Living Life to the Full: My Ironman Journey

On March 26th 2010, I had unplanned open heart surgery to fix multiple holes in my heart that had gone undetected for 41 years. I was born with a severe congenital heart defect and was told that I needed surgery to prevent my heart failing. The right side of my heart was severely enlarged and doctors told me without the surgery, my days would be numbered. I had no idea, I had such a defect, I was a triathlete and had been competitively racing triathlons for almost 7 years – what now?

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Happy New Year, 2012 here we come!

Well 2011 was a great year and a little less dramatic than 2010 thats for sure....!

We sadly left Vegas and our beautiful home to follow our hearts and live life to the full in Chicago. What a fun city it is, we've already met some great friends and experienced some fun times. Who knows how long we will be here but one thing is certain wherever and whenever our next journey is we will continue to LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL !!

I plan to make 2O12 count....whatever challenges lie confront me, whatever setbacks hit me, i will rise above them all however hard. Nothing is impossible if you set your mind to it, dream big and live those dreams always. Don't wait until tomorrow as tomorrow may never come, live today and live it to the fullest.

Happy new year everyone!
Ellen x

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Here's to LIVING LIFE TO THE FULL!!!

Have a great 2012 !

Friday, December 9, 2011

Las Vegas Half Marathon report

What a fun time we had! It was such fun running up and down the strip at night ....lights flashing, rock bands playing, we really had a blast.

There were at least 15 peeps representing Ironheart racing shirts...bright orange - awesome!! Weather was a perfect mid 40s...to some that may seem cold but it was perfect for running . I started out somewhat conservatively with a 8.30 pace for the first 8 miles then started to gradually increase with each mile. Ended up with an average of 8.20 mile pace and a time of 1hour and 50 mins....that was my second fastest half marathon ever (I did a 1.46 on a course in San Francisco years ago - but that was downhill so doesn't count!).

We had the Ironheart documentary film crew out in Vegas also and we shot some more footage for the documentary - such fun and oh were we LIVING LIFE TO THE FULL in Vegas baby! (how I miss Vegas....)

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Ahhh.....Aloha !!

Back in Hawaii for a few days of both fun and work...spending time with best friends, swimming with the Honus and running in the mountains...life is sweet. Tried to see the sunrise this morning (jetlag!) but Diamond head gotin the way :-)
Off to Lanai today for a fewdays of R&R and LIVING LIFE TO THE FULL

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Ironman Arizona 2012: I'm in !!!

Well what a fabulous weekend we just had in Tempe, Arizona, watching the 2011 Arizona Ironman. I can't believe that a year has passed since I raced in 2010, just 8 months after having open heart surgery.....

And....one year from now, I'll be attempting to do it all over again (well not the open heart surgery bit!).

Yes I signed up for the 2012 Ironman along with some of my most courageous team mates from Ironheart Racing. We began our journey together and we will do everything in our power to complete the Ironman together 12 months from now.

We are also going to be the cast members of a great new documentary....it's all terribly secret right now but I will keep you posted! Live life to the full !

www.ellenliveslifetothefull.com

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Tempe, AZ , here I come again!!

It's hard to believe that a year has passed since I completed my first ever Ironman triathlon event in Tempe, Arizona.

Well I'm excited to say that I will be retunprning to the event next weekend to cheer and support the 2500 athletes that will race this incredible event.

Also I will be signing up for the 2012 race , my second Ironman.....very exciting! The sign up will also mark the start of the filming for our documentary....a feature film following the lives and training of 6 athletes, all whom have had open heart surgery at sone point and now who Live life to it's fullest...I am one of those athletes and look forward to sharing my 2012 journey with you all. Watch this space for more information as we begin the road to more dreams....and continue to Live Life to the full

Monday, October 10, 2011

Chicago Marathon

It was HOT HOT HOT.....note to self....NEVER enter a race that is in the 70s-80s.....

I was able to run my target pace for the first 21 miles then the the heat just engulfed my muscles and they started to slowly cook....by mile 25 I had to walk a few steps....but was able to finish in 4 hours and 7 minutes. Didn't break my personal record of 4 hours but I'm sure there is a heat index calculation somewhere that would prove that I did if it was adjusted!! :-))

Onto the Vegas Half marathon in December - nice and cold and dry!

Welcome to my Blog !

Www.ellenliveslifetothefull.com

I'm new at this ! but I've taken the technological plunge and started to write a blog. What fun!

My blog is about me. My journey from Open Heart-Surgery to competing in an Ironman Triathlon in less than 8 months.

My story begins with my bizarre symptoms which puzzled my doctors, the dramatic diagnosis and immediate requirement for open heart surgery. Then came the painful and slow recovery and the longing to return to my triathlon passion. My determination and will power to succeed against all the odds and realize my dream: To become an Ironman.

My Story

On March 26^th 2010, I had unplanned open heart surgery to fix multiple holes in my heart that had gone undetected for 41 years. I was born with a severe congenital heart defect and was told that I needed surgery to prevent my heart failing. The right side of my heart was severely enlarged and doctors told me without the surgery, my days would be numbered. I had no idea, I had such a defect, I was a triathlete and had been competitively racing triathlons for almost 7 years – what now?

The days and weeks following my surgery were miserable. Even walking slowly up and down the hospital ward was difficult. My doctors were encouraging though and my surgeon was confident I would be up and running again soon enough. Of course I had signed up for my first Ironman distance race (Arizona) in November 2009 and did not anticipate having to deal with open heart surgery at the beginning of my training plan! By May, I was back on my bike in earnest and was even able to begin some easy swimming and jogging. My doctors were amazed but were also concerned that I may have been pushing myself too hard. I still had my Ironman goal for 2010 and I was determined to at least try and get to the starting line.

In September 2010, my doctor did a thorough medical evaluation and was sufficiently pleased with the results to allow me to compete in the race. She did place some restrictions on my training and my racing however but concluded that I made a tremendous recovery and my heart was now functioning far better than it ever had been.

I began writing a journal in the spring about my experiences and then continued on throughout my recovery and training periods. My journal became more of a memoir and soon I was encouraged by friends to contact a publisher to discuss publishing my memoir. I was skeptical that anyone would be interested in reading about my life and experience but nevertheless agreed to send in the memoir once I had completed it. The publisher asked me how the book would end and when he could receive the manuscript. I replied that the end of the book would be when I crossed the finish line at Ironman Arizona, when I finally become an “Ironman”. On November 21^st, 2010, almost 8 months to the day since my surgery, I crossed that finish line in my first ever Ironman in a time of 12 hours and 37 minutes, and I have never felt so alive.

My book will is called “Living Life to the Full…My Ironman Journey” and is available through my website

www.ellenliveslifetothefull.com . I'm hoping to raise awareness for Adult Congenital Heart disorders and provide inspiration to those needing it. It is possible to swim, bike, run and compete again after open heart surgery, follow your dreams but listen to your heart!

Also visit my facebook page and click on "like" : www.facebook.com/ellenliveslifetothefull