Post Op - Three Day Walker
Hi all - I'm new here and have some questions - need "real" answers - not the platitudes and recommendations I get from the docs ---
Anyway I'm training for the Breast Cancer Three Day walk and I'm starting to get anxious about my body's ability to do this! I've had problems with low iron and have had to had IV iron in the past. Three years ago I hiked the Grand Canyon and ended up a "drag out" - someone who can't walk out themselves - I was totally wiped out and could hardly put one foot in front of the other. I just couldn't keep enough/fit enough protein in ....
I just did IV iron in May and feel pretty good - but the walk is in September. My doc says everything "should" be okay ... my question to all of you other grads is --- "How can I keep my energy level up when I'm expending so much?"
I am following the Three Day training recommendations and walking regularly - 6.5 last night which will make 35 for the week ...
Any suggestions/recommendations on what I can do during The Walk to keep my butt from dragging?
Thanks,
Dallas62
Anyway I'm training for the Breast Cancer Three Day walk and I'm starting to get anxious about my body's ability to do this! I've had problems with low iron and have had to had IV iron in the past. Three years ago I hiked the Grand Canyon and ended up a "drag out" - someone who can't walk out themselves - I was totally wiped out and could hardly put one foot in front of the other. I just couldn't keep enough/fit enough protein in ....
I just did IV iron in May and feel pretty good - but the walk is in September. My doc says everything "should" be okay ... my question to all of you other grads is --- "How can I keep my energy level up when I'm expending so much?"
I am following the Three Day training recommendations and walking regularly - 6.5 last night which will make 35 for the week ...
Any suggestions/recommendations on what I can do during The Walk to keep my butt from dragging?
Thanks,
Dallas62
Well first, I just want to tell you how wonderful I think you are for doing the Breast Cancer Walk. I lost my mother to breast cancer, and it does my heart good to see so many women helping. I would think you should take along lots of snacks to help keep you going, some iron-rich foods, along with plenty of water and things to drink. I haven't experienced any iron problems yet, but I do have hypoglycemia, and when I'm on a long walk I'll eat Kashi bars or peanut butter on wheat bread. Good luck to you!
Welcome "warrior in the fight"!!!
I'm 7 years post op (9/6/01) and this is my 2nd year Chicago 3-Day (Aug 8 - 10!!!)
Where you are I'm kind of familiar with!!!
Train, my friend, train. As you follow the training schedule and hydration / fuel guidelines - you'll learn what your body will and won't do. The more you train the better you'll want to "fuel". The better you fuel, the stronger you'll feel and then when you'll train you'll train harder & then you'll want to fuel better - and so on!!! ahaha! healthy cycles for a change! (boy was that foreign to me - and so very welcome!)
Also - as you train you'll learn what does and doesn't agree w/ your tummy on the long hauls. Complex carbs: trail mix (no choc! :) , protein bars, 1/2 apple - also HYDRATE!!! The 3-Day is strict about electrolyte replacement from sweating, so get used to G2, propel or I use the Camelbak elixier - electrolyte supplement in my water bottles or hydration gear. Also keep GU gel with me - it's an instant "boost" if I get weak - it's a sports gel - naturally occuring sugars that has low glycemic index but fast recovery (google it for availabilty in Dallas)
Now - ree: the ACTUAL event - there are "pit stops" every 2.5 - 3.5 (sometimes 4) miles. At the pit stops you'll be inundated with AWESOME snacks / fuel. There will only be 1 or 2 items that you'll want to steer away from (pre-packaged peanut butter/jelly grahams that people LOVE). The meals - breakfast / lunch / dinner are very nutritious and you'll be more than pleased with the choices. If anything - you'll have opportunity - all day long -- to eat all the "small meals" that gastric bypass peeps are supposed to do!
I was afraid, last year, that there wouldn't be anything at the stops that I could eat. I carried an extra fanny pack full of daily snacks (meals) that I didn't touch and actually packed & stowed in my gear bag on the 3rd day...
