I have to say that when he drew the graphic on the screen with his pointer of the normal width specifications of the aortic valve next to my aortic valve it was only then that I realized there is something wrong with me.

Geez Ribs, gotta paint it in black and white for you, no? Seriously, so glad you got this checked out and have a plan of action. We expect to have you grouching around here for a long time so getting this fixed right away is imperative. Tramps, not TMI... thanks for the info. I won't hit the 50 for another couple years but this procedure is something we all need to think about and schedule when the time is right. Holly, no cement geese here. Most yards around here are just full of weeds and dog doo. Enke, very nice run. You have a right to be proud of yourself for that one. Raining and gloomy again today. Ran 6 on the treadmill last night, those first 5 miles at 6.8 mph (8:49 m/m) at 1% are so hard to do. I find my form gets sort of sloppy and I wander side-to-side a lot. Last mile I upped to 7.2 (8:20), which is about MP and felt so much better. I felt I could've gone on another 5 miles easily at that pace... But starving children and soccer duty called so I had to go. Tonight is supposed to be 8 with hills... hope it stops raining. I hate muddy shoes.

Mainerunnah - I am so jealous. My ultimate goal is to retire and live on a trout stream - especially with the privacy you describe. It's too cold in Maine, though, so I'll have to settle for the White River in Arkansas or Taneycomo in Missouri.

I'm a Mainiac born and bred and have lived here all my life excepting of course my 3 year hitch with Uncle Sam's Army! Anyway, I'm not too sure how many more winters I have left in me...my wife and I really like it in Arizona during the winter...maybe just maybe someday we'll winter in that area and be back in Maine for Spring, Summer and Fall. Now that would really be "the way life should be" at least for me! Ahhh no more running in blizzards and very few if any runs on the dreadmill...what a life that would be!

Tim: I run my speed sessions at a high school track also. It just happens to be the school I ran track for. Like you, running at the track brings back some really great memories. Sometimes when I come around the last turn on the last interval, I am taken back to those days and I can see in my mind's eye friends and family in the stands cheering me on. I guess we are like old firehorses, when we here that bell we take off!

Well, about off to run to my old high school track for my 1000's. Everything back in the day were 220's 440's - and 880's and such....this metric stuff throws me waaaay off. I have very fond memories of high school track and my coach yelling...go go go, faster faster faster, puke puke puke...ahhh, those were the days...still are Hard to believe that was over 30 years ago also . I still see my old track coach out running sometimes still...which is nice to see. Tim

OK...back from meetings...and a rotten run... Twocat: Upcoming marathon sounds like a brutal course, but judging from your workouts, you're ready. Tim: Really awed at your ambitious program! You're doing 3 times the mileage and 2 more days than I'm doing...and I'm always exhausted. Oh yeah...and I made over $50,000 on one of those e-mail things...send me a cashier's check for $1.40 and I'll tell you how... Nonoruns: 3 miles in 84 degree heat is a great effort. dg: Thought you were coming along nicely with your gym workouts...yesterday's post didn't sound good...think you're past the "rub some dirt on it & walk if off" stage. TomWhite: Yes, you DO own the Brooklyn Bridge...don't you remember I sold it to you last year? Tramps: OK...go ahead...describe to us your pre-colonoscopy day...I dare you. Gordon: 20:54 in the heat...awesome, man! Enke: 12 miles...negative splits...80 degrees...I need a nap just thinking about that. ...and Ribs: As you stated, I won't make a big issue of this...but: First of all, is an echogram and an ultrasound about the same thing? If so, I know the prodedure...I do one every year due to my dad's blockages. Second...yeah, I know about degenerative calcification and the fact that replacing the valve is open-heart stuff. Coumadin is excellent medicine! But you need to lay off it if you're planning on getting a face lift anytime soon. My buddy Mac, also a cardiologist, read your post and without any additional info said "This is a common procedure...no big deal." Look, if you are gonna be out of commission for a while, you seem to have established a rep as a great coach. So...here's my problem...I'm hitting my irons great but hooking the hell out of my woods..club championship is in 2 weeks...and please don't tell me "take 2 and hit to right".. Got in a run this afternoon...about 90 degrees out there so I went to the local h.s. track and did 4 miles...was walking some after 2 but still managed 39:23, not all that miserable in those conditions. DickyG

Went out at 3:30 pm for a 3 1/2 mi run -- out to the boards, down to the sand, back home via the streets. I started thinking of the sheer variety of sports/games I encountered on a simple 3.5 mi run...in no particular order: - walking - bicycling - basketball - swimming - rowing - surfing - in-line skating - baseball - volleyball - badminton - horse shoes - football I probably forgot one or two...oh yeah, other runners too! It's so easy to go "do" when everyone else is doing. Definitely not the most sedentary town in the U.S.

8.27 Miles easy - 1:11:53 - (8:41) Avg HR - 130 / Max HR 141 8:55 - 8:50 - 8:58 - 8:41 - 8:20 - 8:25 - 8:44 - 8:38 - 2:18 Temp - 84 Degrees - Humidity - 74% - and quite windy too! I got caught in heavy rain 5 miles out but at least there was no thunder or lightning. I'm glad I got this one out of the way, enjoyed a nice dip in the river afterwards.

{{{{Ribs}}}} welcome back, Gordon. very nice job. Erika, I keep waiting for that. I load the bag the night before, only 1/2 check it in the morning because after all, i am still cognizant. aren't i? of at least some things? . worst i've done so far was to forget my water. other than trying to open the locker with my car clicker. but i think i already told you about that. I hope your weather holds. I have a couple of feet related links to send to you. DickyG, . You may be right. that would probably mean i should roll in it. (the dirt). Today was a little better.. I did 25 on the elliptical, & then ran a mile without hurting my feet too much. so happy. then 20 on the arc trainer, 10 on the recumbant bike which i should've skipped but couldn't. (it's illegal). assorted stability ball exercises then stretches & then I was late & hurried home. thanks for noticing. -). thanks for your advice the other day. i've put a lock on the microwave door. 90F?? wtg! deez4, you're doing so well. .

Ribs, Thanks for sharing. We all will benefit from your openness and I am sure will model you during our own health issues. 6 mile hard run today 9:11 warm up 8:06 8:10 8:05 8:10 9:18 cool down pretty happy with this effort and now a slow recovery day tomorrow right ribs ? Holly, The cement goose thing was big around here a few years ago. I remember one lady had a whole family in her yard. She dressed them for every season. right now they would be in their red white and blue. It must be for people who like to sew I would guess. Gordon, Great race time. Hope you had a great vacation. My physical is in December and he already hinted that I was getting a colonoscopy this time. My father had one every year and they usually found a polyp or two. Genetics can be good and bad. Here is to every ones health Larry