Yet another race story

[LLJ]

I am pleased to report that I officially completed my first duathlon since AVR/anneurysm repair in January! Taking the advice of my more seasoned OHS peers here at VR.com, I made sure I paid attention to my heart rate, stayed hydrated, and didn't focus on how slow I was going, rather I remembered how far I had come. The race in Staten Island was humid,but not horribly hot and for the first time ever I was truely nervous before starting the race.This was reflected in a heart rate of 100bpm before I even started. Luckily, by the time the first run was over and I was on the bike,my aerobic system finally kicked in and my heart rate dropped to 145.
To make a long story short, the last 5k run was wicked slow; I finshed almost 15minutes slower than last year,but I FINISHED!
The best news is I didn't feel sick,exhausted or done in as I had been feeling last year before the replacement. (Back when I was in denial that I was feeling that way because of my valve) My wonderful cardiologist said I wouldn't realize how bad I was unti lthe first time I tried something like this and felt the physical difference.
This gives me hope that although I started out SO slow on this race; I will continue to improve as I recover even more from OHS and can prove that pigs can fly! (or at least their valves)
LLJ

 

[ar bee]

well done!

just out of interest:

do you mind sharing the distance (bike /run)? and some insights into your pre-even training activities?

well2u
ar bee

 

[mntbiker]

Great job, sounds like you had lots of fun.

Where was the race held over there? I used to work in Brooklyn/Staten Island.

 

[BillCobit]

I am pleased to report that I officially completed my first duathlon since AVR/anneurysm repair in January! Taking the advice of my more seasoned OHS peers here at VR.com, I made sure I paid attention to my heart rate, stayed hydrated, and didn't focus on how slow I was going, rather I remembered how far I had come. The race in Staten Island was humid,but not horribly hot and for the first time ever I was truely nervous before starting the race.This was reflected in a heart rate of 100bpm before I even started. Luckily, by the time the first run was over and I was on the bike,my aerobic system finally kicked in and my heart rate dropped to 145.
To make a long story short, the last 5k run was wicked slow; I finshed almost 15minutes slower than last year,but I FINISHED!
The best news is I didn't feel sick,exhausted or done in as I had been feeling last year before the replacement. (Back when I was in denial that I was feeling that way because of my valve) My wonderful cardiologist said I wouldn't realize how bad I was unti lthe first time I tried something like this and felt the physical difference.
This gives me hope that although I started out SO slow on this race; I will continue to improve as I recover even more from OHS and can prove that pigs can fly! (or at least their valves)
LLJ

Well done, Laura%2! Isn't it a great feeling to get that first post-op race under your belt? You mentioned in your earlier post that you had two more races teed up, pending your experience with this one. Sounds like those are a go?

 

[MarkU]

Laura,
Congratulations! Being only 15 minutes slower after having surgery is great. You are correct, finishing is the most important thing - the speed will return as your conditioning improves. You have made great progress, especially after having your surgery just this past January.
Mark

 

[LLJ]

Hey guys: The distance was 2mile run, 12 mile bike and 5k run. It was at South Beachon Father Capadanno Blvd. on Staten Island. It's a great race with well over 500 participants. We even had NYC tv coverage! Yes, Bill, I will be doing the next 2 races now! One is next weekend the other in 2 weeks.
As far as training,ar bee, I started training in March. 8 weeks after surgery. (if you could call it training) It's a slow progression of alternating bike and run along with very light strength training (no heavy weights anymore for us valvers unfortunately) I always used my heart rate monitor especially after developing post surgery A fib. (That stopped in May, but I still take Toprol XL)Did you have your surgery and are you training for something? Mark and Bill are also great resouces for training tips.
Hey Mark, do you have any other races planned this summer?
Bill, did you decide if you're doing the Olympic distance race?
Thanks my friends!
(PS I feel great today! What a difference from last year)
LLJ (Laura)

 

[tommy]

Great job! That's a truly remarkable recovery. Looking forward to your continued progress and reports of future events.

I will continue to improve as I recover even more from OHS and can prove that pigs can fly!

Watch what you wish for. Cincinnati has "Flying Pig Marathon in May". No pressure

 

[LLJ]

Wow, do they have a half marathon? It might be possible.......
LLJ

 

[tommy]

May 7, 2006 Cincinnati, OH
Something for everyone. 5k, 10k, half, marathon, 4-person relay. And a variety of fun events for kids

http://www.flyingpigmarathon.com/

 

[geebee]

May 7, 2006 Cincinnati, OH
Something for everyone. 5k, 10k, half, marathon, 4-person relay. And a variety of fun events for kids

http://www.flyingpigmarathon.com/

Take it from this Cincinnati girl - always a fun time. Lots to do and serious and not so serious runners. Some folks come to win and some come just to play. It's a fun city and a fun marathon day.

 

[LLJ]

Oh my gosh, I looked at the website and it sounds like a blast! Maybe we should have an VR.com Active Lifestyles team there in May!
Laura (LLJ)

 

[ar bee]

tks for your reply

[The distance was 2mile run, 12 mile bike and 5k run ]: why is the last part in kilometers and not in miles???

