On June 19, 08 I met with the Edmonton Donor Awareness Group made up of representatives from the various transplant organizations in the city (e.g. HOPE Program; Alberta Kidney Foundation; Canadian Transplant Association; Lung Support Program; and GoodHearts Mentoring Foundation) to share and brain storm how they could support me in this Trek to the Ironman. There were a number of good suggestions from contacts for sponsorship and media to ideas for gaining attention and support prior to and during the Ironman. Since the meeting I have contacted the BC Transplant group who have responded quite enthusiastically to working with me and will be putting me in contact with a number of media groups when I am in Penticton. There were also a number of suggestions for companies, organizations, and individuals that would be likely candidates for sponsorship. I have 2 sponsors currently (Subaru City and Goran Consulting Services) and have verbal commitment from one other (Computronix). Velocity Cycle is working with the Jamis bike representative to get me a triathlon bike at manufacturer price but unfortunately this isn't looking like it will pan out. The various transplant organizations in the Edmonton area have been particularly helpful in supporting my efforts by offering organ donation awareness promotional items as give aways at the event.
I am working with a friend that will be putting together a graphic that I can put on my tri-gear and bike and would like to have some t-shirts promoting organ and tissue donations in relation to the Ironman for people that will be at the event supporting me. Time is growing short and there is much to do.
On June 21st I organized an activity for the Canadian Transplant Association annual picnic called "Just Tri" as promotion of my "Trek to the Ironman". It was a great success although we didn't get as much participation as was anticipated. there 42 in all that participated as teams in the 3 activities that represented the 3 events of a triathlon. The swim was represented by a water relay, the ride event was represented by a Safeway buggy cart race around the parking lot, and the run event was represented by a 3-legged obstacle course. Everyone, participants and spectators alike had a blast and I was able to share the reason why I am training and anticipating completing the Ironman.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
Now the Work Begins
After the Woody's RV Marathon and the resulting pain I experienced in my legs over the last 6 miles of the run I was determined to figure out what I needed to do so I would not have to go through that again; and stopping running or reducing the distance was not an option. For a week I researched the medical and physiological reasons for why I experienced such pain in my legs. Was it because I was ill prepared (e.g. insufficient or inefficient training), was it transplant related (e.g. due to long term effects of the immunosuppressants), was it nutrient related (e.g. lack of water and/or electrolytes). My fear was that if the fatigue and pain in the legs was due to physiological issue (e.g. osteoperosis) resulting from long term effects of the drugs, no training or diet in the world could prepare me for running 24 miles or 42 km.
The following were the answers I found to my questions:
1. What I experienced was common to all runners whether they have had a transplant or not. Coach Ken Riess was not surprised at all that I had such an issue with my quads and that it would take a number of days before I could walk, let alone run, without pain.
Ken Riess also directed me to a blog/website of a man in the UK that was running not just marathons but
ultra-marathons. I emailed the gentleman and asked if he experienced the same issues with his legs when
running long distances. He responded back that he did and that as far as he was concerned, the issues I was
having were typical of all runners and not uniquely related to Heart transplants.
2. Training along with proper nutrition and hydration would prepare me for running marathon distances.
3. If a marathon can be run outside the context of an Ironman than it can be run in the context of an Ironman
according to Ken Riess.
4. Adjustment to my running style would help to diminish the sore quads and knees. I ran across a website when Googling lactic acid build up in the legs when exercising. The site was Danny Dreyers website on Chi Running. I was so intrigued and desparate to try anything that would help my legs that I ordered the book and have begun applying the technique. I believe that the technique is effective in what I have learned and applied so far even though I have not gone through the entire program yet.
I feel as though I am running faster and more comfortably using the Chi method of running but I don't see as marked an improvement in my times as I would expect.
Over the past 3 weeks my workout times have been steadily increasing . From what was 1 - 1.25 hrs. on week nights and 4 hrs. on the weekend to what is now 1.5 - 2 hrs. on week nights and 6 - 6.5 hrs. on weekends. I expect that even that will be increasing.
