with Coach Davida Pantuso

Returning to running after a breast cancer diagnosis is an incredible milestone, but it can also feel overwhelming. Your body has been through so much, and if it feels unfamiliar or foreign right now, please know that is completely normal.

On the surface, running seems so simple: right foot, left foot, repeat. But many survivors who try to run during or after treatment are surprised by just how challenging it can be. Some runners transition back smoothly- and we love that for them! Others feel defeated or frustrated by how different running feels now. Social media doesn’t help as often, people only post successes. We often don’t see the struggles so it can feel like we’re the only ones struggling to run after cancer. If you are feeling that way, give yourself some grace. You don’t have to navigate this road alone.

Partnering with a certified run coach who is also a Certified Cancer Exercise Specialist (CES) can make all the difference. A CES understands exactly how cancer treatments affect your body. They have specialized knowledge and skills to design a personalized training plan that respects your healing while helping you reach your running goals- whether it’s running a mile continuously, crossing a finish line, or running a new distance.

For those who are curious, here are a few ways specialized coaching can support running after breast cancer:

• Lymphedema Prevention and Management: Surgeries and radiation can impact your lymphatic system. A CES will write a training plan that gradually and safely increases your running volume while sharing practical tips to protect and support your lymphatic system.
• Restoring Shoulder Mobility and Posture: Scar tissue from surgery and radiation can weaken muscles which can lead to reduced range of motion or even shoulders rounding forward. These alterations can change your running form, restrict your breathing, and even cause pain. A run coach and CES can integrate targeted exercises to address these changes and keep you moving pain-free.
• Preparing for Reconstruction Surgery: The average mastectomy patient undergoes 2 to 3 surgeries, and some undergo more. If you have a procedure scheduled, a CES can build a plan to ensure you enter surgery as strong as possible, setting you up for a smoother recovery and a safer, faster return.
• Navigating Cancer-Related Fatigue: Cancer-related fatigue is like none other. Unlike other types of fatigue, sleep cannot fix it and you wake up exhausted. Running can seem impossible. A specialized coach knows how to design a flexible routine that keeps you moving for your mental and physical health without draining your remaining energy.
• Running Safely Through Active Treatment: While “listening to your body” is wonderful advice, there are specific windows during chemotherapy where running is discouraged as it can cause serious harm. A CES understands this and will build your plan around when it is safe to run and when it is time to rest.

Running might look different than it did before cancer, but it can still be deeply fulfilling. With the right expert guidance, you can protect your body, rebuild your strength, and reclaim the joy of running.

Davida is a coach with Team RunRun. To learn more about her or to work with her, check out her coach profile.