I can't believe I found you guys!

[LLJ]

I"m returning to Du/Tri training after a valve replacement and anneurysm repair in January. My event is a sprint distance Du in 2 weeks. Anyone have any words of wisdom (besides don't be surprised how slow I am?) I would love to talk to anyone who is competing. Mycardiologist looks at me like I'm a little crazy most of the time, but as you know, it's tough to give up something so fun!
LLJ

 

[Ross]

Hello and welcome aboard.

Give the guys time to answer, they are out here. Hosacktom, Mark Wagner, and a few others.

 

[hensylee]

and Mark U and Bill and lawyer Bill, etc. We got 'em. And they're coming.

 

[MarkU]

Hi LLJ,

Welcome to the group. We've got lots of inspirational athletes around here.

I do sprint triathlons. Got hooked on them a couple of years ago after my valve replacement surgery when my cardiologist told me to cut back on my weightlifting, and to get as much aerobic exercise as I could handle.

Doing my next race this Sunday in Englewood, FL. 0.25 mile swim in the Gulf of Mexico, 14 mile bike and 5K run. It will be my fourth race this year. I'm not fast, but I always manage to finish. If I can beat my own PR, then I'm happy. Watching Lance at the Tour de France for the last two weeks has me psyched for the bike leg!!!

I train with a heart rate monitor most of the time, using it to stay in my aerobic range, but also trying to push my lactic threshold. My resting heart rate is about 48, down from the high 60's prior to my surgery.

I try to work out six days a week - two session of each discipline. Tonight I just did a "brick": a hard six mile bike followed by a 1.5 mile run, practicing my bike-to-run transition for my race on Sunday.

Just started training with a triathlon coach this year - he has helped me to make some huge improvements in my bike technique. Had a SpinScan session last week (computer analysis of my pedaling power & efficiency). Did some adjustment of my shoe cleats and seat position to fine tune the alignment of my knees and hips.

I've got two more sprint races this year: Venice, FL in September, and my "big" race, the YMCA Sharks Tri on Siesta Key (Sarasota) in early October.

I have signed up to do the Indy 500 mini marathon in Indianapolis next May. If can get through that okay I may consider working towards a half ironman in 2007.

Again, welcome. Good to have you here.

Mark

 

[BillCobit]

I"m returning to Du/Tri training after a valve replacement and anneurysm repair in January. My event is a sprint distance Du in 2 weeks. Anyone have any words of wisdom (besides don't be surprised how slow I am?) I would love to talk to anyone who is competing. Mycardiologist looks at me like I'm a little crazy most of the time, but as you know, it's tough to give up something so fun!
LLJ

Welcome, LLJ!

Everybody's experience is a bit different. I had my surgery in January '02 and did some short course triathlons later that summer. June and July were kind of tough (slow and difficult), an event in August was a little easier. My HR was getting out of control and I had to walk to let it settle down. Don't be hard on yourself if you struggle a bit, and take a break if you need one...and if you don't need one, more power to you!

Stop back and give us a race report after the event.

Cheers

 

[LLJ]

Hey Mark! My question to you is: Are you ever worried you're doing too much or pushing your heart too hard? I gave up competitive weightlifting 5 years ago in compliance with my cardiologist's advice. I began cycling and running and competed last year in several sprint distance Tri/Du. I kept getting slower ,so I suspected a replacement was inevitable and it was. ANyway, my recovery was rougher than I thought and now when I train I worry I might being too much. I always train with a monitor. Have you ever had any problems or symptoms that concerned you? Since my surgery was 6 months ago, I feel like I'm working with unknown stuff.
Thanks again
LLJ

 

[LLJ]

Excuse me everyone, I don't quite know how to use this board correctly,so forgive my poor etiquette! Thanks everyone for the welcome! Hey Bill: Our surgery and race dates sound similar. I am SLOW!!! My concern is the heat. Did you have any issues with that? Thank you so much for your advice and for everyones contribution. My first race is July 31 and I am hopefuly doing a part of a relay the following weekend and another race 2 weeks later. All subject to change if I feel too crappy after the first one. THANK YOU ALL!
Laura (LLJ)

 

[tommy]

With a great inspiration from this forum I went from couch to marathon in a year. Then ran another. After foot injuries, I'm switching to tri's. Hoping to do my first sprint tri early Oct.

