5k Improvement

[tommy]

Completed a 5k this morning in 25:42. That's 3 minutes faster than 5 months ago. A personal best. My goal was 25-26 minutes, so I'm happy. Yippeeeeeee? :D

Strong winds and rain. Rain stopped halfway through the race. Only the die-hards came out for the "fun run".

Thinking about Mark Wagner and his third marathon tomorrow. :)

[BillCobit]

Tom, your times and distances are really becoming impressive! I'm envious! I'm making progress, but not at your torrid pace (kinda slow, actually). Given your rate of improvement, it sounds like you are nowhere near your full potential.

I understand your enthusiasm (as well as Raverlaw/Bill's, Mark W's, etc.) Achieving fitness after you've been through valve disease and surgery is very gratifying...and each milestone achieved is very sweet.
Best wishes for your continued success.

[SJJ]

Tom,
What an accomplishment! It just puts a big smile on my face. Course, it gets me to thinkin',too......all that runnin', your legs must be as good lookin' as Mark's. ;) Sue

[Les]

Tom,
Outstanding! If we are ever in the same race, please write your name on the BACK of your shirt so I'll know who you are! Sue and Bonnie are looking for legs...Mark did it,now I'm brave enough to post my photo..it's your turn!

[SJJ]

Les,
Sure got a wolf-ette whistle out of me!
;) Sue

[Glenda]

:) :) Les, I'm jealous! :( :( Your legs are better looking than mine! ! :D

[Raverlaw]

Tom,

Great time on the 5K! Congratulations on a personal best. I don't think I could knock off a whole 5K yet, but there is a local one on labor day weekend and I'd like to try it out, just to see if I can finish! I'm run/walking farther than that now, but the longest I've run straight through is 1.6 miles, mostly downhill.

Now that I've tapered off the Toprol XL (today was my last day), I'm going to be watching my heart rate closely and see what happens. Does your rate go over 85%/max when you run that far?

Les,
Not bad! The best my legs ever looked, according to my wife, is the morning of surgery when they were freshly shaved. :p

[Mark Wagner]

Hi Tom,
That time is awesome. Sounds like you had a good time at the fun run. Keep it up Tom. You are an inspiration to many on this board.
Les, ... Bonnie, Sue, and Glenda, are keeping your picture on their screen saver I was told???! Watch out for the men in their lives, after they come across it. You may end up with a black eye. :eek: :eek: :D

Mark

[Mark Wagner]

Completed a 5k this morning in 25:42. That's 3 minutes faster than 5 months ago. A personal best. My goal was 25-26 minutes, so I'm happy. Yippeeeeeee? :D

Strong winds and rain. Rain stopped halfway through the race. Only the die-hards came out for the "fun run".

Thinking about Mark Wagner and his third marathon tomorrow. :)

Hi Tom,
This was a shot of my first 5K. I have improved some now, and run in the 7 to 8 minute area for a 5K, but you beat my time here! Congratulations again.

Mark

[tommy]

I don't have any "leg" photos, but I updated my avatar with the half-marathon photo. Girls, you'll just have to be patient. Please no black eyes - I bruise easily. :D

Mark, it wasn't my first 5k. My 5k times (in order) are 36 minutes, 33, 29 and now 26. ON Saturday, I actually ran the first mile in about 7:45, but couldn't keep up the pace throughout the race.

Bill Cobitt, who knows what my body's full potential is? Each milestone seems reachable at the time, but when I was at 36 minutes, I didn't dare dream of being in the mid 20's. Now I'm talking marathons? Pretty incredible! One step at a time. That's where I got my motto Step by Step Click by Click.

Bill Raverlaw, I do not take my heart rate very frequently any more. I did in the first year. I'm sure that I've exceeded 85% lately, but not early on. My first 5k was 5 months post AVR. I walked about half of the course, but it was a great victory. A friend of mine has lost 70 lbs and ran his first 5k Saturday. He doesn't particularly like running. His goal is a triathalon in the fall. 300 meter swim - 13 mile bicycling - 5k run. Now he's committed to the triathalon.

Ran 10 miles this morning. Joints feel pretty good. Hope to to a 20 miler this weekend. The family calendar is starting to be a challenge. I'm not complaining. They are very supportive.

[Mark Wagner]

I don't have any "leg" photos, but I updated my avatar with the half-marathon photo. Girls, you'll just have to be patient. Please no black eyes - I bruise easily. :D

Mark, it wasn't my first 5k. My 5k times (in order) are 36 minutes, 33, 29 and now 26. ON Saturday, I actually ran the first mile in about 7:45, but couldn't keep up the pace throughout the race.

Bill Cobitt, who knows what my body's full potential is? Each milestone seems reachable at the time, but when I was at 36 minutes, I didn't dare dream of being in the mid 20's. Now I'm talking marathons? Pretty incredible! One step at a time. That's where I got my motto Step by Step Click by Click.

