This is not the race report I expected to write, but here we are:
I was running and feeling decent until mile 11 when I had a sudden feeling like I had to stop. I was mad, thinking “okay, I bonked, I guess this is what a bonk is” and somehow made it to the finish, doing some walking but I was feeling weirdly short of breath despite slowing way down.
I finished and headed to find Josh but then realized something seemed very off because my heart still felt like it was pounding and I was starting to have trouble breathing. I found my friend, and she walked me to the medical tent. Much longer and more dramatic story made short, I was in ventricular tachycardia with a rate over 250.
It was all really terrifying (understatement) and I got cardioverted (thankfully got sedated first) and returned to normal sinus. I am in the cardiac monitoring unit probably for 1-2 days so they can figure out what happened and waiting for troponins to come down.
BUT all is okay now. Might have been my last race ever (obviously I will never run/race again unless I am told it is safe). Just wanted to check in, in case anyone saw Strava and was worried.
PS: Josh had an amazing race but more importantly is staying with me in the hospital! His family has been super helpful and our nanny has the kids. Appreciate all the love.
111 Comments
Oh my god Sara I am so, so, so sorry!
Oh Sarah! How scary! I’m so glad you’re okay right now. Sending lots of love and hugs.
This is eye-openingly scary, but so thankful you are okay! Take it easy and know we are all sending you our love and support
Oh my gosh Sarah! Thinking of you and and sending good thoughts for your recovery.
Sarah!! Omg. Im glad you are safe. Fingers crossed for speedy recovery and answers!!
So sorry!! So glad you are safe ❤️
I am so glad you are ok and that you went to the medical tent! What a terrifying experience! I am glad Josh is there with you and I hope they get to the bottom of why this happened to such a healthy person!! You will be in my thoughts and prayers!!!
Refuah shleimah! Wishing you a speedy and complete recovery
Scary! Glad that you’re doing better, and hope you fully recover and are able to go home soon!
So scary!! I’m glad you’re okay!!
I’m so sorry to hear that. So glad you are safe now and sending best wishes for a speedy recovery. So nice to meet you!
How scary! Glad you are ok now and hoping for an easy recovery.
Kae put me up to date as I was shocked seeing it. The most important thing is that you are okay, and you will be okay!!! So glad to know that you got the help on time and Josh is there with you.
Ugh…. So so sorry that this happened and so thankful to hear that you are getting good care and are doing okay. This is a lot that you unexpectedly went through so one step at a time… wishing you continued good healing
Oh my goodness!! Glad you got help and I hope you figure out what happened and heal quickly! So scary.
Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry to hear this happened Sarah, and so relieved to hear you are ok. Sending you lots of recovery vibes.
Very sorry to hear about this, best wishes for a swift recovery
What a bonkers, terrifying outcome to what should have been a fun day. Im grateful it was a race day with a handy medical tent and not a solo run, but so sad about the potential for changing such a big part of your life and losing an activity that brings you so much joy. Prayers and peace to you and your family.
So glad you are ok! Sending healthy vibes and caring thoughts to your kids and hubby.
That ecg had me sitting right up in bed- truly grateful that you are ok from a longtime reader/internet stranger!
Oh my goodness, so glad you are ok! Thinking positive thoughts for you and your family.
Sarah! Feel better. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
I’m so sorry this happened, but so glad you’re ok! Sending good thoughts to you and hoping you’ll have an acceptable answer to the cause soon. I know you’ll do whatever you’re told medically about running, but I know how much you love it and hope you’re able to do that again at some point.
I’m so sorry you had to go through this. I’m sure it’s hard. I was listening to this podcast this week about someone who went through this same thing.
https://www.runningexplained.com/post/s5e04-when-you-can-t-run-anymore-a-story-of-grief-growth-resilience-with-dr-kate-mihevc-edward
The cardiology fellow yesterday mentioned this condition as a rare possibility. I’m hoping it’s not what I have but watching this was really helpful. Thank you!!
Sarah, I am so sorry this has happened to you!! This is terrifying. As a non-medical friend, I had to look up all these terms—and I am just so, so thankful for the medical tent and their work to treat you. I really hope you get some answers and are able to make a complete recovery and continue running—safely. Thanks for letting us know what happened. Sending much love.
Sending very best wishes for your recovery and thank heavens for quick medical intervention! So very scary, take care and like others have said thank goodness Josh is there with you. Xx
So thankful you were able to get attention right away. I can imagine it was a scary day for you and for Josh. Thinking of you and praying for smooth recovery. You have a community supporting you!
Sending good vibes from a longtime reader!
So sorry this happened, you are in my thoughts and best wishes for a speedy recovery ❤️
Wishing you a speedy recovery and concrete answers as to cause.
I almost never comment, but as a fellow physician i know how terrifying this must have been. Thank goodness for modern medicine! Praying for your continued recovery!
Sending you very best wishes from the UK Sarah. Hugs to everyone x
Oh, that so scary! Wishing you all the best!
Sending you wishes of good health and speedy recovery.
So sorry to read this Sarah. How scary that must have been, especially as a medic with inside knowledge. So glad you got the medical attention you needed. Wishing you a speedy and complete recovery.
