Getting Over the Hurdles: A Runner's Battle
photo via Karen Hill Allen
By Karen Hill Allen
Not many can say they began their running journey at age 50, but in 2008, when I signed up to run a Breast Cancer 5K with a friend, that’s exactly what I did. More than 11 years later, I can say I truly love running.
Prior to 2008, I had always been active and in good health. I enjoyed taking aerobic and other exercise classes at local recreation centers and even hired a personal trainer at one point. Still, my weight was always somewhat of a struggle.
photo via Karen Hill Allen
So, after my first 5K, I decided to get serious about weight loss. The same friend who first encouraged me to run began to run longer distances with me. Since she was a veteran runner with several Marine Corp Marathons under her belt, she took me under her wing to help encourage me.
With the scheduled running and training regimen, along with healthy eating, I was able to lose 50 pounds in the first five months. I ran my first half marathon that year and have gone on to run many more halves and 10-milers in the 12 years since, as well as two full marathons, including the Marine Corp Marathon. Through several instances of plantar fasciitis, runner’s knee, cortisone injections, toe issues, and losing my running partner to foot surgery, I am still here!
A Tough Road to Run
Late fall of last year, I began my usual process of researching races to run during the upcoming year. I’d recently retired from my position as Vice President of Human Resources after 21 years with my former employer, so I could operate my own counseling and coaching practice and focus on marketing my book. With my newly anticipated flexibility, I signed up for two half marathons and planned to work towards another full in 2020.
A week after retirement, after deciding to finally have a small, weird scab-looking mole atop my forehead looked at, I learned I had skin cancer. The doctor removed it and, thankfully, it was not melanoma. However, just two weeks later, as I was kneeling beside the bathtub preparing a bath, I felt moved by the Lord to perform a breast self-exam. When I did, I discovered a lump in my right breast. Tests would soon confirm that I was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer.
photo via Karen Hill
Because the cancer was very aggressive (it had leaked beyond the milk duct), I elected to have a mastectomy this past January. To further combat any other effects of the cancer, I elected to begin chemo in March. I told my doctor that we had to get this done soon, because I have races to run in the next few months, and then I hope to be training for a full marathon in the fall! She just looked at me, speechless.
While I’m still working to get over this latest hurdle, what I know for sure is that God’s got me. I know Him to be so very faithful and that’s what He’s proven to be to me particularly the past two years. I am grateful to be able to share my story in hopes of encouraging another woman who finds herself along a similar journey.
Everything seems to have come full circle, since my running journey began more than 11 years ago with a Breast Cancer 5K. Soon, I’ll be back on the road running with a vengeance as well as for a cause.
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Editor’s note: For information or resources around breast cancer treatment and other support functions specifically centered on Black women, visit Sisters Network Inc., founded by breast cancer survivor Karen E. Jackson, an organization centered on sisterhood and camaraderie for African-American women battling breast cancer. Sister Network’s mission is to help bring awareness to the impact that breast cancer has on the African-American community to help nfluence early detection and help save more lives. Learn more.
Karen Hill Allen, LCPC
Contributor
As president and owner of Karen Hill Allen and Associates, LLC, in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Karen is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, a board-certified leadership/executive coach and life coach. She is author of, “‘No’ is Not A Four-letter Word”, which encourages, empowers and teaches people to become their best selves by learning to say ‘no’. Her work embraces a holistic approach to counseling and coaching services that incorporates the mind, body, and spirit. Learn more about her and her book at KarenHillAllenandAssociates.com.