Athlete Profile: Endurance Athlete Peggy Lovejoy
Peggy Lovejoy ran her first marathon the day after her last chemotherapy treatment. Wanting to give back to the organization that supported her through her breast cancer treatments, Peggy ran for the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s Race for the Cure 2009.
The prior year had been year of hell. In February 2008, when Peggy was 44, she and her husband of 10 years separated. A couple of months later, she had an irregular mammogram. The mammogram results led to more tests, which led to devastating news.
“On May 13, 2008, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was the most defining moment of my life,” she said.
Lovejoy, who is from Bend, Ore., was always athletic growing up. She did gymnastics throughout high school and started running in college. Lovejoy ran her first 10k in 1983 and participated in several 5k and 10k events throughout the years. To build overall fitness through her twenties and thirties, Lovejoy maintained a fitness routine that consisted of aerobics, weights and some martial arts.
In 2004, at age 40, Lovejoy trained for and completed her first sprint distance triathlon. “I fell in love with the sport,” she said. She continued to swim, run and bike, and in 2008, she decided to train for an Olympic-distance triathlon. Unfortunately, that goal had to be put on the back burner to deal with more pressing issues.
The breast cancer diagnosis stung, but there were other challenges to overcome. At the time her husband left her, she had just relocated back to Bend after a stint in the Air Force. She had been home only five months, and now found herself a single, unemployed mother of three.
“My line of work is IT, so finding work in a small town was going to be a challenge – but I landed a job with one of the largest employers in the area, Les Schwab Tires, in their IT department. They took good care of me throughout my treatment,” she said.
Training with cancer
The cancer in Lovejoy’s left breast was fortunately discovered early. She chose to have a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. The pathology results from her surgery found two additional tumors, both of which were invasive. Lovejoy chose a one-year chemo treatment with a drug called Herceptin, and “four rounds of the harsh stuff that makes you feel like youve been mowed over by a Mack truck, which I coined, ‘Jaeger with a beer chaser.’”
Prior to surgery, Lovejoy read Ruth Heidrich’s book, “A Race for Life,” which resonated with her. Lovejoy decided to adjust her mindset and attack her treatment much like an athlete attacks an event. Just four days after her surgery, Lovejoy started walking and riding on her indoor spinning bike.
“I visualized the blood pumping the healthy oxygen through my veins to wipe out the cancer cells. When chemotherapy started, I continued the ritual and eventually, I added running to my routine.”
It was during one of her runs that Lovejoy realized her diagnosis was actually a gift.
“As I ran on the trail with only one breast and a bald head, it dawned on me that my misfortune was nowhere near the challenge that many others face,” she said.
When the intense treatments came to a close, including the surgeries and chemotherapy, Lovejoy decided to run a marathon – something she’d wanted to do her whole life. She wanted to give back by raising money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the organization that had provided her a great deal of help during her treatment. Training at the tail end of her therapy was manageable.
“I was still receiving treatment at the time, but the side effects were minimal, and I got the training in. At age 45, and just over a year from my surgery, and one day after my final chemo treatment, I ran that marathon. Since then, I’ve gone on to complete three more marathons, a few half marathons, one half Iron triathlon, and two Iron-distance triathlons,” Lovejoy said.
Work/life diversity
Lovejoy’s accomplishments outside of competition are equally amazing. She is a full-time mother and full-time employee, working as a Senior Technical Project Manager in a fast-paced company where several employees are endurance athletes. “Training is tough to fit in, so I have to sacrifice some things, like sleep, on occasion,” Lovejoy said.
Lovejoy’s three kids, Alexa (9), AJ (10), and Dominique (21), are very active as well; her youngest two are involved in athletics (competitive gymnastics and Little League).
While she typically trains alone, Lovejoy’s boyfriend, Stan Talbot, who is also her coach, housemate and best friend, often trains with her on the weekends. On those days, Lovejoy hires a babysitter.
“We have a very active life and happy household. On training, he has the most positive attitude and spirit, and he makes the training fun,” Lovejoy mused. “He taught me everything I need to know about Iron-distance racing, so when we do our long rides, he provides tips and tricks for nutrition and so forth that transition to race day. We embrace difficult training situations, like braving the elements of freezing temps and wind, as ‘great prep for race day’!”
Lovejoy’s motivation – Just keep moving
“I always remember my diagnosis and am grateful for being alive. My aunt recently passed away from breast cancer. Her battle was difficult, yet she always smiled, and fought all the way to the end. Her enduring spirit is a constant motivation to keep going. I also try to put my cancer in perspective. My first Iron-distance race was in Henderson, Nev. At the athlete dinner, participants from the Challenged Athlete’s Foundation were announced. I was amazed at these people…all were veterans, some with brain injuries, some missing limbs, some partially paralyzed…all were doing either a half or full Iron-distance event. I looked at my physical body, and all I had lost during my cancer journey was a breast. Enough said…mental IS the key to endurance racing. I always remember what it took to get through cancer, and I always remember what my aunt and other friends who have battled this went through or are currently going through…even more so, I remember seeing those CAF athletes out on the race course ‘doing it’…amazing. So, when I’m out there and it gets tough, I always remember, and say, ‘Just keep moving’.”
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Nutrition
Daily: Good, healthy diet – chicken, fish, veggies, fruits, Mila, water, nuts, seeds, some breads and pasta. I never deprive myself (pizza and chocolate chip cookies on occasion). An occasional beer or glass of wine or a cocktail (Mohitos are a favorite!).
Evening before a long workout or race: Pasta with ground turkey and spinach salad.
Morning before any workout and/or race: Oatmeal with walnuts, a little brown sugar, skim milk, coffee, electrolyte replacement drink (Ultima and Nuun are my favorites).
During an event: Energy gel in T1. Cliff bars (carrot cake), Univera Essentials, Univera Regenicare, Mila, Nuun, peanut-butter-and-honey with banana on the bike. Energy gel and whatever is provided at the aid stations on the run (try to limit soda, but have at least one cup every 5 miles).
Post event: Chicken noodle soup, Mila, Nuun/Ultima, Univera Regenicare
Clothing and other accessories
In addition to the usual items, here are a few things that stand out in my routine:
Swim: The double cap! One cap on, goggles, and race cap over goggles. Helps prevent the goggles from getting kicked off the head during the mass swim start! During training, in the pool, a lap counter that fits on my finger to keep track of my laps.
T1: Sunscreen; gloves that slide on easily (for cold, often numb, fingers); powder for feet so socks slide on easily (not a pro…I wear socks!).
Bike: During training, I usually map my course to allow for picking up products along the way so I don’t have to pack so much (similar to having a supported race and a special needs bag). I use the same products during training that I use on race day.
T2: Sunscreen and ball cap.
Run: Training same as race day, except always map route to provide ability to refuel. Race day, special needs bag always includes Univera Essentials (the ultimate “Jetson” meal, in a liquid form with quick absorption of calories and nutrients).
Gear: Bike computer/HR Monitor – Suunto T3. Bike – Cervelo P2. Wetsuit: Blue Seventy (LOVE it). Running Gear: Nike, across the board.
Websites for products
http://us.univera.com/products/nourish/essentials
http://www.suunto.com/us/support/faqs/Heart-rate-monitors/t3-t3c
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Read more about Peggy:
http://www.yourbreastoptions.com/en-us/resources/articles.aspx?id=113
God Bless you,You are an Angel. Chosen by God
I am a Survivor of Stage. IV. Colon Cancer. Thank God for my. Doctor. Who with the Great work of Christ helped me to Survive. N Live again.God. Bless. And Protect you. Always