Corinne Ellison

12 weeks ago today, I had heart surgery for a large hole in my heart. My heart was stopped and I was put onto a bypass system during the operation. I woke up in intensive care sore and feeling very sick. I spent 8 days in hospital before returning home to spend the next 12 weeks recovering.

Last night, re-running this in my mind kept me awake. Since my operation, all my focus has been on getting better and the future. I never let myself think about the lead up to surgery, my time in hospital or any pain during recovery. I can now admit it wasn’t easy. It hurt. I was scared. I saw my cardiologist last week who told me I would have died in 8 -10 years if I hadn’t had the surgery. At the time, I laughed this off. Afterwards I felt like I had been kicked in the stomach! This information has only made me more determined to achieve now. Achieve in business, in triathlon, in running and my life in general.

Niggling fears and doubts are starting to bug me! Two of my hospital consultants have told me that it is ok for me to train again. They both know my aims to return to triathlon and running (ironman hasn’t been mentioned though!). Both were quick to tell me I wouldn’t be able to be an elite athlete. This hasn’t been an aim of mine but why is it when someone tells you you can’t do something, it makes you want it even more!! I am now questioning why not. Physiologically, can my heart not stand intense exercise? I’ve been told my heart is as good as new now so this doesn’t make sense. Should I be scared to push it on a lone 20 mile run or 50 mile bike ride? What if I feel like I did after the Berlin marathon last year (hideous!). Feelings of sadness have filled me this week. Sadness at what I have missed in terms of races and at what my body has gone through.

There I’ve said it. I admit to feeling rubbish this week. However, I have had the best training sessions. Running on the treadmill with the occasional 1 minute walk have felt great.  Cycling on the spin bike at the gym was such as relief to get back on the bike. The best feeling of all was getting back in the pool. Lengths felt so easy, I was shocked! No breathlessness or chest pain, not so much as an ache in any of my chest muscles. My sternum has now healed, yipee!! I am finally at a stage where I am going to overtake my progress before my operation. With some trepidation I am starting to believe in what I may be capable of. I  am excited to think of the personal bests that may be ahead. All the frustration of not achieving the times I thought I should in relation to my training is now behind me.

Although my heart was stopped 12 weeks ago today, it has never worked as efficiently as it is now. For that, I am very grateful! Coming soon is my list of 2011 races

To those who have been reading this blog don’t get too excited, I haven’t gone out and done an Ironman!! Until now I have kept this blog post as a diary for my progress following heart surgery in June. From now, I will be recording my journey returning to the sport of triathlon and in particular the ultimate challenge of Ironman.

Over the weekend, I watched a programme on the UK Ironman race. This inspired me to begin serious research into training for the long-distance race. Which Ironman, when is realistic, what training will I need. I have begun looking for a triathlon coach as I feel I will need structure to my training and good advice to keep me on track. Through Twitter and Triblogs I have come across some great people, from local novice triathletes to train with to expert coaches from the US. I fully intend to utilise the powers of the web to aid my training!

The reaction I have had from friends, family and online acquaintances has been mixed! My brother thinks a screw has come loose. My friends understand my obsession with extreme challenges. Friends on Twitter have given me great words of encouragement which really spurs me on. The Channel 4 programme on the UK Ironman showed several participants who had a ‘story’ such as a young guy who had fallen 100ft in the ski accident and was in a wheelchair for months, a Canadian women in her 60′s on her second Ironman and countless others. Whenever I watch footage of a long distance triathlon the strength of human nature is obviously abundant and this reduces me to tears and goosebumps every time.

So what is my personal reason for wanting to do an Ironman? My heart surgery set me back in my marathon and triathlon training. I had set out goals for each year up until 2012 and as a result of my heart condition, didn’t seem to be getting anywhere fast! My aim for a sub 4:30 marathon went by the wayside in 2009 as my symptoms worsened. I couldn’t understand why my running was slowing rather than improving. Doctors in March 2010, when they heard the word triathlon, told me to stop training (other than a gentle jog or walk). I found this disheartening and frustrating so tried to carry on working out for a few more weeks. Finally, I was forced to give up exercise. I was told by my cardiologist that I would never be an elite athlete (although this hadn’t been my aim). At this time, my way of getting through was to focus all my energy on ensuring I focus on the future and making sure I had the required surgery as soon as possible. This strategy worked and carried me through the tough times.

Here I am now, nearly at the golden 12 week date. 15th September to me is the start of my future as a triathlete. On that day, I will celebrate the end of my recovery period with my first cycle and swim in the pool. I have a long way to go with my training as over the last 6 months I have obviously lost fitness, have put on weight/body fat and just a little bit of confidence.

