SUCCESS

All six FIT TO FIGHT racer's did a fantastic job in the PEAK Triathlon! Great work!

Check out pictures at http://peaktri.com/photos/index.html

Jeff Runyan in the PEAK Tri's KPAX news coverage

Check out Jeff in the PEAK Tri's KPAX news coverage!
http://www.kpax.com/news/first-annual-peak-triathlon-held-in-missoula/

Jeff's Countdown to the Swim!

Swam 600 meters Sunday without flippers. Still need breaks but I think I can do this. Was helped out a lot with my technique and think it is going to help. Going to try and do turns tomorrow. Was on the Radio this morning 103.3 the Trial and that was great. Only a few days left before the big day.

Jeff

Jeff's Story

Jeff Shortly After Chemo

Jeff Now, Training for the PEAK Missoula Triathlon

My name is Jeff Runyan, I am a 13 year Military Veteran and have worked in Missoula for several years, I worked at Stimson Lumber at the Stud Mill until the Mill was closed, and I worked at Smurfit Stone until that mill was closed. But while I was working at Smurfit Stone something horrible and very freighting happened. Near the end of December 2008 I became very sick and was deteriorating rapidly, by the end of January I was diagnosed with cancer of unknown type. The second week of February 2009 I was near death so was given a round of chemo to save my life before the results of a biopsy was in from a pathology clinic. When the pathology report came in I was diagnosed with stage IV Burkitt’s lymphoma. Burkitt's lymphoma is a rare and aggressive form of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma that affects roughly 100-300 people per year in the United States. This form of cancer can spread very rapidly, with tumors even doubling in size in less than 24 hours and it had spread to just about everywhere and I had tumors that were very large. It is one of the most aggressive malignancies known to man. Like wise the treatment process is just as aggressive in order to out smart and out match the speed of the cancer.

Through the treatment process I marched like the soldier I once was, bone marrow biopsy, 6-8 Intrathecal Injections (chemo therapy injections into the spinal fluid), more than 300 plus bag's of life saving antibiotic's, fluid's, nutrients and chemo, 8 transfusions, many bags of platlette's, more prescriptions than I can remember, I was treated with 4 rounds of the Magrath Protocol and spent nearly 70 days in a hospital bed. I was Neutropenic (zero white blood cells) for many, many days. I went from 195lbs to 155lbs in less than a month. Following the chemo therapy I was treated with 17 rounds of radiation. The cancer, treatment process, and recovery process is quite grueling. With this said I like to recognize the fact that without the Nurses, Oncologists, Radiologists and the staff of all these clinics as life savers and would like to thank them for all that they have done.

After I left the hospital my mind said go do whatever I could do but I soon realized that although my mind said go my body had something else in mind. I was still very sick, and although I went through the treatment, I didn’t recognize the fact hat I had changed physically. I soon realized that I had a huge physical deficit to overcome and began searching for ways to survive and overcome these devastating realizations. One day I remembered watching a news broadcast on one of our local news stations; if I could remember which one I would certainly give them recognition. The broadcast was about a local program called Fit to Fight and had a young lady that had Lymphoma in the story and how the program had helped her regain strength. I searched the internet and found the story. I called Peak and shortly after received an application in the mail. I sent in the application and a while later got a phone call that the program was starting and I had been invited to join. I went there and was quite nervous and almost lost it when I found out actually how weak I was and how bad I had deteriorated. With the help of Fit to Fight’s volunteer staff, I have gained back all my weight and overcome some of the obstacles that had befallen me. I don’t know what I would have done without their help.

Although I am a victim of cancer and it has taken a huge toll on me and my family I do not want it to define me as a person. With Fit to Fight’s help I am achieving this.


Check Out Jeff's Website Burkitt's Lymphoma Society at http://burkittslymphoma.org
The goal of Jeff's website it to "help fill a vital gap that is missing for people touched by Burkitt's. To assist others in their battle, this site aims to provide a forum to ask questions, get connected with other Burkitt's patients, and share moral support to one another. Here you will find informative links and articles, a discussion forum for current patients to connect with past patients and caregivers, and some encouraging insights only available from people who have been through the treatments for Burkitt’s lymphoma."

