And Elly, while I kinda get the idea of feeling my way through this, I gotta tell you I feel like crap! On top of that I am of the school that the only way to change how I feel, is to change what I think, say, and do.
But back to that in a bit.
First a bit of an update. I seen the cardiologist on Friday who basically told me that there was nothing wrong with me, and that I could move forward with little concern for my heart health. He went on to say that moving forward may not include training for Ironman distance races!! These relatively harmless junctional arrhythmia that I experience may well be the problem when I train. A minor inefficiency when shovelling a bit of snow, could well be a real limiter while running for 3 or 4 hours. And while he's only guessing (that was obvious) he does at least recommend one more test. It's called a stress echo cardiogram, and is basically an ultrasound completed during increased heart rate. So I will wait for that process to complete itself, which he tells me will be 2-4 weeks (that usually means 2-4 months!!), and then go from there. And like the stress test and the Holtor Monitor before it, this test is also a shot in the dark, because the problem is intermittent. I think it's a waste of time, and society's money.
To top off the whining I knew a couple of days ago that I was falling off the proverbial wagon again. I had a decent bike and run last Wednesday, then felt sluggish in the pool on Thursday, and as soon as I climbed on my bike on Friday I knew it wasn't right. I simply couldn't generate any power, and as a matter of fact I felt exactly like I did on Ironman day! So I backed right off and took it easy, knowing that I had a long run coming up the following day. I managed 6 kms of that run before I turned around and headed home!! I had this idea that because I was smart enough to pack it on right away, that I would be able to try again on Sunday. When Sunday came around, I went bowling with the kids....that was all I had the strength for!
Which brings us to today, where I once again had an enlightened idea. I would do the long run in a walk/run format. It felt pretty good for the first couple of hours, but then I had to force myself through the last 10 kms. It was probably a mistake!! I am quite sick still, five hours later.
So perhaps I'm not done thinking yet. Right now I'm thinking about how to train for a 17 hour Ironman! I'm allowed 17 hours and 6 minutes, so that gives me plenty to spare. Because one bit of thinking I have done recently, but decided today that I need to stop thinking, is the idea of not going to the start line. Come hell or high water, I'll cross that finish line before midnight, exactly 5 months from today! Put in on your calendar!
Also today I got a bit of good news. I was actually ambivalent about hearing from the ophthalmologist, because cataract surgery will apparently cost me a months training per eye. Who knows? That may be exactly what I need?? I will talk to him about postponing til after the race, but one way or another I hope to work around it. I think only one of my eyes would be considered urgent at this point. Yes, I have an appointment in just over 5 weeks with a guy at The Ivey institute in London. Big sister Mary checked him out, and said he's a good guy. He does a procedure that the local guy can't do, which will give me better correction for my astigmatism.
And speaking of how what I do, say, and think affects the way I feel, writing this post had significantly improved my mood. Strange how that works eh?
And that's all she wrote folks! Peace, joy and happiness to each and every one of you!
run/walk 30 kms, 6:09/km
"My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging."---Hank Aaron
Love
Peter
But back to that in a bit.
First a bit of an update. I seen the cardiologist on Friday who basically told me that there was nothing wrong with me, and that I could move forward with little concern for my heart health. He went on to say that moving forward may not include training for Ironman distance races!! These relatively harmless junctional arrhythmia that I experience may well be the problem when I train. A minor inefficiency when shovelling a bit of snow, could well be a real limiter while running for 3 or 4 hours. And while he's only guessing (that was obvious) he does at least recommend one more test. It's called a stress echo cardiogram, and is basically an ultrasound completed during increased heart rate. So I will wait for that process to complete itself, which he tells me will be 2-4 weeks (that usually means 2-4 months!!), and then go from there. And like the stress test and the Holtor Monitor before it, this test is also a shot in the dark, because the problem is intermittent. I think it's a waste of time, and society's money.
To top off the whining I knew a couple of days ago that I was falling off the proverbial wagon again. I had a decent bike and run last Wednesday, then felt sluggish in the pool on Thursday, and as soon as I climbed on my bike on Friday I knew it wasn't right. I simply couldn't generate any power, and as a matter of fact I felt exactly like I did on Ironman day! So I backed right off and took it easy, knowing that I had a long run coming up the following day. I managed 6 kms of that run before I turned around and headed home!! I had this idea that because I was smart enough to pack it on right away, that I would be able to try again on Sunday. When Sunday came around, I went bowling with the kids....that was all I had the strength for!
Which brings us to today, where I once again had an enlightened idea. I would do the long run in a walk/run format. It felt pretty good for the first couple of hours, but then I had to force myself through the last 10 kms. It was probably a mistake!! I am quite sick still, five hours later.
So perhaps I'm not done thinking yet. Right now I'm thinking about how to train for a 17 hour Ironman! I'm allowed 17 hours and 6 minutes, so that gives me plenty to spare. Because one bit of thinking I have done recently, but decided today that I need to stop thinking, is the idea of not going to the start line. Come hell or high water, I'll cross that finish line before midnight, exactly 5 months from today! Put in on your calendar!
Also today I got a bit of good news. I was actually ambivalent about hearing from the ophthalmologist, because cataract surgery will apparently cost me a months training per eye. Who knows? That may be exactly what I need?? I will talk to him about postponing til after the race, but one way or another I hope to work around it. I think only one of my eyes would be considered urgent at this point. Yes, I have an appointment in just over 5 weeks with a guy at The Ivey institute in London. Big sister Mary checked him out, and said he's a good guy. He does a procedure that the local guy can't do, which will give me better correction for my astigmatism.
And speaking of how what I do, say, and think affects the way I feel, writing this post had significantly improved my mood. Strange how that works eh?
run/walk 30 kms, 6:09/km
"My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging."---Hank Aaron
Love
Peter
Maybe you're already fit enough to do just that. Stop training right now and just go do the race! You would feel better and my guess is you would be very successful!
ReplyDeleteI have had that same thought as Elly myself. Regardless, I will be there on the Aug 16th, either waiting for you, or trying to keep up with you.
ReplyDeleteLove HOLJ
I'm with Aunt Elly! Train as you can, but don't stress about having to take some time off for the surgery. As you said yourself, that may be exactly what you need.
ReplyDeleteGlad you have an appointment set and that it's only weeks away now!
Love,
Michael