Posted by Carl Plaskett on August 21, 2002 at 09:39:09:
In Reply to: Post Maze Exercise posted by Dan Moyer on August 20, 2002 at 23:14:17:
steve giddings posted Message 2684 in the MAZE Alumni Forum
Dated : August 21, 2002 at 08:09:08
Subject:NOTE: Somehow Steve's response post below did not have a subject and could not be accessed from the board. Hopefully it will appear when I "Preview Message" and then "post" it. Carl
Steve's response to "Post Maze Exercise":
I'm a rower. I couldn't compete in short distance (1000meter, ~4minute) races for about 3 years prior to having the Maze procedure on January 7, 1999. I would go into AF wnehenver I went full tilt and it was like running a motor boat at full speed and all of a sudden pulling th prop half out of the water. Major cavitation.
It took me about 2 years post maze until I could train with abandon. This year was my first really competitive year in masters sprint races. I just got back from Masters Nationals, was third of six in my heat without full effort, was fourth of six in my semi. Missed the final by about 5 seconds, but it was because I caught a buoy with my oar at about the 900 meter mark. I had a great row in my masters e mixed double (man and woman). We missed a medal by 1.2 seconds. I finally medalled on the last day in a mixed 4.
My aerobic capacity, measured objectively by ergometer testing, is about 10% greater now than it was any time during the 5 years immediately prior to maze, even though I was in sinus for those earlier tests. At my age (56) my aerobic capacity should decreasing at about 1/2 - 1 % per year froim aging alone. I think the improvement is a result of being able to do interval training without going into af.
Bottom line, you can do pretty well after the maze but it takes some effort.
Steve Giddings