44 year old male. Let's call me a FOMOP triathlete (sub-11 IM, sub-5 HIM, 2:20-ish Oly). Top 10-20% depending on the race.
Done 5 IMs, 10 HIMs, several Oly and sprint races.
6'0" tall and in excellent shape. Only medical issues are seasonal allergies and exercise induced asthma. My typical walk around weight is 170-ish. Typical race weight is 160-ish.
This year has been tough. I had a bout with epididymitis earlier this year that took about 2.5 months to clear up. It ruined my early season as I had to DNS the Texas 70.3, and an Oly race that were both in April. I was also registered for IMCdA but transferred out of that race and into IMC because I couldn't start training until late-April.
I had my FTP as high as 303 in either 2011 or 2012 but have basically just done IM training ever since so my FTP normally hovers around 270 when in peak IM shape. I rode both IMC and IMFL at 200 watts last year and had my best IM runs in each race. I normally train from Jan-Nov each year.
I just felt off as soon as I started training this year. Power, speed, etc. just weren't where they were the past couple of years, especially on the bike which is normally my strongest discipline. I initially chalked it up to starting 3.5 months late in my training. The power still wasn't coming around so I then chalked it up to it being 100 degrees out (I live in the Houston area). The power just never came around even when I hit peak (or near peak) shape a few weeks back. Last year I was busting out 4.5 hour rides during the summer at 210 watts and this year I was struggling to hit 175 watts. My training was otherwise excellent despite not being as "powerful" as seasons past. Very consistent and put in the time.
The one thing I noticed was that my blood pressure had become low. Not super low but around 100/65... which is about 10 units lower for each number than usual. I was also having a lot of issues with lightheadedness and dizziness, which I assumed was due to the low blood pressure. I never fainted or blacked out but came close a couple of times both right after a long training day and at random times.
I don't think I experienced any chest tightness or other perceived heart issues but I guess it's hard to tell that from asthma.
Fast forward to IMC this past weekend. I DNF'd about 6 miles into the run after my leg cramped up around mile 80 of the bike and kept seizing up on the run. I felt "off" on the bike even before the cramping issues. They check your vitals in the med tent and the doc was somewhat concerned about my blood pressure, heart rate and heartbeat. My blood pressure was like 92/56, my pulse was 38 (resting is normally 48-55 when I'm in peak shape) and so faint he had to use a machine to measure it, and my heartbeat was somewhat irregular. He explained that isn't entirely uncommon after several hours of exertion but this was also about 90 minutes after I stopped "running." He asked me a series of questions... Do I get lightheaded, have I ever been diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat, etc. I have a full physical done every two years for my job (EKG, blood work, hearing, vision, etc. with the treadmill stress test every four years). My last treadmill stress test showed a minor irregularity in my heartbeat but the doc wasn't super concerned but told me to just pay attention to it. The IMC med tent doc advised me to go see my doc when I got home.
Today I went and saw my doc. Exam, EKG and blood work. Blood work obviously not back yet but the EKG revealed some issues that the doc would consider minor if I were your average lazy, American fatass but I'm not. He wants me to see a cardiologist so I can get more advanced testing (echocardiogram, stress test, etc.). Makes sense.
My issue is I'm registered for Ironman Mont-Tremblant on August 17th. Brother and sister doing this as their first IM race. I can't get a cardiologist appointment in time before the race (I'm going to work some connections to see if I can get a an earlier appointment somehow). I most certainly want to make the most educated decision I can. Odds are the testing will comeback as nothing major but it also might not.
So my thought process is something like this:
Mostly thinking outloud here more than seeking advice but whatever words are welcome. Obviously doing a race isn't worth potentially risking my health/life and I really want to have the testing done before carrying on. It's the only smart thing to do. Just wish I had more time.
Favorite Gear: Dimond | Cadex | Desoto Sport | Hoka One One
Done 5 IMs, 10 HIMs, several Oly and sprint races.
6'0" tall and in excellent shape. Only medical issues are seasonal allergies and exercise induced asthma. My typical walk around weight is 170-ish. Typical race weight is 160-ish.