Sarah! Just another random long-time reader here to say I’m so sorry you had this experience, and so happy that you’re okay in the end, and wishing you all the best as you recover (physically and psychologically!) from this crazy event. Sending you a big hug!
Holy smokes!!! I’m so glad you’re okay. Sending love.
Omg. Wishing you a full and speedy recovery. Refuah Shlema.
Holy fuck. I’m glad you’re ok.
I’m glad you checked in because you sounded very upbeat on Strava, but I googled ventricular tachycardia, and I was like… uhhhh… that sounds pretty bad. Glad you are okay all things considered and that Josh is able to be with you.
sending all good thoughts and vibes for a speedy recovery. Thank goodness you are well cared for
I’m so sorry that happened to you!! I’m glad you are okay and are being monitored. Sending good thoughts for a quick recovery!
Glad you are okay and taking care of yourself! Sounds very scary. Hope you are home soon and get some answers.
Sarah, I am so sorry that this happened to you, and so relieved that you are OK. Everything else is unimportant/can be figured out. <3
SO thankful you listened to your body and stopped when you did. This is a lot!! Sending wishes for recovery, pampering, and patience!
Oh my goodness! How terrifying. I am so sorry to hear this, but glad you are safe and they are monitoring the situation.
Oh my goodness, that is so scary! Hopefully they’ll figure things out quickly.
Just adding to the outpouring of support. Do whatever you need to get better.
Sending hugs <3 What a terrifying situation – you've been through too many of those! So, so glad Josh was able to be by your side and thankful for medical teams and equipment. Take care my friend!
Oh Sarah, how scary. I’m so sorry this has happened. Sending you much love from a stranger on the internet. 🙂
Sending well wishes Sarah! Hopefully you have answers soon.
Long time reader here – I’m sorry you are going through this. Sending healing vibes. As a doc, I did a big double take at the ECG. wow. You are in my thoughts!
Sending you every good wish for a speedy recovery Sarah. As someone else said, at least it happened in a race with a medical team on hand, not on a random solo run when you were perhaps miles from treatment.
I’m so sorry this happened, and so glad that you were able to get the care you needed! Keeping you in my thoughts as you recover, and hoping you can get some answers
That sounds like a scary situation. Glad you got the help you need.
I am so sorry! Sending positive thoughts & best wishes for your recovery!
Eeek!! So scary. Glad you were somewhere with a medical tent and that you’re in the process of figuring it out. Sending you hugs! ❤️
Long time reader here, and how terrifying. Glad you got help and are ok. Hoping it’s all resolved.
Holy crap Sarah!! How scary. So so glad it sounds like you got immediate, excellent care and you can translate all the medical speak (though maybe sometimes that’s not a helpful thing when you’re in the middle of it?). I hope you get answers and rest in equal measure- thinking of you and your whole crew!
From a LONG time reader, infrequent commenter – sending you ALL the positive thoughts. I’m SO glad you’re OK and hoping for the best possible news for you!!
So glad you’re in the right place for healing. Sending good thoughts for recovery and a plan to move forward.
How terrifying! I am so glad you are okay, Sarah. Sending healing thoughts from another long-time reader.
So glad you are OK, and hopefully you’ll find answers quickly. So scary–but sounds like you have good support and care. Adding my healing thoughts and positive energy to all the rest.
So scary – I can’t imagine what that must have felt like! I’m so glad you were able to access help quickly. Sending healing thoughts to you and so much gratitude to all those supporting you – Josh, your nanny, family, clinicians, community, and beyond!
How absolutely terrifying! I am so thankful you are ok and being watched over. Praying for answers and a quick recovery for you. Rest up, my friend 💜
I had to Google cardioverted. Oh my gosh, very scary. I am so glad that you listened to your body and started walking. I’m also so glad that you are OK! Sending you healing wishes
I am so sorry this happened, how scary!! So glad you are okay and wishing you all the best as your recover from this.
I am so incredibly sorry and have thought of you many times since first reading this post. Coming back now specifically to comment. I am so glad you are ok and will continue to send you my positive thoughts and prayers!
Longtime reader and infrequent commenter – Sarah holding you in my thoughts and heart and sending love!
I’m so sorry, Sarah–I’ll be thinking of you and wishing you a smooth recovery.
Sending wishes all the way from India for a speedy recovery. I hope you’re not worrying much, you’re a super positive person and I’m sure everything will turn out fine. 💐
I’m a nurse so I know how serious and scary this is. I’m so glad you are feeling better and getting the care you need. And so glad this happened where you were near a medical tent and not far away from help. Sending healing thoughts for a full recovery. ❤️🩹
So glad you are ok and are well taken care of. Thinking of you and sending all my best wishes for a complete recovery.
Thinking of you Sarah – hope you get answers soon!! <3 <3
Oh Sarah, sending all good wishes for a speedy return to good health!
Oh no Sarah how very very scary. I’m glad to hear you are being looked after. 💕
this is so terrifying. I hope all is still well and that answers are coming your way.
