ctyguy
Well-known member
Has anyone who has a mechanical valve been told to limit their running ? I'm looking to ramp up my running from 5 to 7 miles a week to the 10 to 15 range. Is there anything I should be concerned about other than tired legs ?
How much running is too much ?
- Thread starter ctyguy
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Sorry, don't have a mehanical, but I'd say the mileage would not be a problem, as much as heart rate. Wear a monitor, keep in range, and have fun! I have found the limiting factor is my lungs and heart rate, not my legs....they still want to go faster than my heart/lungs can go!
MarkU
Well-known member
I've had my mechanical valve for eight years. My cardiologist encouraged me to cut back on my pre-op weight-lifting routine and focus on aerobic exercise instead. He has not limited my running (or anything else), but doesn't like for my heart rate to get too high for extended periods of time.
I always wear a heart rate monitor (HRM) when running or cycling. My HRM has high/low alarms for my target zones and beeps when my HR gets too high or too low. Most of my workouts are done in Zone 2, which is optimal for building aerobic endurance and burning calories. In less technical terms, this is a "conversational pace" which will let you carry on a conversation while running, although with some effort.
I had my lactic threshhold measured in a lab a couple of years ago, and used those results to determine my HR zones for working out. My lactic threshhold heart rate (LTHR), the point at which you go from aerobic to anaerobic, was measured at 159 bpm. We then used the HR charts in Joe Friel's The Triathlete's Training Bible to determine specific heart rate zones.
One thing I have found living in FL is that my HR is very sensitive to heat. When I run on hot days I often have to slow down to keep my HR in my target range.
Mark
I always wear a heart rate monitor (HRM) when running or cycling. My HRM has high/low alarms for my target zones and beeps when my HR gets too high or too low. Most of my workouts are done in Zone 2, which is optimal for building aerobic endurance and burning calories. In less technical terms, this is a "conversational pace" which will let you carry on a conversation while running, although with some effort.
I had my lactic threshhold measured in a lab a couple of years ago, and used those results to determine my HR zones for working out. My lactic threshhold heart rate (LTHR), the point at which you go from aerobic to anaerobic, was measured at 159 bpm. We then used the HR charts in Joe Friel's The Triathlete's Training Bible to determine specific heart rate zones.
One thing I have found living in FL is that my HR is very sensitive to heat. When I run on hot days I often have to slow down to keep my HR in my target range.
Mark
ctyguy
Well-known member
When I was in the military I ran alot (not necessarily by choice) but prior to my surgery running was an absolute labor. I would get chest pain and SOB. Of course I thought this was simply my body telling me I was old and out of shape, glad I dummied up and saw a cardiologist. I can thank the TV show "Biggest Loser" for that. I couldn't understand how 350 lb men could run farther than me after a mere 4 weeks on the show when I've been trying to run for months and months with no success at getting beyond a 1/4 mile without having issues.
Im creeping up on 5 months now post-op and Im finding that running is great therapy for me. I am targeting 145 bpm, if I get beyond that I slow myself down. Im only running at about a 10:30 pace at this point but the fact that I can go 5 miles without stopping is a real thrill. I just don't want to go overboard and do something that puts more strain on my heart. Im running to keep my heart healthy and to lose weight. Im 195 lbs and would be much happier at 180 or so.
I just want to be sure Im not going overboard.
Im creeping up on 5 months now post-op and Im finding that running is great therapy for me. I am targeting 145 bpm, if I get beyond that I slow myself down. Im only running at about a 10:30 pace at this point but the fact that I can go 5 miles without stopping is a real thrill. I just don't want to go overboard and do something that puts more strain on my heart. Im running to keep my heart healthy and to lose weight. Im 195 lbs and would be much happier at 180 or so.
I just want to be sure Im not going overboard.
SumoRunner
Well-known member
I'm creeping up on my 17th anniversary with a St Judes valve and I run about 1,000 miles per year. That's an average of about 20 a week but it ranges from 0 in the dead of winter to 30+ in spring and fall. I'm not sure what the most in one week during that time was, perhaps 40. Nobody has ever indicated I should limit that.
Rules of thumb.................
Increment no more that 10% total weekly volume
Increment no more than 10% for the longest run each week.
Good shoes
Good food
Good hydration
Good rest
Good time
Increment no more that 10% total weekly volume
Increment no more than 10% for the longest run each week.
