Ultrarunner fighting Atrial Fibrilation (AF)

This blog has pretty much always been about running ultras, mostly Hardrock. It still is but now it is also about running after AFib. I was forced to miss Hardrock in 2011 due to the onset of AF but my long term goal was to get back to running milers. And hopefully help any other runners with AF who stumble upon this site. I never made it into Hardrock in 2012, or 2013, or 2014. I didn't have a qualifier for 2015. I ran Fatdog in Canada instead. That was tough. I finished my 4th Hardrock in 2016 and now I'm back to try for the magical number 5.

If you want the history of my AF the heart problems all started back on May 25 2011: http://howmanysleeps.blogspot.com/2011/05/out-of-hardrock.html

Sunday, March 04, 2007

6 Foot Week

There is so much hype attached to this race I find it hard to resist
taking the piss out of people but I guess I exorcise these desires on
the mellum mail loop.
Hmm, I think Jan summed it up for me when he agreed with my sentiment
that there are way too many people out there on the big day to enjoy
the track as it deserves: why run 6 foot when we have 12 foot, he said?
But I am heading up again next week for another bash. I guess after
struggling in under 5 hours last year with a very limited prep I wanted
to go back and have a better crack at it. So instead I am leading in
off my base build-up for WS. I will still be running out of phase. But
I'm hoping the increased mileage (for me anyhow) will allow me to run
the back half instead of cramping up like last year. I have a goal time
in mind but unless you produce the goods it just doesn't count. I get
annoyed with people saying "I know I'm capable of xxx" or "I was in xxx
form, but...". There is no credibility unless the runs are on the
board. So I want to get some runs on the board or go down trying. Yep,
no holding back. All or nothing. I figure if it's only 45 km I can
still limp in if I blow up spectacularly (as I have done at Maroondah
before). And just maybe my increased base coming off a big year last
year will carry me home. One thing is for sure, if I am still standing
when I get to Caves Road I won't be leaving anything in the tank. I
will be trying to keep the fuel levels up this year and despite hating
gels will carry a few and take them at regular intervals. I will carry
my trusty handheld and start filling with coke after Pluvi. I will try
to keep cooler by leaving the skins at home and wearing a sleeveless
top. And I will be getting as wet as I can at every creek. I will wear
the Tevas which are built to shed water so I will test this to the nth
degree. Splits? I'm tempted to just leave my watch at home but then I
find I can use the pace on the garmin to keep me moving when I tire. I
will decide later. But I will know what splits I am aiming for. This
will likely be my last 6'. I still don't understand all the fuss. As
one of our a popular ultra identities said: it's just a race. Gees, I
would really like to post a good time though.......