Two weeks ago I did a 3 hr. ride and a 1 hr. run without any real pain or stiffness. I made sure that I took in an appropriate amount of energy drink and protein (Access Bar) which, now that I think about it, really helped.
Last week Thurs. I did a 1:50 run and experience more pain and post training stiffness than I did following the 3 hr. ride and 1 hr. run. The only thing that was different, other than the distance and time on the run, was that I may not have hydrated myself well enough and did not eat an Access Bar. Since that run the inside of my right knee has been sore and my legs have been stiff following every subsequent run that I have done.
Tomorrow is expected to be an easy day (e.g. 1 hr. swim and 1 hr. ride) while Sunday will be a long brick (e.g. 3 hr. ride and 1.5 hr. run). I will be sure to hydrate properly, take in electrolytes and protein during the ride, and apply the Chi Running method. If the leg soreness and recovery time is minimal than I beleive I will have found the answer to running long distance pain and injury free.
The following were the answers I found to my questions:
1. What I experienced was common to all runners whether they have had a transplant or not. Coach Ken Riess was not surprised at all that I had such an issue with my quads and that it would take a number of days before I could walk, let alone run, without pain.
Ken Riess also directed me to a blog/website of a man in the UK that was running not just marathons but
ultra-marathons. I emailed the gentleman and asked if he experienced the same issues with his legs when
running long distances. He responded back that he did and that as far as he was concerned, the issues I was
having were typical of all runners and not uniquely related to Heart transplants.
2. Training along with proper nutrition and hydration would prepare me for running marathon distances.
3. If a marathon can be run outside the context of an Ironman than it can be run in the context of an Ironman
according to Ken Riess.
4. Adjustment to my running style would help to diminish the sore quads and knees. I ran across a website when Googling lactic acid build up in the legs when exercising. The site was Danny Dreyers website on Chi Running. I was so intrigued and desparate to try anything that would help my legs that I ordered the book and have begun applying the technique. I believe that the technique is effective in what I have learned and applied so far even though I have not gone through the entire program yet.
I feel as though I am running faster and more comfortably using the Chi method of running but I don't see as marked an improvement in my times as I would expect.
Over the past 3 weeks my workout times have been steadily increasing . From what was 1 - 1.25 hrs. on week nights and 4 hrs. on the weekend to what is now 1.5 - 2 hrs. on week nights and 6 - 6.5 hrs. on weekends. I expect that even that will be increasing.
Two weeks ago I did a 3 hr. ride and a 1 hr. run without any real pain or stiffness. I made sure that I took in an appropriate amount of energy drink and protein (Access Bar) which, now that I think about it, really helped.
Last week Thurs. I did a 1:50 run and experience more pain and post training stiffness than I did following the 3 hr. ride and 1 hr. run. The only thing that was different, other than the distance and time on the run, was that I may not have hydrated myself well enough and did not eat an Access Bar. Since that run the inside of my right knee has been sore and my legs have been stiff following every subsequent run that I have done.
Tomorrow is expected to be an easy day (e.g. 1 hr. swim and 1 hr. ride) while Sunday will be a long brick (e.g. 3 hr. ride and 1.5 hr. run). I will be sure to hydrate properly, take in electrolytes and protein during the ride, and apply the Chi Running method. If the leg soreness and recovery time is minimal than I beleive I will have found the answer to running long distance pain and injury free.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Eat; Sleep; Work; and Work Out
Seems like all I am doing these days when I am not getting paid to work, eating, or sleeping, I am working out. Coach Ken Riess has been increasing my times to 1:30 a night on the week nights and 2-3 hrs. on Saturdays and Sundays. Lately I have been having a lot of trouble with my lower back that works its way down into the IT band and down my legs, in particular my right leg. When it gets bad I have a hard time sleeping at night cause the back and legs are so tight. I am hoping that the deep tissue massage I am scheduled for tomorrow will do something to relieve the tension and soreness. If it does I will schedule one every week.
