New Member - Another Runner/Avid Exerciser

[msiwik]

Actually, I'm already registered. I'm from Indiana originally and have friends in the Indy area who do the race every year. Let's keep in touch as the race approaches to coordinate our plans.
I'm doing the Indy Mini to help me get ready to do a 1/2 Ironman in 2007. Running is my weak leg in triathlons and will be my main focus over the winter preparing for the race in Indy.
Mark

Sounds great Mark!

Tom and Laura - missed your posts earlier. Sorry! Laura - it's a great race (you get to run the oval at the Indy 500 - 3 miles of the course, it's a flat course, and the people are wonderful). Very easy drive from the greater Cincy area too!! Just sign up early though!

Tom - I understand the high of prs in every race. I started from the back of the pack five years ago as a new runner who had been pretty sedentary since graduate school. That's what made the surgery a bit unsettling is that I had improved so much while the valve was going bad slowly. I gotta believe with the new valve and patience in rebuilding the ejection fraction, we can still achieve a lot. My goal remains to qualify for the Boston Marathon between the age of 45 and 50 when it takes a 3:30 or an 8:00 min. pace per mile.

Thanks for the posts. They helped on a day when my wife said NO to my wanting to go the gym. My resting heart rate is lowering back to normal so I am happy about that. Best, Mark

 

[msiwik]

Deal!

Deal!

Hey guys, wait! If it's a 1/2 marathon I want in! I have friends in Ohio (More near Cincinatti) but I'd travel out to be with a Valver team!
Laura

See my post to Mark U. You're in - just sign up early!

 

[LLJ]

I'm so excited! Now I have a reason to go out on all those insanely cold new jersey mornings and run!
Laura
Tom: Did you say you were doing it too?

 

[tommy]

Laura, its real tempting, but I'm trying to tone down any running goals until I'm sure that the foot injuries are behind me. For now the tri goal and the cross training are more than sufficient.

It's pretty exciting to think of ya'll doing a half together.

 

[BillCobit]

Hey guys, wait! If it's a 1/2 marathon I want in! I have friends in Ohio (More near Cincinatti) but I'd travel out to be with a Valver team!
Laura

Hmmm...might be within target range for me too.

 

[msiwik]

Another Runner!

Another Runner!

Hmmm...might be within target range for me too.

Wow - if we get several of us to run this race - which is a high profile event -maybe we can draw a little media attention, and in turn, attract the interest of a cardiologist/physiologist who is interested in going beyond rehab (where the medicine is now and quite properly so since we had nothing to help heart patients of all kinds in the beginning) to see what people are able to accomplish athletically. Like Laura says - now I have got something to train for too! I figure I have 40 years or more left to compete and I want to learn, do, experience all that I can in that period! Let's go!!!

 

[msiwik]

P.S. The Mini Sells Out Quickly!

P.S. The Mini Sells Out Quickly!

Wow - if we get several of us to run this race - which is a high profile event -maybe we can draw a little media attention, and in turn, attract the interest of a cardiologist/physiologist who is interested in going beyond rehab (where the medicine is now and quite properly so since we had nothing to help heart patients of all kinds in the beginning) to see what people are able to accomplish athletically. Like Laura says - now I have got something to train for too! I figure I have 40 years or more left to compete and I want to learn, do, experience all that I can in that period! Let's go!!!

http://www.500festival.com/marathon/MiniNews.asp?news_id=30. If you are considering doing this, just don't wait too long. Based on year's past, registration will probably close by winter. I am actually surprised that the website shows only 20% registration at this point.

 

[hiker]

Mark: Welcome! I read your posting with great interest. I was so happy to find other athletes with valvereplacements I got downright teary! It's amazing how so many of us anxious to get back to our sport and prove to ourselves we can overcome anything,perhaps push a little too hard. The other Mark gave me great advice,if your have to nap after your workout,you've done too much. The roads will always be there for us to ride and run on. This is a great support group and with the new guys like me , you, Jason and Paul; it seems like it's really growing! Please keepus informed on your monitoring with your cardiologist.
Hey by the way, where are all the female athletes? We need to talk!!!!
Laura

I am a 63 year old athlete. I had a mitral valve repair 10 years ago and am facing a mitral valve replacement soon. I did whatever I wanted during the last ten years including hiking, biking, and paddling. I just joined this site and look forward to getting info on replacement choices so that I can continue the activities I love. I especially enjoy long backpacking trips, many of them solo. I was told to limit the weight of my pack so I did make that adjustment.
Fran

 

[LLJ]

Fran: Thanks for that post! I think all of us wonder how much and how long we can do the things we love. I am excited you were able to continue to do everything for the past ten years. When is your replacement?
Laura

 

[msiwik]

We are here for Fran

We are here for Fran

From one newbie to another, I can tell you this site is terrific. Keep us posted on your condition.

 

[BillCobit]

Repair followed by replacement in 10 years.

Repair followed by replacement in 10 years.