My aims for the next few weeks:

• x 3 runs a week, slow pace (no quicker than 10 min/miles), distance between 2 – 5 miles
• Gentle workouts at the gym, 1-2 x a week
• Yoga x 3 a week
• Massage or reflexology once a month to help with lingering sore neck
• Ease back into swimming, depending on how my chest is feeling
• Set-up my turbo and begin gentle cycle sessions x 2/3 a week
• Research a triathlon coach
• Record my weight/body fat and exercise sessions to keep a log

I love following a training plan and I will start looking into marathon plans that begin at the end of 2010/Jan 2011 but will not follow a plan at the moment. This is because I need to listen to my body while I resume exercise again and make sure I take the necessary rest. There is plenty of time to focus on sub 4hr marathon, olympic and 70.3 triathlon plans!

Brief race plan for 2011 – 2012.

April 2011 – London Marathon. Aiming for sub 4 hours.

Spring 2011 – Sprint distance triathlon as warm-up race

Summer 2011 – 2 or 3 olympic distance races (including Bournemouth and London)

August, September or autumn 2011 – half Ironman.

2012 – Ironman!!

Stats today:

Weight: 9 st 1 lb, Body fat: 25.8%, BMI: 20.4, Waist: 26”, Hips: 36”

After a long, long 10 week wait for an appointment with a surgeon, the big day is approaching. After a lot of frustration, anger, upset and tears, I am now excited about the prospect of getting my life back on track. I am at the end of my tether with my treatment from the NHS, feel very disappointed. I have almost completely stopped exercising due to my symptoms but still have the fire for triathlon and running burning inside! I am determined to get back to training as soon as possible, which is why I have continued to have a active role in trying to get better as soon as possible.

Remaining positive is crucial to mental strength through difficult times. My aim is to run a marathon again, ideally my London marathon place in 2011. I aim to get back to triathlon training with my club and with my partner as I feel my life is missing a large part.

So after Wednesday, I will know when my heart operation is likely to be and therefore, when I can get back to training. The operation, recovery and implications are a small, almost insignificant part of the journey. I find it useful to focus on the result i.e. getting back on my bike, in the sea swimming or crossing the finish line of the marathon. Mental images are strong and become strong the more you enforce them in your mind. As the saying goes, begin with the end in mind.

Women in sport intrigue me. When pushing your body to it’s limit, how does this make you strong mentally, what lessons do you learn about yourself and how can you apply this knowledge to other challenges in life?

Two women who inspire me:

Chrissie Wellington.

For those who don’t k now, Chrissie is three time world champion Ironman. In an interview, Chrissie expressed how women with body issues depress her. Her mission is to inspire others to unlock their hidden sporting talents.

“The gender boundaries that exist in other sports don’t exist in triathlon. And I love that.” Chrissie always portrays an image of positivity, smiling, enjoying her job, never complaining. How many people do you know like that? I can think of 2 or 3 and they never fail to make me smile. Surrounding yourself with optimistic people really does have a profound influence on your own well-being.

Chrissie has recently become patron of the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, which leads on to my next inspiring woman.

Jane Tomlinson

“Jane raised over £1.85million through a series of gruelling challenges including several long-distance bike rides, marathons, triathlons and a full Ironman triathlon. Since her death the charity that she founded has announced a new fundraising target of £5million.” Wikipedia

Marathons and triathlons are part of my life, therefore I relate to Jane’s focus on these athletic challenges. I think of Jane whenever on a particularly difficult run or race, each thought of Jane’s strength against such adversity propels my legs further.

 These are just two women who I aspire to. Many of my friends and family cause me to stop and question a natural instinct to think negatively. I cannot stress enough the important of keeping inspiring figures in mind and surrounding yourself with the kind of person you’d like to be. In my case, this doesn’t necessarily mean world-class athletes, but local triathletes and friends, business people, those who have achieved in life or those working towards success.

Simple, but effective!

Watch this video to consider the importance of winning, competition and personal achievement.

I recently met Dave Scott at the TCR show in Surrey. Listening to him impart his wisdom on the subject on triathlon inspired me to watch footage of his famous race with Mark Allen in the 1989 Ironman World Championships. You may think, how can this teach me about life? You may not be interested in triathlon or any kind of sport. But there are definite lessons to be learnt from those who push themselves to the limit.

As a six time world champion, Dave Scott had to defend his tittle in Hawaii, the Tour de France / World Cup equivalent in triathlon. Mark Allen, his competition ended up taking the title, after a neck and neck race. As you will see on the video, and from meeting Dave live, he shows no bitterness towards his rival, no regrets. Why? He gave his all, did his best. What more can you humanly do.

Whatever you aim for, give it your all. How many times can you honestly say you have done this? When did you last put your heart into something to the point where you literally gave blood, sweat and tears? Sounds a cliche, but it’s true.

Personal achievement is what matters, over competition. Winning is a state of mind. Only you can decide if you deserve to take the title.

To end with, memorise this statement and repeat to yourself every day:

To get something you’ve never had, you must do something you have never done.