I am also having trouble with my little toe. Sounds stupid that such a little thing could cause such discomfort but it does. It is a result of the new shoes that I have been trying to break in and the fact that they are not wide enough at the toe. I think I need to amputate the toe so it doesn't keep getting in the way.
Also had some problems with my watch heart rate monitor. The display on the watch for my heart rate seemed to freeze at 134 bpm. I didn't realize how much I depended on the heart rate display until I was without it. I was finally able to get it to work yesterday during my run. Once I got the heart rate to display the increase in heart rate as I increased the exercise intensity, I was suprised to find how hard I had to work to get my heart rate up past 150 bpm. I had to pretty much sprint for 5 minutes to get my heart rate up to 148 - 151. I sure hope that the reason for why I havm to work, seemingly twice as hard, to get my heart rate up is because I am in better shape. I must admit that I felt pretty good running at the pace (an estimated 7.5 miles/hr) I was and not feeling all that fatigued. Now if only my legs weren't giving me so much trouble.
Please note the new link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwSY01hQths) on the right side of the blog (Transplant Information Links). The video is taken from one of the TV stations that interviewed me a couple months ago after learning that I was training for the Ironman.
I am also having trouble with my little toe. Sounds stupid that such a little thing could cause such discomfort but it does. It is a result of the new shoes that I have been trying to break in and the fact that they are not wide enough at the toe. I think I need to amputate the toe so it doesn't keep getting in the way.
Also had some problems with my watch heart rate monitor. The display on the watch for my heart rate seemed to freeze at 134 bpm. I didn't realize how much I depended on the heart rate display until I was without it. I was finally able to get it to work yesterday during my run. Once I got the heart rate to display the increase in heart rate as I increased the exercise intensity, I was suprised to find how hard I had to work to get my heart rate up past 150 bpm. I had to pretty much sprint for 5 minutes to get my heart rate up to 148 - 151. I sure hope that the reason for why I havm to work, seemingly twice as hard, to get my heart rate up is because I am in better shape. I must admit that I felt pretty good running at the pace (an estimated 7.5 miles/hr) I was and not feeling all that fatigued. Now if only my legs weren't giving me so much trouble.
Please note the new link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwSY01hQths) on the right side of the blog (Transplant Information Links). The video is taken from one of the TV stations that interviewed me a couple months ago after learning that I was training for the Ironman.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The Big Race
A mere 42 Kilometers and for my American family and friends 26 miles.
Shouldn't be that difficult. After all, that's a major part of what I have been training for; the most feared part of an Ironman; the Marathon. Not to mention the fact that I had run 10 miles in 1.5 hrs. so I should be able to do 26 miles in at least 3:45.
Race Day:
A balmy overcast 22 degrees celcius, well hydrated with water and energy drink, and armed with enough power gel packs to last me for 4 hrs., I was ready.
10 km in and 55 min. later I was feeling great.
20 km and 1:54 later I was on pace to break my 1/2 Maratnon best and feeling strong.
22 km; what was that twing in my back. Nothing to worry about.
24 km starting to feel the legs a bit but no concerns. Back is fine.
26 km quad muscles are starting to hurt but still optimistic.
28 km after that last down hill starting to wonder if the legs are going to hold up. Starting to walk at water stations.
30 km and 3:05 into race. Decision point; do I have even a hope of beating 4 hrs. with my legs in the condition they are in. Not a chance. Just finish the race.
32 km got to walk. Those hills are brutal.
Just 10 more km. If I can just keep my body in front of me my legs should follow.
8 km; 6 km. What's that I hear behind me. Sounds like a lot of cheering and singing.
I'm dying here and those I passed 10 km back are now passing me. The singing is getting closer.
Don't tell me their going to catch me to. And who is this Bill guy anyway. So what if this is his 10oth Marathon. I'm a Heart Transplant. Shouldn't that warrant some credit?