Okay, now re: drag out - if you train YOU'LL KNOW what your body can and will do. Chicago is in 2 weeks. This weekend my team walked 20 on Saturday and 12 yesterday. Back to back we KNOW what our weary bodies will do - and SO WILL YOU - so FEAR NOT!
I don't know if you trained or not for the Grand Canyon - I doubt that you trained a 24 or 16 week schedule though - -trust yourself!
I am proud of you that you are taking on this challenge! Remember, however, the Breast Cancer 3-Day is ultimately about "healthy bodies".
If you find yourself unable to "take another step" there are built-in safeguards in place to make sure your safe & healthy: awesome medic crew, sweep vans running the route back & forth looking for walkers that need a ride to the next pit stop - or buses to take you back to camp... it's not about "60 in 3 days" - it's more about raising awareness , raising dollars for research, connecting with a community, bonding with people who may have similar stories and it's about listening to YOUR body and honoring it - because you are worth it!
Take care!
Judy
9/6/01
292 - 162 - @ goal 4. 5 years & counting...
Chicago 3-Day walker 07 and soon - 08!!
I'm 7 years post op (9/6/01) and this is my 2nd year Chicago 3-Day (Aug 8 - 10!!!)
Where you are I'm kind of familiar with!!!
Train, my friend, train. As you follow the training schedule and hydration / fuel guidelines - you'll learn what your body will and won't do. The more you train the better you'll want to "fuel". The better you fuel, the stronger you'll feel and then when you'll train you'll train harder & then you'll want to fuel better - and so on!!! ahaha! healthy cycles for a change! (boy was that foreign to me - and so very welcome!)
Also - as you train you'll learn what does and doesn't agree w/ your tummy on the long hauls. Complex carbs: trail mix (no choc! :) , protein bars, 1/2 apple - also HYDRATE!!! The 3-Day is strict about electrolyte replacement from sweating, so get used to G2, propel or I use the Camelbak elixier - electrolyte supplement in my water bottles or hydration gear. Also keep GU gel with me - it's an instant "boost" if I get weak - it's a sports gel - naturally occuring sugars that has low glycemic index but fast recovery (google it for availabilty in Dallas)
Now - ree: the ACTUAL event - there are "pit stops" every 2.5 - 3.5 (sometimes 4) miles. At the pit stops you'll be inundated with AWESOME snacks / fuel. There will only be 1 or 2 items that you'll want to steer away from (pre-packaged peanut butter/jelly grahams that people LOVE). The meals - breakfast / lunch / dinner are very nutritious and you'll be more than pleased with the choices. If anything - you'll have opportunity - all day long -- to eat all the "small meals" that gastric bypass peeps are supposed to do!
I was afraid, last year, that there wouldn't be anything at the stops that I could eat. I carried an extra fanny pack full of daily snacks (meals) that I didn't touch and actually packed & stowed in my gear bag on the 3rd day...
Okay, now re: drag out - if you train YOU'LL KNOW what your body can and will do. Chicago is in 2 weeks. This weekend my team walked 20 on Saturday and 12 yesterday. Back to back we KNOW what our weary bodies will do - and SO WILL YOU - so FEAR NOT!
I don't know if you trained or not for the Grand Canyon - I doubt that you trained a 24 or 16 week schedule though - -trust yourself!
I am proud of you that you are taking on this challenge! Remember, however, the Breast Cancer 3-Day is ultimately about "healthy bodies".
If you find yourself unable to "take another step" there are built-in safeguards in place to make sure your safe & healthy: awesome medic crew, sweep vans running the route back & forth looking for walkers that need a ride to the next pit stop - or buses to take you back to camp... it's not about "60 in 3 days" - it's more about raising awareness , raising dollars for research, connecting with a community, bonding with people who may have similar stories and it's about listening to YOUR body and honoring it - because you are worth it!
Take care!
Judy
9/6/01
292 - 162 - @ goal 4. 5 years & counting...
Chicago 3-Day walker 07 and soon - 08!!
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