Bill Raverlaw, I do not take my heart rate very frequently any more. I did in the first year. I'm sure that I've exceeded 85% lately, but not early on. My first 5k was 5 months post AVR. I walked about half of the course, but it was a great victory. A friend of mine has lost 70 lbs and ran his first 5k Saturday. He doesn't particularly like running. His goal is a triathalon in the fall. 300 meter swim - 13 mile bicycling - 5k run. Now he's committed to the triathalon.

Ran 10 miles this morning. Joints feel pretty good. Hope to to a 20 miler this weekend. The family calendar is starting to be a challenge. I'm not complaining. They are very supportive.

Your incredible Tom! You will be blowing us out of the water in no time!! Just leave some sport drink for us. :)

[Glenda]

Tom, what a great picture! ! I envy you and Mark so much. I never have been able to run because of bad knees. Now I am only waiting to walk again without shortness of breath. It won't be long! ! You guys keep up the good work. :) :) Mark, that was a great picture too! You look very determined.

[Mark Wagner]

Tom, what a great picture! ! I envy you and Mark so much. I never have been able to run because of bad knees. Now I am only waiting to walk again without shortness of breath. It won't be long! ! You guys keep up the good work. :) :) Mark, that was a great picture too! You look very determined.

The truth be told Glenda ... determined but tired and wishing I had not eaten those two cheese burgers 45 minutes before! :(

[Glenda]

Mark did you get the e-mail I sent you a few minutes ago regarding my post a couple of days ago talking about truckers? I sincerely feel this way. :) :)

[Bryan B]

Tom,

Congratulations on achieving your goal! Can you believe the "scared to death" guy you talked to on the phone that day is 7 weeks out and starting rehab tomorrow? You and Mark are an inspiration to me...every time I don't feel like walking I just think of you guys and think to myself...get your butt out there and walk...works every time! :D

[tommy]

Bryan,

Yes I believe it. It's often hard to see the other side of the mountain when you are the valley. Glad to here you are getting better. Breath Walk Nap.

Good luck with rehab. The lesson of gradual improvement was learned in rehab, and useful again as I started exercising to the next level. You may get bored at first, but hang in there.

[M&M]

Tom, That is SUPER - to take one minute off each mile is quite an accomplishment - I know from my own running times - its very hard.

It also sounds like your having lots of FUN.. :D

LES, MARK, TOM - you guys are what's keeping me optimistic that I can return to running after my surgery. My legs right now - are useless - and they hurt really bad somedays. I don't think any oxygen is getting down there. I probably couldn't do a 12:00 min mile run right now.. If the legs didn't get me I get short of breath anyways. I generally will have one good day a week - then the next day - I'm exhausted.. So, I'm trying to pace myself.

You will all be in my thoughts during my recovery. I'm penciled in for surgery on May 25th. He was going to do it this Thursday - but I said - NO WAY - your not cutting me open on Thursday and taking off for the weekend on Friday !!! NO, I want you around and my electrician around for a few days after my surgery. My daughter graduates from college the 16th so that week wasn't good as my electrician was going to be out of town as well. So, possibly the 25th. I have an appt with the surgeon next Wednesday to go over some questions I have.

So, keep it up you guys and CONGRATULATIONS - YOUR DOING GREAT - and I told all my docs about you guys.. :D I want to hear all about all your races and all the juicy little details - from weather to food to what the course was like. :D

See Ya
Runner
Marilyn and Dick

[Mark Wagner]

Tom, That is SUPER - to take one minute off each mile is quite an accomplishment - I know from my own running times - its very hard.

It also sounds like your having lots of FUN.. :D

LES, MARK, TOM - you guys are what's keeping me optimistic that I can return to running after my surgery. My legs right now - are useless - and they hurt really bad somedays. I don't think any oxygen is getting down there. I probably couldn't do a 12:00 min mile run right now.. If the legs didn't get me I get short of breath anyways. I generally will have one good day a week - then the next day - I'm exhausted.. So, I'm trying to pace myself.

You will all be in my thoughts during my recovery. I'm penciled in for surgery on May 25th. He was going to do it this Thursday - but I said - NO WAY - your not cutting me open on Thursday and taking off for the weekend on Friday !!! NO, I want you around and my electrician around for a few days after my surgery. My daughter graduates from college the 16th so that week wasn't good as my electrician was going to be out of town as well. So, possibly the 25th. I have an appt with the surgeon next Wednesday to go over some questions I have.

