October 29th, 2010
…or Echo Stress test, whatever the order is. Anyway, as expected, nothing was discovered, though it was an interesting experience.
First, they stick a bunch of things on you and look at your heart via ultrasound, take a bunch of pictures, then stick a bunch more stuff on you and you get on the treadmill.
They start you walking and then every few minutes, they increase the incline and pump a little more speed. For my age, they would ordinarily stop the mill when my heart rate hits 145 but since I’m Runner Chick, they let me keep going. I was on there for 20 minutes total though I didn’t reach my max HR (193 is what I’ve clocked a couple times), only reaching 186.
Also, you’re not allowed to take your hands off the bar in front of you (I think they’re afraid people will be whisked off the back or will faint or something). So I learned that it’s a major pain in the ass running without the use of your arms.
While on the treadmill, they periodically take your blood pressure and mine behaved perfectly. Then it was back for another lie-down with the ultrasound machine. I got mucho kudos from the doctor and technicians for being such a healthy specimen, and they were all so sweet that when I left, hugs were exchanged (talk about your strange bonding experience).
Of course, it’s fabulous that I’m so fit, but leaves me with nothing solid on which to blame the collapses. C’est la vie, it’s what I expected and now that the evil summer is over, I’ll just attribute it to weather and not let it worry me until next year.
Latest Runs
Wed – 7 easy @ 8:44, Thurs – 6 easy @ 8:28 + stress test, Today – frickin’ hard tempo intervals.
Actually, it was a solid workout albeit tough thanks to my legs feeling yesterday’s treadmill hill fun coupled with 23mph gusts of wind. For the wind alone, I would have rescheduled but tomorrow’s a huge regatta which means forget the bike path and also, I want my 17 on Sunday to be on fresh legs. On the good side, it was a lovely 55 degrees.
The workout was 9.5mi w/ 3 x 2mi @HP, 2min rec’s. Warmup was 2@8:12, Cooldown was 1@8:20, average for the entire run 7:40.
Starting directly into the wind, the first mile sucked @7:21, but after that things improved. The 2mi splits went 7:16, 7:11 and 7:08, avg 7:11. Not bad, really. Also, my HR was lower than usual for that pace, so double not bad.
And with that, I return to sloth mode with a rest day tomorrow. Have a great weekend, friends. May you enjoy some fine running and Halloween stuff, if that’s your thing. Personally, I can’t wait till this silly holiday is over so I can stop thinking that stuffed scarecrow doll in overalls on Green Street is not a human being. It’s annoying being tricked every damn time.
Later, loves.
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tempo intervals, eh? it seems like everyone i know is doing them! I guess i’ll have to be a lemming and do them too hahahah.
bummer that the stress test didn’t find anything. aaaaaaaaaaaannoying. but it’s good that you’re nice and healthy.
i can’t wait until my neighbors take down their stupid scarecrow too. every single time i see it i think it’s a creeper.
It makes the tempo slightly less heinous, but it’s good to mix it with solid efforts too. Lil of this, lil of that.
I know you’re looking for an answer and some closure on the scary mid-race collapses, but I’m VERY glad for you that they didn’t find anything in the stress test! Hopefully this indicates your heart is safe and healthy, and the issue is rooted somewhere less scary than the most important muscle in your body.
(PS. I had to do a stress test once. Did you have to do it in a hospital gown, without a sports bra? Because for some reason I had to do it sans sports bra in order for all the electrodes to be properly attached. And FOR REAL, even though all I’m endowed with is the standard female runner’s mini-rack, all that painful flopping was the most uncomfortable part of the entire test! Guh!)
Sorry that Head of the Schuylkill made you shuffle around your running plans.
Enjoy the recharge day before 17!
Lol, just like your experience: no bra for all those wires, I had to wear a hospital gown open in front. I was more bothered by the heat of the gown than my boobs, which probably says more about my boob size than anything.