5 km I'm really thinking I may have to walk the rest of the way.
That's just great, Bill and his gang are passing me. What do you mean are you ok? Of couse I'm not ok. And how can they be singing.
I've got to try and stay with them. 1 more km and the biggest hill to climb. There's no way I'm going to run.
1/2 a km and all down hill. I think I can make it now regardless of how much my legs hurt.
Across the finish line in 4:15. Not exactly what I had envisioned.
Post Race Recovery
Despite attempts to keep moving, rehydrating and eating so as to keep the legs from siezing up it was to no avail not to mention the nauseau. Over the next three days just the simple act of walking would prove to be a challenge.
Within three days the strength to my legs returned although not to the point where I could run but at least to where I could get on the bike again.
The past few days have been a time of reflection and self analysis to determine if I should continue the trek to the Ironman. Could I even imagine finishing a Marathon run after a 180 km ride. Ken (personal trainer) does not seem at all concerned about my conditioning and seemed to imply that the way my legs felt after the Marathon was quite normal and could expect the same results in running the last leg of an Ironman. Not sure if that is comforting or not.
It always amazes me how an experience so quickly becomes a past memory that is soon forgotten once the pain has gone. So I choose to press on knowing that the toughest part of the journey is still ahead.
Shouldn't be that difficult. After all, that's a major part of what I have been training for; the most feared part of an Ironman; the Marathon. Not to mention the fact that I had run 10 miles in 1.5 hrs. so I should be able to do 26 miles in at least 3:45.
Race Day:
A balmy overcast 22 degrees celcius, well hydrated with water and energy drink, and armed with enough power gel packs to last me for 4 hrs., I was ready.
10 km in and 55 min. later I was feeling great.
20 km and 1:54 later I was on pace to break my 1/2 Maratnon best and feeling strong.
22 km; what was that twing in my back. Nothing to worry about.
24 km starting to feel the legs a bit but no concerns. Back is fine.
26 km quad muscles are starting to hurt but still optimistic.
28 km after that last down hill starting to wonder if the legs are going to hold up. Starting to walk at water stations.
30 km and 3:05 into race. Decision point; do I have even a hope of beating 4 hrs. with my legs in the condition they are in. Not a chance. Just finish the race.
32 km got to walk. Those hills are brutal.
Just 10 more km. If I can just keep my body in front of me my legs should follow.
8 km; 6 km. What's that I hear behind me. Sounds like a lot of cheering and singing.
I'm dying here and those I passed 10 km back are now passing me. The singing is getting closer.
Don't tell me their going to catch me to. And who is this Bill guy anyway. So what if this is his 10oth Marathon. I'm a Heart Transplant. Shouldn't that warrant some credit?
5 km I'm really thinking I may have to walk the rest of the way.
That's just great, Bill and his gang are passing me. What do you mean are you ok? Of couse I'm not ok. And how can they be singing.
I've got to try and stay with them. 1 more km and the biggest hill to climb. There's no way I'm going to run.
1/2 a km and all down hill. I think I can make it now regardless of how much my legs hurt.
Across the finish line in 4:15. Not exactly what I had envisioned.
Post Race Recovery
Despite attempts to keep moving, rehydrating and eating so as to keep the legs from siezing up it was to no avail not to mention the nauseau. Over the next three days just the simple act of walking would prove to be a challenge.
Within three days the strength to my legs returned although not to the point where I could run but at least to where I could get on the bike again.
The past few days have been a time of reflection and self analysis to determine if I should continue the trek to the Ironman. Could I even imagine finishing a Marathon run after a 180 km ride. Ken (personal trainer) does not seem at all concerned about my conditioning and seemed to imply that the way my legs felt after the Marathon was quite normal and could expect the same results in running the last leg of an Ironman. Not sure if that is comforting or not.
