One Year

ONE YEAR

On June 12th it will be one year since my open heart surgery.  It might come as a surprise to some but it has been one fantastic year.  Back in 2012 during a routine FAA medical it was brought to my attention that I had a heart murmur.  Up until that point I was the picture of health and had no idea something was wrong.  I was running marathons like there was no tomorrow and had just completed an Iron Man Triathlon a few months prior.

My world was turned upside down but in reality nothing much changed.  I still kept running and we were on a wait and see when it came to a future operation date.  I kept track of all my vitals and was told that my running was good for me.  During the next 2 years I ran 13 marathons in 6 different countries and 7 different states.  I was slowing down but that did not matter to me since it was in my blood to run.

In April of 2014 it was decided that it would be best to have my Aortic Valve replaced and everyone pointed me to the Cleveland Clinic and that was the best decision since I still feel they did a fantastic job.  Even though they do these type of operations hundreds of times a month they made me feel like I was their only patient and in most ways like family.  My surgeon was also a runner and biker and understood how much running meant to me and even worked with me to pick the best date to coincide with my race schedule.

On the day of my surgery I had 8 different holes in me at the same time.  I  had my heart  stopped, valve replaced with a mechanical one and then started back up and my Mini Zipper chest incision closed.  It still is hard to believe that all that took place.  I often joke that running a marathon is like child birth.  If it was not no one would do it more than once.  You only seem to remember the great parts of a marathon and not how much it sucks during the actual event.  Having open heart surgery is similar except I choose a mechanical valve so that I would not have to ever do it again.  They say a tissue valve would only last about 15 years and with my active lifestyle I decided why take the chance of blowing out another valve.

Granted there have been some down side to that choose but I have no regrets.  The biggest is the fact that to prevent blood clots around the valve I now have to take a blood thinner once a day but looking back it really has been no big deal.  I have a meter and take one drop of my blood from my finger once a week and call in the results.  I consistently eat well and take my meds and so far so good.  I have noticed that running or at least staying active helps a lot.  I am no spring chicken, turning 60 next month but over all this whole episode has helped me to appreciate life more and it probably the major reason I choose to retire from UPS where I was a well respected Pilot/Manager with 26 years at the company and 37 total years flying airplanes all over the world.

Now as the anniversary of my operation comes and goes I am presently preparing to go on a week long cruise on Windstar Cruises out of Tahiti.  After that I am going to spend a month in Tahiti and then on to Australia for the Outback Marathon.  That will be Marathon number 59 for me and the 7th since my operation.  I was back to running a mere month after my operation and ran the Berlin Marathon 2 months later.  I love to set goals and that fact has kept me motivated over the years.  As I said I turn 60 next month my goal is to run my 60th Marathon in Bordeaux France in September.  I did a 50 miler when I turned 50.  Ran 55 miles in two days at 55 so it seams fitting to finish 60 marathons at the age of 60 and open heart surgery was not going to stop me.

No telling what goals I will set in the coming years or what obstacles will be placed in my way but I hope that running will forever help me achieve those goals.  I was walking the afternoon of my surgery and my level of fitness was credited for my fast recovery.  Why mess with success.  I often hear people tell me that they no longer run because of their knees or other bothersome body parts but the facts don’t lie.  Those that run and stay active have fewer complaints than those that don’t.

It has been a very interesting journey and I have enjoyed the ride.

No telling what the next 20 or 30 years will be like but I know one thing for sure.

I will not be the one sitting on the couch watching it go by.

108 Days post AVR surgery

108 Days post AVR surgery

Modern medicine is amazing.  After only 108 days I was able to run my 53rd Marathon in Berlin Germany yesterday.  All the stars were aligned.  The weather was perfect and the course was flat and lined with over a million folks cheering us on the entire way.  Not only did my heart perform just as I had hoped but also the rest of my body parts cooperated.  That is not always the case when trying to cover 26.2 miles by foot.

It was not my fastest time but I wanted to enjoy every minute so I did the marathon exactly according to plan.  Started out slow and slowed down through out the race.  This was however my post surgery personal best and I think I can improve on that time in my next upcoming race.  You know me, I love setting goals for myself.

In contrast the Men’s world record was shattered by over 30 seconds at a time of 2:02:57.  That was nearly one third of my overall time.  As a added bonus I can say I ran at the same Marathon where history was made.  When I would have usually hit the wall, at mile 20, I started taking pictures and waving at all the well wishers.  I felt great.

I must credit the skilled surgeons and team at the Cleveland Clinic lead by Dr Gosta Pettersson, M.D., Ph.D.  We had all along planned for me to be in position to run this Marathon when my surgery was scheduled back in May for the June 12th surgery date.  I followed their instructions to the “T" and I am so grateful to them for helping me achieve my goal.