Sarah, this sounds terrifying. I’m so sorry it happened and so relieved that you were able to address it quickly and successfully. Thinking of you while you recover and determine next steps. xxoo
Oh my goodness. Thank you for asking for help. I’ll be holding you in my thoughts broadly and also while using some new jetpens planning supplies I bought after you recent top 10 episode.
Sarah – I’m so glad you are safe. I’m sorry this happened and I fervently hope that the crumminess is as short-lived and minimal as it can be.
Sending you my wishes for a speedy and complete recovery!
Sarah and family, I am so glad you are ok, sending wishes for a full recovery from the UK
So so scary. I echo everyone else, I’m glad you are ok (now) and that you listened when your body told you something was wrong. Having had multiple scary medical things happen to my husband, the after effects and the mental side can take a long time to settle down. So give yourself time. Sending so much love.
So glad you were able to get medical attention quickly! Sending healing thoughts your way!
longtime reader here – I am so sorry you had that frightening event! It can be quite terrifying! I will share that 15 years ago I had a similar experience – SVT (supraventricular tachycardia) – 200-225 beats a minute for 6 hours – finally went to ER, where I spontaneously reverted back to normal sinus rhythm – go figure! All was good for several years, but started getting small episodes. I now take metoprolol, which has made a huge difference. Feel great! I am not a runner, but I am back to my daily treadmill workouts. No further episodes! Thanks goodness for modern medical care! Take care!
!!! Oh my goodness Sarah!! What a race report – so glad you were able to reach attention immediately at the medical tent. Thinking of you; I hope you will get answers quickly.
Sarah, I am so glad you are well after such scary episode. Please take all the time you need to get better. We’ll be here for whenever you are fully recovered.
Thinking of you. Hope you feel better!
Oh Sarah! It must have been so so terrifying. So glad you’re feeling better and hope you stay in a normal rhythm. That was an impressive EKG! Hope it helps to process this all by sharing and knowing you are so dear to so many of us.
That is a crazy EKG! so glad you were able to get the medical attention you needed. That must have been so scary. You’re in my thoughts as you recover and hopefully stay in normal sinus!
Longtime reader (larger lurker) here – Sarah, I am so sorry. This sounds terrifying on so many levels. I’m so glad you were somewhere with instant access to medical care. Wishing you a speedy recovery and clear results as to why this happened and how to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
Oh my goodness, I’m glad you are Ok and very sorry that you have to go through this.
I’m so sorry to read this. I hope you get some answers and are able to get back to all the things you love ASAP.
Oh yikes Sarah. I am so sorry to hear this and am glad you were able to get good medical care right away. Hope you can get some clear answers and that you feel better soon! What a scary reminder that a medical event can happen to anyone, even those with impeccable health habits! Feel better soon and know that you have a huge following of supporters for you and your family!
Sending wishes for continued healing!
I hope you feel better soon… Those things happen. It’s frustrating but what is important is that you’re doing well.
I’m sorry your race ended that way but so glad you were able to get medical help right away. Joining the chorus of hoping you feel better quickly.
That EKG is terrifying, and I’ve seen my share of terrifying EKGs-I’m so so sorry this has happened and am so relieved you are doing better. Take time for yourself (both physically and emotionally, this is A Lot).
I am so sorry that your race ended that way. I’m hoping you’re out of the hospital without any issues and they figure out what happened!
WHAT??? Why did this happen? I’m very worried. Going to text you but I don’t want to bother you if you’re resting…
[…] the weekend, our friend SHU had a very scary experience while running a race. Her story is here. She didn’t do anything wrong, and had no way of knowing she had this underlying […]
OMG, SARAH! How super-scary! And out of nowhere! I am so glad you went to the medical tent to get checked out. I can’t believe you actually finished the race first… I am so glad you’re ok but I am sure you want to get on the bottom of this. Sending good thoughts your way!!
This is so scary, and I am SO glad you were able to get immediate medical attention. Thinking of you!
Oh my gosh. This is so frightening. So out of the blue. I’m glad you sought medical attention. Things can change in the blink of an eye. I hope you get answers soon.
[…] ran a race last Sunday and ended up in the hospital with a VERY serious medical condition (story here.) Thankfully- she is fine and home from the hospital. But the whole thing really shifted my […]
Wow, Sarah! I just listened to the podcast today. I am so sorry for you. You can hear it in your voice and it broke my heart. Please take care!
Wishing you all the best for your recovery and processing of such a horrible ordeal. May the love surround you and your family.
Sarah! just listening to the episode right now. I am so sorry you are going through this and thankful for the miracle that you are ok.
i went through a similar health scare in my 40’s, had to give up running and a few other things. i know how life changing this kind of experience means. there are few you will meet who will understand what this is like – especially as a mom and a doctor (Family Medicine here).
if you ever want to talk, vent, commiserate – please reach out!
i will email you too, so you have my email address that way as well.
I just read the newsletter—hoping your recovery is going well! So glad you’re okay. I recently went through something that’s left me no longer able to run, and I’m relearning how to walk, so I really appreciate you sharing your story and how you’re navigating this challenging life experience.
Hope your recovery has been going well Sarah! 🙏🏻