Doctor Said I Can't Run
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| Thu, 06-21-2007 - 8:48pm |
Hello, as you might notice in my screen name, I am a martial arts student. I have been for about five years with a few interruptions for a shoulder issue. I earned black belt last fall.
About two years ago, I started running. I wasn't too dedicated to it the first year, then, the next year, I entered three 5Ks. I ran the majority of those races, not fast, but I ran rather than walked. I'll never be a competitive runner, not even locally. Just wasn't born with that gift.
Earlier this year, I decided to join the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training to train for a half marathon. I told my doctor during my physical just because they say to "check with your doctor." I was quite surprised and disappointed when she advised against running because I'm on Lopressor and have been for years, since about age 17 or so. I'm now 34. My heart rate tends to be a bit on the high side, although there had been significant improvement to my resting heart rate over the past years.
So I trained with TNT and felt pretty good, but as we got to the longer runs, I walked a lot of it because my doctor said "fast walking" would be OK. She sent me for an echocardiogram, which I had been for a few times before in my life, and it came back OK according to her. When I asked about the running thing, she asked if I had ever had any problems. I said no, and she said "then go ahead." At one point she had mentioned seeing a cardiologist, but I think I would have to battle to get a referral since I don't "need" to run.
My question I guess, is will running put me in danger? I never knew until recently, about the Lopressor issue, so I was OK, but now it's in my head and that stress alone makes me worry and that increases my heart rate. I have a Timex runner's watch with a heart rate monitor.
I loved training with TNT. My body was responding well to the gradual build up, but I was scared by my doctor's words and the answers were insufficient for the amount of doubt that she caused in my mind. Here I had thought I was doing a good thing for my heart when I started running. My family has a history of heart disease and heart attacks at a young age.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Lorie
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I'll say run if you enjoy the balance with other things & don't make unnecessary limitations stop you from doing other activities. I know, running is a very psychological sport. I was a runner because I kept in tune, mind-over-body. Times have changed. I think a running can be more fun with a running partner if I decide to get back into it. I'd just rather try more aerobics classes esp. if the sun gets too hot. I also agree, other activities can give you more.
My rule of thumb is to start out slow and taper. What I mean is that after more than 100 marathons I know that if I follow a few basic heart rules I will enjoy the day significantly.
1. I warm up for up to 1 mile slowly, prerace.
2. I use my heart monitor and not fatigue as an indicator of how I'm doing. For example, if my resting HR is 60 I like to not go much past 120 on a short run (up to 10 miles) and not much past 135 on an incline. Also after 10+ miles I'm OK getting gradually up to 130's. When I get to 140 or above I walk for a minute or two to recover back to a better base line (130's) and just keep doing that as long as is necessary til I reach the finish line.
3.I meet much nicer people at the rear of the pack.
4. I take time to drink the entire cup of water.
5.I receive the same medal even if I'm the last one across the line but I hurt alot less.
6. Striking up a conversation with someone going at the same pace seems to make the time go faster and the heart go slower.
6.When I want medical advice about exercise, I try to find a physician who exercises themself.
Lorie
i was detected with 3 vessel coronary artery disease and recommended multiple bypasses. that was 4 years ago. i have opted for intensive drig treatment and lifestyle changes and it is working. i brisk walk 30 minutes each day , with a heart rate monitor. my starting average was 86 , now it is 110. i used to run for 30-45 seconds , once a week, taking my heart rate to 165, that always caused uneasiness for couple of days. my doctor asked me to stop doing it. now towards the end of the walk i brisk walk taking my heart rate to 145 and feel fine. the trick is to increase your heaert rate to as high alevel as one can without ANY discomfort and one gets the benefit. running, i think your doctor is right, is out
samin