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Redefining "Success" Due to a Physical Limitation

KCRunnerSteve
KCRunnerSteve Posts: 24 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I got into it a little with the exercise specialist at cardiac rehab Friday. I brought in my heart rate chart from my 5K PR last January, a 23:47.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/143414934

She basically told me I can never run another 5K like that again (where I was at my max heart rate, 180 bpm, pretty much the whole race). That is now my lifetime PR. I was really bummed out.

So now I have to redefine success. Can I feel good about running 5K races at a much slower pace? I thought maybe I should only do themed fun runs from now on: The Color Run, The Glow Run, Warrior Dash, Graveyard Dash, etc. I think I still have a shot a half marathon or full marathon PR, since my heart rate does not get as high in endurance events.

Anybody else had to redefine success because of a physical limitation, like knees, hips or heart issues?

Replies

  • fiberartist219
    fiberartist219 Posts: 1,865 Member
    We were talking about something similar to this in the hypothyroid group. It's not a physical limitation per se, but we generally can't lose weight as fast as a person with a normal thyroid because our metabolisms are much slower. I feel incredibly successful that I have lost 18lbs in a little over a year, while most healthy folks might see that as disappointingly slow.

    Do what you can, and be proud of it!
  • KCRunnerSteve
    KCRunnerSteve Posts: 24 Member
    Good point. I think even somebody without hypothyroid would be happy about losing 18 pounds. Great job!
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