Listening to Your Body Can Be the Difference Between Life or Death
We’re often told to listen to our bodies, but what does that really mean? Why is it important? I found out last fall after my wife and I returned from a long-delayed trip to South Africa. Before we left, I completed a 14- and 16-mile training run in advance of the 2022 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. When we returned, I decided to ease into training again
and run an easy and short 4-mile run-walk. Except it was anything but easy. In fact, it was laborious.
Perhaps I was getting over jet lag or needed to get back into the groove? The next day I decided to do a 3-mile run but, again, felt unusual fatigue and my watch indicated a 22-hour recovery time! That’s when I knew something was off.
My doctor suggested some tests including an EKG, a stress test, bloodwork, an echocardiogram and an angiogram. When the results came back, I learned I had significant coronary artery disease in major arteries.
How could this be? How could this be happening to me? The standard advice for this type of diagnosis: stop smoking, stop drinking alcohol, and get more exercise. However, I never
smoked, I’ve been sober since 1989, and I’ve run 100 marathons. This did not compute in my mind.
This is why listening to your body matters. What I learned is: I can’t outrun genetics. Both my parents died
from heart-related issues. While my lifestyle was healthy, it was not enough to undo a genetic pre-disposition. I was still processing this information in the recovery room when my world upended; the cardiologist told me my marathon days were over. In fact, my limit going forward could be just five miles.
I don’t remember very clearly anything else he said that day. Fortunately, my wife was in the room to listen while I was trying to process what I had just heard. When we’re struck with news that feels like a thunderbolt, it’s easy to let your mind go into a downward spiral.
Like most people, over the years
I have made several transitions: moving across the country, changes in jobs/careers, and significant changes in my family's structure. Many of these transitions brought a loss of identity, a grieving process that I felt was natural and part of life. Yet, I could always fall back on exercise, and running marathons. I’ll admit, I don’t
know how this one will play out yet.
I am grateful I listened to my body when I struggled on that 4-mile run. It would have been very easy for me to revert to old patterns of behavior, to ignore the signs and simply ‘run through’ the fatigue, increasing the intensity of my training
instead of seeking medical advice. Had I done so, I could have permanently been stopped from running, or even breathing.
As of right now, I’ve managed to avoid a more invasive procedure of stents or bypass. I’m still being monitored to see how effectively my body responds to
medication and less exercise. I have to be patient.
Now that my own life has taken a twist, I’m grateful to have the tools to help me manage my new health journey. It’s important to have a team. I’m grateful
for the support of my wife and family, and the incredible support of my friends from church, my runners and the running community, among others.
Has your world been shaken by difficult to bear news? I’d love to learn how you’ve tackled those changes and what you have learned from
them. I often work with clients on various issues they’re trying to manage, whether it’s burnout, how to make their next career more or creating a plan to accomplish a goal. It’s humbling to be part of a client’s trusted partners and make a difference in their lives.
I hope to use my monthly newsletter to share my journey with you. Perhaps it’ll help remind all of us to take moments throughout the day to get in-tune with our mind and body and to be grateful for the opportunities we have each
day.
After all, our life depends on it.