Good shoes
Good food
Good hydration
Good rest
Good time
SumoRunner
Well-known member
Back when I was coaching runners I would always state a similar set of thumb rules, but I also said all the rules can be and sometimes should be violated. The key to getting away with those violations is of course, how often and how far you stray from the true path. Go too far or do too much and there is a price to pay. How far is too far? That's what you need to learn and then stay inside that limit.
There is one rule however that matters far more than the rest. Good shoes. You can mess with mother nature and you can fool her sometimes, but your feet are nothing to trifle with. Your shins, your knees, your hips, your back, your shoulders, your head, they all depend on how comfortable your feet are. Your shoes control what you can do in this sport, or do it at all sometimes.
ctyguy
Well-known member
I've got between 300 and 400 miles on my current shoes. Does anyone use accumulated milage to determine when its time ? Im heading out to FleetFeet later today.
M
MNmom
good question on how many miles before ditching the old and getting new shoes...I was told not to keep the same pair more then 6 months- but I guess it would really depend on how much you use them, and how you use them. Running would likely burn up a pair of shoes pretty fast, compared to non impact eliptical machine or strength training which I am getting back into.
As far as how much is too much? My cardiologist just pretty much let me go on my own after completing cardiac rehab- he said that rather than being overly concerned about my heart rate, to just concentrate on how I am feeling during exercise. He is also an exercise fanatic-and marathon runner.
Way to go with the running though, I cant imagine running yet at this point!
Ingrid
As far as how much is too much? My cardiologist just pretty much let me go on my own after completing cardiac rehab- he said that rather than being overly concerned about my heart rate, to just concentrate on how I am feeling during exercise. He is also an exercise fanatic-and marathon runner.
Way to go with the running though, I cant imagine running yet at this point!
Ingrid
BackDoc
Well-known member
Ken Cooper, MD who coined the term "aerobic exercise" back in the 60's was at one time a very high mileage advocate. In recent years he has amended his recommendations. I believe he has gone on recent record as saying if you are exceeding 15 miles a week, you are simply hooked on the endorphins and are running for the mental satisfaction. And that you are beyond the point at which you will be obtaining any further health benefits. He also stated that beyond this level you may actually be doing your body harm; joint problems, reduced immunity, as well as damage from excessive free radical production.
Unless a persons goal is run a marathon, he advocates no more then 15 miles a week.
I have also researched shoes, and agree with the poster who said that the average lifespan of a running shoe is approximately 6 months. Regardless of weekly mileage I encourage my patients to purchase new shoes every six months.
Unless a persons goal is run a marathon, he advocates no more then 15 miles a week.
I have also researched shoes, and agree with the poster who said that the average lifespan of a running shoe is approximately 6 months. Regardless of weekly mileage I encourage my patients to purchase new shoes every six months.
SumoRunner
Well-known member
500 miles or 6 mos. I keep a running log so I note when I get new shoes. I've been doing this 30+ years and have had very few overuse injuries.
I do 37.2 miles a week with my St Jude (10k x 6 days and one day for rest). Granted, it took me a long time to get to that level.
L
Leah
I walk (maybe 15 miles a week?), more than run, but I just periodically ask Fleet Feet to look at my shoes. I generally ask them at about six months, although this time I let it ride for over a year so just bought new shoes.
P
paco512
heart rate???
heart rate???
Im 51 and not in the best of shape, but much like you i was amazed that all of those symptoms are gone and the only thing holding me back is sore legs and real fatigue. Not all that other pain i thought was from being out of shape.
Anyway, i just wanted to mention that during my last cardio meeting the Doc answered my question about "pushing it" by stating that i probably should keep the BPM below 145. I am on a bike for 6 to 10 miles a day and its easy to push past that mark. So i suggest you ask your Doc the same question and see what he says.
I'm 3 months past surgery and the Doc told me not to come back for 2 years. Its been a long time since i was allowed that much freedom.
-paul
heart rate???
Im 51 and not in the best of shape, but much like you i was amazed that all of those symptoms are gone and the only thing holding me back is sore legs and real fatigue. Not all that other pain i thought was from being out of shape.
Anyway, i just wanted to mention that during my last cardio meeting the Doc answered my question about "pushing it" by stating that i probably should keep the BPM below 145. I am on a bike for 6 to 10 miles a day and its easy to push past that mark. So i suggest you ask your Doc the same question and see what he says.
I'm 3 months past surgery and the Doc told me not to come back for 2 years. Its been a long time since i was allowed that much freedom.
-paul
