No much of a grade from this perspective... "g" runs the Hero Leg in the
2007 RTB 200M Relay Race.
(1500 ft. Ascent in
8 Miles)

December 15th -
Hold Onto Your Hat... Something Cardiac May Be Going On

Since September, I've had the most awesome running experience. First, I made significant changes in my training in response to severe Achilles' tendon problems last August. For example, I was fitted for orthotics which I wore 24/7, I returned to an ASICS shoe to compensate for mild pronation and greater flexibility, I trained with a shorter stride at a slightly slower pace, and I ran shorter distances twice a day. I also trained on an 8-mile hill at Thatcher Park (NY) in an attempt to run my first of three legs at the Reach the Beach 200 Mile Relay Race (9/14/07). Known as the Hero Leg by RTB staffers, my first leg was an 8-mile hill with an elevation gain of about 1500 feet. Depending on how my training in August and September went, and depending on how how my ankles held up after running in the RTB (especially the Hero Leg)... I would then consider running the VT 50 two weeks later (9/30/07).

Reach the Beach 200 Mile Relay Race (9/14-15/07):
With 9 veterans returning to the team, Runners With No Sole clipped 2 hours off of their '06 time. As for me... my training for the RTB (as a prerequisite for running the VT 50M) was perfect. I bested my anticipated time on the Hero Leg with a 10:36 average pace. I finished the RTB feeling strong... and with only slight Achilles' discomfort.

Vermont 50 Mile (9/30/07):
My training and hill work leading up to the RTB, and my mountainous RTB legs (about 24 miles), was the perfect prerequisite for running the VT 50M - a very hilly course that ended on a ski slope. The real test will be my ability to recover from the VT 50M, lightly train, and then run the Stone Cat Ale 50M five weeks later! My crash and burn at the Wakely (3 weeks after running the Finger Lakes 50M) was fresh in my mind.

Cardiologist Report (11/5/07):
Dr. W., my cardiologist, had a concern. The short version? He didn't think I should be running marathon distances, much less ultras, due to my coronary artery disease. Recent literature indicates the potential for plaque dislocation in the arteries when the heart and circulatory system are under acute/prolong stress due to physical activity. The thinking and theory being, if someone is known to have plaque build up on the inside of their arteries (like me, who has coronary artery disease and a stent in the circumflex artery), there's the potential for plaque to break off the inside wall of an artery and cause a stroke.

On the bright side, I've been taken statens for about 4 years, my LDL (lousy cholesterol) is down to 59, and my HDL (happy cholesterol) is way up. Statens are known for stopping the progression of plaque build up in arteries and for even (in theory) reducing the build up that exists. Furthermore, being in excellent aerobic health (as I am) builds a stronger set of muscle groups in the body and thereby requires the heart to work less-hard, and reduces the risk for a heart attack.

In theory, I'm at risk of plaque dislocation. Unfortunately, research has only been conducted on individuals who either have no aerobic training (i.e., they're in very poor athletic health) or individuals who's aerobic exercise is limited to 30-60 minutes at a time. There's no apparent research on marathon or ultra runners who have known coronary artery disease.

Although Dr. W. said he wouldn't sign a release for me to run my upcoming 50-miler (Stone Cat Ale 50M) if he was asked to, he knew I'd be running the race and anticipated that I shouldn't have a problem However, he encouraged me to limit my running to distances no longer then a marathon, and to take his comments and concern seriously - which I did.

We agreed that Dr. W. would forward articles to me on the subject of plaque dislocation, that I would do some research on my own on the 3W, and after another nuclear stress test on 12/10/07, he would refer me to Dr. T. at Hartford Hospital (CT) for a second opinion. Dr. T. is nationally known as a specialist for athletes/runners who have coronary artery disease; he's also a marathoner.

I left my appointment with Dr. W. very interested in his concerns and warnings. I would do my research, read articles he planned to forward to me, and meet with Dr. T. for a second opinion in January. (I continued to plan to run the Stone Cat 50M the following week.)

Stone Cat Ale 50M (11/10/07):
BAM! I hit the wall during the 2nd of four trail loops and barely completed the marathon distance for a finish. I was very disappointed. However, as I prepare to run a 100M in '08, I ran these last two 50-milers back-to-back to learn how my body would experience this type of running demand. Although I didn't achieve my goal to complete a 50M Hat Trick in '07... I had an awesome year and I learned a lot about my body and it's ability to run ultras!

Nuclear Stress Test (12/10/07):
The results from my nuclear stress test indicated there was no progression of coronary artery disease. I have an appointment to meet with Dr. T. in Hartford (CT) on 1/31/08. Dr. W. maintained his thinking that I should discontinue ultra running.

Closing Thoughts for 2007:
Between Dr. W.'s concerns for my health and my own (guarded and anxious) interest in running a 100M in '08... I've got some things to think about.

At this time, I plan to train to run the VT 100M in 7/08. However, because of my taper/recovery in December and my low mileage build up in January and February, I don't think I'm placing myself in any health danger in the next couple of months. In the mean time, I expect to be more informed about plaque dislocation and it's meaning for me, and I look forward to my appointment with Dr. T. in CT.

Finally... if all goes well... next year's training will be smarter because of what I've learned in '07. I plan to run very little in December and I expect to hit the road strong in '08. With a little luck, we'll get some snow and I'll schedule snowshoe running and racing into my winter training. For now... it's time to rest and recover and plan my race and training schedules for next year.