Carol,
I am sorry to hear of your husband's diagnosis and problems with lytic lessions.
Perhaps after treatment the lesions will become less a problem and he can return to biking. Bisphosphonates such as Aredia can help with strengthening bones. The main thing is to stop the current progression.
In the meantime, he can ride an indoor trainer and attend spin classes. That is not the same, but is safer and will allow him to still get in a good workout without the risk of falling.
Ron
Forums
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Ron Harvot - Name: Ron Harvot
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Ron, Eric, and others who frequent this thread:
I posted over in a separate thread some information about a study looking at the impact of intensive exercise on the immune systems. I originally was going to post the information in this thread, but it probably should be a thread of its own. Still, it might be of interest to you. Here's a link to my posting:
"Impact of intense exercise on the immune system" (started Sep 12, 2015)
I posted over in a separate thread some information about a study looking at the impact of intensive exercise on the immune systems. I originally was going to post the information in this thread, but it probably should be a thread of its own. Still, it might be of interest to you. Here's a link to my posting:
"Impact of intense exercise on the immune system" (started Sep 12, 2015)
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Thanks Terry for linking your thread. I am not sure what qualifies as intense training.
Given my age and need for recovery and rest, I don't believe I fall into that category.
During the summer I am at the height of my biking activity. My typical week is as follows:
Saturday - a hard club ride for 38 miles with some rolling hills pushing my avg HR to about 85% of max (my max is about 167). Meet at a coffee shop and socialize with my biking friends then all ride back together at a more moderate pace. Total ride about 55 miles.
Sunday - Ride at a more endurance pace for 35 miles - avg heart rate about 80% of max.
Monday - rest (walk the dog do some stretching)
Tuesday - interval training - about 30 miles hard sprints followed by recovery. During sprints max out HR. Hold it as long as I can to push my VO2 max level.
Weds - Endurance pace similar to Sunday - 30 miles.
Thursday and Friday are rest days (my treatments generally are on Weds every other week so I like to have rest so I can go hard on Saturday. I will do light stretching, walking and some light dumbbell - weights on Thursday. Friday walking and stretching.
Total miles on bike - about 150 miles a week.
When the weather and time changes, I move in doors with spin classes and work on my trainer. The "offseason" is used primarily to keep in shape and not train for an upcoming rally or race.
I will often bump my training somewhat, if a big event is coming by increasing miles on Saturday and Sunday. But my Tuesday and Weds rides during the summer are fairly consistent. I ride after work, and during the summer in Texas I don't go real long due to the heat.
Ron
Given my age and need for recovery and rest, I don't believe I fall into that category.
During the summer I am at the height of my biking activity. My typical week is as follows:
Saturday - a hard club ride for 38 miles with some rolling hills pushing my avg HR to about 85% of max (my max is about 167). Meet at a coffee shop and socialize with my biking friends then all ride back together at a more moderate pace. Total ride about 55 miles.
Sunday - Ride at a more endurance pace for 35 miles - avg heart rate about 80% of max.
Monday - rest (walk the dog do some stretching)
Tuesday - interval training - about 30 miles hard sprints followed by recovery. During sprints max out HR. Hold it as long as I can to push my VO2 max level.
Weds - Endurance pace similar to Sunday - 30 miles.
Thursday and Friday are rest days (my treatments generally are on Weds every other week so I like to have rest so I can go hard on Saturday. I will do light stretching, walking and some light dumbbell - weights on Thursday. Friday walking and stretching.
Total miles on bike - about 150 miles a week.
When the weather and time changes, I move in doors with spin classes and work on my trainer. The "offseason" is used primarily to keep in shape and not train for an upcoming rally or race.
I will often bump my training somewhat, if a big event is coming by increasing miles on Saturday and Sunday. But my Tuesday and Weds rides during the summer are fairly consistent. I ride after work, and during the summer in Texas I don't go real long due to the heat.
Ron
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Ron Harvot - Name: Ron Harvot
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
This is a follow up to my reply to Terry.
In the Tour de France, which is extreme cycling, it always seems that some top level cyclist has to exit the race because of illness. In this years race, Tejay van Garderen, a top U.S. candidate for a Podium finish, was forced to give up during stage 17 of the 21 stage race due to an upper respiratory infection.
