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Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Hey Ron and Shay, just wanted to let you know that you guys inspired me to dust off my bike and enjoy a ride in our beautiful spring weather (New Jersey). I didn't set the world on fire nor did I climb the Alps, but it felt good! THANKS. Terry L.
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terryl1 - Name: Terry
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: August 10, 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 49
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Hey, way cool and fun, Shay! Tell us about the club trip to TDF this summer. When, where, how much, how do we tag along?
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Van
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
I just discovered this old thread, but I'll jump in, way late, anyway. I've biked for 20 years or so, and definitely enjoy it. But my passion is running, which I've done for over 40 years. I don't do many races anymore, but prior to my symptomatic multiple myeloma diagnosis in January, I was running 3 miles three or four times a week. Back pain related to the multiple myeloma and an old herniated disk really limited how far I could go and how fast, but I still kept doing what I could.
When I began multiple myeloma treatment in late January, my doctor said I could run if I felt good enough. Around the same time, my 24 year old daughter said she was starting to run and had signed up to run a big 10K on April 13. The race would be in Richmond, Virginia, where she lives, which is about 6 hours from where I live. I wanted to cheer her on, and I knew there was no better place to cheer her on than right beside her. So training for the 10K through my induction phase chemo during Feb and March became a huge motivation for me. Kim and I entered the race with the same goal - just to run the entire way and to finish. And we both made it! We were both really proud of each other and really happy. I know the 10K is not much compared to lots of the bike rides Ron and other have done, but it was great to do it with my daughter, something we both worked hard to achieve together.
So that race turned out to be a perfect interlude between the end of the induction phase and the start of my stem cell mobilization in preparation for my SCT during the week of May 13. I'll be running right up to then, and itching to get back to it as soon as possible afterwards, with some biking thrown in the mix too.
When I began multiple myeloma treatment in late January, my doctor said I could run if I felt good enough. Around the same time, my 24 year old daughter said she was starting to run and had signed up to run a big 10K on April 13. The race would be in Richmond, Virginia, where she lives, which is about 6 hours from where I live. I wanted to cheer her on, and I knew there was no better place to cheer her on than right beside her. So training for the 10K through my induction phase chemo during Feb and March became a huge motivation for me. Kim and I entered the race with the same goal - just to run the entire way and to finish. And we both made it! We were both really proud of each other and really happy. I know the 10K is not much compared to lots of the bike rides Ron and other have done, but it was great to do it with my daughter, something we both worked hard to achieve together.
So that race turned out to be a perfect interlude between the end of the induction phase and the start of my stem cell mobilization in preparation for my SCT during the week of May 13. I'll be running right up to then, and itching to get back to it as soon as possible afterwards, with some biking thrown in the mix too.
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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
Hi Mike,
Thanks for the post. I wish you luck with your SCT and hope you can get back to running soon thereafter. Back in January I posted an inspirational story about Don Martin who is a long term multiple myeloma patient and survivor. Don is 71 and has run a Marathon in every state. Here is a link that I pulled from that old post.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/health/2013/01/09/human-factor-don-wright.cnn
As an update on my Biking, My partner Dale and I competed two weekends ago in the Bessie's Creek 12 hour team endurance race in Brookshire, Texas, which is about 50 miles west of Houston. It was held on a 21.3 mile course. Dale, who is a spry 70 yr old, and I alternated laps and together did a total of 9 laps or 192 miles. I was leadoff and completed 5 laps and Dale did 4. I also did the last lap completeing it with just under 2 minutes to spare from the time cutoff. The race started at 7 AM on Saturday and ended at 7 PM. We had a great time. This past weekend I rode in the Muenster, Texas Germanfest 100k. For North Texas it is a hilly course. A group of 14 from my Bike club went to it and attended the German Fest afterword eating Brats, German Potatoe Salad and Sourkraut. We also had some Peach and Apple Strudle and washed it down with some dark German Beer. Obviiously we had a great time.
My next race is in June to be held in the Palo Dura Canyon (second largest canyon in the US) which is located in the Texas Panhandle, near Amarillo. A different partner, Andy who is an english lad of 38 yrs and I will do another 12 hour team endurance race.
Ron
Thanks for the post. I wish you luck with your SCT and hope you can get back to running soon thereafter. Back in January I posted an inspirational story about Don Martin who is a long term multiple myeloma patient and survivor. Don is 71 and has run a Marathon in every state. Here is a link that I pulled from that old post.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/health/2013/01/09/human-factor-don-wright.cnn
As an update on my Biking, My partner Dale and I competed two weekends ago in the Bessie's Creek 12 hour team endurance race in Brookshire, Texas, which is about 50 miles west of Houston. It was held on a 21.3 mile course. Dale, who is a spry 70 yr old, and I alternated laps and together did a total of 9 laps or 192 miles. I was leadoff and completed 5 laps and Dale did 4. I also did the last lap completeing it with just under 2 minutes to spare from the time cutoff. The race started at 7 AM on Saturday and ended at 7 PM. We had a great time. This past weekend I rode in the Muenster, Texas Germanfest 100k. For North Texas it is a hilly course. A group of 14 from my Bike club went to it and attended the German Fest afterword eating Brats, German Potatoe Salad and Sourkraut. We also had some Peach and Apple Strudle and washed it down with some dark German Beer. Obviiously we had a great time.
