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.
Monday, August 4, 2014
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
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
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
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