The Tour is extreme exercise as it is a race that has 21 stages held in 23 days covering a total of about 2,100 miles. The stages are held in flats on cobble and in mountains. To compete, cyclists need extreme endurance, speed, and climbing ability. These professional riders have -0- body fat and look almost anorexic to a casual observer. They train year around for several hours a day in a very regimented and demanding schedule.
I can certainly see that such training can be dangerous if not under the watchful eye of a trained professional team with doctors, nutritionists, and skilled trainers working with the athletes. Even then, some can get run down and their immune system can falter.
Of course, nobody here is advocating that level of activity. As my oncologist told me: Listen to what your body is telling you.
Ron
In the Tour de France, which is extreme cycling, it always seems that some top level cyclist has to exit the race because of illness. In this years race, Tejay van Garderen, a top U.S. candidate for a Podium finish, was forced to give up during stage 17 of the 21 stage race due to an upper respiratory infection.
The Tour is extreme exercise as it is a race that has 21 stages held in 23 days covering a total of about 2,100 miles. The stages are held in flats on cobble and in mountains. To compete, cyclists need extreme endurance, speed, and climbing ability. These professional riders have -0- body fat and look almost anorexic to a casual observer. They train year around for several hours a day in a very regimented and demanding schedule.
I can certainly see that such training can be dangerous if not under the watchful eye of a trained professional team with doctors, nutritionists, and skilled trainers working with the athletes. Even then, some can get run down and their immune system can falter.
Of course, nobody here is advocating that level of activity. As my oncologist told me: Listen to what your body is telling you.
Ron
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Ron Harvot - Name: Ron Harvot
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Hi all,
I have read about this effect of extreme exercise on the immune system before somewhere else. I thing it's probably a real thing.
However, both studies I've seen now indicate the exercise must be pretty darn extreme to do that! I think even my 4000 foot mountain hike didn't come anywhere close!
I laugh to think of myself trying to get to that level of exertion! Not pretty!
So I think most people are safe from that effect!
Tracy
I have read about this effect of extreme exercise on the immune system before somewhere else. I thing it's probably a real thing.
However, both studies I've seen now indicate the exercise must be pretty darn extreme to do that! I think even my 4000 foot mountain hike didn't come anywhere close!
I laugh to think of myself trying to get to that level of exertion! Not pretty!
So I think most people are safe from that effect!
Tracy
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Tracy J - Name: Tracy Jalbuena
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 42
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Update race report from the Texas Time Trials.
My partner and I competed in the 2-man, 12-hour team time trial held in Glen Rose Texas. We completed 6 full laps on the 26.5 mile (43 km) course for a total of 159 miles (256 km). That was good enough for 2nd place out of the 3 teams that competed in that category. The winning team did 8 laps.
We had to cut our race short as my teammate cramped up on his third lap about 16.5 miles in. He called me and said he was finished. I loaded my bike and drove his truck out to where he waited and then finished the last 10 miles. The temp went from 60 degrees F (16 C) at 6 am to about 92 F (33 C) when my partner bonked. As I crossed the finish line, I had a mechanical problem (sheared off my rear derailluer), so our race was done.
However, I was very satisfied with our effort. The course is hilly with about 1,200 ft (365 m) of climb. There are about a dozen climbs, none are categorized, but there are several at 6% and one that tops 8%. Since we did a total of 6 laps, that is 7,200 ft (2200 m) of climbing. That wears on your legs!
Ron
My partner and I competed in the 2-man, 12-hour team time trial held in Glen Rose Texas. We completed 6 full laps on the 26.5 mile (43 km) course for a total of 159 miles (256 km). That was good enough for 2nd place out of the 3 teams that competed in that category. The winning team did 8 laps.
We had to cut our race short as my teammate cramped up on his third lap about 16.5 miles in. He called me and said he was finished. I loaded my bike and drove his truck out to where he waited and then finished the last 10 miles. The temp went from 60 degrees F (16 C) at 6 am to about 92 F (33 C) when my partner bonked. As I crossed the finish line, I had a mechanical problem (sheared off my rear derailluer), so our race was done.
However, I was very satisfied with our effort. The course is hilly with about 1,200 ft (365 m) of climb. There are about a dozen climbs, none are categorized, but there are several at 6% and one that tops 8%. Since we did a total of 6 laps, that is 7,200 ft (2200 m) of climbing. That wears on your legs!
