Well I had drafted a post about my previous week's workouts, but I've got some bigger thoughts today. So to summarize last week: With my school projects in the final stages for this semester, I am starting to get back into regular workouts. Hit the weights hard last week which caused me to "back out" of my Sunday long ride. (Subtle pun: my back was so sore I could barely bend over and tie my shoes in the morning) No big thing, just a serious case of Major DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness and I am feeling good today). Not sure how I did it but I was able to get through a long run (13 miles or so) as a part of my alma mater's oldest tradition and a long swim (4800 m) on Saturday. With that huge volume day, I was secretly hoping to throw down the gaunlet on a few of the other tri club folks (like TriSaraTops, Elizabeth, Eric, DaisyDuc) in our virtual tri camp, but I think that's on the back burner after missing my ride. And frankly, my "heart" just isn't quite into it today.
So what's the news? I had another visit with the cardiologist today and was informed that outbound Flight 0910 to Madison is still on the ground. I wore a heart monitor for the last 30 days and had a few too many premature contractions for his taste, even though many of them were at night. He looked back at the mountain of data that has been acquired so far and everything looks normal except for one blip in one EKG. And that there is a hold up that I may have called Brugada syndrome.
According to the cardiologist, all the doctors at this top ranked heart center have seen roughly 6 cases...combined...in their careers. I already knew I had some unique physical traits (maybe I'll share some if/when I do 100 things), but this is one oddity I do not want. After several months, they are still trying to decide the right/best/most practical way to test me.
I found it very ironic that the doc and I, a wannabe Ironman, actually talked about lifestyle changes. Cut out the caffeine, cut the alcohol, cut the hard core drugs (uh, yeah I'm on a drug), and cut out strenuous activity. What?? In a society which founded the sport of television surfing, I might have to decrease my level of physical activity?? Umm....
So where does this leave me? Well as the physician's assistant and I were talking before I saw the doc, we talked a little about Ironman and racing. Here was some of the dialouge:
PA: What if (the doc) says no to Ironman?
Me, after a long pause: I don't know; Never really thought about it. I guess it will be early retirement to the golf course.
PA: Golf? It doesn't really seem like a sport; I never really liked it.
Me: Me neither....
So my deep thoughts reach well beyond this upcoming September. I have already accepted the fact that I can not and do not plan to train at a high level every single year. But to tell me to give it up....forever? Well that...just...sucks!!!! I don't think we have ever thought about life without our training (or whatever our passions may be) but filling that void must take some serious fortitude, a will I don't know if I have yet.
I look back to my thoughts from a month ago and they still hold true today. But unfortunately I am stuck in this cycle of pushing myself to train and holding back out of fear. There are days when I wonder if it is worth it. And there are days like today when I go out and train to get these doubts out of my head. I cranked out 6000 meters in the pool (6540 yards) and it felt great.
Until I get a definite "no" on Ironman, I intend to continue my journey, just not on the path I intended to travel. My coach has already been adjusting my workouts and as he says: "You are going to have one hell of a base."
So I leave you with this message I heard a few weeks ago at church: "A clean heart create for me, God; renew in me a steadfast spirit. Do not drive me from your presence nor take from me your holy spirit. My sacrifice, God, is a broken spirit; God do not spurn a broken, humbled heart." Psalms 51:12-13,19.
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9 comments:
Hang in there, Al! Unbelievable workouts, man. It's so hard to believe that your doc might pull the plug on this! You are keeping a great mindset, though. Your tenacity will get you through this, IM or no IM. Keep us posted on your progress!
Wow. I'd have never guessed from your training performance that you had a condition that was so serious. That has to be totally nerve racking not knowing what lies ahead. :/
Hang in there. I wish you the best and hope everything just works itself out.
(That picture of me running, BTW must be some sort of illusion. I could only hold 7:50 pace during that race. Oh well, at least it looks fast even if it's not. :) )
You keep your head up, I know you must be a little scared and a lot frustrated but hang in there. Listen to your body and your spirit and you'll be fine.
Job 23:10, "For He knows the way that I take, and when He has tested me I will come forth as Gold."
God is with you and so are my prayers.
:)
Hope you geat the green light! 100+ points on Saturday and I thought my 90 was rockin the boat ;)
Al,
I will pray for you. Sometimes i do think it is unfair that healthy ppl don't live a healthy lifestyle while ppl are active are getting sick.
I do know though that God at the end have something provide for us. I know this sound very cliche and very general.
The answer is not final yet. So train as much as you can.
Way to keep your positive attitude. Wish you the very best of luck!
Wow....I don't know what to say, except hang in there, and I'm praying for you! I know somehow this is going to work out. Man--over 6,000 yards in the pool??!! Your heart must be SUPER strong to do that kinda stuff. I'm sure this will work out for you in the end.
Hi from Central New York. I found your blog when I decided on a whim to search for blogs or updates on the web regarding Brugada Syndrome. My 18-yr-old son has it and so does my husband. It is scary business, and if there is any chance that you have it, you should be undergoing testing right now. Don't wait another day. Please.
Now the good news: Brugada Syndrome occurs in people with anatomically healthy hearts. If you do test positive for Brudaga Syndrome, you will likely be fitted with an Implantable Defibrillator. This will protect you.
Then you will go about your life as you always have, except for the occasional testing and monitoring of your ICD and checkins with the doctor. What I hear over and over again is that people with Brugada Syndrome, once they have ICDs, can live completely normal lives. Of course, you might want to check that out with the patients themselves, like my guys! I'm only standing on the sidelines.
Please check out my blog at www.brugadasyndrome.blogspot.com and also www.brugada.org. The Brugada website isn't kept as up-to-date as one would wish, but it is maintained by the Brugadas themselves and they are busy doctors.
Best of luck.
Haha, I just checked out your field, your profile and also your links to brugada.org.
I guess you know exactly what I'm talking about with Brugada Syndrome!
So I will defer to your judgement and assume that there is only a hint of symptoms that point to brugada syndrome, otherwise you would have already undergone an EP study. Cleveland Clinic is where my son or husband would likely go in the event they ever have a problem with their leads, so you are in good hands.
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