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It's a Go!

I had my cardiologist appointment this morning. Of course the number one thing on my list of questions was to ask if he would "okay" me to start training for a full marathon. He started out by explaining my condition to me - he's really good about that. He also asked how I'd been doing. I told him I have good days and bad days but that I was watching my sodium intake and my blood pressure has been real good at home. I also told him it had inched up over the last couple of days and since it was slightly elevated while there he is going to up my meds a little. He said this is partly because I want to step up my training. He doesn't want my heart rate going out the roof while training.

He also gave me some very specific directions. He told me to go slow. And he said I have to take it easy as I proceed but that I can continue training. Doc also said that I need to be especially careful about overdoing it; basically - don't.  So...this is pretty much verbatim what my primary care has told me already.  I can proceed with marathon training - but cautiously and carefully.

I was sort of expecting him to tell me no actually. I had my emotions all ready for the fight and everything! lol. But he went right along with it but gave me the warnings and directions for proceeding. On one hand, I'm really excited! On the other hand, it makes me nervous and as usual tons of questions start lining up in my head. They start something like this:

  • Do I have what it takes to do another marathon?
  • How am I going to train with these up and down days?
  • How in the world am I going to make and keep a training calendar?
  • Am I crazy for even thinking I can do a marathon with congestive heart failure?
  • Is it going to be too hard on my body?
  • How do you take it easy and do marathon training at the same time?
  • Can I push it sometimes?
And that's just the beginning.  At the same time I have all these ideas and plans running around in my head. I'm committed to doing this thing and doing it right. (And I have a whole group of running buddies that are watching and helping to keep me honest! lol) Here are some of the things I am moving toward:

  • Eating right- period. Low sodium and clean.
  • Starting out easy and not going overboard.
  • Setting up a schedule that is going to work for me.
  • Remember to be flexible and make allowances for my body.
  • Listening to my body - period.

I hope you are up for the ride because I am sure it's going to be full of lots of ups and downs. I'm going to whine and complain - a lot. But I will also share my joys and triumphs. Today was a no-go day as I had a lot of chest discomfort and stress. I also haven't slept the last couple of nights - that should change here in the next 15 minutes or so! I started my double dose of meds tonight and start a new med in the morning. I hope to have it together by tomorrow. Let's get this party started! I hope you are going to ride along with me...

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