Deferring to 2009

Last post: Sep 30, 2008 11:20 AM by CWCastelli

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CWCastelli

269 posts since
Aug 28, 2007

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Sep 22, 2008 6:14 AM

As some of you may recall, I had posted a response about not running pending a cardiologist appointment. That happened 2 Thursdays ago, and last Tuesday I went in for a cardiac catheterization, where the cardiologists inserts a catheter into your femoral artery, injects some dye and gets a better picture of your arteries and heart. Needless to say from the title of the post, news wasn't good. I had a 95% blockage of a major heart artery. I was literally a walking heart attack waiting to happen. Good news is that the doctor was able to implant a stent and the artery is up and running at full strength (or thereabouts) again. But it did ruin my 2008 MCM plans. So I am deferring to 2009, and will run the 10K instead. Also, for you runners, especially you Marine runners, listen to your body. Don't man up and suck it up. Get things checked out. You never know what you might find out.

As for 2008 MCM, since I will be running the 10K instead, I now offer my sevices for anyone who needs a boost during Crystal City. If anyone needs a nutritional supplement (Jelly Beans, Gu, etc) I will be happy to be there and dish something out. Let me know what you want. I'l also make a suitable sign (something like "Run til you have a heart attack"). Will be nice to get back into running with a fully functionaing heart. Now, if the Wizard sould only provide me with a brain ...

Chris

I'm not slow, I'm rear security.

DCtoPgh

2,928 posts since
Aug 15, 2007

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1. Sep 22, 2008 6:24 AM

in response to: CWCastelli

Re: Deferring to 2009

Chris, I'm very sorry to hear the news and it sure must be scary for you. I'm so glad that you were smart and caught it in time- if I remember correctly your symptoms were rather minimal and you smartly played it safe. It seems as though if you'll be up for the 10K the procedure is rather non-invasive and has a reasonable recovery time and I hope I'm right in my assumptions. It's too bad that you won't be able to run MCM after all your training, but you also have no idea how training may have helped- would you have recognized and payed attention to your symptoms without running? Take care and please keep us posted- I know this can be scary and stressful stuff, but we're good people for support.

I do today what you won't, so tomorrow I do what you can't.

Up Next: Rest! And celebrating my JFK50 finish with a vacation in Roma! | My Running Blog

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Ruby_2009

1,478 posts since
Jan 19, 2008

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2. Sep 22, 2008 6:31 AM

in response to: CWCastelli

Re: Deferring to 2009

Oh no!! Sorry to hear the bad news, but in some ways, it's really good that you found out this news before the marathon. What made you decide to see a cardiologist? I'm glad you got checked out and averted a heart attack. Please take good care of yourself and your heart.

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Immer treu

4,273 posts since
Jan 23, 2008

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3. Sep 22, 2008 6:35 AM

in response to: DCtoPgh

Re: Deferring to 2009

Chris, heal up, wear a big sign, and we'll cheer back in Crystal City! Give us a little guidance as to which side of the road and how far from the turn around, and our odds will be even better. Thanks for checking it out and for a timely intervention! Have a great 10k and an even better MCM '09!

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RunnerWags

622 posts since
Oct 16, 2007

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4. Sep 22, 2008 6:36 AM

in response to: CWCastelli

Re: Deferring to 2009

I'm sorry you are not running but I'm glad you're not running. This means you are taking care of yourself.

Now... as you offered to give someone a boost... what were your symptoms? I think your by-passing typical runner stubborness and actually seeing a specialist warrants high attention.

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Immer treu

4,273 posts since
Jan 23, 2008

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5. Sep 22, 2008 6:36 AM

in response to: Immer treu

Re: Deferring to 2009

You know, given the history of this group, a box of straws in Crystal City might be just the thing...........

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lenzlaw

7,022 posts since
Jan 18, 2008

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6. Sep 22, 2008 6:39 AM

in response to: Immer treu

Re: Deferring to 2009

Chris, good to hear you got it checked and you're going to be with us for a few decades longer. It's certainly scary stuff but you do what you have to do to maintain your health. I'm glad you'll be able to do the 10K and we'll be looking for your sign in Crystal City.

We've come this far and it's still the same,
Runnin' out here in the rain.
Just one more mile, if only you could fly.
(Apologies to T. Rush and J. Tempchin, for the paraphrase)

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Jimmy_D_Jarhead

4,082 posts since
Dec 15, 2007

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7. Sep 22, 2008 6:46 AM

in response to: lenzlaw

Re: Deferring to 2009

Chris,

I would like to first say that it is good to hear you are alive and will be for sometime to come. Glad you listened to your body and played it wisely.

Second I want to join in on the get yourself checked out bandwagon. So often we are stubborn and try to suck it up and run. It really bothers me when those of us in the military play this card because our medical is free. I am a firm believer that it is better to be safe then sorry.

