Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group
Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.
A while back, there was a nice exchange of experiences with running and exercise and being an "afibber". My situation has really changed.
I had not had many problems with afib until 2 weeks ago, on a Saturday. I was on the track doing a workout with my running club. The workout was a 2 person relay of 12 X 800. Each person would run 800 meters 6 times. I did not want to race it so I tried to find someone who was just a little slower than me, experienced and could run a controlled pace. He agreed to let me run with him saying that he would do each one in about 3:30. That sounded great. We went through that first one in 3:17! Way too fast. Before the second one started, another runner was having problems with his back and asked if I could sub-in for him. I was still winded so I started very slow, probably at a pace that would have me running 4:15 or so for the 800. By the time I had run 150 meters I was down to a walk. By 175 meters I was gasping for breath and standing still. I made it around the track to about 300 meters jogging, walking and stopping. I knew by then that it was afib. I finished the 800 in about 5:30 and they wouldn't let me try to sub for my friend. By the time the workout was almost over, I was recovered enough to run another 800 in a little under 3:30. I jogged back to me car, about a mile away with no problem.
Later that same week, I went for a training run, about 7 miles, with mild hills, with a friend, no problems.
The next Saturday, I went for a hilly training run by myself. A little less than a mile into the run, I became breathless, anaerobic, no matter how slow I went. I had a hard time completing the run, a little over 6 miles, having to walk most of the uphills with only a little jogging and many stops to catch my breath, and even on the downhills having to stop to catch my breath. It was very slow and a bit frustrating. It took about 24 hours before I went back to NSR.
On this last Thursday, I went back to that same hilly course to try again. Same result at about the same place even though I started out feeling great and went a bit slower. I drove home feeling okay but still in afib. As I pulled into the driveway, I suddenly felt a little faint, similar to when I was running. I checked my pulse and it had skyrocketed to over 130. My pulse while I'm in afib is usually in the 70 - 90 beats range. I took a metoprolol hoping it would help me get back to NSR and at least my pulse slowed down within an hour or two. They next morning I went back to NSR.
I wrote my cardio later that afternoon to see what can be done so I can keep running.. He told me to make an appointment to see him (March 17) to discuss my options. He scheduled an echocardiogram for the 15th.
I will be flying to Texas on the 22nd to run a marathon in Dalhart on the 23rd. Then running marathons by driving to Guyman, OK on the 24th; to Ullyses, KS. on the 25th; to Lamar, CO on the 26th; and to Clayton, NM on the 27th. 5 marathons in 5 days in 5 states. I've prepaid for a lot of this trip so backing out now is not an option. "Running" is an option. There is no time limit to finish each marathon so walking and resting make it possible. I've never done anything like this so the afib is just making it a bit more interesting.
Hoping the cardio doc has something that will help if I have problems.
Todd
I had not had many problems with afib until 2 weeks ago, on a Saturday. I was on the track doing a workout with my running club. The workout was a 2 person relay of 12 X 800. Each person would run 800 meters 6 times. I did not want to race it so I tried to find someone who was just a little slower than me, experienced and could run a controlled pace. He agreed to let me run with him saying that he would do each one in about 3:30. That sounded great. We went through that first one in 3:17! Way too fast. Before the second one started, another runner was having problems with his back and asked if I could sub-in for him. I was still winded so I started very slow, probably at a pace that would have me running 4:15 or so for the 800. By the time I had run 150 meters I was down to a walk. By 175 meters I was gasping for breath and standing still. I made it around the track to about 300 meters jogging, walking and stopping. I knew by then that it was afib. I finished the 800 in about 5:30 and they wouldn't let me try to sub for my friend. By the time the workout was almost over, I was recovered enough to run another 800 in a little under 3:30. I jogged back to me car, about a mile away with no problem.
Later that same week, I went for a training run, about 7 miles, with mild hills, with a friend, no problems.
The next Saturday, I went for a hilly training run by myself. A little less than a mile into the run, I became breathless, anaerobic, no matter how slow I went. I had a hard time completing the run, a little over 6 miles, having to walk most of the uphills with only a little jogging and many stops to catch my breath, and even on the downhills having to stop to catch my breath. It was very slow and a bit frustrating. It took about 24 hours before I went back to NSR.
On this last Thursday, I went back to that same hilly course to try again. Same result at about the same place even though I started out feeling great and went a bit slower. I drove home feeling okay but still in afib. As I pulled into the driveway, I suddenly felt a little faint, similar to when I was running. I checked my pulse and it had skyrocketed to over 130. My pulse while I'm in afib is usually in the 70 - 90 beats range. I took a metoprolol hoping it would help me get back to NSR and at least my pulse slowed down within an hour or two. They next morning I went back to NSR.
I wrote my cardio later that afternoon to see what can be done so I can keep running.. He told me to make an appointment to see him (March 17) to discuss my options. He scheduled an echocardiogram for the 15th.
I will be flying to Texas on the 22nd to run a marathon in Dalhart on the 23rd. Then running marathons by driving to Guyman, OK on the 24th; to Ullyses, KS. on the 25th; to Lamar, CO on the 26th; and to Clayton, NM on the 27th. 5 marathons in 5 days in 5 states. I've prepaid for a lot of this trip so backing out now is not an option. "Running" is an option. There is no time limit to finish each marathon so walking and resting make it possible. I've never done anything like this so the afib is just making it a bit more interesting.
Hoping the cardio doc has something that will help if I have problems.
Todd
I know what it's like to give up sports you're passionate about. I blew out both of my knees and had to give up my sport.. And I had been a serious competitor.
Sorry, but I cannot remember..did you have an ablation once a few years back so that you could go back to running? I seem to recall it was 2 to 3 years ago? Or am I incorrect about that? Time for a touchup? In any case, HOLY CRAP! Five marathons in five days! I need to go upstairs right now and lie on the couch, as I have been lifting weights for 20 minutes....pooped. It must be an amazing feeling to be in such good shape...well, aside from your terrible recent setback. Hoping that the cardiologist has good news for you.
Fatigued in Severn
I went back to the same hilly course where I'd had afib. Twice I ran it, on my own, and had afib. This time I started very slow, at about 4 to 5 mph. When I got to the first real hill at about 1 mile, I kept the same pace with no problems. I was encouraged so I tried the trail with the steepest climb. It's about a mile long. I pushed a bit harder and ran the whole trail without problems. I ended up running a little over 8 miles and ran hard the last mile and a half or so. No problems.
For now, I'll just run very, very slow to start and gradually pick up the pace. I've had a couple of more runs since then without problems so I think I've found a way that I can still run. I won't race anything. I'll keep the appointment with the cardiologist as I don't want to go looking for help while traveling from state to state.
Amazing shape? I'm not the one lifting weights. As my personal trainer can testify, I can run okay. But don't ask me to touch my toes. Or sit on the floor with my legs crossed (I fall over backwards). Or lift weights unless they're really light. I'll injure myself. I envy those with great flexibility or that can lift weights and touch their toes.
:-)
Todd
We all need to find what works for us and go with it.