Masters Athletics

[stormrev]

Hi all

One of my dreams on the recovery road from AVR was to one day enjoy some of those things I "used to do" again.

So last week I went down to the local running track and joined up with the MAsters/Veterans athletics group, Basically a bunch of 30-80 year olds who compete in various events from 100m - 10,000 m against one another and the handicapper! Years ago, in between the marathon and road race season, some of us used to run in local athletics comps and I've always longed to have another crack! I managed to run a 200m in under 30 seconds and a 1000m in under 4 mins and still live to tell the tale - until I worked out the 1 k time I ran was the same pace I used to run a whole marathon! A necessary reality check...

I'd be interested to hear from anyone else who has got into Masters Athletics - I go to see my surgeon next month for my 1 year anniversary check and place to ask him if there are any events I should avoid (I.e. like shotput etc)

In the meantime, I'm really enjoying the comaraderie and re-found interest...

Kind regards

Grant

 

[BillCobit]

Hi Grant

I haven't gotten into Masters Athletics per se - there is limited activity in my locale (preferred sports are eating and smoking) and my work doesn't acommodate regularly-scheduled training sessions. But I do participate in some informal group training. My challenge is finding training partners at my level of performance (low) and ambition level (high). People as slow as I am aren't interested in high mileage and vice versa. To me, value of participating in a large, active club would be finding some people who could push me w/o killing me, as well as the camaraderie. I do a lot of training solo, but really enjoy it when I can do it with others.

You mentioned your "reality check." I hope you don't find that demoralising. Some people come back from heart surgery to perform well, some don't. I seem to be in that latter group. But it's all relative. Many are plagued by post-op complications and related drug regimens that keep them from all but the most basic activities. Viewed from that perspective, my ability to come in last at a half-iron race is truly a gift from God.

I've tried to understand why I enjoy endurance sport as much as I do. As someone who (long ago) enjoyed a lot of success as a competitive swimmer, I'm obviously motivated by something other than winning these days. I guess I'm just celebrating God's gift. And like any celebration, it's better when you have friends to do it with. I think that's why I'm attracted to organised events.

I hope that check-up with your doctor indicates all is well. Stick with that Masters program if you can - and don't "reality check" too much - just enjoy yourself! Stop back in and report from time to time - we like hearing from other active valvers about activities and accomplishments.

(just a little self-deprecating humor)

 

[stormrev]

I've always wanted to be an idiot!

I've always wanted to be an idiot!

Hi Bill

I guess the 'reality check' should have been accompanied by the wry smile that greeted the time posted and the recognition that even to be doing this was a gift from God!

I've always enjoyed the endurance side of things too and can never understand why some people don't find running and training solo liberating... I used to do some of my best thinking and praying while out running or riding - one of the reasons I was so keen to be able to get back to it after surgery.

I'm entered in a 3 mile ocean swim next month ( fortunately usually with the tidal flow) and have a long term goal of completing the Round the Bay cycle in November (210 km) which I last did 5 years ago.

I must admit I have thought about triathlons again - even another Ironman in two years when I turn 50! Not sure if I want to subject myself to that order of stress, it was hard enough when I was healthier pre-surgery in 1994.

Where did you do your half? I've competed in several Tauranga (NZ) halves in the mid '90s - a hot flat course in early January.

The doctor check is my scheduled twelve month since surgery with the surgeon. My last EKG showed trivial leaks on the aortic and pulmonary, so they want me to have another to see if there is any change. I feel OK and think most of the issues (slow pace and puffing up hills) are fitness/age related rather than cardiac.

I can run 12-14 km now at 6min/km pace so am happy with the progress,

Good to hear from you

kind regards

Grant

PS I'm typing this at 3 am - still have trouble getting to sleep some nights!

 

[MarkU]

The local masters swim team works out at the same pool where do my triathlon swim training. I'm friends with several of them and they will occasionally watch me and give me tips on my freestyle technique. I was a competitive age group swimmer when I was growing up, and still really enjoy swimming. I have given some thought to doing some masters swimming, but I don't want to interfere too much with my triathlon training - it' hard enough to find time to swim, bike and run each 2-3 times a week.
I belong to the local triathlon club where I'm the "old guy" at 51 (I'm also the only one who has had heart surgery...).

Mark

 

[BillCobit]

Grant -

I've done my races in the eastern US. Lots of short ones, two hilly 1/2 iron and one flat 3/4 iron distance. I've always been intrigued by Ironman USA in Lake Placid, New York. After I successfully got through surgery in 2002, I promised myself I'd do that race in 2005 (this before I even was discharged from the hospital). I was optimistic that I'd come roaring back with a V-8 engine. That didn't quite happen, but I haven't given up on the goal.

I'm slow, but my heart is capable of speeds that can get me home by midnight...as long as I can develop enough endurance.

It's a very hilly bike course; the Lake Placid region has twice been a venue for the winter Olympics. I rode one loop (half the course) 2 years ago while I was on a tour. It was tough, and my biggest concern will be making the 5:30 PM bike cutoff. The run course is also hilly, and I'm planning to walk a lot of it. In fact, my training includes a lot of fast walking on an incline. If I manage to finish, I'll be close to the midnight cutoff...but very pleased.

A silver lining of my condition is that I can't self-inflict the structural punishment that hear-healthy athletes can. I shuffle instead of run, and push small gears that don't overtax my knees and back.

I've got my fingers crossed and I will keep training. If all goes well, I'll be back at this forum a few days after July 24 to do some obnoxious boasting!

Good luck with that upcoming swim!

Regards

 

[stormrev]

Masters of Pace

Masters of Pace

Hi Bill et al

Just come back from the Masters athletics night which featured the 'John Landy Mile' John Landy is a famous Australian miler from years back and is now the governor general of the state of Victoria. The mile consisted of a handicapped according to age event with 64 competitors from around the state. First there is a 200m race, then a 1000 m and finally a 400m race for the 8 fastest qualifiers. It turned out that a number of the competitors were world record holders in their respective age groups and was a close fought race. However the winner was Mike Johnston who, get this, is 83 years old! Runs like a 40 year old and holds age group records from about the age of 70 onwards!!! Talk about inspirational - I've got 35 years ahead of me to catch up! I heard that at least one of the finalist had heart surgery on recent years, so you never know. Matbe another goal for next year...

Regards

Grant