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Re: Training towards a 6:20 2k

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2017 9:23 pm
by Jon
I'm glad to hear you had good results on your blood tests Erik. I thought 120 sounded a bit low, but then what is your max HR these days?

On beta blockers, I'm not sure what % exertion this will equate to, though it is somewhat disappointing. Perhaps in time they might revise this (I suspect if you push they probably would. I wonder whether they are basing this advice on evident (doubtful), or more anecdotal (more likely). Perhaps it was based on physiological data they gathered on you. Have they done an exercise / stress ECG? I don't know whether this would be of any help. Probably more beneficial to do a myocardial perfusion stress scan (though these aren't usually pleasant).

I've done a couple of workouts since returning from Gran Canaria. I didn't use the gym in the hotel, there was no erg so I wasn't interested! I have a shoulder impingement problem in my right shoulder and tennis elbow in my left arm now (so no weights either)!

I've had low heart rate variance for 5 consecutive days, (an amber warning) which is a pretty unusual trend for the time I've been measuring it. I have had a slight viral bug I reckon, hard not to pick something up on the plane. There were tonnes of Scandinavian's in the hotel we stayed in (they outnumbered the Brits, though I suspect they were even more desperate for some sun). The sun didn't disappoint when we were there, 29C on the first day.

I had the day off today, and got plenty done outside so I was quite tired, but decided to do a slightly reduced intensity 10*1' with 1'rest. Managed an average of 1:36.9 which is slower than I did even in January when I wasn't as fit, but I thought it was a good tonic. I need to mix things up a little more and I love this as a marker. It doesn't hurt too bad. Middle distance intervals next, something I've never really mastered.

Re: Training towards a 6:20 2k

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2017 10:51 pm
by Liefcat
Really glad you enjoyed all the sun and hot wheather, Jon :!: 8) And I can fully understand why so many Scandis are so hungry for sun... 8) :lol: :roll: :^o :wink:

Weird bug you might be having, but a positive sign that you are training still - and then doing a very demanding session, knowingly :!: ^O^ ^O^

Don´t know what they based it upon - all I know is that they know a lot more than I do... A few years ago my Max HR was just above 170, but I doubt I have been there this last year or so, I might have gone just past 160, but then again knowing it wasn´t my max, presumably... I hope I get wiser still, and of course at some point I could ask Lee, I think he´s a Cardiologist :!: :fssmile:

Yes, while I was in hospital they were pondering whether to do a stress test on me, and I would really like to do one. Later and much wiser I can understand why they DON´T want me to perform a stress test... :wink:

Re: Training towards a 6:20 2k

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2017 11:35 pm
by Liefcat
New blood tests still looking fine, and am now at Ramipril 3.75mgx2. And am also feeling quite fine, but of course the verdict will be an Echo next month... Not much erging from me lately. This evening did 15 minute in a Team Relay - got past the 4k mark: 4035m 1:51.5 28spm, felt fine all the way and afterwards... :D

Re: Training towards a 6:20 2k

Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2017 9:35 am
by Liefcat
Hope you guys are keeping your training going - though a bit "silent" on this thread :!: :fssmile: :fssmile:

Another Team Relay - 15 min Tuesday - got past the 4100 with 4108m (1:49.5 Av) - felt absolutely fine all the way. And yesterday had another go at the ctc - am not allowed to compete with others so hadn´t read the fellow FS times sofar... Ended up at 18:53.8, felt fine, maybe I will have another go towards the end of the month - or maybe not... :wink:

Re: Training towards a 6:20 2k

Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 4:30 pm
by Liefcat
Hi again - but where is everyone... :lol:

Did the ctc again yesterday. Set the alarm to ring 14-15 minutes in, and at that point I would remove the cover of the monitor. Started fine, then as expected soon got harder, and was tempted to have a look at the monitor before time. But resisted. Hoped I would be well within the 1500m mark, or else I might slow down. Luckily the PM3 showed 1350m left when I first saw it and I managed to pick up pace and try to keep the SR down... After seeing the splits afterwards I was surprised with the big differences in splits:

1100m 3:50.3 1:44.6 30
2200m 4:01.7 1:49.8 29
3300m 4:07.2 1:52.3 28
4400m 4:05.7 1:51.6 27
5142m 2:42.3 1:49.3 29
5142m 18:47.3 1:49.6 28

Happy with the improvement and that it went fine :!: Today lovely wheather here in Denmark, took my TT bike for a ride, think it´s only the 4th or 5th time, really enjoyed a 15 minute ride :!: 8)

Re: Training towards a 6:20 2k

Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 6:19 pm
by zootMutant
Liefcat wrote:Hi again - but where is everyone... :lol:
I've had a very quite month... many days of feeling guilty about not rowing, followed by a nice long nap. :oops:
Liefcat wrote: Did the ctc again yesterday. Set the alarm to ring 14-15 minutes in, and at that point I would remove the cover of the monitor. Started fine, then as expected soon got harder, and was tempted to have a look at the monitor before time. But resisted.
A very interesting strategy... I might try that. Well done! =D>

Cheers, :P
zoot

Re: Training towards a 6:20 2k

Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2017 8:33 am
by Liefcat
Thanks for dropping by, Zoot :!: :D Looking forward to reading about your WP endeavours :!: 8)

Re: Training towards a 6:20 2k

Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2017 6:59 am
by Jon
Hi Erik!

