Marathon Finisher!

[Mary]

Way to go!

Way to go!

Great going, Tom! Saturday, I ended up unexpectedly busy, but I remember looking at the clock and thinking about you!
Mary

 

[Rain]

Congratulations, Tom!!

Congratulations, Tom!!

Wowzers!! That's impressive! That's gotta be a pretty special feeling crossing that finish line.... I can only imagine. Wow.

 

[Harpoon]

Watch that sodium naproxen (Aleve is the brand name) because it can screw with your heart AND it could be the cause that fidgitiness...


Very cool stuff. I don't think I'm anywhere near that point, maybe next summer, but I'd like to at least try the 5k thing...


Way to go. =)

 

[Simon Gee]

Well done!

Well done!

TOP MAN TOM!!

Simon

 

[johnbelloh]

update

update

Hi Tom

Congrats on your marathon finish ! I haven't been on the computer for the last month. We are trying to finish a big remodel job on my home. It had been put on hold when I went in for the heart surgery.

I have been running a bunch of 5K & 10K races while trying to get my heart accustomed to the new valve. I had trouble with my right lung for about 2 months after the surgery. It had collapsed during the surgery and I wasn?t getting any air into the bottom of the right lung. It is difficult to run on 1 lung. I could barely break a jog. My 5K times were almost 40 minutes. One morning during an aerobic class I coughed up a bunch of water and the right lung started working.

I can now maintain a 10-minute pace in a 5K. I need to work on my speed. My resting heart rate is down in the high 40s and my max rate won?t go over 130 BPM. I think my heart muscle slowed down from years of coping with aortic stenosis. It is probably going to take my heart at least a year to adjust to the new valve.

I have been adding a 9 mile hilly run to my training every other week. I am still running 3 days a week. I don?t want to over do it with my right knee. It still hurts from surgery I had on it 2 years ago.

I still plan on running the Air Force Marathon September 18th. I am thinking about doing the Parkersburg ½ marathon in August as a test. It should be hot and humid and the course is a hilly one. I?ll keep you posted as to my progress.

 

[tommy]

John,

Great to hear from you. Sounds like you are in "can do" mode despite some impediments. And it sounds like everything is getting better over time. That is terrific!

Keep listening to your body.
Watch out for the heat and humidity.

 

[tommy]

Time for a break

Time for a break

I had my last post-marathon "rebuild" run this morning. 4 miles. Felt real good. No problems or concerns. Putting together a plan and strategy for December marathon. Will try to improve the time, and get my weight down some more.

For the next several weeks, I'll give my joints a rest, but try to keep the cardiovascular system in reasonable tune, and build some muscles for the fall. Bicycling, swimming, walking, and nautilus weights. Will spend a week at the NC shore .............. Do you know why pirates go to the shore for a week or two at a time? ............. to get some Arrrrrrrrr and Arrrrrrrrrr! That's me.

I wrote a thank you letter (with photo - crossing the finish line) to my surgeon, Dr. Mack. Got a nice response from him. Also, visited my cardiac rehab center. The same two nurses are there (3 years later). We hugged and cried. I thanked them and let them know that their work and their lessons pay off big time.

Had an echo done before the marathon (with results afterwards. ) Results are excellent! I am truly fortunate. Ya'll are wonderful. I thank you for your support from the bottom of my smaller (now normal size) but more powerful heart.

 

[Raverlaw]

John and Tom,

You guys are doing great! I really backed off after I hurt my right knee several weeks ago. I've used ice to manage the swelling and heat for the pain/stiffness. I started walking again wearing a knee brace, and last week started "jogging" (I can't really call it running) again. I find that when I "jog" (don't know what else to call it - short stride keeping my weight over my knees at all times) I can get my heart rate up to where it needs to be very quickly and I don't get much pain or swelling; however, the best pace I can get with this stride is about 12 min./mile. I'd still like to do our local Pinedorado 5K over Labor Day weekend, but at this pace I'm looking at a 35-36 minute time! I ran 5K twice yesterday, once in the morning and again in the evening. Today I ran (jogged) 5K with a break to do my "stairmaster" - a flight of 42 steep steps down to the beach. I jog a mile to the stairs, then do 20 sets on the stairs, then jog 2 miles back home. Total time was one hour exactly. The stairs really get my pulse up there quickly, but I call it the most beautiful stairmaster in the world! What a view!

Any advice for lengthening my stride so I can pick up the pace without permanently tweaking my knee? I don't want to be going in for a TKR anytime soon. My 73 year old Mom is getting hers done in August, and I'd like to wait until I'm at least that old before I need one.

 

[tommy]

Bill,

Have a sports doctor look at your knee. A regular doctor is more inclined to give you the "standard answer" (stay off it) - and maybe that is what you need. The sports doc is more likely to help you stay in the game and also provide specific exercises. Not all knee injuries are alike. Is it muscle? Cartiledge? Tendon?

Frankly, I would lay off the 2-a-days, especially with an injury (and at our age ). When I kept going with a minor injury, I spent a lot more time stretching and warming up, and also alternated days. It's a bit of a dance to keep your cardio going, and keep your muscles toned, but rest the sore spot.

Don't sweat your times in your early "races". Just enjoy yourself and celebrate your ability to be active. For what it's worth, my first 5k time was 36 minutes (5 months post op). Prior to the race, I was able to jog 5 miles without pain and without stopping. I was petrified to push too hard.

I'm jealous about your stairmaster. Not many hills in Dallas. I use a treadmill at steep angles to simulate hills. Can you send me a video of your scenery? I'll pop it in the VCR and have the same view as you.

 

[Les]

Bill,
Tom's advice is based on experience...and it is good and sound. Best of luck with the knee.

 

[stormrev]

Congratulations

Congratulations

Just caught up on the news of your successful marathon completion - well done! Makes me envious (though I do remember some of the pain as well...)

I ran the Dallas White Rock over twenty years ago a couple of times, so wish you well for that adventure.

Your photos look great - you really have benefited from the steady exercise and weight loss. They reckon about 3-4 weeks after a marathom you feel invincible!

I'm still walking and a little cycling, and will try swimming tonight for the first time. My wounds from the fasciotomy have only just healed, more than three months on. Started back at work three weeks ago and coping better each week, though still get tired from time to time.

I've set a goal to begin jogging July 4th (I think its a celebration in your country???) and reckon that Independence Day is an appropriate metaphor for a new lease of life and hope for the future.

Kind regards

Grant

 

[tommy]

Grant,

Great to hear from you. Glad to hear that you are mending, if ever so slowly. I like the Independence Day metaphor, and the concept of celebrating reaching goals.

Invincible? Not quite, but close. It's hard to find one word that sums up the emotion.

Be sure to get your rest. Buld up that immune system. Make this recovery a one-way trip.

Take care.