Leslie Cooper Golemme My name is Leslie Cooper Golemme. I was a competitive runner on my high school and college teams, ran for fun through my 20’s and 30’s, and after having three kids in 30 months in my late 30‘s, started competing again as a master primarily to have a good reason to get out of the house.That’s only part of my story. Last year, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. No known risk factors, good diet and exercise, yet there it was; I could run all I wanted, but I couldn’t run away from feeling like my body betrayed me. So I decided that I would fight back and win. Liberty Athletic Club members (L to R) Once I started chemo, I had to scale back my running. My oncologist asked me at one point if I had any complaints or concerns, and instead of talking about nausea or hair loss, I told her that I was frustrated that I couldn’t run more than 4 or 5 miles at a stretch without getting tired. We had a good laugh, but I knew I was winning. Another reason for my determination to keep running was to try and keep things as normal as possible for my young children. In their minds, as long as mom was running, even though she’s completely bald, things can’t be too bad. I pushed myself through many runs for them and for me. The only time I took off my baseball cap or my headscarf was on trail runs; it was amazingly liberating to run through the woods and be free. As the end of chemo approached, another goal beckoned. I had originally committed to run 3 legs in a 200-mile relay, but had to back out when I got sick. I realized that I had a month to train after chemo was done, and my team graciously welcomed me back. My team gave me short relay legs, and I ran only 13 miles, but it was an amazing experience to be able to do that so soon after finishing treatment. My hair was barely peach fuzz on my head, but throughout the race, all the runners I encountered were tremendously supportive. It was a great end to a terrible nine-month journey. Like to comment on the Leslie Cooper Golemme story? Post it here. Return from Leslie Cooper Golemme to WomenRunningTogether Post Your CommentDo you have a comment on this story? Share it! Your CommentsClick below to see other comments...
Guts and Glory
Leslie,
Trail running
Good for you Leslie, An Inspiration Leslie is an inspiration to all women! Thank you Leslie for sharing your story!
Great Effort
VERY PROUD OF MY SISTER IN LAW-very determined and very nice! My sister-in-law I am blessed to have such a wonderful, strong and talented sister-in-law wisdom from Todd McViney, son of J Berg "It's amazing another year passes by, new chapter, quietly opens, up old ones slowly get flipped through" Enjoy your new chapter Leslie!
'way to go leslie
Leslie, New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read! Leave us a comment in the box below. |
Move! How Women Can Achieve Athletic Goals At Any Age
Running Question?
Click here to Contact Us.Shop at WRT's Store
May Birthdays
Paula Carvalho
Sharon Higgins
Judy Elliott
Lynne Patterson
Marjorie Milligan Jackson
Katie Pusch
Ruthlyn Greenfield-Webster
Grace Padilla
Donna Hiscox
Angelica Visneski
Submit Your Birthday Details
New Articles
Dream Pillows
Hand-crafted relaxation
Related Pages
Winter Nutrition
Treadmill Running
Yoga for Runners
Running Music
Running Tips
Runners Diet