back in the saddle

I ran about five miles without stopping today. My first run was on Wednesday, 3X 1km jogging, and it was kind of rough. On Friday, I was able to do about 25 minutes in two installments, which really surprised me. Yesterday, I did a 10km walk/run--not sure of the time or intervals or whatever, but it was at least 10km. I was going to go on a shorter run today, but I got into tempo effort and then, after 2km, it was time to slow down, but jogging still felt good. After a while, my heart felt a little sore, but that cleared up after a few minutes. Same thing happened on my first run on Wednesday; actually, it also happened the first time I walked at a normal pace. Everything's fine, just in disuse, and it seems reasonable to gradually ask a bit more. I've also been doing yoga every day. Apart from schoolwork and unpacking, I have plenty of time--I doubt I'll resume work this year, unless part-time. We'll see.

I'm really happy with my progress--after Wednesday's dismal endeavor, I actually assumed that it would take me at least a couple of weeks to run 20 min continuously. More importantly, though, I feel confident that I won't get tachycardia again. Friday evening, while I was shopping, I bent over to pick up some dropped change. My heart did its usual flip and, for a split second, clenched or something. It actually hurt. It was trying to get into its old arrythmia; I recognized the feeling but it was more intense. Maybe it was trying harder. Alas, it couldn't kick the works into that special high gear. I have felt other triggers post-op, but this one felt like it would have been an especially big bout of tachycardia. The cardiologist and surgeon both told me that they couldn't take away the triggers, but that I shouldn't ever feel tachycardia again. After Friday evening's event, I believe them. They sure busted that connection!

Meanwhile, I'm embarking on another round of tests, this time for the GI problem. I've been referred to a GI specialist and hopefully I'll see him/her soon; meanwhile, I've been plowing through potential trigger foods in prep for antibody tests. Hence I'm getting progressively more drained. This has affected running among other things, but perhaps it's good timing. With chronically dead legs and low energy, I have been gentle with my heart.

It is so good to run again! I think I'm pretty slow, but that doesn't matter. My perspective has changed somewhat.