For Distance Runners

[massindex 346]

Tuesday night came down with severe intestinal pain and my wife convinced me to go to emergency. They diagnosed me with pancreatitis and admitted me. After a couple of days of poking, prodding and running every test they could think of, they couldn't find the cause. My cardiologist and my gastrointestinal specialist came by to talk with me. After filling me on their inconclusive results, they asked if I had any questions. I said, "Just one. I have a half marathon on Sunday. Can I still run it?" The cardiologist looked at me said "You know you're in the hospital, right?" I laughed and told him yes but I was serious. They looked at each other, shrugged, and told me they couldn't think of a good reason not to do it if I felt good enough. Picked up my bib number yesterday. Everyone thinks I'm crazy but they just don't understand the highs. It can be a little addictive and I know I already have an addictive personality. Am I out of my mind? I feel pretty damn good, other than a little sluggish from breaking my training regime.

Edited April 13, 2013 by massindex

[Fiddleman 4,376]

Tuesday night came down with severe intestinal pain and my wife convinced me to go to emergency. They diagnosed me with pancreatitis and admitted me. After a couple of days of poking' date=' prodding and running every test they could think of, they couldn't find the cause. My cardiologist and my gastrointestinal specialist came by to talk with me. After filling me on their inconclusive results, they asked if I had any questions. I said, "Just one. I have a half marathon on Sunday. Can I still run it?" The cardiologist looked at me said "You know you're in the hospital, right?" I laughed and told him yes but I was serious. They looked at each other, shrugged, and told me they couldn't think of a good reason not to do it if I felt good enough. Picked up my bib number yesterday. Everyone thinks I'm crazy but they just don't understand the highs. It can be a little addictive and I know I already have an addictive personality. Am I out of my mind? I feel pretty damn good, other than a little sluggish from breaking my training regime.[/quote']

That is not good!

Personally I hope that you be careful and not worsen your pancreatic (or heart) condition by running a marathon on top of it. However, I certainly do emphasize with your desire to run and achieve a euphoric state in your body. The highs are worth the hard work.

Do get better and weigh the risks and rewards of running the marathon tomorrow. Ending up back in the hospital, in my humble opinion, is not worth running the marathon. Good luck.

[massindex 346]

That is not good!

Personally I hope that you be careful and not worsen your pancreatic (or heart) condition by running a marathon on top of it. However, I certainly do emphasize with your desire to run and achieve a euphoric state in your body. The highs are worth the hard work.

Do get better and weigh the risks and rewards of running the marathon tomorrow. Ending up back in the hospital, in my humble opinion, is not worth running the marathon. Good luck.

That's why I consulted with the doctors first. The pain was gone after about 12 hours and they couldn't find anything wrong with me. The doctors said because they couldn't find a reason, it could come up again or it might not. Without an answer as to the reason, they said you should live your life and deal with it if it comes up. Running is not going to bring it on.

[danyelleb 386]

That's why I consulted with the doctors first. The pain was gone after about 12 hours and they couldn't find anything wrong with me. The doctors said because they couldn't find a reason' date=' it could come up again or it might not. Without an answer as to the reason, they said you should live your life and deal with it if it comes up. Running is not going to bring it on.[/quote']

Ugh, Mass. I'm sorry that u had to go to the ER that stinks. It would've been nice if they had a definitive answer for u, but if they give u the clear...

My only concern is that u might exacerbate an unknown problem. I would hate for u to lose the whole season by not forgoing one event. We do so much training that the thought of missing a marathon makes me sad. I know that ur probably resting or done a taper since the big day is tomorrow, but have u done anything physical since? However, u did mention that running doesn't bring it on.

Good luck tomorrow and be careful. I know u know but listen to the body. U have a whole season ahead of u.

Please let us know how the big event goes tomorrow. I live vicariously through my fellow marathoners. Someday my friend. Well, I'm hoping in November. Lol!

Take care!

[Butterthebean 8,146]

That's why I consulted with the doctors first. The pain was gone after about 12 hours and they couldn't find anything wrong with me. The doctors said because they couldn't find a reason' date=' it could come up again or it might not. Without an answer as to the reason, they said you should live your life and deal with it if it comes up. Running is not going to bring it on.[/quote']

I'm sure you haven gotten as far about have without learning to listen to your body. Only you know if you feel right or not. I'm sure by mile 10 you'll know if it was the right decision. Good luck.

