Hi,
I'm sending this to all my running friends who've helped and inspired
me to run harder all these years. After 9,718 days (26 years 5
months) of continuous running without missing a day three doctors and
my loving wife have demanded, begged and pleaded with me not to run
anymore until I get an angiogram next Tuesday. I finally unwillingly
gave in and ended my streak 03/18/08. I would've ran anyway including
the CCC if it'd not been for my wife. I had to finally prove what
means more to me than running once and for all.<G> I was diagnosed
yesterday with v-tach (irregular heart beat) while taking a stress
test to see why I've been unable to run more than a mile the last
three months without extreme oxygen debt, sometimes nausea, pounding
heartrate and high anxity as to whether I could make it back to my
house. Sunday I experienced all this after running less than a mile
and had to stop and walk back to my house. After a day of tests
yesterday including a stess test which they shut down after 9 mnutes
due to what they deemed life or death situation if I continued (I
protested but they insisted), MRI, Echo, Sonigram, EKG, BP and others
they told me I had to get an angiogram asap and to not run or even
walk a race until they determeined what was the total problem and
solution. They also found at least three valves leaking which could
be a part of my extreme shortness of breath, etc. when running. I
guess I owe my life to my wife now for urging me to go to primary
doctor to begin with. (I also probably owe it to my brother-in-law
for talking me into not staying home during Katrina). Thanks to both.

I owe many of my good runs and races to the great people I've ran
with and against all these years. Breaking my streak is one of the
hardest things I've ever had to do because it has been a part of my
life for so long and to give up without ending up in the hospital
first is a major challenge. I'd thought all day when I got home I
would go run a lap easy but finally consented not to.

I hope everyone will be careful Saturday and in all your runs to
think of me as I will of you and "listen to your body" if something
seems different than you're used to. I did and that probably is why I
lived to tell you about it. I know it may be with medicine, implanted
defribilator, pace maker but hopefully you'll see my face back racing
again. If not I hope to at least work them to pay my dues and give
some of the faithful workers a chance to compete or take a day off to
relax.

Thanks again to everyone, you're in my prayers, good luck,
Buster
CTC, NOTC, GNORA