I am a 63 year old athlete. I had a mitral valve repair 10 years ago and am facing a mitral valve replacement soon. I did whatever I wanted during the last ten years including hiking, biking, and paddling. I just joined this site and look forward to getting info on replacement choices so that I can continue the activities I love. I especially enjoy long backpacking trips, many of them solo. I was told to limit the weight of my pack so I did make that adjustment.
Fran

Hi Fran -

Welcome to the club!

I've had my fingers crossed that my repair will last indefinitely w/o need for re-op. If you don't mind my asking, would you share circumstances that have have led to requirement for replacement just 10 years after the first op?

I'm sorry to hear you have to go through OHS all over again - best wishes for a complete and satisfactory recovery.

Regards,

 

[mntbiker]

And Introducing......

THE VALVE JOBS!

This sounds fantastic and I wish every one of you the best in your training and for those that do go best of luck.

 

[mntbiker]

Hi Fran,
I used to do solo trips in the ADK every year until my oldest son was born.

Welcome to the site.

 

[hiker]

Fran: Thanks for that post! I think all of us wonder how much and how long we can do the things we love. I am excited you were able to continue to do everything for the past ten years. When is your replacement?
Laura

My cardiologist strongly recommended having it done last December. I have put it off so that I could finish hiking all of the trails in the Smokies. I am trying to get a second opinion from Cleveland Clinic to find out just how long I can wait. I am off to Zion and Cedar Break this month for a few more hikes. My uphill climbs are getting very slow. I can jog downhill though. Maybe I am fooling myself, but I keep thinking if I can hike the trail why should I have surgery now. The cardiologist claims there is a window of opportunity and if I wait too long I will jeopardize being able to have a good result from the surgery. I seem to have all of the choices everyone else on this website has--what type of incision?what type of valve? How fast can I regain my athletic ability to continue doing what I love the most.

 

[hiker]

Hi Fran,
I used to do solo trips in the ADK every year until my oldest son was born.

Welcome to the site.

Thanks. I am not only new to the site, but I am fairly new at computering. I have been building mountain biking trails in Tennessee in 2 of the state parks. Hope you get down this way some time to try them out. I ride a recumbent which doesn't work well off trail.

 

[mntbiker]

Thanks. I am not only new to the site, but I am fairly new at computering. I have been building mountain biking trails in Tennessee in 2 of the state parks. Hope you get down this way some time to try them out. I ride a recumbent which doesn't work well off trail.

Have you been working with SORBA to build the trails? I know a couple of the TN chapters are very active.

 

[BillCobit]

My cardiologist strongly recommended having it done last December. Maybe I am fooling myself, but I keep thinking if I can hike the trail why should I have surgery now. The cardiologist claims there is a window of opportunity and if I wait too long I will jeopardize being able to have a good result from the surgery.

The "golden window" is widely-recognized by cardiologists and patients. Unfortunately, we've got some members who did not have surgery soon enough, and have permanent damage. The discussion has ocme up periodically in the past, here's just one of the threads:

http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10317

This reference includes detailed info describing the timing and indications for surgery:

http://www.acc.org/clinical/guidelines/valvular/

I hope you aren't placing yourself in jeopardy by postponing surgery, but my concern is that you are. Please be careful.

 

[hiker]

Hi Fran -

Welcome to the club!

I've had my fingers crossed that my repair will last indefinitely w/o need for re-op. If you don't mind my asking, would you share circumstances that have have led to requirement for replacement just 10 years after the first op?

I'm sorry to hear you have to go through OHS all over again - best wishes for a complete and satisfactory recovery.

Regards,

I had the valve repair done in Nashville in 1995 and was told at the time it would last about 10 years. My concern was that I damaged it by my strenuous activities. In reading the entries in this website, I don't think that was what happened. I did have a strange accident that the cardiologist blamed for the damage. In 1997, I was selling tee shirts as a volunteer fundraiser during the Ocoee River post Olympic races. I was holding on to a tent beside the Ocoee River that was lifted 18 feet in the air with me attached holding on. I would like to skip most of the details other than I was better at hang gliding than at landing. I was in intensive care for 2 weeks and in a wheelchair for 3 months. The cardiologist noted a change at that time. The rest of the damage may have been caused by that event and slow continuing changes. I also think techniques have greatly improved since 1995. Since you aren't planning to fly on any tents, your repair should last as long as you hope.

 

[hiker]

Have you been working with SORBA to build the trails? I know a couple of the TN chapters are very active.

Yes SORBA sponsored the trailbuilding events. Most volunteers work on the trail in the morning and ride in the afternoon. SORBA's trail training classes are wonderful if any are given in your area. I had been building hiking trails for many years, but learned lots from SORBA.

 

[mntbiker]

Yes SORBA sponsored the trailbuilding events. Most volunteers work on the trail in the morning and ride in the afternoon. SORBA's trail training classes are wonderful if any are given in your area. I had been building hiking trails for many years, but learned lots from SORBA.

SORBA is a geat organization. I am a member here but not very active, I am waiting on them to get approval to maintain one trail and build another. I was a crew leader/maintainer up in NY for 12 years. Are you on the SORBA forum at all? I am elguamo over there.