Winter Frolic 5K, White Bear Lake MN

Today I ran my first 5K race with a pacemaker! - 5 weeks post implant. About all I can say was I finished and got the T-Shirt, it was my 2nd slowest (34:57) of the 26 I've run over the past 2 years. I wanted to test/stess myself before my next PM checkup in less than two weeks and this was the only 5K I could find in the Mpls/St Paul area prior to the checkup.

I wanted to get some good data on the pacemaker recording and see how it felt so I could have a case to get my max PM setting raised from the current 130. I've been a little wiped out since the race this morning but I'm not sure if any of it or my performance is due to the pacemaker settings or just due to being out of shape. I had 3 weeks of no running due to an injury prior to getting the PM and then was told to take 3 weeks off after the implant - also I'm at my highest weight for doing a 5K. The last 2 weeks I've only been doing a walk/run on my treadmill so the 5k race was my longest run of the past 2 months.

My GP also put me on a Beta Blocker (Atenolol) which I understand may lower my natural heart rate - He added this to help with my High Blood Pressure. Since my pacemaker will keep my heart rate from going below 60, he said that he didn't need to worry about it decreasing my already low HR. Does anyone know if Atenolol will affect my ability to run faster or my endurance or should my pacemaker be able to override it's negative effects? If Atenolol lowers blood pressure in part by lowering a person's heart rate, how will it help me if my pacemaker increases my heart rate? I'm sure it's not that simple a process.

I'm mainly interested in hearing people's opinions/knowledge about the relationship between running at a faster pace and their heart rate. Do you need a faster heart rate to run faster or do some people just have a normal slower maximum heart rate? Prior to my Pacemaker, I would normally run a 5K with my HR only getting to around 120 when I was going all out at the end of the race - (averaging a much faster pace than I did today with a lower HR). I've run 5 Marathon's in the past 2+ years with an average heart rate in the 80's or 90's during most Marathon races. Now with the pacemaker(rate response on), it goes into the 90's on a walk and jumps to the max of 130 on a slow run and stays their no matter what pace I'm going. I'd like them to make adjustments so that I have a maximum paced rate of 150 or 160 but gradually get there at my maximum exertion and not just immediately jump to the max paced like it's doing now. Does that sound reasonable and is it something the device clinic tech person should be able to do?

I'm thinking that my low maximum heart rate(120-130) and my low resting HR (in the 30's and at times down to 20 with multiple long pauses) was all part of my heart electrical problem which the pacemaker is addressing. I was told I have a Sinus Node Dysfunction which resulted in Bradycardia and PreSyncope - anyway I'm hoping this expensive devise that was implanted will help me to improve my race times(as a bonus). I am thankful to be living and able to run but I want to do the best I can for as long as I can. I know some of you who are into sports can understand this. I know I will still need to train hard and lose a few lbs to met my running goals but I'm hoping the PM can help too.

When I was in my 30's I ran several marathons in around 3.5 hrs - then I took 20 years off from running and now I'm running marathons in the 5.5 to 6 hrs range. I know we slow down with age but I still have a dream/goal of running the Boston Marathon which will take a qualifying time of 4Hrs since I'm turning 60 this year. I want to train for the 4Hr Marathon time which may never happen but I know I should be able to at least break 5 Hrs and I'm hoping I can figure out how to get the PM settings adjusted to support me in my quest. I signed up for my next marathon the day after getting out of the hospital with my PM.

All comments/opinions are appreciated - Thanks,
Don

6 Comments

nice work Don

by randrews - 2009-02-21 07:02:05

It's a great accomplishment towards reclaiming your life. I got my pm a month before I was to do my first marathon. I went ahead and ran 7 miles of it anyway.
I think your slower time is mostly due to being out of shape and perhaps being tentative about the new pm. I hear the BB's effect running. I'm still running with no problems related to the heart.
Take care friend.
Rusty

way to go!

by Tracey_E - 2009-02-21 09:02:30

How amazing and awesome that you finished a marathon so soon after implant!!!

You cannot compare your hr before you got the pm to now. Before it was screwy, now it's run by a computer. Add in the beta blockers and there is likely absolutely no correlation between what your rate was working out before and what it is now. You can only go by how you feel when you work out. If you are working out at 120 or 150 or 180 and feel good, then that's your new hr for workouts. When they check your pm next time, they can tell how many times you bumped your upper limit. You might want to ask to be checked this week while it's fresh.

I can't imagine running for 4 hrs!!!! You sick child, you LOL I'm proud when I go 40 min instead of 30 on the elliptical :o)

>> Does anyone know if Atenolol will affect my ability to run faster or my endurance or should my pacemaker be able to override it's negative effects?

It's hard to say, probably a question for your doctor. The pm is keeping you from going too low and making you go higher when you run. The meds are keeping you from getting too high... who knows!?

>> Do you need a faster heart rate to run faster or do some people just have a normal slower maximum heart rate? Prior to my Pacemaker, I would normally run a 5K with my HR only getting to around 120 when I was going all out at the end of the race

It is more than just your hr, it's also your strength and the efficiency of your lungs and your genes. There's no one number that is right for a set pace/speed. My guess would be your hr should have been higher but the sinus problems kept it low, but that's just a guess. I suspect that when you get your settings perfected, you will have more stamina and speed than you did before because your heart will be a lot more efficient.

