M
MitralMan
Apologies for being an absentee Valveathoner
Apologies for being an absentee Valveathoner
It's a good thing I now have such a strong heart, because I've needed it! BUT -- skipping over that stuff and staying focused on being active...
I joined Jeff Galloway's Philly training group so that I'd be ready to run my 5K leg (just call me Stumpy) of this Akron Marathon relay. What I realized shortly after joining the group is that they were training for an actual marathon -- Philly in November.
Their enthusiasm was contagious. They were all manner of runner, from sub-8 minute hard core guys to first time walker/runners. Before I knew it, I was training at progressively longer distances. The thing is, my heart was the least of my issues!
Two weekends ago, I ran the Philly Distance Run (a half marathon). I was so slow that I make John "The Penguin" Bingham look like an Olympian, but I didn't care. My objective was 3:00, but came in at 2:45 (I think that's a 12:36 pace, but I'm not sure). This past weekend, I ran 22 miles in just over 5 hours. Monday, I ran a practice 5K at 11:20.
I've shed 25 pounds since January, want to take off another 15. I'm writing this post for only one reason: so that people who today are in the position I was in December '04 -- people just about to have surgery and having no idea what would be possible afterward -- know PRECISELY how far (or not) at least one 50 year old guy who'd been somewhat sedentary beforehand can go.
My goal now is to get fast and cut back on distance (5K, 10K and halfs are JUST FINE). Will post from time to time, but really it is to Mark Siwik that I want to say "thanks." Mark, you organize, you push, you lead by example. You are, as my daughters might say, "all that and a bag of potato chips." And to the rest of the inaugural Valve-o-Lenes team members, and to the latest additions: you guys make it fun! THANK YOU!!
Apologies for being an absentee Valveathoner
It's a good thing I now have such a strong heart, because I've needed it! BUT -- skipping over that stuff and staying focused on being active...
I joined Jeff Galloway's Philly training group so that I'd be ready to run my 5K leg (just call me Stumpy) of this Akron Marathon relay. What I realized shortly after joining the group is that they were training for an actual marathon -- Philly in November.
Their enthusiasm was contagious. They were all manner of runner, from sub-8 minute hard core guys to first time walker/runners. Before I knew it, I was training at progressively longer distances. The thing is, my heart was the least of my issues!
Two weekends ago, I ran the Philly Distance Run (a half marathon). I was so slow that I make John "The Penguin" Bingham look like an Olympian, but I didn't care. My objective was 3:00, but came in at 2:45 (I think that's a 12:36 pace, but I'm not sure). This past weekend, I ran 22 miles in just over 5 hours. Monday, I ran a practice 5K at 11:20.
I've shed 25 pounds since January, want to take off another 15. I'm writing this post for only one reason: so that people who today are in the position I was in December '04 -- people just about to have surgery and having no idea what would be possible afterward -- know PRECISELY how far (or not) at least one 50 year old guy who'd been somewhat sedentary beforehand can go.
My goal now is to get fast and cut back on distance (5K, 10K and halfs are JUST FINE). Will post from time to time, but really it is to Mark Siwik that I want to say "thanks." Mark, you organize, you push, you lead by example. You are, as my daughters might say, "all that and a bag of potato chips." And to the rest of the inaugural Valve-o-Lenes team members, and to the latest additions: you guys make it fun! THANK YOU!!
