ADR and ultra endurance athletics
 

IronMan is a race in which the participants swim 2.4 miles, bicycle 112 miles and then run a marathon, 26.2 miles; all of which must be completed in 17 hours. Surprisingly, there are many spine patients that are able to participate.

Since March of this year I have been training for this year's IronMan Florida to be held this Saturday, Nov 2. The training is all consuming; up at 4:30AM, swim, bike or run for 90 minutes, work all day, then swim, bike or run that evening; four days a week. Saturday consists of a long bicycle ride, up to 100 miles, with Sunday having a long run up to 20 miles, with a 2 mile swim mixed somewhere into that weekend. Both myself and my IronWidow, I mean wife, are looking forward to this being over.

The fallout from seven months of this insane training regimen is:

• Swim: 73 miles
• Bike: 1,752 miles
• Run: 432 miles
• Calories: 128,846

Though I weigh the same, body fat % has gone from 10 to 6, and my waist size is within an inch of what it was when I graduated high school in 1981.

There have been limitations from my two cervical fusions and two M6-C's. Namely, swimming without a snorkel is contraindicated. I've done it only twice; once for 2000 meters and once for 300 meters. Two days after the 2000m swim (back in April) I had all the same debilitating symptoms that I had in 2009 that led to my double ADR; it took about 6 weeks to recover. After the 300m swim a few weeks ago, I had a lot of muscle spasms in my upper trapezius and neck; which are just about gone. At least for me, use of a snorkel is required.

If you get bored Saturday and want to check-in on me, IronMan's web site posts real time tracking updates at 15 or so distance intervals;

• go to the IronMan site
• hover over "Races" and select "Live Coverage" from the popup
• select "Ironman Florida" (the only race that day)
• select "Athlete Tracker"
• my bib number is 2964

The race starts at 7AM EDT, and if I complete the swim in time, I'm expecting to finish between 9 and 10:30PM.

Very inspirational. Besides all the exercise, is there any special diet, supplements etc that help? Special stretching? Special shoes for running?

I used to run 5+ miles per day in the Army and for several years after, but don't run at all now because of my lumbar issues.

jss this was really good to read. I used to run every day (only 30 mins to 1 hour), and it made me feel great. I cant stand the gym. I suppose running is engaging with environment and I like that. However, while I could run now (with 3 crook cervical), I have become nervous about the impact.

Your points on the snorkel free swims were important, and a good warning, but I did muse that the day I swim 2000 metres, will be the day they have inserted a full bionic implant into my brain!! How do you do that? Anyway, its worth noting, that going by your experience fitness is back on the table after ADR. Thats the take away message for me and I cant wait.

This time next week I will be arriving in Dusseldorf, and the following day meeting Dr Bierdstedt.

Good Luck-I have three friends racing the same race. I was registered for IMLP(IronMan Lake Placid) 3 years ago but was not able to race as back continued to get worse. Have a great race, remember to run your own race and have fun. One of the things I enjoy most watching an Ironman is being at the finish and seeing how happy everyone look when crossing the line, especially if you wait it out to cheer the ones crossing right before cut-off!

Swimming w/out snorkel is necessary because of fusion or adr?

Guys,

Thanks for the encouragement!

Lewis, diet, stretching and equipment are HIGHLY variable and unique to each individual. Yes, I have things that work for me, but they are unique to me.

Heidi, while I know that you're going to have a great outcome with Dr Bierstedt, such physical activities as I've been able to undertake are the exception among spine patients. I hope you're one that share's my outcome. I hope we'll race against each other one day! And thank you for sharing the hope that my experience has given you. That was the singular motivation that prompted me to post this.

Todd, good luck to your friends racing at IMFL! My motivation to shed the snorkel is the disgust that those that don't use a snorkel have for those of us that have health reasons that force us to use it. I've conversed with those that brag about assaulting snorkel users during the swim sufficiently that the spine patient had to withdraw from the race. Regardless, my attempts to shed the snorkel have shown that I'll just have to take my chances with the snorkel.

And thanks again for the encouragement! After the race I'll post here how it went.

So yo will be starting near the back or wide to the outside:)
You need some sherpa's to protect you!

You are truly an INSPIRATION!!!!!! This is the type of surgical outcome we should all enjoy. You've certainly worked hard in your training, and a great motivator to get us all up off our backsides (well at least "me" anyway).

I wish you a safe experience this weekend and will be thinking of you. Good Luck....Iron Man. You're already a winner.

Laura, as you have one successful fusion, and given all the great things I've heard about Dr Bierstedt, my suspicion is that if you want to pursue the same course I have, then it might be an option for you. Whether you choose it or not, here's hoping that's the case!

Todd, yes, this year's mass swim start is a "self seeded" start. Meaning that IMFL asks everyone to line up for the start according to their anticipated swim finish times. I anticipate mine to be between 1:30 and 1:45. Into my 14th year of cervical spine problems, my left arm is weaker than my right and doesn't provide much propulsion; I have a one-armed swim. I plan to line up with the 1:45 group and start on the west end of the swim start (current is west to east). I don't expect that anyone inclined to assault me in the water will catch up to me until early in the second loop. (BTW: too bad about not being to toe the starting line at IMLP. I do appreciate how disappointing that would have been)

Jeff, I'm always happy to read your posts. They certainly provide hope for us pre-surgery members.

I had to give up cycling two years ago because holding my head up caused numbness in my arms and shoulders, and of course the headaches. The five years prior to that I could only ride short infrequent sessions. Never had a problem swimming, though, but I have a short pool so it's tedious to swim for more than 15mins. Hopefully, I'll get back to cycling after surgery.

Anyway good luck. I'm sure you'll take best in class.
-RP