Crazy Update from Jon

Team Denver,

I hope that all is going well for you and everyone is training hard for the holiday season of endless buffets. I wanted to take a moment and share with you some important findings about my personal health that I have recently discovered.

Since joining team polar this past season, I had trained with Heart Rate sporadically. With my preparation for my first Ironman I knew how important Heart Rate training would be and is. This was a key component to my coach too. I moved to Denver from Chicago in December of last year, just as I was starting my IM-Training. I had expected to see a slight increase in my heart rate (BPM) until I had become acclimated to the altitude/elevation change. I felt and noticed that my heart rate never really had a chance to level off and normalize through out the training process. I chalked it up to training hard, lack of rest, and some stints back at sea level for work.

Most recently I had started to train again consistently for a few late season races pre and post Interbike. While training on a few runs, I had a continued to have a high heart rate with a few friends/we where doing a steady 9m/m pace run. While running at this pace my heart rate was at 198 (BPM). My friends where alarmed as much as I was. So after some calls and looking for a Cardiologist I had some test conducted. These included an ECG and Stress test. These test showed nothing out of the ordinary as the Doctor was under the impression that I my have SVT (Supervantricular Tacacardia). Since the test show up normal, an ECHO was taken of my heart and more blood work done too. Once the ECHO was completed I later heard back for the Doctor as well as the Team Physician of the Colorado Avalanche Hockey Team within three hours of the test being conducted. They informed me that I have Cadiomyopathy. It is a heart disease that directly affects the blood
flow in and out of the heart chambers. I happen to be the 1% of Cadiomyopathy diagnosed patients who do not have family history of heart disease.

When the Doctors told me “I’m surprised that you finished the Ironman race”. I wasn’t sure how to take that. I guess I’m stronger then they expected. Have to look at it in a positive light.

The Doctors have requested that I do not participate in competitive sports for a while now. There time table in not yet determined as to the exact end date, until they see how the medication which I’m on now affects me. I have reoccurring check up visits for a few months with the hopes that I may fight which I call the “Heart Cold”. I am taking this seriously but trying to keep it light at times so to keep positive.

The gist of this informational email is to say thanks for being such a kick ass team through out the year and having an awesome season. It has been great to be a member of such a great team. Having the ability to train with Polar HRM’s has afforded me a chance to “Listen to my body” and what is it telling me. I can honestly say that it has potentially saved my life and afforded me chance to continue competing at some point soon too.

I hope to be a member of the team next year in the Denver Market with all of you again. Not knowing my currently availability to compete due to my current health situation it is hard to say. I’m more then able and willing to help conduct clinics, both club and retail to spread the message of how IMPORTANT using a heart rate monitor really is. I feel that educating consumers about the great benefits of the products and knowing how to use them properly is key. It could possibly shed light on someone with a similar situation as mine.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. It has been great being a Team Denver Member and representing a great reliable product with all of you. I wish you an awesome holiday season.

Jon R.

"Life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance you must keep moving" -- Albert Einstein