slight downhill. Soon after exiting the tunnel I rejoined my friend for the last 0.7 mile to the finish. As I realized I would probably catch up, I had decided I would not try to pass him before the finish.

Our pace was picking up a bit again even though we both expressed happiness that the "end was near". As the finish area became visible another lady runner caught and passed. We had discussed whether to let her pass and agreed the only way to stop her was probably to use a tripping tactic. On she went without us. But our pace picked up a little more and she finished only about 10 yards ahead of us. It seems to me I could have raced them to the finish and maybe gotten ahead of them both. But I had already settled the subject and was tired enough that I didn't care to try.

Official finish time 1:59:37 and splits First half 1:01:51 second half 58:46. 2nd of 5 M65-69
Garmin gps mile splits (total distance showed 12.91 miles)
9:16 8:51 8:35 9:22 9:50 9:51 10:00 9:14 8:46 8:32 10:12 9:16 8:36

Virtual Boston Marathon 2020

 

 

I ran the 2020 Virtual Boston Marathon Saturday morning Sept 12 with friends Jill and Paul. My training for this race was marginal, but I exceeded my expectations for the day. My finish time was a little faster than I hoped and the physical discomfort wasn't so bad.

 

 

We ran on the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail with our start and finish at Britton Park, Shippensburg. We ran three 'out & back' laps each beginning and ending at the park. I had planned the course with lap distances of about 10 miles on the first lap and 8 miles on second and third. We had drinks and nutrition set up at about 2 mile intervals. The out and back course which repeated on a 4 mile section meant we could see each other in passing even when not running together.

We had great support and encouragement from family and friends. Jill's husband Mike and son Donovan biked the course with encouraging words, mobile music and water for anyone who needed it. Paul's wife Greta was there start to finish at Britton park with uplifitng and fun posters, cheering, etc. Their daughter and family came to cheer for their Papa with more handmade signs. My dear wife Rose was there too to support me in another marathon - my 18th I think. Friends Anna and Kristin came to support us too. And many people using the trail realized what we were doing there and gave us friendly encouragement. We saw and greeted 2 other runners wearing race numbers for their virtual Boston.

 Another major source of inspiration and support was the Hyland's Family. I joined the Hyland's Boston Marathon team as a legacy runner this year and Jill has been a team member for I think 3 years now. There was so much mutual encouragement through social media - about 40 team members shared our virtual marathon experience. We received a generous supply of Hyland's homeopathic products to help us perform well. Their leg cramps remedy is well known and we all used it for our race. Products to help with health, recovery, sleep, sinus symptoms and more helped me to train better and race better. Thank you Hylands!

 

 

Jill had stated that her goal was a finish time under 4 hours and ran in first place start to finish. Paul and I had said that we wanted to finish the distance without injury and give a respectable effort. We had not stated a goal time before we started. I had serious doubts about my ability to run well for the distance due to a recent ankle sprain and curtailed training. Paul and I ran together for most of 2 laps/18 miles. We each told some of our life stories related to family, work, and running. Our early pace was in the low 9 minute mile range. As time went on our stops at our aid locations pushed our average pace slower into the upper 9 minute mile range. The aid stations were spaced well, but were unattended. That meant stopping/taking time to find our supplies in the cooler and taking in gels, fluids etc before resuming the run.

I was ready to leave the park before Paul after lap 1 and my friend Anna joined me for the first 3 miles of lap 2. Paul caught up before the middle of this lap and we finished lap 2 together. By this time I decided to carry a water bottle and drink on the move to make aid stops quicker than stopping to drink all I needed. As we came into the park his daughter and family were there; his grandchildren were holding signs and everyone was cheering. My sweet wife Rose was there and helped me refill a bottle before I started out for the third lap.

 

Paul was ready for lap 3 and started a little ahead of me and stayed ahead all the way to the finish. But my friend Kristin joined me for that lap and ran the final 8 miles with me to the finish. We've run together numerous times and her company was a help to keep me working toward finishing and occupying my mind with conversation rather than my increasing discomfort. My ankle was aching, my quads were tired and sore. On this last lap I walked for a couple minutes after each of the 3 aid stops. Although the effort increased and some body parts complained, I was able to run well enough. My energy levels had also held up well.

 

Eventually Kristin and I crested the small hill to the last road crossing, just six tenths of a mile from the finish at the park. This is a place where in past training runs I would race my wife Rose to the park while she biked. There was no racing this time but we did hold pace or maybe picked it up a little. I could see our group as we rounded the last bend before the park. Jill and Paul and all of our supporters were there and cheered me in to the finish. 