Why is the GP the one to put you on the beta blocker?? Any heart meds should be run through your cardiologist or EP. At the very least, the cardiologist needs to know and approve what the GP put you on if it affects your hr.They don't see heart patients all day long and they don't understand the nuances like the specialists do- that's why we go to specialists.

Go Don Go..

by Cyborg Runner - 2009-02-22 08:02:28

Good job Don. I posted a story here upon joining last week, also about running after getting a pacemaker.
Our thinking is similar regarding our device, and the hopes that it can improve our runinng, which I think that it can.
I suffered from atrial flutter and a slow and eradic haert rate prior to getting my PM in August. Two days after installation I was out doing an easy 1.5 mile run. I ended up having two more cardio catheterizations after my implant. Three weeks after my last operation I ran a 5K and finished within two minutes of my PR. Last weekend, one day shy of my 6 month pacemaker anniversary I ran a marathon and requalified for Boston, actually beating the time that I had running Boston last April.
As I am not on beta blockers, or any other drug, I cannot comment on their affect, though I was told by my doctors early on that they would make me feel sluggish, and have an adverse affect on my training. I had them work hard to find ways to improve my health status without adding any drugs to my life.
I think that your attitude is very beneficial for improving your running. Does your doctor run? I switched cardiology practices so that I could see a doctor that is an avid runner and understands what wackos runners can be. He looks at my disability differently and encourages me to push myself, but to always be in tune with my body.
Waring a heart rate monitor is most helpful. I only started to after getting my PM and now use this as a most valuable tool in adjusting my training and my racing. I would look into some running sites, like runnersworld.com and others for more info ion how best to utilize this important training tool.
I think that you have a great and healthy attitude, and that your will to improve and reach your goals will keep you better "plugged in" into improving your heart's efficiency and health.
Run strong and run long.

I felt sluggish and blah on Beta Blocker

by BillMFl - 2009-02-22 11:02:05

Switched to Norvasc, a vaso dialtor, which dropped my bp nicely with no noticeable side effects. Beta blockers can be useful for some people who have mild tachy or or palpitations, but not usually prescribed with SSS. All drugs can affect different people in very different ways. Like Tracey said, I would talk to your Cardiologist about a BP med that would be most suitable. My dx was very similar to yours. My settings are 60/130 too. RR set at high activity 5. I'm not a runner unless it is part of a sport like tennis. On a thalium treadmill test it takes me 10 minutes to break 100, and 12 to get to the max calculated (while running fast and at a steep incline). I could run longer but they always ask me to stop at the max HR. At my age (67 in April) I prefer to walk at a 4mph+ speed for excercise. If I run longer than 15 or 20 min my joints kill me the next day. At 6'1, 175 I'm not carrying any extra weight. Just getting old, haha. Lifetime of being a multi sport jock and extreme trekker have given me some mild osteoarthritis from the wear and tear. You are doing fantastic to run a 5k so soon after your surgery. My bet is a little fine tuning of your PM and finding the right BP med and you will be tearing up the pavement! Color me a jealous old fart. :)

Thanks for all the encouragement!

by DonSoule - 2009-02-23 02:02:48

Thankyou - I appreciate your support!!

Tracey, You have a lot of good comments, I'll just need to be patient on this new journey and learn what my new normal is for my HR - I'm sure some adjustments will need to be made for running with the rate response on since it just jumps to the max of 130 as soon as I start running slowly. Unless your calling the 5K (3.1 miles) a marathon (26.2 miles), I haven't completed a marathon yet, just the 5k - I did register for a marathon which will be in June - I'll let every one know how I do when I do complete it.

Rusty, I think your right about my 5K time being due to my being out of shape - it will take me time to get back to what I was doing 2 months ago.

Bill, unfortunately I'm already on Norvasc and it isn't working for me - I'm also taking Diovan/Htc - My Dr just added Atenolol to the other two - He doesn't usually replace a drug, just adds. The cardiologist also doubled my Diovan/Htc to the maximum size and he did know my GP would probably be adding a BB and was fine with that. I wish I could get off all the drugs also one for colesteral, but I know I need to get my blood preassure under control somehow. It went up with the pacemaker but seems to be getting closer to normal with the last two changes.

Cybog Runner, thats amazing that you're doing so well with your running!! Qualiftying for Boston!! Sounds like you're a little out of my league since so far I've just been making it in under the 6hr limit - But I continue to dream and still think it's possible to get my time down to 4Hr which would qualify me for the 2010 Boston when I'm 60. So maybe I'll see you there.

All endurance athletes should read this.

by ponch - 2012-07-20 05:07:58

Title of the article in the Proceedings of the Mayo Clinic is:
Potential Adverse Cardiovascular Effects From Excessive Endurance Exercise
It's in the JUNE issue
http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/issues

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I'm 43 and have had my pacemaker four weeks today. I'm looking forward to living another 50 years and this marvelous device inside me will help me do that.