Apologies for my conspicuous abscence, just so much going on lately! (I know I'm not alone there). There have been a lot of changes at work, though the effects of these may go on for a bit yet.

Glad to hear you are well and the medication is suiting you and I really hope the repeat echocardiogram provides reassurance. Interpreting them is quite an art, it's not always so straightforward to draw inferences. I'm glad you're enjoying your new TT bike, I'm sure you'll see a lot more use from this as the days get lighter and warmer.

I got in last night at 7PM and very nearly didn't do anything (again). I've did a couple of sessions early in the month but things really didn't get going. I wondered whether I was B12 deficient. I hadn't been taking supplements so regularly and I was having substantial muscle aches for even low grade stuff. It went on for 4-5 days, which is most unusual. There were other symptoms also (dizziness, eye strain etc), but seem to have gone now after doubling up on the supplements. An eye test was perfect, I didn't have blood tests. It could have been viral, but I think six plus months of plant based diet without supplements likely to blame.

So I set out around 1:47, but inevitably couldn't sustain this pace. In fact I handled down, but picked up again and managed to build the pace to get my HR to 186, so had pushed very hard for an average result. To get an average pace below 1:50 was actually a pleasant surprise on so little training. I went out on my MTB bike for the first time about two weeks ago, but times were down a long way (though again expected, first ride since December). Now to try and get a little more exercise done.

Re: Training towards a 6:20 2k

Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2017 11:40 am
by Liefcat
Yes, I would imagine that life got in your way, Jon, especially working life... :| Sorry to hear about your health symptoms :!: :cry: Yes, important to get and absorb vit B12, what is your hgb level :?: Anyways, been a long winter so one could also be a bit low on vit D... :idea: Too bad that you interrupted your streak of training sessions, but of course we know that you can soon get back to your usual level :!: :D Glad that you have got back on your MTB - well to me it´s a bit too dangerous, but you seem to enjoy it a lot :!: 8) And gr8 that you did the ctc, fortunately for me you didn´t push me out of a boat :!: :lol: =D> =D> This month or this day ( :?: :?: :?: :!: :!: :!: :!: ) - though Casey says on FB that it´s for the entire month - the ctc should be beneficial to those of us not in top shape :!: :lol: :lol: :wink:

Yesterday I tried if I could improve on my ctc time, but after around 5 minutes it didn´t feel right and I HDed... So had energy left for some work in my garden and also my TT bike, so happy about that :!: 8) Today surprised to see the nature of the ctc, after my first attempt: 990p, "refined" my "technique" so in the next two I got 1620p and 1935p... :lol: :lol:

Re: Training towards a 6:20 2k

Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2017 5:47 pm
by Liefcat
In the evening another improvement - to 1950p... :fswink:

About the Echo. It´s scheduled for the 25th so very exciting what it will say... Yes, rather complicate, I´m happy I don´t have to conduct it myself... :lol: Of course, very interesting with the metrics stuff, and the valves stuff, but always found the Doppler stuff the most interesting, and now it´s even more interesting :!: :idea: :D :D

Re: Training towards a 6:20 2k

Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2017 6:57 pm
by Liefcat
Just a quick update on my "training": not much erging, have been walking 3 miles a day for some days now - seems to be doing me good :!: :D

Re: Training towards a 6:20 2k

Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2017 1:13 pm
by Liefcat
From my Facebook update today:

"Just a quick update after my Echo today. My breathing has felt somewhat freer these past few weeks - so expected EF to be a bit higher today. And it actually was: 43-44% compared to earlier around 39%. We agreed to increase the Carvedilol, from 6.25mgx2 to 12.5mgx2 per day. And I was allowed to exercise up till 135bpm. If you are not already confused, the Cardiologist ended the session by saying that my incident 3 months ago most probably was a vasovagal syncope, that is not directly related to the heart, and he demonstrated a posture I could make if I feel it is imminent. So a happy bunny - firstly for feeling better and secondly for the objective results showed that exact same thing!"logis

I directly asked the Cardiologist how I ideally should train: some walking or light biking each day and then harder training 2 or 3 times a week :!: :pt

(And ECG looking rather normal - except for inverted T waves in V6 - just like earlier)

Re: Training towards a 6:20 2k

Posted: Mon May 01, 2017 11:41 pm
by E-Clair
:fsbgrin: That's some great news, Liefcat. Onwards and upwards!

Re: Training towards a 6:20 2k

Posted: Tue May 02, 2017 7:41 am
by paulgould
That's great news about the EF, Erik - looks like a good, steady improvement.
It took me about 8-9 months to get my EF from 35% to 55%, and I am sure you will get back up there and beyond in no time.