Scott's Training Log and Notes for May 11 – May 17

Five days to go until race day! I’m feeling pretty excited and a wee bit nervous. After another good week of training, today (Monday 17th) I put it all together with a “practice tri” on the race route. After a slow and steady start in the pool I had a solid ride on the bike. I even got up out of the saddle and attacked the hill at 7 miles, something I could not have done a few weeks ago. The ride to run transition was painful -- there’s definitely a reason why triathletes refer to transitions as “bricks” – but I eventually settled into a steady pace and finished feeling pretty good. It’s a huge confidence booster to know that I can string all three parts of the tri together, and barring any accidents or mechanical breakdowns on the bike leg I feel fairly sure I can finish the race. Some people have asked me why I am doing this triathlon, and since this is probably my last blog entry, I’d like to recap what my reasons are. First, I’m racing because I want to raise awareness of the fantastic Fit to Fight program that got me started on the road to doing this triathlon. I can’t say enough good things about Fit to Fight and the people who run it. However, right now the whole thing is dependent on support donated from Peak Fitness and Alpine Physical Therapy. If Fit to Fight can get some funding, then more people can take part and get the kind of benefit that I and all the other Fit to Fight alumni have received. Secondly, I want to send a message to people living with cancer that, even during treatment, you can set and achieve fitness goals. For me, the goal these last few months has been to finish this triathlon; for someone with more serious side effects just walking to the end of the block and back may be a huge achievement. The goal itself is less important than the fact that you set the goal and achieve it, because when you do that you are drawing a line in the sand and saying to cancer: “You cannot beat me. I will go on living my life on my terms”. From my own perspective, reclaiming much of the strength and fitness that cancer and cancer treatment took away from me has been immensely satisfying. Notwithstanding the physical limitations that chemotherapy places on my body, I’m probably as fit now as I have been since I was in my twenties and I am really proud of having achieved that. Finally, I am racing in honor of my sister Mandy, my mother Irene, my godmother Constance, and my grandmother Frances, all of whom were taken from me by cancer. I love them all, I miss them terribly, and on Saturday I will race with each of them in my heart.

Missoula's The Trail 103.3 to Interview Our Racers Tomorrow!

Listen to FIT TO FIGHT's PEAK Missoula Triathlon Racers on The Trail 103.3 as they are interviewed with Mike tomorrow at 8:45am!


Listen Live at http://trail1033.com/?t=home

Support their FIT TO FIGHT 110% Challenge at http://peaktri.com/fittofight.html

Thank you for your support!
FIT TO FIGHT

Scott featured in the Missoulian's Health and Fitness 101 Blog

Check out Scott in the Missoulian's Health and Fitness 101 Blog

Missoula's Scott Woods Readys Himself for the Upcoming Peak Triathlon, Despite His Battle with Lung Cancer


What an inspiration. Scott is dealing with lung cancer, yet his goal to compete in the upcoming Peak Triathlon prevails. I invite you to be as inspired as me as you read on about Scott’s perspective on his training this week.

***********

This turned out to be one of my best training weeks so far, despite the fact that I had some work related travel early in the week. I took my running gear with me so was able to fit in a 4 mile trail run while I was in Moscow, Idaho.
No time for anything on Tuesday though, so we’ll call that a ‘rest day’. Another trail run on Thursday, and then intervals on Friday and Sunday. For the intervals I run between the mile markers on the river trail. I’m shooting for an 8 minute mile pace or faster in the race, and running the intervals helps me to know how that feels (it feels hard, but its getting a bit easier).

I got out on the bike twice this week; those hills are still a struggle for me, but I’m getting more and more comfortable on the bike. If only those guys in their monster trucks would give me some more room on the road!
I’ve pretty much resigned myself to using breast stroke for the swimming portion of the race, so on Thursday I swam the race distance in the Peak pool using breast stroke to see how it felt. I had to stop and catch my breath a couple of times but finished the distance in about 11 minutes, which will probably put me towards the back of the field coming out of the water but will work just fine.

On Sunday, Maer’s husband Paul gave me some good tips on ways to smooth out my profile and get my legs up when I swim crawl stroke. If I just put all the pieces together I’d be much faster than I am with the breast stroke, so I’ll keep working on it just in case it suddenly ‘clicks’ for me.

All in all this was a good week, and I feel like I made some real progress. Hopefully I can keep it going next week!

