Exercising with Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Runner's New Journey

I was a long-distance runner before my stage 4 cancer diagnosis in October 2020. I completed 4 marathons, 19 half marathons, among different race types and mileage.

Following my diagnosis, I ran 2 more half marathons before hanging up my running shoes at the end of 2021. Between the side effects of taking Arimidex^® and plantar fasciitis, I have had to accept that I am no longer a runner. This was a difficult but necessary realization on my health journey.

Processing the loss of my identity as a runner

For nearly 8 years, my life revolved around running - either training for a race or traveling to different states and cities to run a race. Running helped me deal with the anxiety and fear of recurrence after my stage 1 diagnosis in 2010.

In the back of my mind, I always knew that a stage 4 diagnosis would happen to me, just like my mother. After finishing the 2019 Pittsburgh Marathon, I told a friend, "This race was my white whale. If my cancer comes back, I finished this race."

The benefits of exercising with metastatic breast cancer

Following my stage 4 diagnosis, I have tried pivoting to other ways to continue exercising despite new physical challenges. Staying active is a priority because I know that cancer exercising helps me maintain an active lifestyle.

Among those with metastatic breast cancer, regular movement can help you maintain daily activities such as shopping, walking, and driving. Exercise may ease also treatment-related side effects like nausea, fatigue, and pain.¹

Sign me up.

Adapting my activity to new physical limits

Initially, I turned to long-distance hiking and even completed two 25K trail races. However, I experienced persistent back pain after each hike. Because of this, I had to stop going on these long hikes with my friends.

I am sad that I cannot keep up with my friends on the trails. However, I try to remember that I am not who I was before my diagnosis. I have stage 4 breast cancer and need to be kind to myself.

Getting support from a physical therapist and trainer

After getting my oncologist's blessing and a physical therapy assessment, I enrolled in a local gym and sought a fitness trainer. Since having a hysterectomy and taking Arimidex^®, I have gained almost 40 pounds in the last 3 years.

When I work out with the trainer, we focus on weight lifting. Research suggests that cancer treatment can cause body weight and muscle mass loss, known as cachexia. This is a major reason why I have prioritized cancer exercising in my weekly routine.²

This potential risk of losing muscle mass makes resistance training important to me. This type of exercise uses weights or resistance to build muscles and strength.

Navigating setbacks on my health journey

A recent bout with bronchitis forced me to pause the exercise streak I had accomplished. Currently, I am doing my best to get back into the groove. However, it is difficult and frustrating. I feel like I made so much progress, and once again, I have to start over again. It feels like I take 1 step forward and 3 steps back.

Regardless, I will not stop trying my best to keep moving forward. This is especially true since my cancer is stable and still only in my sternum. I cannot control my cancer, but I can control what I do every day to maintain my active lifestyle.