It always amazes me how an experience so quickly becomes a past memory that is soon forgotten once the pain has gone. So I choose to press on knowing that the toughest part of the journey is still ahead.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Do or Die
It's been a couple weeks since I updated my blog. Nothing to exciting to report since the Saint Albert 10 Mile road race. Coach Ken has been increasing my exercise times so I am putting in, on the average, 1:15 per week day either on the bike or the run. He has reduced the run and bike times over the past couple weekends to 1 hr. along with a swim time of 1 hr. (2200 meters). He has however put in an extra run on Mondays which was my day off. You know the saying "Ours is not to question why. Ours is but to do or die."
Last weekend I was allowed to take it a little easier in preparation for a VO2 test that I had today (Monday, May 12). Dr. Mark Haykowski, the Dr. that has been doing all the research on fitness and the transplanted heart, along with coach Ken Riess, wanted to get a accurate reading on where my fitness capacity is at so they have something to compare my VO2 race ready capacity that they will again take just prior to the Ironman. I have really appreciated all they have done for me to ready me for the big event. The test was done at the UofA Hospital in the Cardiac Clinic. Dr. Tymchuck (post transplant cardiologist) was also present in the event that something untoward would happen. If you have never had the privilege of having a VO2 test you are missing something. In layman's terms, a VO2 test determines how far you can push yourself physically before you collapse from complete exhaustion. I wished I had remembered to bring a video camera to capture this wonderful experience.
Going into the test I was somewhat tentative since I had not been feeling well that morning (headache). However, I was determined to do the test and push myself to the breaking point. As a matter of fact I made it very clear that regardless of when I felt I needed to quite they would not let me quit. They would keep me going. For 8 minutes (increments of 2 minutes each) the worked me up from a walk to 7.5 miles/hr. Then in two minute increments for a total of 4 minutes the treadmill was elevated from an incline of 2 to 4 followed by 3 one minute intervals with an incline at each minute mark. A minute and thirty seconds before I actually finished I felt like I couldn't go any further but Ken kept pushing. By the last minute Mark actually had to place his hand on my back to keep me from slipping off the treadmill. In my mind I wanted to keep going but my legs would not let me. In the end my V02 was a disappointing 55 mil/liter of O2 used. I was told that that level was in keeping with elite athletes and that I had not been training (e.g. intervals) to increase my VO2 but was training for endurance. I am still believing that I will reach the infamous 60 mil plateau before the Ironman.
This Sunday I will be running in my first full marathon (26 miles or 42km). I am hoping that I will be able to complete it in under 4 hrs. I understand that the course is difficult in that it is not flat which will be an additional challenge. I also understand that the fastest time posted for a marathon by a heart transplant from Ireland is 3:59. It would be nice to get parts of the run on video but I will likely be doing this one on my own. I will let you know about all the grueling details and time in my next posting.
Last weekend I was allowed to take it a little easier in preparation for a VO2 test that I had today (Monday, May 12). Dr. Mark Haykowski, the Dr. that has been doing all the research on fitness and the transplanted heart, along with coach Ken Riess, wanted to get a accurate reading on where my fitness capacity is at so they have something to compare my VO2 race ready capacity that they will again take just prior to the Ironman. I have really appreciated all they have done for me to ready me for the big event. The test was done at the UofA Hospital in the Cardiac Clinic. Dr. Tymchuck (post transplant cardiologist) was also present in the event that something untoward would happen. If you have never had the privilege of having a VO2 test you are missing something. In layman's terms, a VO2 test determines how far you can push yourself physically before you collapse from complete exhaustion. I wished I had remembered to bring a video camera to capture this wonderful experience.