May 13th, 2010
Category: General
http://healthandfitness101.com/?p=851

This Week's Recap with Scott

Training Log and Notes for May 3 – May 10

This turned out to be one of my best training weeks so far, despite the fact that I had some work related travel early in the week. I took my running gear with me so was able to fit in a 4 mile trail run while I was in Moscow, Idaho. No time for anything on Tuesday though, so we’ll call that a ‘rest day’. Another trail run on Thursday, and then intervals on Friday and Sunday. For the intervals I run between the mile markers on the river trail. I’m shooting for an 8 minute mile pace or faster in the race, and running the intervals helps me to know how that feels (it feels hard, but its getting a bit easier). I got out on the bike twice this week; those hills are still a struggle for me but I’m getting more and more comfortable on the bike. If only those guys in their monster trucks would give me some more room on the road! I’ve pretty much resigned myself to using breast stroke for the race, so on Thursday I swam the race distance in the Peak pool using breast stroke to see how it felt. I had to stop and catch my breath a couple of times but finished the distance in about 11 minutes, which will probably put me towards the back of the field coming out of the water but will work just fine. On Sunday, Maer’s husband Paul gave me some good tips on ways to smooth out my profile and get my legs up when I swim crawl stroke. If I just put all the pieces together I’d be much faster than I am with the breast stroke, so I’ll keep working on it just in case it suddenly ‘clicks’ for me. All in all a good week, and I feel like I made some real progress. Hopefully I can keep it going next week!

Meet Jami and Don - our newest FIT TO FIGHT Triathletes!

Jami (above) and Don (below) will join Jeff Runyan to race the PEAK Tri as a team - Team FIT TO FIGHT. Jeff will be swimming; Don will be cycling; and Jami will be running. Go TEAM!

This Week with Jeff

I haven't been feeling the greatest lately, fatigued, and under a great deal of stress, but am back on board with the swim but am limiting myself to work outs that don't devastate me.

Yesterday I swam 250 meters with flippers and 250 without. I think I am getting to where I might be able to swim the whole distance without flippers. The main problem I am having is my legs, the neuropathy doesn't allow me to use the lower parts of my legs properly and they are long to recover after a workout. The run and bike are not doable for me at this time, but maybe next year.
Best Regard's
Jeff Runyan

Last Week with Mary Pat

Training Log for April 26 – May 2

MAY 1st
 
What kind of training did you do today?



Practiced the 3 events… swam in pool (alternated free with sidestroke.. just to keep going without stopping), did 80 min of spin class, and ran the route.. worked on pacing myself and going from event to event… keeping hips and hamstrings loose… knee felt OK


How does your body feel?


Since my bike ride on Tuesday, my left knee and quad has been hurting badly… knee is acting up, too… must have overdone it.


What do you want to work on for your next training session?


In swimming, I want to work on going longer distances without getting out of breath doing the freestyle. Pair that with sidestroke and the open turns and I should be about ready… we hope!


What did you learn this week?


Have fun with your friends and family; otherwise, it isn’t as much fun or as worthwhile!


What did you learn last week that you’re practicing this week?


Taking one thing at a time.

Scott’s Fit to Fight Peak Tri Training Log

Introduction

In January 2008 I was diagnosed with an incurable form of lung cancer. I was 41 years old, had never smoked, and was a regular runner, hiker and backpacker. Within a few days following my diagnosis I sat in a chair at St Patrick’s Hospital as a toxic cocktail of chemotherapy drugs was injected into my body. The chemotherapy was certainly effective, reducing the size of the tumor in my lung by 90 percent in the first few months, but it had a brutal impact on my body. I lost all my body hair, I couldn’t taste anything, my fingernails turned brittle, and my stomach was always upset. However I was determined to hold onto one thing: the ability to exercise. So, a few weeks after my diagnosis, I put on my running shoes and went out the door to see what I could do. At first I felt really weak and all I could manage was a mile or so around the neighborhood. My pace was much slower than it had been before (I took to telling my wife, Sarah, that I was heading out for a “shuffle” rather than a run) but it felt really, really good to have at least some control over my own body!

