Will the training continue?

I know its been a week since I posted. A lot has happened, and I might as well put it out here. I really don't know if the marathon training will continue. And I won't know for another week. Here's what has transpired.

Last wednesday I went to my doctor and they were going to do the bloodwork to test my thyroid levels to see if that is what was causing the breathing problem and heart palpatations. When I told them that the heart palpatations were really bad, they decided to do an EKG. The doctor came in and told me that they found something on the EKG. He said the EKG showed something called a short PR interval, and that it was indicative of LGL Syndrome or WPW syndrome. Basically an electrical problem with the heart. He told me no more running until I see a cardiologist, and they were calling a cardiologist to get me in asap.

Well, I couldn't get in until Monday (yesterday). The cardiologist I saw walked in with the results of the EKG and said that those results were not unusual. He said that 3% of the population would have an EKG like that and that it didn't mean that there was anything wrong. He said only 1% actually have anything wrong with them, and more than likely I'm just fine. We talked about the symptoms and how they came about showing up, and then he did an exam where he listened to my lungs and my heart. He listened to my heart for quite some time and then said that it looks like I may fall in that 1% group.

He told me that there were a few things to know. First, that I wouldn't die from a heart attack because of this. Second, that this will not shorten my life span at all. And third, that they can fix this problem. He told me that he was scheduling me for an echocardiogram (and ultrasound of the heart). That he wanted me to wear a monitor that will monitor my heart for one week, and then he wanted me to meet with the cardiologist on their staff that specializes in this particular problem. He told me not to lose any sleep over it, because they can fix this.

I think that is easier said than done though! Anyhow, I go in this afternoon for the echocardiogram, and afterwards they will hook up the heart monitor for me. I go in a week from today to meet with the other cardiologist. Jeff is going to go with me. I figured it would help if they were going to talk about anything important to have an extra pair of ears in case i don't hear it all or understand everything.

I asked about doing the run/walk for the half marathon I'm signed up for this weekend. He said no running, but he did say I could walk it. So I'm walking it on sunday and Jeff is walking it with me (what a good guy!). Kathy had something come up and can't do it, which is okay, because I couldn't run it anyway.

I've taken a few walks since last week. I walked 5 miles last night. I tried the other day to do a run walk, but I just can't do it. Even last night, on the 5 mile walk, there were a couple of times when I thought I'd have to head home, or almost just sat on the curb because my heart was really racing. Just walking, my HR got up to the 150's. My average HR when it was all said and done was 139, which isn't bad, but geez, that's WALKING. We'll see how it goes on sunday. I'm not going to push it. Jeff actually walks slower than I do, so that will probably be best for me.

I really don't know what all this means for the marathon training. Part of the reason I'm walking the half marathon this weekend is because I feel like if there is any possibility that I can continue the marathon training, that I need to at least get miles in, even if it means that I'm walking them. Also, Jeff and I are doing GREAT with keeping up with the Strength training. We've been doing it 3 times a week. We've already done two one-hour full-body strength training sessions this week.

Anyhow, that's where things stand right now. I will know more a week from today when all the testing is complete and I meet with the specialist. In the meantime, I doubt I'll have much to post.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this is only a bump and I can continue the training. Time will tell.