Glad I found this forum

[msiwik]

another inspiring story

another inspiring story

Bill: I am glad you tried to reach him through the reporter. One of the things that made the marathon relay such a success was that it was five like-minded people hanging out together - all of whom were positive about life and wanting to better themselves. With all the negativity in the world, I am happy to hang with our heart buddies any day! Mark

 

[Adam T]

Wow, what an inspiration! I'm going to bookmark that article for the times I'm felling sorry for myself or just plain lazy. Thanks for the link. I hope this guy joins the forum. I'd love to see his training program and his numbers.

 

[MikeL]

running post op

running post op

I also saw that article and was inspired by it. I'm wondering if any of you encountered any resistance from family, friends and even medical professionals to your intention to run after your surgery. I'm also still curious if any of you have any insight into the way post op medications affect exercise capabilities. Thanks for being here for us newbies who still don't know what to expect.

 

[Adam T]

My doctors have been very supportive. I asked a lot of questions during my last appointment and the only long-term restrictions they said I would have are from contact sports, etc.

They told me nothing should keep me from pursuing any type of endurance sports as long as I took my recovery slowly and used some common sense in the short term.

My wife has been supportive as well and has been very involved in the whole process, asking questions, etc.

I think this has helped me keep a good attitude and kept me focused on doing the right things from the start.

It never hurts to do as much research as possible and be informed enough to ask your doctors the right questions. That's how I plan to approach this and that is why I'm reading this forum.

Good luck to you.

 

[bobcatrel]

recovery

recovery

You should be fine. Docs had me walk 5 min/3 times a day for the first week and then upped that to 10 min/3times a day the second week. At my month checkup I was doing 20 min/three times a day. Towards the end of each week I felt like I could go longer but I stayed with the plan exactly.

At the month checkup I was given the OK to begin jogging and riding a bike. The sternum was the main problem with this as it is not healed so you will need to be careful and go slow. Your feet pounding and bumps on the bike will be uncomfortable for a while.

At 2 months I did a 20 mile bike ride and at 3 did a 5K.
Follow directions exactly. Good luck next week!

 

[MitralMan]

Mike, I'm on Toprol

Mike, I'm on Toprol

Other than lower blood pressure (98/68 last time I looked, first thing in the morning) it evens out any hiccups I might have had (arrythmia) and I think it supposedly has my heart at a lower BPM, all else being equal.

Having written this, I seem to have no trouble getting to a higher maximum HR than I achieve before surgergy (173 pre-surgery pre-big problem, 190 now -- and I'm 49).

Sorry, that's all I can tell you.

I also saw that article and was inspired by it. I'm wondering if any of you encountered any resistance from family, friends and even medical professionals to your intention to run after your surgery. I'm also still curious if any of you have any insight into the way post op medications affect exercise capabilities. Thanks for being here for us newbies who still don't know what to expect.

 

[MikeL]

Thanks

Thanks

Thanks Bob. It's encouraging to see how early you began running and biking. I'm feeling good and anxious to take things to the next level. 3 1/2 months post op I'm running a couple of miles every other day at about 11 min/mile pace. Of course I'm still walking a lot also.

 

[Superbob]

Just wanted to say you guys are an inspiration.

I used to be a competitive runner (mostly 10Ks but a few marathons).
Now, as an old retired guy, I find victories in overcoming spinal stenosis through physical therapy instead of surgery, and in coming back from heart valve/root surgery to work out regularly, take hikes with my dog, and ride my exercise bike.

Love reading about the vr.com relay team and other activities. Keep it going!

 

[BillCobit]

:-( Unless there's an error in the online splits, the poor guy was able to make the bike cutoff but did not finish the run.

TOTAL SWIM 2.4 mi. (1:34:12) 2:28/100m 1966
FIRST BIKE SEGMENT 56 mi. (4:01:39) 13.90 mph
FINAL BIKE SEGMENT 56 mi. (4:41:34) 11.93 mph
TOTAL BIKE 112 mi. (8:43:13) 12.84 mph 2091
TOTAL RUN 26.2 mi. (--:--) --/mile

There was another nice story about him at Ironman.com:

http://ironman.com/columns/ironmanl...s-journey-to-get-to-ford-ironman-coeur-dalene

He had a very rough time with his illness and surgery. My hat is off to this guy for such an aggressive goal and a valiant effort. I hope he comes back for another try and a successful completion.

This is a story I'm following w/ interest:

http://www.heraldnet.com/stories/05/11/26/100loc_arunner001.cfm

"On Sunday, six months and seven days after doctors at the University of Washington Medical Center opened his chest and replaced his aortic heart valve, Watkins will run a 13.1-mile half-marathon."

I checked his results - he managed a 2:51 half mary 6 months after surg.

But this is the one that really fascinates me:

"But in June, just a few weeks after being discharged from the hospital, Watkins told his wife, Kerri, that he had set a goal not just to begin running again, but to compete in an Ironman competition within a year.

The grueling event, which will be in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, in June, includes a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle race and full 26.2-mile marathon."

He is indeed registered for this event, so I'll be rooting for him and will also be very interested to see how his day goes. What an amazing personal victory to pull this off just one year after surgery.

BTW - I tried to recruit him to join us at VR.com through an email message to the reporter that wrote the story - not sure if the message was passed on or not.

 

[lopearredlady]

Fireworks and Surgery

Fireworks and Surgery

Adam,
With your attitude, you will be in that marathon!!!! You and I have the
luxury of having surgery the week of the 4th--you on the 6th and me on the 5th. Prayers from Texas are going out to you and I wish you the best for a speedy recovery! Shall we have a race????!!!! Your youth will win I am sure, but I plan to make it a close second.
Here's to good health for both of us,
Terry

 

[Adam T]

Thanks Terry, but I'm already a month ahead of you. My surgery was June 6th.

I'm working on that marathon. That's what I keep thinking anyway. I'm doing lot's of walking. Some days are better than others though. I see the Dr. for my 3-week followup tomorrow, so I'll find out just what my restrictions will be for the next few weeks/months.

Good luck to you, and thanks for the kind words. I'll look forward to comparing recovery stories with you.