I decided today that I'll stop running as soon as I'm no longer able to change the oil in my truck. That should be a goodly long time yet, due mostly to the fact that neither takes much brain power.
Actually the oil change thing probably needs a little more, and at the very least calls for a bit of planning.....planning that I never used today!
You see I had the truck up on the ramps, the skid plate removed (which in the end wasn't necessary), I had the oil drained, and the filter removed. It was at that point that I realized that my old filter looked different than the new replacement one I bought at Can Tire. The new one was shorter.
Damn! Stupid Canadian Tire! Their numbering system must be wrong because I'm sure I got the one that the book said!
So off to the Ford dealer to get the exact replacement. I'll just run uptown....in what? Roo wasn't home nor were any of the neighbours. Short of putting the old oil back in, and the old filter back on, I was screwed!
Oh well. I have no life anyway so I just waited for Roo to get back and then drove to the dealer. I bought the exact Ford specified filter for 9 bucks and drove back home, only to find that it looked exactly like the other new one I already had!
Bastards! It seem like the nondescript FoMoCo filter they install at the factory is simply different for some reason. Oh well. Now I already have a filter for my next change. Lets see if my old brain still remembers that in 6 months??
Anyway, while I became more and more certain that I still have some kind of medical issue, I also don't think it's anything that will cause me serious life issues. I'm slowly starting to come to terms with the possibility that Ironman may not be in my future. That being said, I fully intend on running regularly until I can't change the oil any more.
Besides, I have a new lead! Talking to an old runner friend today I was reminded of something he said to me a couple of years ago. I looked it up and will go ask the doctor about it in a few weeks. Cory already considers it a real possibility. Exercise induced atrial fibrillation!
Apparently it's not uncommon for old endurance athletes to develop this form of heart arrhythmia, and since the condition can be intermittent, it may not even show up on an ECG. Probably just grasping at straws, and it's certainly not something I want to have, but I should at least ask. I was surprised by the significant number of hits I got when I googled it! I also hope to hear what Elly thinks of the whole idea because she's pretty well an expert on the topic!
But I don't want you to think I'm obsessing over it cause I ain't, and I don't want you to worry because everything I read suggests that you're still better off with this condition caused by exercise, than you would be if you didn't exercise. The only consideration may be how much you exercise, and as I already told you I'm preparing for the reductions that may eventual come. Life is good.
Besides, it's probably more dangerous to change your oil with a heart condition than is is to go running. After all I find getting up from the concrete to be more taxing than running hills!
And while my bike ride in the basement today was okay, I can clearly tell that I'm at low tide. I will try running again tomorrow with 2 promises. If I get slammed with the feeling I will stop right away and walk home, and I won't go more that 10 kms regardless of how good I feel.
Oh and I got the roof finished up today, the oil changed of course, and Roo's bird watering device all winterized. It was another successful day. Did I tell you that life is good?!
basement ride 90 mins, 60 mins @ 150 watts
"It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop."---Confucius
Actually the oil change thing probably needs a little more, and at the very least calls for a bit of planning.....planning that I never used today!
You see I had the truck up on the ramps, the skid plate removed (which in the end wasn't necessary), I had the oil drained, and the filter removed. It was at that point that I realized that my old filter looked different than the new replacement one I bought at Can Tire. The new one was shorter.
Damn! Stupid Canadian Tire! Their numbering system must be wrong because I'm sure I got the one that the book said!
So off to the Ford dealer to get the exact replacement. I'll just run uptown....in what? Roo wasn't home nor were any of the neighbours. Short of putting the old oil back in, and the old filter back on, I was screwed!
Oh well. I have no life anyway so I just waited for Roo to get back and then drove to the dealer. I bought the exact Ford specified filter for 9 bucks and drove back home, only to find that it looked exactly like the other new one I already had!
Bastards! It seem like the nondescript FoMoCo filter they install at the factory is simply different for some reason. Oh well. Now I already have a filter for my next change. Lets see if my old brain still remembers that in 6 months??
Anyway, while I became more and more certain that I still have some kind of medical issue, I also don't think it's anything that will cause me serious life issues. I'm slowly starting to come to terms with the possibility that Ironman may not be in my future. That being said, I fully intend on running regularly until I can't change the oil any more.
Besides, I have a new lead! Talking to an old runner friend today I was reminded of something he said to me a couple of years ago. I looked it up and will go ask the doctor about it in a few weeks. Cory already considers it a real possibility. Exercise induced atrial fibrillation!
Apparently it's not uncommon for old endurance athletes to develop this form of heart arrhythmia, and since the condition can be intermittent, it may not even show up on an ECG. Probably just grasping at straws, and it's certainly not something I want to have, but I should at least ask. I was surprised by the significant number of hits I got when I googled it! I also hope to hear what Elly thinks of the whole idea because she's pretty well an expert on the topic!
But I don't want you to think I'm obsessing over it cause I ain't, and I don't want you to worry because everything I read suggests that you're still better off with this condition caused by exercise, than you would be if you didn't exercise. The only consideration may be how much you exercise, and as I already told you I'm preparing for the reductions that may eventual come. Life is good.
Besides, it's probably more dangerous to change your oil with a heart condition than is is to go running. After all I find getting up from the concrete to be more taxing than running hills!
And while my bike ride in the basement today was okay, I can clearly tell that I'm at low tide. I will try running again tomorrow with 2 promises. If I get slammed with the feeling I will stop right away and walk home, and I won't go more that 10 kms regardless of how good I feel.
Oh and I got the roof finished up today, the oil changed of course, and Roo's bird watering device all winterized. It was another successful day. Did I tell you that life is good?!
basement ride 90 mins, 60 mins @ 150 watts
"It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop."---Confucius
Love
Peter
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