I officially “pulled the plug” on Ironman Arizona today.

My blood test results came back today. When my doctor called me, I felt like I was receiving my report card in grade school: mostly “Outstanding” grades with two “Needs to Improve” as follows:

• Outstanding: Low cholesterol, no mono, no lyme disease, no thyroid issues, no liver issues and no anemia.
• Needs to Improve: Deficient in Vitamin D and elevated CPK levels (muscle enzyme).

My take aways:

• I’m not super human like I want to believe that I am.
• Based my conversation with my doctor and another conversation with another doctor who’s a triathlete, it sounds like I have a bad case of overtraining coupled with a vitamin D deficiency. When I became sick last week, the virus likely spread into my muscles and my heart which might explain the weakness.

What this means: No Ironman Arizona this weekend and take it easy for 3-4 weeks. This is good news, I think, as all is temporary and fixable. I will swallow my pride and be slow for a little while.

I do feel better now that I know the results as I have an explanation for what happened. Not knowing has driven me to distraction all this week as I played through my mind all of the things that I “might have.” I’m a cancer survivor already - how can I not but think the worst?

The old adage “listen to your body” still holds true.

Train safe,

David
–
David B. Glover
Professional Triathlete, Coach and Race Director
Author of Full Time and Sub-Nine
Personal Web: www.davidglover.net
Business Web: www.enduranceworks.net

© 2008 David B. Glover