Posted by Anders Kingstedt on May 09, 2001 at 01:00:22:
Well...I saw my doctor for the annual check-up last week. Prior to the check-up, I did an "all out" bicycle test. Managed to go to 390 Watts before the legs went out (at 160 bpm), which is normal for a runner (who is not as good as a bicycle pro :-)). My doctor did an echocardiogram on me during the check up. The echoc. showed that the heart looked really fine. Interestingly enough, the heart has expanded somewhat (probably due to the heavy excercise it is subjected to). The expansion is OK though, and won't lead to any future problems, according to my doctor. He could also detect a more normal (if not 100% OK) vertical movement internally (which is consistent with the more "normal" response I now get when out running during the initial phases of the run). The resting pulse has also gone down. Yesterday, I dusted off the old pulse monitor, not used for awhile. I used it when running fast on the treadmill at the gym. Running 5 K (after a 1 K warm-up) at 3.47 minute/K pace, I managed to reach 170 BMP at the end of the run (I ran somewhat quicker the last 500 m to see how high I could manage to get the pulse, but I didn't go "all out" - far from it). After having stopped I checked my pulse to see what happened. After 1 minute, it had gone down to 137 BMP and after an addt'l minute to 123. I think this is pretty good.
Anyway. The good news is that my own feeling of being back to my "old self", manifested in better running times and an overall feeling of "well being", is also verified in terms of the actual physical, internal heart condition. In regard of coming back, many of us, Steve and others, have had similar experiences; the recovery process is sort of like moving up a ladder, each step constituting a move in the "right" direction. But sometimes you get "stuck" on a step for some time, perhaps due to illness or temporary set-backs.
In conclusion: I'm sure that my own experiences are in fact valid for many Maze alumnus, even though - naturally - things may take longer or shorter time to happen. And, equally natural, your background and physical condition prior to the Maze will of course affect the level of "success". But, again - hang in there! Take care, excercise wisely and feel good doing it!
I wish you all the best.
Best regards,
Anders