Going into the test I was somewhat tentative since I had not been feeling well that morning (headache). However, I was determined to do the test and push myself to the breaking point. As a matter of fact I made it very clear that regardless of when I felt I needed to quite they would not let me quit. They would keep me going. For 8 minutes (increments of 2 minutes each) the worked me up from a walk to 7.5 miles/hr. Then in two minute increments for a total of 4 minutes the treadmill was elevated from an incline of 2 to 4 followed by 3 one minute intervals with an incline at each minute mark. A minute and thirty seconds before I actually finished I felt like I couldn't go any further but Ken kept pushing. By the last minute Mark actually had to place his hand on my back to keep me from slipping off the treadmill. In my mind I wanted to keep going but my legs would not let me. In the end my V02 was a disappointing 55 mil/liter of O2 used. I was told that that level was in keeping with elite athletes and that I had not been training (e.g. intervals) to increase my VO2 but was training for endurance. I am still believing that I will reach the infamous 60 mil plateau before the Ironman.
This Sunday I will be running in my first full marathon (26 miles or 42km). I am hoping that I will be able to complete it in under 4 hrs. I understand that the course is difficult in that it is not flat which will be an additional challenge. I also understand that the fastest time posted for a marathon by a heart transplant from Ireland is 3:59. It would be nice to get parts of the run on video but I will likely be doing this one on my own. I will let you know about all the grueling details and time in my next posting.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Those Crazy Canooks
After two weeks of vacationing in Orlando Florida (Disney World and standing in lines for 30 - 60 mins. for a 2.5 minute ride) we returned to a week of + 15 degree celcius weather. It was good to get out on the road for runs and rides.
The 2nd week back the weather took a change for the worse.
On April 16th I took a bike ride outside at -5 degrees celcius. It took 15 minutes to thaw my frozen toes. You ask me why I would ride in -5 degree weather. I blame it on my coach who told me that from now on all training is to be outside. Unfortunately we were not thinking that we were in for another couple weeks of winter with 2 feet of snow and -10 to -20 degree celcius temperatures.
On April 20th, 2008, in -10 degree celcius weather and a windchill factor of -15 degrees celcius, I ran in the St. Albert 10 Mile Road Race with my coach Ken Riess and friend Dan Boonstra. I was one of the 450 plus participants that completed the run in conditions of soft and slippery footing and did it in 1:30. Other than the chills and a sore achiles tendon the day after, I sufffered no adverse side effects.
It was an exhilarating experience and encouraging to see that I could complete a distance race in less than favorable conditions and post a good time to boot.
The 2nd week back the weather took a change for the worse.
On April 16th I took a bike ride outside at -5 degrees celcius. It took 15 minutes to thaw my frozen toes. You ask me why I would ride in -5 degree weather. I blame it on my coach who told me that from now on all training is to be outside. Unfortunately we were not thinking that we were in for another couple weeks of winter with 2 feet of snow and -10 to -20 degree celcius temperatures.
On April 20th, 2008, in -10 degree celcius weather and a windchill factor of -15 degrees celcius, I ran in the St. Albert 10 Mile Road Race with my coach Ken Riess and friend Dan Boonstra. I was one of the 450 plus participants that completed the run in conditions of soft and slippery footing and did it in 1:30. Other than the chills and a sore achiles tendon the day after, I sufffered no adverse side effects.
It was an exhilarating experience and encouraging to see that I could complete a distance race in less than favorable conditions and post a good time to boot.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Oh the Agony but without the defeat.
For those who are old enough to remember there was a program on television called the Wide World of Sports that had a saying "the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat". Well I experienced the agony but it was not due to defeat. It has been a while since I have felt the agony of a saddle sore butt, sore feet, and legs.
On Tuesday I received a call from a writer (Nick Lees) for the Edmonton Journal asking me if I would be interested in doing an interview for an article he wanted write on me. Nick interviewed me for 1.5 hrs. and took down a lot of information. The interview and resulting story was a little different than other interviews and stories in that Nick wanted less of the facts surrounding the transplant and life after and more of the feelings and emotions that I experienced in the process. Nick also interviewed Colleen and included some of her thoughts in the article. (View Link under menu item Transplant Information Links "Recipient puts heart to ultimate test")
This past week (April 8-13) has been my first week back from vacation and the first week with weather that was conducive to getting out on the road for riding and running. It was also the week that I think my coach figured it was now time to push my limits and see what this old man's body could do by increasing the time on the bike and run.