With time and a switch to a slightly less debilitating chemo treatment, I was able to go back to my old running route, up and down Waterworks Hill. Then, in April 2009 Sarah told me about Fit to Fight, an 8 week program of supervised exercise, strength and flexibility training run by Peak Fitness and Alpine Physical Therapy. I was reluctant at first -- I’m not really a “health club” kind of guy – but Sarah persuaded me to go along and after the first session I was converted. The people running the program were so supportive and so positive. They showed me what I needed to do to improve my all-around core strength and flexibility. Even as I continued with my chemo treatment I could feel my body getting stronger and more flexible. In June I went rock climbing for the first time in 20 years and really enjoyed it with my new found upper body strength! Since then I’ve worked hard to maintain my strength and fitness, and so when Fit to Fight asked if I was interested in doing a triathlon I jumped at the opportunity. I’ve always wanted to do a triathlon, but when I was diagnosed I thought that I’d never have the chance. But Fit to Fight had already shown me that I could do more than I thought possible. Why not give it a shot? So here I am, about a month out from the big day. I feel quite confident about the ride and the run, but the swim is a concern; I haven’t swum laps since I was in school. However, I’ve been getting some great coaching from Maer, our ‘tri-trainer’, so hopefully it’ll all work out! As my wife often reminds me, just finishing will be a huge accomplishment, even if it takes me all day!

Training Log and Notes for April 26 – May 2

This was a tough week for training, as I had chemo treatment on Monday. I’ve found that if I push too hard in the first few days after treatment I pay for it later on, with more severe side effects and a longer post-chemo recovery period. So although I got out for a trail run right after my treatment on Monday, I forced myself to rest for the next couple of days. It seemed to do the trick as on Thursday I got out for another trail run and felt pretty good. On Friday I rode my bike along the race route at Blue Mountain. It’s a really great route, along the river and gently rolling for most of the way. However there’s a short, steep climb at 7 miles that definitely hurts! I felt a bit shaky and weak on the bike (due to chemo side effects) but I reminded myself that on race day I’ll be nearly a month out from treatment so will hopefully feel more solid. On Saturday I worked on my running pace, doing 1 mile and ¼ mile intervals on the river trail. Since I was diagnosed I’ve developed a real fear of getting breathless, so the interval training is good for me because it reminds me that getting really out of breath is perfectly normal, and can even be a good thing! Finally on Sunday I hit the pool for some laps and drills under the watchful eye of Maer. I’m trying to learn the crawl stroke, but it’s been tough and I’m still floundering. If need be I’ll just swim the whole thing using breast stroke, even if it is slower.

Beginning of the Week Training - From Mary Pat

On Monday, I ran the Tri course and biked (stationary) for 45 minutes. Did streteching and light weights in the morning. Today, I will bike and run at Blue Mountain with my friend Korey

Mary Pat (in Purple) with friend Korey

 and then meet Jen to meet and talk with the FIT TO FIGHT participants about volunteering with FIT TO FIGHT in the pool at the PEAK Tri.

Michelle, one of the Spring Session FIT TO FIGHT Participants, explains her exercise program to Mary Pat

Just finished my walk and stretching and will be heading out to work.

Have a super day!

Mary Pat

Mary Pat and Scott Race the YMCAs Riverbank Run

Mary Pat and Scott both had great runs at the YMCA's Riverbank Run! Their 10k's prove they're ready for the PEAK Tri run!

Next Week's Training Schedule

PEAK TRI 110% Challenge

Join Jeff, Mary Pat and Scott in
the PEAK TRI 110% Challenge

1) Figure out your goal time for the PEAK TRI
2) Recruit your family and friends to support you as you reach your goal for the PEAK TRI and help support FIT TO FIGHT, a program that helps cancer patients reach their goal of strength for their fight against cancer.

DETAILS: check out http://PEAKTRI.com/FITTOFIGHT.html
RACE RESULTS: posted on http://www.peaktri.com/

"Leary of Swim"

Jeff, Mary Pat and Scott had their second FIT TO FIGHT PEAK TRI swim training session this afternoon with Maer. For three racers who say they are "leary of swim", they are looking amazing. This week's swim workouts are focused on kicking drills, arm entry technique and endurance.  Keep up the great work!

Mary Pat, Jeff and Scott listening to their next drill set

Scott working the kick board

Jeff and Mary Pat perfecting their arm entries

Maer, Jeff, Mary Pat and Scott discussing next week's training sessions

GREAT JOB THIS WEEK!