Thirdly welcome to the cheer section of this years MCM. LW, Omi, Holly, Kbear, Sara, and many others will be there with you. I anticipate meeting you on the course if not before. Just let us know where we can anticipate seeing you.

Semper Fi,

Jimmy

"Lifes not the breaths you take but the moments that take your breath away."

~ King George (Strait)

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thefirecat

2,399 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

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8. Sep 22, 2008 7:03 AM

in response to: CWCastelli

Re: Deferring to 2009

Holy shnikies.

Really~~REALLY~~glad you caught that. Be well, ok?

God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy.

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staving off decrepitude

1,193 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

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9. Sep 22, 2008 7:10 AM

in response to: CWCastelli

Re: Deferring to 2009

Wow! What a cautionary tale! Jeez. Thank God you got checked out. Missing one marathon is a small price to pay for saving your life. Take care and heal up quick!

Chocolate is very nice.

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CWCastelli

269 posts since
Aug 28, 2007

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10. Sep 22, 2008 7:14 AM

in response to: Jimmy_D_Jarhead

Re: Deferring to 2009

As for symptoms, initially it felt like heartburn, but as summer progressed it became more or a chest ache. The old saying of someone trying to sit on your chest comes to mind. I also had aches up my neck and down my left arm. Things was, since I was doing a Galloway 3 minute run/1 milnute walk routine, I really didn't think much of it at first since it my chest would hurt towards the end of the 3 minute run, but would recover during the 1 minute walk.

My wife an I are staying in Crystal City and will probably position ourselves near the off ramp from the bridge - this way we get to cheer everyone on twice, though I am open to meeting everyone in a central location. That is after a shower and a trip to Starbucks. Maybe a big sign with some of those cardboard tubes from paper towel rolls fashioned into a big straw would be appropriate.

And Jimmy, document EVERYTHING. The VA will not give you a disability rating without medical documentation. I got a 40% rating for my medical ailments, but it probably could have been higher if I had just documented my injuries (knees, etc).

Chris

I'm not slow, I'm rear security.

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lenzlaw

7,022 posts since
Jan 18, 2008

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11. Sep 22, 2008 7:30 AM

in response to: CWCastelli

Re: Deferring to 2009

CWCastelli wrote: . . .

Don't forget Carpool Sunday evening if you can make it. I think a big straw like that would be noticable.

And Jimmy, document EVERYTHING. The VA will not give you a disability rating without medical documentation. I got a 40% rating for my medical ailments, but it probably could have been higher if I had just documented my injuries (knees, etc).

I can only say ditto to that, and Social Security is the same way.

We've come this far and it's still the same,
Runnin' out here in the rain.
Just one more mile, if only you could fly.
(Apologies to T. Rush and J. Tempchin, for the paraphrase)

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x_39_and_holding_x

2,954 posts since
Jan 19, 2008

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12. Sep 22, 2008 7:31 AM

in response to: CWCastelli

Re: Deferring to 2009

Chris -- I don't see ANY downside to this. You (this coming from me now) went to the doc and got yourself checked out and have probably averted disaster. The MCM will be there next year.

As for your support in Crystal City -- that's awesome! Cecil was there last year and gave me quite the boost I needed at that point in the race. I hope to see you as I trudge through (hopefully with or in front of Kat but probably trailing NIta... or NOT!)

Hang in there! You're still coming to Carpool for a greasy burger and cheese fries, right?

Obsessed with running and racing. It's all about the bling, baby! Suck it up and RUN!

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staving off decrepitude

1,193 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

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13. Sep 22, 2008 7:39 AM

in response to: CWCastelli

Re: Deferring to 2009

I like the giant straw idea. I'll be looking for you near the bridge!

Chocolate is very nice.

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FormerBAM

4,354 posts since
Aug 21, 2007

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14. Sep 22, 2008 8:41 AM

in response to: staving off decrepitude

Re: Deferring to 2009

Wow, Chris, what a great relief that you got checked out and found out what was going on before it killed you! The MCM will wait, and plus you'll be there with us anyway, just not as tired !

On a side (or not so much) note, after months (well, since last year) of ignoring chest pain, irregulart heart beat, high heart rate, etc., I actually went to the doc a couple of weeks ago and am scheduled for a stress test tomorrow afternoon. And I was actually thinking of canceling it (again), but your timely post changed my mind. While I am quite positive it is just anxiety attacks caused by mitral valve prolapse (which I only have when training hard and they go away when I'm not), it doesn't hurt to be doubly sure, I guess. Thanks for your warning to us all.

And at the MCM, after you see me run by, keep an eye out for Jerry about 15 minutes later. On the other hand, Kat will have already passed by when I get there... Can't wait to see you!

Nita

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Sep 22, 2008 6:14 AM

Deferring to 2009

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