This year has been tough. I had a bout with epididymitis earlier this year that took about 2.5 months to clear up. It ruined my early season as I had to DNS the Texas 70.3, and an Oly race that were both in April. I was also registered for IMCdA but transferred out of that race and into IMC because I couldn't start training until late-April.
I had my FTP as high as 303 in either 2011 or 2012 but have basically just done IM training ever since so my FTP normally hovers around 270 when in peak IM shape. I rode both IMC and IMFL at 200 watts last year and had my best IM runs in each race. I normally train from Jan-Nov each year.
I just felt off as soon as I started training this year. Power, speed, etc. just weren't where they were the past couple of years, especially on the bike which is normally my strongest discipline. I initially chalked it up to starting 3.5 months late in my training. The power still wasn't coming around so I then chalked it up to it being 100 degrees out (I live in the Houston area). The power just never came around even when I hit peak (or near peak) shape a few weeks back. Last year I was busting out 4.5 hour rides during the summer at 210 watts and this year I was struggling to hit 175 watts. My training was otherwise excellent despite not being as "powerful" as seasons past. Very consistent and put in the time.
The one thing I noticed was that my blood pressure had become low. Not super low but around 100/65... which is about 10 units lower for each number than usual. I was also having a lot of issues with lightheadedness and dizziness, which I assumed was due to the low blood pressure. I never fainted or blacked out but came close a couple of times both right after a long training day and at random times.
I don't think I experienced any chest tightness or other perceived heart issues but I guess it's hard to tell that from asthma.
Fast forward to IMC this past weekend. I DNF'd about 6 miles into the run after my leg cramped up around mile 80 of the bike and kept seizing up on the run. I felt "off" on the bike even before the cramping issues. They check your vitals in the med tent and the doc was somewhat concerned about my blood pressure, heart rate and heartbeat. My blood pressure was like 92/56, my pulse was 38 (resting is normally 48-55 when I'm in peak shape) and so faint he had to use a machine to measure it, and my heartbeat was somewhat irregular. He explained that isn't entirely uncommon after several hours of exertion but this was also about 90 minutes after I stopped "running." He asked me a series of questions... Do I get lightheaded, have I ever been diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat, etc. I have a full physical done every two years for my job (EKG, blood work, hearing, vision, etc. with the treadmill stress test every four years). My last treadmill stress test showed a minor irregularity in my heartbeat but the doc wasn't super concerned but told me to just pay attention to it. The IMC med tent doc advised me to go see my doc when I got home.
Today I went and saw my doc. Exam, EKG and blood work. Blood work obviously not back yet but the EKG revealed some issues that the doc would consider minor if I were your average lazy, American fatass but I'm not. He wants me to see a cardiologist so I can get more advanced testing (echocardiogram, stress test, etc.). Makes sense.
My issue is I'm registered for Ironman Mont-Tremblant on August 17th. Brother and sister doing this as their first IM race. I can't get a cardiologist appointment in time before the race (I'm going to work some connections to see if I can get a an earlier appointment somehow). I most certainly want to make the most educated decision I can. Odds are the testing will comeback as nothing major but it also might not.
So my thought process is something like this:
- Don't do the race and not risk something going wrong with my ticker.
- Do the race because odds are nothing is really wrong and I'd feel like an asshole bailing on the race and finding out after that my ticker is perfectly fine.
- People will say you can always do another IM race so why risk it (agreed) but I'm pretty much done with full IM racing so there's not another race. Been itching to do IMMT since it was announced.
- I'm pissed my season has been a complete bust. Bailing on IMMT would make me 0-5 for this year.
- Going to Mont-Tremblant regardless of whether I race or not. We have a 10-day vacation planned around it.
Mostly thinking outloud here more than seeking advice but whatever words are welcome. Obviously doing a race isn't worth potentially risking my health/life and I really want to have the testing done before carrying on. It's the only smart thing to do. Just wish I had more time.
Favorite Gear: Dimond | Cadex | Desoto Sport | Hoka One One