Since I had laid out the course including marking a proposed finish line, I ran to that line even though my watch had already recorded more than the marathon distance.

 

 

Jill had finished in 3:52, ahead of her sub 4 hour goal. I think Paul's finish time was 4:10. And my watch showed 4:24:04 for 26.5 miles.

Virtual Team Photo

Hylands Team Signature Map

Boston 2020 - training starts again

I first started training for the 2020 Boston Marathon in late December 2019. The race was scheduled for the 3rd Monday in April, consistent with long standing tradition. This time I had been accepted as a legacy runner on Hyland's 2020 Boston Marathon Team.  I was excited to go to Boston as part of a team.

In March the Covid-19 pandemic caused the Boston Athletic Association, the city of Boston and race sponsors to reschedule the marathon for the 3rd Monday of September. My training switched to a mostly maintenance approach until mid May when I restarted my training plan.

And in late May the race was changed again, this time to a virtual marathon to be run individually in the second week of September. My training shifted back to a less serious level as I considered whether to be part of the virtual event. (I have also been busy related to family members moving out of state.)

Registration opened for the virtual race on July 7th and I registered to participate.  Now with 2 months till the race date window, I am again starting to prepare to run a marathon. At this point my goal is to complete the 26.2 miles, but not to race it.  I will probably use a run/walk approach and join up with some local Hyland's teammates to set our race route and run on the same date.

There is an effort underway by Hyland's to get team members together for the virtual race. I am eager to find out what develops from this.  Joining up for our own event would be very fun.

Pressing toward a finish line that has been moving has made for a very different running year thus far. Let's all keep moving forward.

2020 Hyland’s Boston Marathon Team!

Wow! I'm on the Hyland's team for the 2020 Boston Marathon.

I qualified for Boston in October 2018 at the Mount Desert Island Marathon in Bar Harbor Maine and registered for the 2020 Boston Marathon in September 2019.  The marathon will be on April 20, 2020.


After being accepted into the marathon, I applied for a place on the Hyland's team as a Legacy runner.  The team was announced in early December.

Who or what is Hyland's?
Hyland's is a century old leader in pain relief, rest and recovery and is the Official Cramp Relief Sponsor of the Boston Marathon. The Powered by Hyland's mission is about supporting and celebrating athletes of all abilities, empowering them to achieve their goals on race day, and every day.

https://www.hylands.com/products/hylands-leg-cramps

Featured Athlete Teams
In 2017, Hyland’s assembled a team of inspirational women runners to celebrate the 50th anniversary of women running at Boston.
For 2018, Hyland’s built a team of incredible teachers, those that inspire every day and are remembered for decades and ultimately inspire us all.
In 2019 Hyland’s recruited Healers on a journey celebrating the true story of human connection that happens when someone dedicates their life to serving others.

Hyland's invited Builders to apply to join Team Hyland’s for the 2020 Boston Marathon. Hyland's Builders are people who have created something meaningful and impactful for their community, big or small, from the ground up.

Legacy Athletes
Legacy athletes have already qualified and been accepted into the field for the Boston Marathon, but aspire to be part of something bigger and experience the training, the race, and the weekend with people who share their passion.

More details about Hyland's Boston Marathon Team experience can be found at https://www.hylands.com/boston


How I learned about this
My friend Jill has been on the Hyland's team for a couple of years.  She was on the 2018 Teachers Team and returned for 2019 as a Legacy Team member.  She is also a Hyland's Ambassador.

Having seen what a good experience Jill has had, I was happy for the opportunity to apply for a Legacy spot on the team.  Two other local run friends have also been accepted as new Legacy runners for this team.

At Chambersburg's Christmas Cash Dash December 7, 2019

Our Chambersburg group spans four decades by age from the 30's through 60's. Yes, I am the 60 something!  Jill and Brooke are current executive board members of the Chambersburg Road Runners Club. Laurie and I are past board members.  We all have previously finished the Boston Marathon multiple times; I have the fewest, having earned three finisher medals.

This year brings Hyland's biggest team.  In addition to 18 Featured Builder athletes, Hyland's will also have its largest group of Legacy athletes. They welcome back 36 athletes from previous Hyland’s Powered Boston Marathon teams and 38 new Legacy athletes joining the team in Boston for the first time.  WOW! 92 ATHLETES!

Boston Marathon weekend will see us representing Hyland's by participating in the BAA 5k on Saturday and the Marathon on Monday - Patriots Day.  

There will be a few other team activities including attending a Red Sox game and a post race team celebration.

Along the way we will use social media to document our preparation for the marathon.

This seems like a run adventure of a lifetime.  Let the fun begin!

#hylandspowered #bostonmarathon #sponsored