Moving forward I have one more Marathon planned in Des Moines, Iowa in the middle of Oct with a half Marathon a week later in Miami.  Next year is booked solid with 10 marathons on the Calendar to far off lands like Tokyo, Japan in February and Ayers Rock, Australia in July.  I appreciate all the support along the way from beginning to end.  Adam Pick has  done a fantastic  with his vision for this website where we all can connect through out the process.  The well wishes have been up lifting and the ability for me to express my inner most thoughts was very therapeutic. 

This, however, will be my last journal entry as a slide back into normal life as just another runner.  The mini zipper scar which is quickly fading away will be my only reminder of what has transpired over the last 2 1/2 years when I my General Practitioner first mentioned to me.  “ Do you know you have a heart murmur.”  My life has forever changed and in my opinion for the better.

One of the things I hope will always stay with me is patients.  Going from a type “A” personality, someone that had never spent a day in the hospital to where I am today has taught me that.  It even played out during the race yesterday.  I use to look at my watch and try to improve my times but with what I have learned, be patient and enjoy each and every moment.

Wishing you all the best.

Tony Copeland-Parker

AKA TCP

Toni

Anthony

MZ for Mini Zipper

MM for Marathon Man

Pure Skill and Determination part 2

Pure Skill and Determination 

Part 2

This is where the rubber meets the road.  This being the rubber of my running shoes on the road in Berlin Germany.  Throughout the process I have talked many times of achieving my goal of running my 54th marathon a mere 108 days after open heart surgery.  I have prepared myself as best I can both before and after surgery and that is the skill part.  I know what it takes to run 26.2 miles and I put a recuperation and training program together to achieve my goal.  It is not like I could go out and by a training program off the shelf and apply it.  I am sure few people have attempted such but one thing you can say about me is that I definitely one of a kind.

I am still waging a battle with the FAA to let me fly a few more times before I retire.  At least they can’t stop me from running so with both my Cardiologist and General Practitioners blessing I have arrived in Berlin today.  The race is not until Sunday and knowing me it will take around 5 and 1/2 hours to complete.  The weather is looking to cooperate with a low around 50 and high in the mid 60’s so no excuses for me not to put my best foot forward and get “R” done.

In my mind the hard part is behind me.  This is my third Marathon this year with 7 accomplished last year and one more to do in Oct in Des Moines to round out 2014.  I feel that I am very in tune with my body and plan on starting out real slow and slowing down all the way to the finish.  I want to be able to keep my head up and enjoy the tour of the city by foot and try my best to keep a smile on my face.

This is where the determination part comes in.  There are going to be miles where I will second guess myself.  Doubt my abilities and have every part of my body beg me to stop.  It is Berlin and I am sure there will be cold beer at the end and I will use every fiber of my being to cross the finish.

I would ask you to wish me luck but as you know.

Luck has nothing to do with it.

It is pure skill and determination.

I will update sometime after the race.

Happy trails to you

Happy trails to you
Here is my 8 week post AVR update.  Health is doing great and I am ahead of schedule for the Berlin Marathon in 51 days.  I sometimes have to remind myself I even had surgery.  The return to work was not that bad and it actually felt like I had never left.
This whole experience made me think more about retirement and I have decided that March 1, 2015 I will take the plunge and start the new chapter in my life.  I have been working steady since I was 14, delivering papers ,and feel 45 years is long enough.  I have been blessed with an outstanding career in Aviation so there is no time like the present to turn the page in the book of life.
I have not finalized my plans but the title of this chapter will be, Run all over the world.  I have met some great people over the years and don't be surprise to get a message from me that I am running in a town near you.  Don't worry about leaving the light on a nearby Marriott will do just fine with lunch or dinner on me.
I am going to hold off giving any more updates with the last one being how it felt to run marathon number 53 in Berlin.  I truly appreciate all the support and look forward to reading the stories of others as they go this road less traveled.  sharing of our collective experiences has helped immensely and hope that my adventures have also helped others.
Tony

