Each of us face a variety of challenges and obstacles that stand in the way of what we want and like to do. For example, there is no evading Father Time and the limits we encounter physically and mentally doing things that once seemed far simpler to do. I've mentioned how I injured my knee (meniscus) and thought I'd never be able to run again, and then found a path back with an added appreciation for each run I take.
The latest challenge to my running pursuit is Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) which I've been living with over the past few years, but has become more intrusive over the past few months. AFib is when the heart dances without rhythm. During AFib episodes I experience fatigue, dizziness (from low blood pressure) and loss of energy and desire to be active. There's nothing I can really do each time but wait it out. If you're interested here's a link to a article that gives more of a rundown ... https://www.desertcarenetwork.com/services/cardiovascular/atrial-fibrillation. As it happens I'm experiencing AFib as I write this blog. I religiously wear my Apple watch and it lets me know when I'm experiencing AFib - so there's no escaping it. I prefer to know and appreciate the alerts, though I've now gotten to the point when I know they are coming before they arrive.
For me, episodes last about a day and then subside as mysteriously as they come on. There are a number of known triggers (e.g., dehydration, alcohol, caffeine, exertion), but I've been unable to isolate any specific causes for my situation. What I am experiencing is a shortness of time between when AFib episodes occur. They used to come on every 4 to 6 weeks, then shortened to 3 weeks, then 2 weeks and now they are coming more frequently - often weekly.
I take a blood thinner and a beta blocker to ensure my blood pressure remains low and I am not vulnerable to blood clotting. Why bring this all up? Mainly because I'm bound and determined to come up with a path that lets me continue my running quest and relate my experience as I move forward. I've been under the watchful eye of cardiologists and undergone a number of tests and scans with more to come. It's a bit perplexing as I pass stress tests with flying colors and have a high fitness level (e.g., VO2max in superior range), yet the circuitry of my heart just won't dance to a consistent rhythm.
When it comes to running, there's no harm, or doctor concerns, when it comes to AFib. Exercise is often prescribed as something encouraged. I find there are varying degrees of fatigue that come with AFib episodes, so I listen to my body to decide if running is a good idea or something to be avoided. I haven't run any of the RUNNH234 legs while in AFib as I want to make sure there's no concern that I'm not up to finishing what I start. One other symptom is increased frequency in urination - it's no fun spending much of a run scouting for places to veer off the route to relieve oneself. As I've related most of the routes are hilly and I don't want to bail out or run with excess fatigue. In other word - be smart about it and know each time I run I'm going to get to the planned destination.
I am confident I can continue forward on this running adventure for the foreseeable future, but there are some decisions that lie ahead for treatment (e.g., Ablation is potentially on the table) and a need to be flexible with when I run. I'm goal oriented (duh), but it's important to build flexibility into the path forward for when the runs take place.
The good news is that I feel how I respond to AFib is manageable, I just need to listen to my body, be smart, listen to recommendations and use wisdom as a guidepost. I try not to put myself in vulnerable situations where I could get in over my head. I'll report back on how it goes with AFib if and when there are times it impacts the journey. With 43 legs (333 miles) to this point and hopefully 191 legs to go ... I listen to my body and take each take run one at a time.
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