Ron
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Ron Harvot - Name: Ron Harvot
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Ron - Thanks for the update on how things went at the Texas Time Trials. We're sorry things didn't go quite as planned, but I don't think anyone here is going to take you to task for your second place finish! 
Those of you who check in on this discussion from time to time may be interested in the first column from the Beacon's newest patient columnist, Maureen Nuckols. Maureen was doing triathlons regularly when she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma five years ago, and recounts the story of her diagnosis in her first column:
"Myeloma Dispatches: Multiple Myeloma As A Triathlon Sport" (Sep 28, 2015)
Those of you who check in on this discussion from time to time may be interested in the first column from the Beacon's newest patient columnist, Maureen Nuckols. Maureen was doing triathlons regularly when she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma five years ago, and recounts the story of her diagnosis in her first column:
"Myeloma Dispatches: Multiple Myeloma As A Triathlon Sport" (Sep 28, 2015)
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Amen to what the Beacon Staff said - way to go, Ron!
What you and your partner did in the race is very impressive. You continue to be quite an inspiration!
Mike
What you and your partner did in the race is very impressive. You continue to be quite an inspiration!
Mike
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mikeb - Name: mikeb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009 (MGUS at that time)
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Ron,
Congrats on your training, race, and super training schedule. Thanks for sharing your story.
Cycling has always been my enjoyment. It just makes you feel like a kid again; freedom and all powered by our own body. I recently purchased a new carbon fiber bike, replacing a 20-year old steel brut. What a change. I set a goal to do a metric century. Started riding about two months ago training for this ride. I use a heart monitor and also purchased a CatEye Padrone cycle computer that links with my cell phone. It stores all my rides and stats.
I did the ride last Saturday and was glad that I did a lot of hills during training. Of course, it is not a race, but at times competition does take over. I was able to ride in a pack for a while. That was really fun. 1,400 rider limit that filled within weeks. Three distances to choose from were 65, 85, and 100.
For those who like to ride and enjoy meeting great people, century rides are great. Great food at the rest stops, sag support, and BBQ at the finish. One lady was about 75 years young. She finished strong. Lots of Vietnam vets there telling their stories. Amazing time. Can't wait for the next one.
Castaway
Congrats on your training, race, and super training schedule. Thanks for sharing your story.
Cycling has always been my enjoyment. It just makes you feel like a kid again; freedom and all powered by our own body. I recently purchased a new carbon fiber bike, replacing a 20-year old steel brut. What a change. I set a goal to do a metric century. Started riding about two months ago training for this ride. I use a heart monitor and also purchased a CatEye Padrone cycle computer that links with my cell phone. It stores all my rides and stats.
I did the ride last Saturday and was glad that I did a lot of hills during training. Of course, it is not a race, but at times competition does take over. I was able to ride in a pack for a while. That was really fun. 1,400 rider limit that filled within weeks. Three distances to choose from were 65, 85, and 100.
For those who like to ride and enjoy meeting great people, century rides are great. Great food at the rest stops, sag support, and BBQ at the finish. One lady was about 75 years young. She finished strong. Lots of Vietnam vets there telling their stories. Amazing time. Can't wait for the next one.
Castaway
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Castaway - Name: George
- Who do you know with myeloma?: just myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 1/24/14
- Age at diagnosis: 62
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
George,
Sounds like you have been bitten by the biking bug!! Feel free to post your experiences and especially upcoming goals. Setting and working toward goals, in order to focus on something other than multiple myeloma, is what this thread is all about. Cycing is fun and I have heard that for baby boomers, like us, it is becoming the new "golf". In other words, many baby boomers have discovered cycling and it, rather than golf, has become their main recreational activity.
Ron
Sounds like you have been bitten by the biking bug!! Feel free to post your experiences and especially upcoming goals. Setting and working toward goals, in order to focus on something other than multiple myeloma, is what this thread is all about. Cycing is fun and I have heard that for baby boomers, like us, it is becoming the new "golf". In other words, many baby boomers have discovered cycling and it, rather than golf, has become their main recreational activity.
Ron
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Ron Harvot - Name: Ron Harvot
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 56