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August 30, 2005
The cold bug, 20 miles, heart murmur
My entries always end up a hodgepodge of events/thoughts when I don't blog for several days, with no one topic seemingly more important than the other. My high school journalism teacher would surely scold me, but oh well. It's my blog.
Last Thursday I came down with a cold and ended up taking off from work on Friday, mostly because I was concerned that I wouldn't feel well enough to do my weekend long run. I know, my priorities are messed up. Doped up on Dayquil, I had another great run on Saturday - 4 miles pre-SLR, then 16 miles partly with the club on the C&O Canal and Capital Crescent Trail. I wanted to stay on a flatter course and keep my heart rate low. The latter didn't happen, as I was afraid of slogging if I forced too slow a pace. So, I ran faster and surprisingly, felt awesome. It was probably a combination of the nice, cooling rain and the numbing effect of medication. The 20-miler and babysitting our goddaughter while daddy did his long run were about the only productive things I did all weekend because I felt terrible again on Sunday. No running, biking, or lifting...do I credit for thinking about doing those things?
I ran 6 easy miles yesterday at Rocky Run Creek, still not feeling up to snuff. I finally kicked the cold today, but it was nasty humid outside again, so I hit the treadmill for a speed workout. I warmed up for 2 miles, then did 5 x 1000m @ 6:58 with 90-120 seconds recovery. Both IT bands were tight the entire time, but I finished up with 4 easy miles for a total of 10. The TV news coverage of the hurricane aftermath made me really sad. I worry for the elderly and those who couldn't get out of town before the storm. I wish there was something R. and I could do to help from here. After my run, I did abs, push ups/pull ups, and my arm lifting routine. I ate a Clif Bar to keep my blood sugar up.
Today I also had an appointment with my new doctor to get a referral for bloodwork (to check my thyroid/for anemia). While checking my heart, lungs, and blood pressure, she noted that I had a heart murmur. I was alarmed initially because I thought only obese people had them. She said it was nothing to worry about, and she'll check again in a few months after I've been taking iron regularly. I like her a lot already because she takes time to explain things to me, unlike my old crappy doctor.
Time to shower and get ready for bed. Got an early workday tomorrow!
Posted by Leilani at August 30, 2005 10:06 PM
Comments
"No running, biking, or lifting...do I credit for thinking about doing those things?"
No, you get credit for not doing them when you're sick!! I hope the heart murmur is no big deal. I know a couple runners who have heart murmurs which haven't amounted to anything.
Doing a speed workout on a treadmill (in my opinion) is a lot harder than doing it on a track, no matter what the weather!
Posted by: Alison at August 31, 2005 07:29 AM
Amen. Listen to Alison dear. Taking time off is necessary when ill. Don't make me hog tie you...again. :-)
Who hooked you up with a good doc...? Was it your wonderful, sweet, all caring, hubby? And "daddy"? Since when are you refering to A. who is not your father as "daddy"?
Posted by: R. at August 31, 2005 10:38 AM
My doc also found a murmur and I got an ultrasound for it and it was nothing. The doc just wanted to make sure. He said endurance athletes tend to have a murmur, something about enlarged hearts for pumping capacity... anyway I'm messing up everything he said and I'm about to run out but basically it shouldn't be anything to worry about!
Posted by: Nanda at August 31, 2005 12:00 PM
I can see how that would be scary about the heart murmur. It's good you are getting checked out and such and are under a doc's care.
I am glad your long run went so well and you are feeling better from your cold. Take care...
Posted by: Audrey at August 31, 2005 04:11 PM
I too have a heart murmur and was told it was nothing to worry about as long as I remain thin. It is amazing how many endurance athletes do have them.
Posted by: Dawn at August 31, 2005 04:26 PM
My doc found a heart murmur because she could hear it now that my heart rate had slowed (thanks to running). She told me it was nothing to worry about either!
Posted by: LouBob at September 1, 2005 11:26 AM