Hi all
I've been paranoid about my heart since I started running and always wear an HR monitor.
Completed my first marathon last November in Athens and planned to do Paris this Sunday. Training has gone so well but...
Dr has picked up ventricular tachycardia and an MRI has shown a tiny scar on my heart. He has advised against running any more marathons, but says I can continue runnig and going to the gym as normal?!
I'm gutted as I'm 36, felt like I'd found my event/sport, and I'm at a bit of a loss as to what my goals should be from here on out.
Trying to be positive, and very grateful for the doc's advice and that I didn't keel over mid race from overdoing it, but still...
Anyone else out there had to re-assess? Anyone out there made a comeback from something like this? Wondering of another distance or sport would fill this void.
ATB
D
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Comments
Is this doctor your GP or a cardiologist? I'm guessing that the initial diagnosis was by ECG? If the ECG was taken during marathon training then it's not uncommon for it to show 'features' that can be read as abnormalities when in fact you're fine, just in training. Tiny scars on the heart aren't unusual in endurance athletes either, they're not necessarily a sign of impending doom.
I would suggest seeing a cardiologist if you haven't already, who'll be able to tell you whether whatever was picked up is (a) a genuine issue and (b) a permanent condition. It could be that you need some downtime, especially if you've rolled from training for Athens into training from Paris without a proper break.
I'd think there are a lot of people going round with hearts in worse shape than you - but they just don't know.
Hope you find something to suit you.
Anyway...decided on running 35 mins 3 times a week and maybe longer on Sundays. Trying to keep it to around 20 miles a week continuing to use the HR monitor. I have a short weight routine to do after each run, see how that goes.
Also looking into:
Yoga
Pilates
Hiking/hill walking
Martial arts - BJJ, Aikido, Tai Chi
Have given up alcohol and caffeine completely. Have massively reduced sugar intake. Dr says it's unlikely to be a lifestyle issue - but why take the chance!?