My next race is in June to be held in the Palo Dura Canyon (second largest canyon in the US) which is located in the Texas Panhandle, near Amarillo. A different partner, Andy who is an english lad of 38 yrs and I will do another 12 hour team endurance race.
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
Hey Ron, congratulations to you and Dale on completing the 12 hour relay. That's excellent!! And the Germanfest 100K sounds like it was a huge amount of fun. Way to go! I guess knowing the brats and beer were waiting for you at the finish was good motivation. It would be for me. Good luck at Palo Dura Canyon!
Thanks for the link to the CNN piece about Ron Wright. I had not seen that before, but I'd listened to an NPR piece about him. He's an inspiration for sure! And thanks for your good wishes regarding my upcoming SCT.
Thanks for the link to the CNN piece about Ron Wright. I had not seen that before, but I'd listened to an NPR piece about him. He's an inspiration for sure! And thanks for your good wishes regarding my upcoming SCT.
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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
For those of you in reasonable distance to Durham N.C., wanted to let you know of a Multiple Myeloma bike ride fundraiser for the Duke Myeloma research program. Here is link to the web site: http://dukemmbikeride.com/Duke_Multiple_Myeloma_Bike_Ride/Welcome.html
Both my oncologist (who is head of the myeloma research group) and my PA are avid cyclists, and promised to have me healthy enough to do the ride after my SCT Feb. 13.They delivered, and I am ready and anxious to go! Managed a hilly 50 mile solo ride last week. I don't think I'd like to race Ron, but I made it.
If any other myeloma folks are interested in coming to town to ride, I won 4 free registrations at a 5K run. Let me know if you are interested! Would be fun to have a survivors pace line!
Both my oncologist (who is head of the myeloma research group) and my PA are avid cyclists, and promised to have me healthy enough to do the ride after my SCT Feb. 13.They delivered, and I am ready and anxious to go! Managed a hilly 50 mile solo ride last week. I don't think I'd like to race Ron, but I made it.
If any other myeloma folks are interested in coming to town to ride, I won 4 free registrations at a 5K run. Let me know if you are interested! Would be fun to have a survivors pace line!
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Andy D - Name: Andy D
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 51
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Thats great Andy. I am sure you will do well on the ride. I am so happy that you were able to get on the bike so soon after your ASCT!! Here is hoping that you have a long remission with no complications.
Ron
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
Hmmm. That Duke ride sounds tempting. It may coincide with a Throw Bike in Car; Head North trip I was planning after my Velcade shot in Chattanooga on June 6th.
Speaking of Chattavegas, I was a course Marshall at our US Pro Championships today (on tv, taped, next Sunday on nbcsports) as the racers booked down Lookout Mtn at 66mph ! The policeman next to me had his radar gun. The team cars are the truly frightening spectacle; tires squealing around corners, inches away from the car in front.
Speaking of Chattavegas, I was a course Marshall at our US Pro Championships today (on tv, taped, next Sunday on nbcsports) as the racers booked down Lookout Mtn at 66mph ! The policeman next to me had his radar gun. The team cars are the truly frightening spectacle; tires squealing around corners, inches away from the car in front.
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Van townsend
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
I cycled all through treatment and now in remission.
I'm a multiple myeloma patient and very excited to be participating in Pedal the Cause. This cycling event will raise money for cancer research in San Diego. I'm on a team with my doctor, Edward Ball. I was in treatment last year followed with a SCT in September and achieved VGPR. I'm currently on Revlimid maintenance.
Thank you
Michelle
I'm a multiple myeloma patient and very excited to be participating in Pedal the Cause. This cycling event will raise money for cancer research in San Diego. I'm on a team with my doctor, Edward Ball. I was in treatment last year followed with a SCT in September and achieved VGPR. I'm currently on Revlimid maintenance.
Thank you
Michelle
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mso - Name: Mic
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Sept 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Biking with multiple myeloma
Hi Michelle,
My GF is considering doing that ride and may be able to get some others to do so as well. We both cycle nearly every weekend and every other day for her in the summer. It is good to see you are doing so well and returning to the active life style you had. Amazing you were able to still ride while being treated. I tried to stay active as I could while being treated but had to give it all up at one point. Lost 50 lbs from not eating and had blood pressure problems. I am doing really well now though, I did the Palm Spring Century this year rode 130 miles over last weekend. That seemed so far away two years ago.
My GF is considering doing that ride and may be able to get some others to do so as well. We both cycle nearly every weekend and every other day for her in the summer. It is good to see you are doing so well and returning to the active life style you had. Amazing you were able to still ride while being treated. I tried to stay active as I could while being treated but had to give it all up at one point. Lost 50 lbs from not eating and had blood pressure problems. I am doing really well now though, I did the Palm Spring Century this year rode 130 miles over last weekend. That seemed so far away two years ago.
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Eric Hofacket - Name: Eric H
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 01 April 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 44