Flo, I love following your blog. I find it, and you, fun and inspiring! I have learned so much from your experiences, reflections, and traing workouts.
He talked about an experience similar to yours while running a 10,000 meter NCAA championship race. It was hot (the officials were actually hosing down the runners as they came around the track). A few meters from the finish line without warning he went “down”. When he regained consiousness he was in the locker room. He explained it as the brain just shutting down all systems to protect the body.
A few weeks ago I heard Ed Eyestone speak about Running Like a Horse–and I thought of you
Anyway, long story short, his coach congratulated him and told him he had the guts to “Run Like a Horse”. He had the will to give his ALL. Something not everyone can do.
Hope you can find answers, but maybe you just “Run Like a Horse”
Terry, thanks so much for jumping in and the sweet comments. Lol on “Run Like A Horse”. Definitely sounds familiar! I’m working on leaving the horse in the stable from here on in and will be satisfied to Run Like A Cow if it’ll keep me finishing in one piece.
Glad to hear that you’re OK. Otherwise who would write your blog?!
But seriously, I must comment on a past post (99%), even though you feigned comments. You truly get running, which not everyone does. It’s not about the time or who you beat or qualifying for anything. Don’t get me wrong, those are all nice things. But it’s really all about the journey and what happens along the way. Running is you. And you run like the wind, girl!
Sloan, what a 100% beautifully sweet comment, thank you so much! Hugs to you.
You’re 100% welcome. You definitely get it. I am also intrigued about the heart rate training. Since we run at a similar pace, I will be curious to see how it works for you. This was a brutal summer to train/race so hopefully your issues are behind you. Good luck!
Actually that story was about someone else, Ted Earrock. He collapsed. His coach told him he ran like a horse. They shot him.
I hope the shutting down was a defense mechanism. At least if it happens again you can cooperate and not force anything.
Finally, as we approach November in the Big City, and notwithstanding all of the yin and yang and stuff we’ve gone back and forth on, I think it time you focus on NY2011. It’ll be fun.
Lol, shooting would certainly make the whole ordeal end a lot quicker. I could get behind that. Lol, NY2011, you funny man, you do have a great sense of humor which is one of the things I love about you.
We’ll just plant that little seed and see what pops up. And I’ll make sure it gets plenty of manure in the meantime.
Oh honey, it’s pure shit, but the kind that nothing will sprout from. Not even remotely interested. But I’ll be rooting you on like a maniac while tracking from the comfort of my home.
Joe is feeling lonely Flo. Not a great time to be planting seeds up there — the ground’s too cold.
I was half expecting something like that on the test — at least you didn’t have to fork out a zillion dollars for the strange bonding experience. Good news on the double not bad. You’re running well. Sadly, Halloween shenanigans are creeping in down here — when I was a boy Australia didn’t go in for that American s#!t
Hmmm, maybe you should put NY2011 in your sights, Ewen. Time for a US trip and you could keep Joe in line. Sorry we’ve injected our tacky holiday crap into your country, that’s an embarrassment.
Halloween is fine for kids and for grown-ups too. Trouble begins when people use it as an excuse to act like asses. As to 2011, I think Flo and I understand each other [nod, nod. wink, wink].
Haha the scarecrow gets you too?!
You know the one? I pass it when I’m coming home and always plant a semi-nice smile on my face thinking there’s a person standing on the steps. Such a waste of faux smile.
Flo~
Happy to hear everything is good. Take care.
Thanks!!
I know what you mean with the scarecrows. On my dark morning runs all sorts of strange objects sometimes impersonate people. Creepy sometimes. It’s sort-of good that that they did not find anything in the test, but you might need to use caution in hot weather in future. I’m not sure if any healthy humans can truly run like a horse, or we’d be seeing people dropping dead at the Olympics!
I am very intrigued by the idea of using past HR as a pacing guide. Not this cycle, but I might just take it for a spin.
You have always impressed me that you run in the dark. I’d be spooked shitless. And probably have numerous sprained ankles, too.