FIT TO FIGHT's PEAK Triathlon Racers in the Missoulian

Choosing action: Cancer meets its match in determined Montanans who run, walk, bike – fight
By JAMIE KELLY of the Missoulian

Posted: Friday, March 12, 2010 11:48 pm

Scott Woods and Mary Pat Malerk run on the track at Peak on Friday. The Fit to Fight program gives cancer survivors like Woods and Malerk a chance to participate in a triathlon. Photo by TOM BAUER/Missoulian

Maer Seibert, a trainer at Peak Health and Fitness, helps Jeff Runyan with core training on Friday at Peak. Runyan is in the Fit to Fight program, which helps cancer survivors regain their physical health. Photo by TOM BAUER/Missoulian

In 2008, doctors told Scott Woods that his lung cancer was incurable.

So what did he do?

He set out to complete a triathlon.

“If I have to walk that last three miles,” said Woods, 43, a professor of hydrology in the University of Montana School of Forestry and Conservation, “I’ll finish it.”

In 10 weeks, Woods’ mettle will be put to the test in the Peak Missoula Triathlon, a difficult enough challenge for the healthy, much less those stricken by cancer.

Just months ago, Woods had no hair, no sense of taste and barely enough strength to get out of bed.

After two years of chemotherapy, he was tired of being tired and defeated. That’s when he and his wife discovered Fit to Fight, a nonprofit program at Peak Health and Fitness of Missoula.

The program offers those battling cancer – and even those well on their way to winning the fight – a chance to reclaim at least some of their physical, spiritual and mental health.

“It’s amazing, because it increases the quality of their life while they’re in the fight of their life,” said Samantha Schoeneman, a Peak trainer [Physical Therapist of Alpine Physical Therapy] and co-founder of Fit to Fight.

A cancer diagnosis is difficult to take, but it’s quite easy to slip into a state of depression and defeat. That’s made even easier by cancer treatments like chemotherapy, radiation and surgery, which often traumatize the body and leave it helplessly weak.

Fit to Fight fights back.

*****

Schoeneman and cofounder Mary Lynn Eiseman, herself a cancer survivor and Peak Health partner, launched a pilot program in 2008, and received nonprofit status last year.

Never having to sacrifice a dime, cancer patients are given fitness exams before they are fitted with a tailor-made exercise program, and the chance to complete the annual May triathlon, which consists of a 500-yard swim, 12.4-mile bike trek and 3.1-mile run.

Two years ago, 48-year-old Jeff Runyan was given the news that still shakes him: He had developed Burkitt’s lymphoma, one of the rarest and deadliest cancers.

“It is,” said the 48-year-old Army veteran, husband and father of two, “the most aggressive malignancy there is.”

Tumors ballooned throughout his body – 20 full pounds of them. Doctors said that even if he survived the intense chemotherapy and radiation, he still had only a 50 percent chance of survival.

Five days a week, Runyan got the highest dose of chemo that humans can endure, which ended only because the treatment routinely killed all his white blood cells.

“Then I’d recover and do it again, and again and again,” he said.

While the aggressive treatment worked – “the tumors melted like ice cream in a microwave” – it traumatized his body.

Runyan has been in remission for a year. But after the treatments, his body was deeply injured.

He had localized paralysis, blackened toes, had lost 40 pounds and was terribly weak.
That’s when he learned about Fit to Fight – and made a phone call.

For three months now, Runyan has been training for the triathlon. Yes, it would have been much easier for the man who “used to hike 20 miles every weekend” to simply give up.

“But just because you have limitations, it doesn’t mean you have to sit on the couch and not do anything,” he said.

Mary Pat Malerk feels the same. First diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago, the 51-year-old Meadow Hill School teacher has been in remission for more than four years.

All through her treatment, which included radiation, a mastectomy and two reconstructions, Malerk, who golfs and skis and bikes and runs, used fitness to keep up her physical and mental strength.

Completing the May 22 Missoula Triathlon will be “one more step of getting my life back.”
Like Woods, Malerk, who has competed in one other triathlon in her life, is confident that she will complete May’s event.

“If I have to crawl,” she said, “I’ll make it.”

For Runyan, the Fit to Fight program has been a godsend, whether he crosses the finish line or not.

“I am not going to win this triathlon,” he said with a knowing smile. “I may not run the three miles. But I’ll do my best. And I’m doing this for payback.”

Those are fighting words.

Reporter Jamie Kelly can be reached at 523-5254 or at jkelly@missoulian.com.