Paul G

Re: Training towards a 6:20 2k

Posted: Tue May 02, 2017 12:51 pm
by Liefcat
paulgould wrote:That's great news about the EF, Erik - looks like a good, steady improvement.
It took me about 8-9 months to get my EF from 35% to 55%, and I am sure you will get back up there and beyond in no time.

Paul G
Thanks a lot, Paul :!: 8) So great to have your shiny example, so there is still hope for me... :fswink: Yes, hoping the EF increases further, the Cardiologist said that I still have some potential :!: :D Next Echo in 6 months... Right now I´m trying to adjust to the increased BBS, I´m sure it helps, but I hope it will soon get fewer and milder side-effects...

Re: Training towards a 6:20 2k

Posted: Tue May 02, 2017 1:56 pm
by paulgould
Liefcat wrote:
paulgould wrote:That's great news about the EF, Erik - looks like a good, steady improvement.
It took me about 8-9 months to get my EF from 35% to 55%, and I am sure you will get back up there and beyond in no time.

Paul G
Thanks a lot, Paul :!: 8) So great to have your shiny example, so there is still hope for me... :fswink: Yes, hoping the EF increases further, the Cardiologist said that I still have some potential :!: :D Next Echo in 6 months... Right now I´m trying to adjust to the increased BBS, I´m sure it helps, but I hope it will soon get fewer and milder side-effects...
It will definitely increase - you will be an absolute monster once you are back up at about 60% EF!!
What side-effects do you get from your medication?

Paul G

Re: Training towards a 6:20 2k

Posted: Tue May 02, 2017 2:18 pm
by Liefcat
The worst is feeling tired and weak, could certainly feel the doubling of BBs, and with every increase the BP dropped, took about a week or two earlier on for it to stabilize. Also cold hands. Symptoms seem to be the worst in the morning, and then getting better maybe in the afternoon.

Re: Training towards a 6:20 2k

Posted: Tue May 02, 2017 2:49 pm
by paulgould
Yes, I would imagine doubling your dosage of Beta Blockers will lower your BP quite a bit, lessening your blood supply to your extremities.
I am sure it will settle down once your body makes the adjustments to the dosage increase.

Re: Training towards a 6:20 2k

Posted: Wed May 03, 2017 8:19 am
by strider77
Good to see you posting Paul, how are things ?

Re: Training towards a 6:20 2k

Posted: Wed May 03, 2017 10:17 am
by paulgould
strider77 wrote:Good to see you posting Paul, how are things ?
Very good thanks, Alan.
With hectic work and a big move, had done very little rowing the last 2 years.
Started up again in February and I am very gradually shedding some tonnage and getting fitter and stronger :oops: :oops: :oops: :oops: .
Great to be back with FS and feed off all the motivation around in the club.

Paul G

Re: Training towards a 6:20 2k

Posted: Wed May 03, 2017 4:41 pm
by strider77
Brilliant news !

I still remember that day when you, me and Gary got our C2 certification as Instructors in Northampton :wink:

Keep at it my friend you will get there :D

Re: Training towards a 6:20 2k

Posted: Wed May 03, 2017 5:12 pm
by paulgould
strider77 wrote:Brilliant news !

I still remember that day when you, me and Gary got our C2 certification as Instructors in Northampton :wink:

Keep at it my friend you will get there :D
Yes, I remember that day - It was very good meeting you and Gary for the first time.

Paul G

Re: Training towards a 6:20 2k

Posted: Sun May 21, 2017 9:47 am
by Liefcat
paulgould wrote: Started up again in February and I am very gradually shedding some tonnage and getting fitter and stronger :oops: :oops: :oops: :oops: .
Great to be back with FS and feed off all the motivation around in the club.

Paul G
Yes, great to have you back in the FS, Paul :!: :fssmile:

Re: Training towards a 6:20 2k

Posted: Sun May 21, 2017 9:59 am
by Liefcat
The doubling of the BBs proved to be too tough for me, and was allowed to go back to the initial dosage. Also had a cold for the past 2-3 weeks, so not been feeling well in general. It´s difficult when things don´t feel "normal" but nonethelhess I noticed that my dizzyness and lack and breath are not apparent now in the sawe way as before - so also some improvement. Don´t know my body and what will become of it in say a year´s time from now, so decided to leave my rowing club for this time this summer, untill at I know my body and it´s reactions better and at the same time know I´m supermotivated to row once again. Was out in sculler for the first (and last :?: ) time this season - it was definitely a positive experience, but also feelings can become mixed when I actually like it and have been missing it - then at the same time know that I have made some decision to not do it as least for a while... :?

Certainly don´t live up to the title of this thread, more backwards than forwards for me, so I guess I will return to the "What training thread" in the near future... :D

Re: Training towards a 6:20 2k

Posted: Sun May 21, 2017 10:43 am
by Paul Victory
I'm sorry to hear your regime has not been going as well as you hoped it would. But you're right to err on the side of caution. It's not the sort of thing you should be taking chances with.

Have patience and keep doing the right things and hopefully everything will get sorted out eventually. (Besides, it's nice having company here on the sidelines. :fswink: )