So, keep it up you guys and CONGRATULATIONS - YOUR DOING GREAT - and I told all my docs about you guys.. :D I want to hear all about all your races and all the juicy little details - from weather to food to what the course was like. :D

See Ya
Runner
Marilyn and Dick

Hi Marilyn,
Your going to do fine during your surgery. Recovery will start out one step at a time, but when the ball starts rolling, look out! Hey Marilyn, I would like to invite you to join Tom and Mary, (and whom ever else would like to) to instant message in the morning. We are actually all in the same box for our conversation. It is great and this morning was the first time we did it. If you send one of us a PM will get you on our windows buddy lists. ...Mark

[M&M]

Mark, That's so sweet - and thanks for the offer - unfortunately I only have access to internet at "work" - and so if I'm out sick or when I go out on my surgery - and I come home - I'm not going to come home to any internet - I don't even have a computer at home. I never wanted one at home - because I'm on one at work all day and I never felt I wanted to bring it into my home. Unfortunately, now with surgery and this wonderful board - I wish I was going to have one when I get home.

But thanks for the offer - I'll keep up reading your racing posts.. as long as I can - sometimes you'll notice I post often and then I don't - well darned if someone doesn't have 'WORK' for me to do in the office. Stinks - I'm the 'only' secretary in the office - but they are nice to me and the benefits are good - so I try not to complain - but I do let them know how lucky they are to have me.. :D They'll be missing me for a couple months.. What a mess I'll have to come back to.. We're going to be 'moving' during the time that I'm gone - I don't think I'll be able to find anything when I get back. It will be chaos.. But no doubt it will feel good to be back to work and a normal life and especially my road racing.. I can't wait.. I miss it so much..

I hope to ask someone (friend) (doctor) to e-mail the board and let them know that I'm fine after my surgery. There is also a computer in the nurses' station that I've played with in the past - that is connected to the internet - or it was last time I was in the hospital - so maybe I can post as well there before I go home..

Thanks

Runner
Marilyn and Dick

[Mark Wagner]

Hi Marilyn,
Hey just a suggestion ... when you get back on your feet some ... you many try plugging in at a local liabrary or internet cafe maybe once a week. Then we won't sit around and say, "Hey, anyone heard from Marilyn?" ... Hey, anyone heard from Marilyn?" ... Hey, anyone heard from Marilyn?" .... infinity.......... ;)

PS (okay, give me a bad time ... I misspelled your name and edited this 3 times! :confused: )

[Lisa]

Congrats, Tom! You are definitely an inspiration. Wow! Quite impressive considering it used to take me 45 minutes to run/walk a 5k. I never could just run the whole 3 miles. I feel so good after this surgery that I'm hoping that I will eventually have a success story like that to share with the group. :D

[tommy]

Lisa,

Sounds like you are doing great after a tough first couple of days. Keep it up. I recommend cardiac rehab. That's where I was drilled the fine art of gradual exercise increments. One day at a time. One step at a time. PS...it's been 3 1/2 years and I still have my pillow.

Marilyn,

Your office will be moving while you are out for surgery? Sounds like a cruel joke. I would rather help with moving than do OHS. My wife sometimes rearranges the furniture when I travel on business. Be sure to turn on the light when you enter the room! :)

[M&M]

HI Tom and Mark.. Yes, I think it stinks that I won't be here for the move - I'm sure it will be nice to get away from the everyday 'business' and have alittle FUN.. But you know what some people say to me: Well, isn't that nice you'll have the summer off !!!! and you won't have to pack the office !!! Can you believe it - Oh Yea, Right like I'm going to have a great summer having open heart surgery !! What a moron.. If some people had a brain they'd be dangerous.. you know..

Anyways, we do have a local library and after I'm allowed to drive - I'll go check it out and see if I can get onto internet. IF not my daughter will be at college and she has a laptop - maybe if she gets 'connected' I can use hers or the college's..

You know I'm having such a GREAT DAY today - I can breath and walk and breath and talk and I actually did a light 3 mile jog at lunch.. Now I haven't done a 3 mile walk/jog in probably 3-6 mos. last time I did a 1.5 mile walk/jog I paid dearly for it the next several days - as it wiped me right out..

I usually have ONE GOOD DAY a week and its like there's nothing wrong and I feel great and I think - well I don't know if I really need surgery. I feel so good. Although 9 out of 10 times the next day I'm feel awful. But there is one coincident I noticed - the days I feel bad and can't breath are the days I have lots of little pvc's and so.. Nothing big or long and it certainly isn't enough to register on my ICD - but its there and I just can't normally breath and my legs will kill me. Its like they get no oxygen..

Does this make any sense that you would have a good day (no symptoms) - and still need surgery ??? DO symptoms come and go.. from one day to the next ?

It doesn't make any sense. Most mornings my legs are killing me and to climb up the stairs at work is AWFUL - let alone trying to breath at the same time....

Thanks for any input you can share.. Is this 'normal' before surgery? Or maybe I don't need surgery and its all my electrical that needs to be fixed. Although my ventricle is enlarged - oh by the way - my EF went back up to 50% on my cath last week. It was a good day for me.. I got lucky.. I had hardly any arrhythmia at all.

Best Wishes
Runner
Marilyn and Dick :D