[Butterthebean 8,146]

I ran my half marathon yesterday. What a fantastic event. Had a great time and the feeling of accomplishment cannot be matched by anything the scale says. To me, this kind of thing is the big payoff after having VSG.

The run was terrific. It was inside Davy Crockett National Forest. About half the miles were on dirt or gravel roads, which was no problem for me since I live in the country anyway. The run went very well although about mile 10 I got pretty fatigued. Cardio wise I was ok but my legs were letting me know that I am not yet a seasoned long distance runner. I was hoping for that second wind but it never came, until about the last 3/4 mile when I saw my wife standing on the side of the road. She had walked down to meet me and she jogged the last stretch in with me. That really lifted me up and made my day.

The other thing that really motivated me was seeing all the "senior" runners participating and having fun. Many of which had no trouble finishing ahead of me. There was even a lady there who received an award for running her 100th marathon...and she was 69. I want that to be me someday.

So now I'm thinking I need more training, but my next big goal is definitely the marathon. And since I love Oregon, I may make my first one the Portland Marathon next year. It's supposed to be a great choice for first timers. Either that or Honolulu!

[Renea77 84]

I ran my half marathon yesterday. What a fantastic event. Had a great time and the feeling of accomplishment cannot be matched by anything the scale says. To me' date=' this kind of thing is the big payoff after having VSG.

So now I'm thinking I need more training, but my next big goal is definitely the marathon. And since I love Oregon, I may make my first one the Portland Marathon next year. It's supposed to be a great choice for first timers. Either that or Honolulu!

[/quote']

So happy for you BTB!!! Was waiting to hear how your half went. Congrats!! I totally agree with you, this kind of thing is the big payoff after having VSG. I couldn't have imagined running a half last year before surgery, so to complete one and then be excited to run some more is awesome!

I have all my races for the rest of the year mapped out, 5K color run next weekend (Danyelle said they we fun so i decided to register for one), 10miler in May, 10k races in June, July and August and half marathons in September and November!!! I'm SOO addicted!!

Congrats again BTB!!! You rock!!

[massindex 346]

BTB - nice job! I took it easy on my trail half marathon, mostly because the course was all sand or boulders. It would have easy to not do it but I'm glad I did.

[*Dean* 1,594]

Tuesday night came down with severe intestinal pain and my wife convinced me to go to emergency. They diagnosed me with pancreatitis and admitted me. After a couple of days of poking, prodding and running every test they could think of, they couldn't find the cause. My cardiologist and my gastrointestinal specialist came by to talk with me. After filling me on their inconclusive results, they asked if I had any questions. I said, "Just one. I have a half marathon on Sunday. Can I still run it?" The cardiologist looked at me said "You know you're in the hospital, right?" I laughed and told him yes but I was serious. They looked at each other, shrugged, and told me they couldn't think of a good reason not to do it if I felt good enough. Picked up my bib number yesterday. Everyone thinks I'm crazy but they just don't understand the highs. It can be a little addictive and I know I already have an addictive personality. Am I out of my mind? I feel pretty damn good, other than a little sluggish from breaking my training regime.

You're a machine Mass. I love it.

[Fiddleman 4,376]

Just saw this in my news ticker:

http://www.itv.com/news/update/2013-04-15/explosion-reported-at-boston-marathon-finish-line/

None of you ran the Boston Marathon today i hope. Prayers go out.

[DadTo2 152]

Just saw this in my news ticker:

http://www.itv.com/n...on-finish-line/

None of you ran the Boston Marathon today i hope. Prayers go out.

it's streaming here: http://www.bloomberg.com/live-stream/

Yes, prayers need to go out.

[Butterthebean 8,146]

My wife's niece was running. We are still waiting to hear if she's okay. Hoping for the best.

[Butterthebean 8,146]

Edit...just heard she was routed off the course and is okay. My heart goes out to those that weren't so lucky.

[*Dean* 1,594]

I hope all of my American friends, their families and their friends are safe.

Thoughts go out to those who are injured and worse.

In the face of tragic events I have a (occupational) habit of focusing on the good. Stories of uninjured marathon runners, running from the finish line to the hospital to give blood made me feel good.

[danyelleb 386]

Hey guys! Just checking in- did a trail half today and I shaved NINE minutes off my last trail race time. So excited! Granted it was a different course, but challenging just the same. It was an inaugural race- first event by this new racing company, Sasquatch racing. love my shirt and my medal. I'm becoming a medal *****! It's embarrassing, but I LOVE them. Lol!

How is everybody else's racing events going?Please share the greatness! I simply adore this time of year.

Happy Running!