My exercise schedule looked something like this:
- Thursday: 1 hr. bike (BT: Criss-cross threshold. Flat course. Warm-up and then
ride 20 minutes in heart rate 4-5a zones. Criss-cross from low 4 to high 5a zone
every 1-2 minutes. 85-100 rpm.)
- Friday: 1 hr. run with a number of 20 sec. pickups. (I was quite sore the next
day)
- Saturday: 1 hr. swim and 2 hr. bike ride (My butt was incredibly sore)
- Sunday: 1:45 hr. run (difficulty walking due to sore feet and legs)
There has been a new discovery by Dr. Mark Haykowski at the University of Alberta that correlates cardiac function with muscle use efficiency in Heart Transplants. When I was in an exercise program for one of Marks research studies I would often mention that I felt like I had plenty of cardiac endurance but my legs seemed to tire. Recent study results by Dr. Mark has shown that the ability of the transplanted heart to provide the necessary blood flow to the large muscle groups (e.g. leg quads) is restricted which explains why my legs tire before I am out of breath. This causes some concern for me in that I don't know how my body will respond to excessive exercise times (e.g. an Ironman of 14+ hrs.).
I have also realized that standing long periods of time (e.g. as when standing in lines for hrs. at Disney World)and sitting on a hard narrow surface (e.g. bike seat) that there is a lot of pain due to the pressure on the bones. I believe that there must be a weakening of the bones although I have not had a bone density scan recently to determine if that is indeed the case.
I guess we will see if my body and bones adjust to the longer rides and runs. If not I will simply have to find a way to deal with the pain.
On Tuesday I received a call from a writer (Nick Lees) for the Edmonton Journal asking me if I would be interested in doing an interview for an article he wanted write on me. Nick interviewed me for 1.5 hrs. and took down a lot of information. The interview and resulting story was a little different than other interviews and stories in that Nick wanted less of the facts surrounding the transplant and life after and more of the feelings and emotions that I experienced in the process. Nick also interviewed Colleen and included some of her thoughts in the article. (View Link under menu item Transplant Information Links "Recipient puts heart to ultimate test")
This past week (April 8-13) has been my first week back from vacation and the first week with weather that was conducive to getting out on the road for riding and running. It was also the week that I think my coach figured it was now time to push my limits and see what this old man's body could do by increasing the time on the bike and run.
My exercise schedule looked something like this:
- Thursday: 1 hr. bike (BT: Criss-cross threshold. Flat course. Warm-up and then
ride 20 minutes in heart rate 4-5a zones. Criss-cross from low 4 to high 5a zone
every 1-2 minutes. 85-100 rpm.)
- Friday: 1 hr. run with a number of 20 sec. pickups. (I was quite sore the next
day)
- Saturday: 1 hr. swim and 2 hr. bike ride (My butt was incredibly sore)
- Sunday: 1:45 hr. run (difficulty walking due to sore feet and legs)
There has been a new discovery by Dr. Mark Haykowski at the University of Alberta that correlates cardiac function with muscle use efficiency in Heart Transplants. When I was in an exercise program for one of Marks research studies I would often mention that I felt like I had plenty of cardiac endurance but my legs seemed to tire. Recent study results by Dr. Mark has shown that the ability of the transplanted heart to provide the necessary blood flow to the large muscle groups (e.g. leg quads) is restricted which explains why my legs tire before I am out of breath. This causes some concern for me in that I don't know how my body will respond to excessive exercise times (e.g. an Ironman of 14+ hrs.).
I have also realized that standing long periods of time (e.g. as when standing in lines for hrs. at Disney World)and sitting on a hard narrow surface (e.g. bike seat) that there is a lot of pain due to the pressure on the bones. I believe that there must be a weakening of the bones although I have not had a bone density scan recently to determine if that is indeed the case.
I guess we will see if my body and bones adjust to the longer rides and runs. If not I will simply have to find a way to deal with the pain.
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