Hi Buzz, MArk, Philip et al
I've been interested to catch up with some of the discussion about whether it is possible to recover pre-op fitness/speed etc.
Here are my thoughts on the issue...
Prior to surgery (probably 2-4 years prior), I was also able to increase speed by upping training intensity and mileage. What I experienced then in terms of capacity was probably more limited by age/fitness factors than my mild/mod regurgitation and involved a gradual slowing and stamina capacity.
Coming out of a background of elite level competition right though until my late 30's/early 40's (I'm 49 now), I was accustomed to push hard and ignore significant stress levels in achieving goals such as 2:40 marathon and Ironman competitions.
My attitude now has changed somewhat as I have come to terms with heart surgery and life post-op. It does seem that there are significant differences in how my body responds to stress and the demands of running etc. Despite my endeavours to get back to my 'old' ways of running and training, It appears that the 're-conditioned' nature of my heart/engine proscribes some limitations, especially noticeable running up hills or at increased pace! I am relaxed about this in one sense - merely being able to run again is a blessing! In another way, like some of my friends on this forum, I am still intruiged as to why this lack of stamina/capacity? Why do I still get so breathless running up hills when previously hill-running was a strength?
I agree that the effect is nowhere near as marked swimming - I suspect the effort required is further below the anaerobic threshold than for running and therefore less demanding?
Now 26 months post-op I should be, according to medical advice, fully recovered and back to full capacity... maybe!
I agree with the comment that someone made about residual effects from the very invasive nature of cardiac surgery and its impact long-term on the body's system. How long this effect continues or whether it is permanent I'm not sure...
The good news is that I feel recovered energy wise and no longer get so tired in my day-to-day living!
This winter (down-under) I intend to increase my mileage and running frequency to see whether that will make a significant difference stamina wise. Then I intend to have a good crack at the Masters Athletics over the summer (November-March)
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Grant: Excellent post and congratulations of finding some peace of mind but also continuing to excel in various athletic pursuits.
1. It would be very useful and interesting for you to post your running schedule/results over the next year. From a competitive standpoint, I have to come believe it's a 3 year process. Year one after surgery is about getting back to normal; getting back on to the proverbial playing field. Year two is about getting back into "game shape." Year three is about testing the limits, trying to achieve peak performance. As serious long distance runners, three years might not even be enough to truly evaluate when you consider it takes 7 to 10 years for a long distance runner to peak and OHS is a major hiatus in the life of any runner or endurance athlete.
2. I have come to view life after OHS as an opportunity to set new personal records. I am also very intigued intellectually about what new discoveries await me and the rest of us. My cardiologist has seen some athletes stay the same; some exceed pre-surgery results, and some not match. He believes it's a combination of (i) mental attitude; (ii) the heart itself; and (iii) opportunity - what's going on elsewhere in the body and in life general.
3. I will post a thread in June about training plans for the second year of my recovery - one year anniversary is a week away. I can't tell you good it felt to have the doctor say don't worry about how hard you run or long you run - a concern for those athletes with tissue valves. I have talked with Paul the cyclist from Vermont and we both agree that we feel smarter. The surgery has taught us to not go "all out" in our workouts all the time but take a more disciplined approach. There are silver linings to everything!
Mark
BUT - I should add that I NEVER invested in any interval/speed work after surgery. I was laser focused on a specific endurance event in 2005, and only did long, slow distances in my training. So I didn't "accidentally" get faster as a side effect of junk training.