Why I run

I run because it has taken me places I have never been before, both mentally and physically.
With the 52 marathons and numerous other races under my feet in 34 different states and 8 different countries I can easily say that I have been places that I would have never visited if it was not for running.  As an example a few years back I ran the Missoula Montana Marathon.  I needed the state in my quest to complete all 50 states but the cities experience will stay with me for a lifetime.  This is a city that I would have never experienced if it was not for running.
Mentally as I competitor and mid pack runner I get to go places in my mind that I have never been before.  I compete against myself and I always win.  Each day that I head out the door either on a training run or a race I set a goal and have always been able to achieve that goal.  When I turned 50 I set out to run a 50 mile race and even though I was one of the last finishers, mentally I won since I was able to achieve that goal.
4 weeks ago I had 8 different holes in me at the same time as i awaited for open heart surgery to replace my faulty Aortic Heart Valve.  After having my heart  stopped, valve replaced and then started back up and my Mini Zipper chest incision closed I am right on track to finish marathon number 53 at the Berlin Marathon September 28th , 79 days from now.  This was a goal that I set for myself over a year ago knowing that I would require the intervening surgery.  This is some place mentally that I would have never have gone if it was not for the running.
I can only imagine where running will take me in the future both in fantastic destinations and in my mind.  Where will marathon number 60 take place when I turn 60 in July a mere 360 days away.  Only my minds eye knows for sure.
For me running can only continue to take me places I have never been before even though right now I have no idea where these places might be both mentally and physically.

Oh Happy Trails

Oh happy trails
Here is my 8 week post AVR update.  Health is doing great and I am ahead of schedule for the Berlin Marathon in 51 days.  I sometimes have to remind myself I even had surgery.  The return to work was not that bad and it actually felt like I had never left.
This whole experience made me think more about retirement and I have decided that March 1, 2015 I will take the plunge and start the new chapter in my life.  I have been working steady since I was 14, delivering papers and feel 45 years is long enough.  I have been blessed with an outstanding career in Aviation so there is no time like the present to turn the page in the book of life.
I have not finalized my plans but the title of this chapter will be, Run all over the world.  I have met some great people over the years and don't be surprise to get a message from me that I am running in a town near you.  Don't worry about leaving the light on a nearby Marriott will do just fine with lunch or dinner on me.
I am going to hold off giving any more updates with the last one being how it felt to run marathon number 53 in Berlin.  I truly appreciate all the support and look forward to reading the stories of others as they go this road less traveled.  sharing of our collective experiences has helped immensely and hope that my adventures have also helped others.
Tony

Off to work I go

Off to work I go
All systems are go for my return to work tomorrow.
Had my thread mill stress test today which I aced.  I must admit that I trained for it.
Ran a 5K on Saturday, did a 5 miler on Sunday and 3 miles on Tuesday.  Everything looked good and my Cardiologist gave me the green light.  My INR is finally in range at 3.2.  I knew it was going to be a good number when they pricked my finger and they did not even have to squeeze my finger to get plenty of blood for the test.
I still don't have my FAA medical so I can't go back to flying but that is only part of my job so I guess I will be flying a desk for awhile.  This will be the first time in my 37 year career.  Undecided on how long it will take to get my medical back.  My FAA doctor, which I see next Wednesday, does not think it will take long but others feel it might take 3 to 6 months.  Don't see what the hold up could be since my old valve was not doing such a great job and as long as I was not having any symptoms they let me fly.  This one is doing great but maybe it is the old stop and start the heart thing that has them concerned.  No big deal I will take it all in stride.
The count down continues for the Berlin Marathon in September, 66 days to be exact and now the training begins in earnest.  Good thing for me since I have already done 52 of them I don't have to do the dreaded long runs.  Eight mile will probably be the max and maybe I will throw in a half marathon sometime between now and Berlin just for the fun of it.  Already planning on another Marathon in October.  Des Moines should be a good place to visit that time of the year.
It is funny to realize that I really have nothing on my calendar after January.  Maybe it was because I was not sure I was going to be around then.  Now that everything is looking good health wise it is time to put a few more great adventures on the calendar.
I have managed to keep some sort of exercise going so far this year.  We are on day 204 in 2014 and I have managed to get in at least 30 minutes of some sort of exercise each day.  That would entail 310 miles walking, 440 miles running and 81 miles on my bike.  That would include 98 miles walking 33 miles running and 11 miles on my bike since my operation 6 weeks ago.
The only other thing left to do is to get my own INR testing equipment.  I have a letter from my Cardiologist saying that regular testing is a requirement so I hope to convince my insurance company to bypass the 3 month waiting period and get a unit right away.  Right now it is taking about an hour out of my day to get it done in the doctor's office.  Speaking of insurance it looks like the final bill is going to be around 150K for the valve replacement.  Not meaning to get into a debate about insurance but can't imagine what my choices would have been with out health insurance.
I have heard it be said that the filter between your mouth and your brain has a tendency to malfunction from time to time after open heart surgery.  It seems to be working fine now but I will put it to the test when I return to work tomorrow.  I was pretty outspoken before hand so no telling what is in store.  I am sure I will always treat others as I want to be treated.  That is how my Mother raised me and in her memory of her passing a year ago this past Sunday I will try my best to think about that before I open my mouth.
Tony