Training

Half marathons

by AgentX86 - 2023-06-12 00:07:13

Since you have SSS, your sinus node is wonky and it sounds like you have "chronotropic incompetence", which means that your heart doesn't respond to exertion.  To "fix" this, the pacemaker has what's called "Rate Response". Most manufacturers rely on an accelermometer to measure motion and infer the needed heart rate.  Unfortunately, they often guess wrong. There are adjustments to tune this but it'll never he as good as a fully functioning heart.

Tuning RR for running should be possible but perhaps not so easy. Your heart may be intentionally held back, too.  You'll have to talk with your cardiologist about this one, Otherwise, adjustments can be made that should help. Unfortunately cycling is a problem.  The chest (pacemaker) doesn't move enough to get the accelerometer to do its thing.  Even if you get this to work (some have been successful), it's probably not possible to get both running and cycling to work. RR couldn't tell the difference.

Performance athletes very often have trouble.  You can get a sesson with your cardiologist, or even a sports cardiologist who could put you on a treadmill or stationary bike to try to tune the pacemaker but otherwise it's going to be shots in the dark.

half marathon training

by ourswimmer - 2023-06-12 13:19:11

Only your cardiology team can tell you whether you personally should train for anything. Lots of people with pacemakers train to complete and even compete in running events, though.

I will add two points to what Agent86 already said. First, if you were a serious road racer before whatever caused you to need a pacemaker, you might find that your return to racing is not as happy as you thought it would be. I was a very successful distance swimming competitor for many years before I got my device, and post-device attempts at similar racing have been extremely demoralizing. I can swim fine and I am deliriously happy at workout and swimming for pleasure in open water. But I just don't have that extra racing gear any more and am now a mid-packer. Redefining my frame of reference is a work in progress and it hurts my mind some.

Second, consider and maybe consult your cardiology team about whether the kind of training necessary to do a half-marathon (or any other race) the way you want to is really good for you. I believe that the training style that made me so successful in 5K and 10K swim racing contributed to the heart damage that caused me to need a pacemaker. Now that I have a second chance I don't intend to just go right back to what harmed me before.

But don't let me or your device discourage you from being active. If you want it, go get it!

half marathon training

by pjb8084 - 2023-06-16 10:01:40

Thank you so much for your thoughtful responses....I will followup with cardiology.