It wasn’t always this way, said Denise Peters of Westminster, Colorado. She was just like everyone else living in the Centennial state, working as an accounting and billing expert, and keeping up a regular fitness regimen as a solid runner. But what happened five years ago not only created havoc, it also showed Peters that carries a steely strength deep inside she may not have known she had before her illness.
Peters was diagnosed with breast cancer, and her doctors put her on a schedule of six chemotherapy treatments spaced out every three weeks. “Treatment made everything go on hold. I didn’t want to just sit at home so I tried walking but it was very hard,” said Peters. She decided she wanted to begin running again after completing her third treatment.
Her previous, regular running program was 20 miles a week, which she managed with the help of her running family at Road Runner Sports in Westminster. In crisis, she says the running community lifted her spirits and was key to her extraordinary decision to start running during chemo.
“We’re all about infusing passion and inspiration, by helping all our VIP Family Members and customers in modifying and driving their program to achieve, maintain or recover their optimum wellness,” says Road Runner Sports’ Julia Connell.
Peters’ top tips about how you can maintain a fitness program during a medical situation include:
• Don’t go it alone. Discuss what you’d like to do with your physician.
• Listen to your body. You’ll soon tell which days are good. Once, you’re out there running, your body will tell you when it’s time to stop and turn around.
• Choose routes that can be easily shortened and include out and back. Nothing is worse, than feeling sick and having to run 3 miles home.
• Don’t be tied to numbers. Run whatever you feel like on that day.
• Don’t give up on running races, even during treatment. Participating with friends, for the social aspect of it is very important. Be sure to throw away any expectations in regards to finish time.
“My body wanted it and it became a big part of my recovery,” says Peters. “The lesson learned is everyone, whether healthy or fighting disease, should be working out. There’s no excuse to not get up and do something to pursue optimum fitness.” Peters is back to work and is cancer-free.
Her final tip? Find your fitness family at Road Runner Sports, and reach out to them when times get tough. Inspired by Denise? Watch other inspirational stories at roadrunnersports.com/stories.
—Audrey Strong