I'm currently 15 weeks post surgery, started exercising (sloooooowly) three weeks after surgery. I'm now exercising 2-4 times a week, 40-60 min each session.

Currently, I do not train for anything specific event, but I would like to get into shape so that I can eg climb certain mountains here in the region (eg Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia -this one I have done before)

biking is off the agenda, it is simply too hot and humid where I live....

well2u
ar bee

 

[LLJ]

Ar Bee
Yes, well we say 5k because we're bad here in new jersey with metric conversions and no one ever seems to mind the inconsistency between miles and kilometers (when we can't do a a quick 2 mile conversion on the fly)
Take your time coming baxk from surgery,set a goal and you'll find you'll be exercising where you want soon. Good luck!
Laura (LLJ)
PS: Mountain bike guy: You're on with the endurance ride,just as soon as I get some (endurance I mean) I have successfully returned to trail running but the mountain biking still kicks my butt! My mountain bike hangs jealously on the garage wall while my road bike gets to go out and play.....
Laura (LLJ)

 

[LLJ]

Mtnbiker: I run Patriots Path in Morris County,Round Valley Park in Lebanon, NJ (perhaps the prettiest park here) Spruce Run up in the Clinton area and of course the beach when I'm at the jersey shore! (i look forward to decreasing my run time to less than the current sad 10-11 minute mile that comes with watching my heart rate) Round Valley has bike trails I won't attempt. It's a fairly advanced course and the Xterra races take place there. I consider myself a novice in mountain biking having only started about 2 years ago. But, I really love riding in the fall!
When are you anticipating surgery?
Laura

 

[LLJ]

Can't say I blame you for waiting. I love your new photo! Age? Mine are 10 and 12 and not quite as cuddly at 5'5" and 5'3" respectively. (but boy do they give one heck of a bear hug!
Come on, there's no such thing as your side of the river! I did an Xterra race at Schiff scout camp in Wading River, LI. See, Jersey girls aren't afraid to cross the river!
LLJ/Laura

 

[mntbiker]

Can't say I blame you for waiting. I love your new photo! Age? Mine are 10 and 12 and not quite as cuddly at 5'5" and 5'3" respectively. (but boy do they give one heck of a bear hug!

The one in the picture just turned 3. He was about 2 yrs 4 months in that picture. My other son will be 6 Tomorrow

Come on, there's no such thing as your side of the river! I did an Xterra race at Schiff scout camp in Wading River, LI. See, Jersey girls aren't afraid to cross the river!
LLJ/Laura

LOL, ok, so maybe it's my personal hang up. Probably stemming from a martial arts tournament years ago that I ....uhm.... let's just say I didn't do well.


When are the next races? I know you said they were soon.


ps. I just realized I completely derailed your original thread, sorry.

 

[LLJ]

Tomorrow I will be the bike leg of a Tri relay down by Atlantic city. I thought it might be foolish to do two races backto back. My next one after that is Aug 27. Happy birthday to your son!
LLJ/Laura

 

[MitralMan]

Laura, this is all extremely cool!

Laura, this is all extremely cool!

...i look forward to decreasing my run time to less than the current sad 10-11 minute mile that comes with watching my heart rate...

Your story -- and others here -- really inspire me! Duathlon?? I love it!

Last year I did the Radnor Run and was the slowest in my group (48th out of 48) and almost last overall (484th out of 489). I ran/walked a 13:00 pace. This was one of two events that led me to seek out my cardiologist -- and put me on the operating room table less than two months later.

I just signed up with Carmichael Training Systems to prep for this year's race. I'm aiming to get down to a 10 minute pace by this November; 9 minutes by next November.

What was your max heart rate during the event? What do you now consider yoru max HR?

Cheers,

MitralMan

 

[mntbiker]

Laura,
How did the ride go??

 

[LLJ]

Mtn Biker:The ride went great! Our team was comprised of myself on the bike, a friend and co worker who is being treated for breast cancer on the swim, and a former patient of mine who has two rods in her spine on the run. Talk about a motley crew! We placed 8th out of 20 relay teams and my ride averaged about 18.5 mph for 11miles. My ultimate goal is to be able to race at 23mph next year. We had a blast!
Hey MitralMan! I've had friends on the Carmichael system and they liked it. Right now I try to keep my training heart rate below 140 and my race heart rate between 145-149. My resting heart rate is 45bpm. I am on Toprol XL 25mg and I like it SO MUCH BETTER than the 25mg 2x a day. My cardiologist was unable to give me much guidance on heart rate training so I try to use the old fashioned formulas as well as rely on BORG scale (however subjective that is....) I feel most comfortable mentally and physically for now staying below 150bpm. At 46 yeras old I try to follow heart rate guidelines. My cardiologist told me I would be able to "break through" the Toprol XL with exertion because of the low dose. His main goal was to take effort off the heart on a daily/24 basis;so he thought the effect on max heart rate would be minimal. Keep us informed on how your training is going!
LLJ/Laura