Dealing with Uncertainty

The last 4-5 weeks have been interesting to say the least. I began building my mileage back up by having a 40 mile week then I followed that up with a 60 mile week only to be derailed with muscle pain for about a week. Then I managed another 40 mile week and the week after that I was derailed again. Since then I have struggled with getting back on track (aka-motivation).

But there is now another issue in the mix. For about the last two weeks or so I have been feeling what I could describe as a "fluttering" sensation in my chest on almost a daily basis. When I would feel this I would check my pulse and I could feel that my heartbeat was irregular. I had no pain so I didn't think much of it. But it seemed to be persistent and almost daily. This past Monday I went out for a 7 mile run and I felt the fluttering during the run for the first time. I also noticed that on my last two runs my heart rate was higher than usual for the flat route I was running.

I finally went to the doctor this week and my irregular heartbeat was confirmed. She told me that I had and ectopic heartbeat and that it was most likely benign. However, I am still going to an EKG on Monday and some blood work just to be safe. She said that due to my good health it is probably nothing to worry about, but we need to check it out anyway.

I know that irregular heartbeats are not uncommon. Sometimes extra coffee/caffeine or stress can induce an irregular heartbeat, however I am not stressed more than usual and my coffee consumption has not increased.

I was also informed recently about a local runner, who is 45 years old, that ran a marathon about 2 weeks ago. During her training she had some chest tightness. After the marathon she went to the doctor to discover she had a artery that was 95% blocked!

Needless to say, I have been reminded that the things we enjoy in life can be taken from us. Now, most likely my running is not over (I hope not anyway). But just because we run more than the average bear, we still need to: (1) be thankful for every opportunity that we get to use our gifts and abilities, (2) not take things for granted (like our body God gave us) and (3) make sure we are regularly having checkups with the doctor.