As for heat, it may be a good idea to slow the pace a bit for the run, especially 6 months after surgery. That's from Jeff Galloway's marathon training book. On the other hand, I'm amazed that the Olympic Marathon was run in very hot weather last summer in Greece.

As for your cardio, mine was very supportive. He ran marathons in college and was kinda jazzed that a 50 year old patient of his would do it. I see him again in a few days.

By the way, BillCobit is being a bit modest in not mentioning his upcoming IRONMAN. Whoa baby! (Sorry, Bill, had to brag on you.)

Yeah Ross, glad to fufill your predictions.

Enjoy your race!

 

[MarkU]

Hey Mark! My question to you is: Are you ever worried you're doing too much or pushing your heart too hard? I gave up competitive weightlifting 5 years ago in compliance with my cardiologist's advice. I began cycling and running and competed last year in several sprint distance Tri/Du. I kept getting slower ,so I suspected a replacement was inevitable and it was. ANyway, my recovery was rougher than I thought and now when I train I worry I might being too much. I always train with a monitor. Have you ever had any problems or symptoms that concerned you? Since my surgery was 6 months ago, I feel like I'm working with unknown stuff.
Thanks again
LLJ

LLJ,

Some miscellaneous thoughts:

Although I started working out at the gym about three months after my surgery, it took me about nine months to fully recover from my surgery. Sometimes it was two steps forward, one step back. If I overdid it at the gym I would feel terrible for a couple of days afterwards.

One of the simple guidelines I heard somewhere was that if you feel you need a nap right after exercising then you've probably done too much. I try to listen to my body and will skip working out if I'm too tired.

I think that my age (52) is much more of a limiting factor for me at this point rather than anything to do with my heart surgery. Just don't have the speed or stamina that I did twenty years ago and my recovery time is longer.

I live in FL, so I'm always dealing with working out in the heat. I always try to stay well-hydrated, drinking 6-8 glasses of water during the day and some Gatorade before, during and after workouts in the heat. I've always take at least two water bottles on my bike, sometimes three for long rides. When running I'll carry a water bottle with me if I'm going three miles or more. As they say, if you wait to drink until you feel thirsty, then it's too late.

I also consider myself slow, but have been able to increase my performance by working on my technique in all three sports. The benefit is that you get faster while expending less energy. I also have been using Jeff Galloway's method for my long runs - taking regular walk breaks throughout the run, it's amazing how little it affects your overall times, plus you feel better when you're finished.

Mark

 

[LLJ]

Great advice, Mark. As a matter of fact after my last 6 mile run I took a nap. I never take naps. After my last brick which was a 2 mile run and a 15 mile bike I had to sleep. I guess I am doing alot. I am 46 so I can't say youth is on my side. I always hydrate well and also try to run during cool times of the day. I made a deal with myself that if race day is over 80 degrees at 8 am I don't go. Right now in Jersey it's 96;but hope springs eternal! Live to race another day, not be stupid with my heart is all I can do. I love your quotes,by the way!
Laura (LLJ)

 

[LLJ]

Mark: In all of our excitment to wish Bill well in the Ironman,let us not forget throwing some luck and speed your way for your race this weekend! I realize it's your 4th(?) this year but Good on Ya! Fly fast and hope you get a PR somewhere in there (even if it's in the transition!)
LLJ (laura)

 

[MarkU]

Mark: In all of our excitment to wish Bill well in the Ironman,let us not forget throwing some luck and speed your way for your race this weekend! I realize it's your 4th(?) this year but Good on Ya! Fly fast and hope you get a PR somewhere in there (even if it's in the transition!)
LLJ (laura)

Thanks for the kind words of encouragement. Watching the Tour de France every evening for the past couple of weeks has me psyched for the 14 mile bike ride on Sunday!

Mark

 

[bvdr]

Good luck, Mark. I hope you have a safe and enjoyable race.