half marathon as a belated valversary celebration

[spartangator]

I'm writing to say thank you to those who regularly post on this thread (and elsewhere, of course). In about 12 hours, I'll be starting the longest race I've ever done--a half marathon--and the generous people offering advice here are a huge part of the reason (so, yes, I'm also blaming you if I don't do well ;)) .

Prior to surgery and even afterward, I really wasn't sure about what was possible post-AVR. A reduced activity level was a huge fear of mine, but now a year later, I know better mostly because this group has provided a remarkable example through its discussions. You provide confidence, advice, and wisdom to many.

It's bed time now because of the impossibly early start, but I wouldn't feel right starting tomorrow without saying thank you. So as I celebrate my belated valversary with my first half marathon, I want to let you know how much the conversation and openness here means to many. Not that that's news, exactly, but it deserves to be said.

All the best,
--Brad

[LucyLou]

Good Luck Brad, you are going to do very well! Congratulations for pushing yourself to make the 1/2 marathon happen for you, not an easy task for people without heart issues.

I'll be thinking of you tomorrow and look forward to your race report. :) Congratulations on your valversary too.

[zipper2]

Brad early to bed early to rise,the early bird gets the worm.

Glad to hear your in the marathon and best of luck to you.

Be cheering you on and happy valversary to you even if you

celebrated the first part of the marathon ,what a way to celebrate.........AWESOME.:)

zipper2 (DEB)

[ottagal]

Good luck tomorrow with the half marathon! We'll be cheering you on:D. It is very encouraging to read an inspirational post such as yours.

[tprice54]

Brad, wishing you well....and enjoy the half marathon....looking forward to a report after the finish!

[NewValveNY]

Hi Brad!
I hope you had an inspirational and awesome day today during your celebratory half marathon! Congratulations on your year of training and recovery!
Allan

[kodi]

Brad, sorry I missed your report before the race. I hope you had a great experience with your first 1/2 marathon. Believe me, whatever time it took for you to finish, it had to be a touching and long-lasting feeling.
Look forward to reading a report on your run.

[spartangator]

Wow, Kodi, were you right on. It really was touching at a level I wouldn't have expected. I don't know if it was the effort or the experience of doing something like this a year post-surgery, but the whole event was moving. What a day!

The run itself went well overall. It was a tough course and some "cold" weather to start (the 40s); I cursed all the way up the hills (guess those were why the organizers called it a "challenge" instead of half marathon); and I definitely needed a few breathers but finished faster than expected in about 2 hours 4 minutes at 9:31 per mile.

My body's physically not so pleased right now, but the rest of me couldn't be happier. Thanks for the cheering from everyone. Looking forward to returning the favor in the future for you all.

Attached is a post-race photo with my finisher's medal and my VR.com T-shirt.

[zipper2]

Wow, Kodi, were you right on. It really was touching at a level I wouldn't have expected. I don't know if it was the effort or the experience of doing something like this a year post-surgery, but the whole event was moving. What a day!

The run itself went well overall. It was a tough course and some "cold" weather to start (the 40s); I cursed all the way up the hills (guess those were why the organizers called it a "challenge" instead of half marathon); and I definitely needed a few breathers but finished faster than expected in about 2 hours 4 minutes at 9:31 per mile.

My body's physically not so pleased right now, but the rest of me couldn't be happier. Thanks for the cheering from everyone. Looking forward to returning the favor in the future for you all.

Attached is a post-race photo with my finisher's medal and my VR.com T-shirt.



WOW,AWESOME,congratulations you did as i thought you would:):)

Great job!!!!!1


zipper2 (DEB)

[WayneGM]

Belated congratulations on your 1st valversary and on running the half marathon. Excellent! I'm sure you are inspiring those in the waiting room.

[knightfan2691]

Belated congratulations on your 1st valversary and on running the half marathon. Excellent!

DITTO!

Very cool ... and, of course, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!



Cort | 35swm | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...RT 66 drive = Sept '09
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Somebody snitched on me" ... Barry Gordon ... 'Nuttin' For Christmas'

[Debbie]

Dear Brad, so glad to hear you did great on your race!

Anytime we set a goal and we follow through with it we are

a winner!!! Great job for achieving your goal! I'm almost 1 year post-op

and my first goal was to be in my very first sprint-tri with my daughter

in Dec. Well, I'm 6 days away from my goal! Our race is on Sun. Dec. 14th

and I have been riding my bike for 6 months now and have 400 miles on it

and feel very ready for the challange! I can't wait, I am so excited I can

hardly stand it. This will be a great goal that i will meet and I am looking

forward to more in the future! My next goal will be a 25 mile ride out in Palms

Springs in Feb. after that, who knows???? :D:D:D:D Take care Debbie :)

[skeptic49]

Congratulations, Brad...good show!

Jim

[kodi]

My next goal will be a 25 mile ride out in Palms

Springs in Feb. after that, who knows???? :D:D:D:D Take care Debbie :)

That's a pretty good course for a 25 miler. I did the century there a few years ago and my friend did the 25 with little training and was successful. Keep up the good work on your bike and Good Luck Sunday. You will have a blast.

[spartangator]

Cool, Debbie. I've seen some of your other posts about the training. You and your daughter couldn't be better prepared, it seems.

I'm hoping to do a tri in 2009 myself once the local ones come around. Hearing about yours will offer some good info about preparation. What a time the two of you will have and the great feeling you'll get at the finish.

Best of luck containing your excitement during the next few days. I bet the race will be easy compared to trying to contain yourself all week :).