Brian's Guestbook

Brian Walsh  Congrats on getting back at it. It is tough after the time off, but comes back quickly. I will keep you in mind and send out some updates. Last year was Team HVJ's race and it was a blast, but I took this year off from coordinating cause it was just a bit much last year on my own with work, but based on the recent video and some of the feedback I'm thinking it may be time for another one in 2016. I always welcome everyone if you are interested I do about 2-3 races a year, one coming up in Bethlehem, PA in October, they offer a 5K/10K and Half (I do all three, cause I'm crazy enough like that. If there is enough interest I can cetainly pull off ordering some shirts again for everyone.

As for me, back to just run training. I did the tri at the end of June (although the swim got canceled) so I'm looking forward to doing it again next year.

Lot's more to come, I need to get more active posting here again.

Kathleen F.  Congratulations on being one of the top stories of the year! I just read your journal and watched the video - congratulations! And I am also interested in joining the HVJ Team at the PA race in October. I just had my one-year anniversary of the Ross Procedure this week, and now I look forward to (hopefully) starting training for the Berlin marathon in September - I found out I got in through the lottery! Like you, I ran a few half marathons this year, and am running at about the same pace as before surgery, but I am ready to "crush it" in 2016 - to use your phrase! Thanks for the inspiration and all you've done to forge a path for those who are following behind you! Blessings to you in 2016.

Brian Walsh  Thank you for the message Kathleen. I just saw your message, not sure when you posted it. I did not hear from many other than Cindy to get shirts, so I never persued the option. I'm not sure when your post was dated, but I hope your marathon went well and hope 2016 is starting out with a bang. If you plan on running in october again in PA, I'll be there. If I could pull together a group there I would definitely get some red shirts together for it!

Brian Walsh  Thanks Paul! And great stats yourself. It has been a fun ride and to be honest I still cannot believe how fast I am now. Pre-Surgery I typically was around a 9/9:30, but now I even get down in the 7's/high 6's at times when I am really pushing it. I just love to run, and glad God has given me this ability to continue.

Paul Rose  Those are brilliant stats Brian, I can get the 7's but the 6's may be beyond me now, not that I'm going to stop trying 😱 You've given me something to shoot for. It's great to find someone who has had OHS and understands why we run...... because we want to and can 😎

Brian Walsh  Looking forward to it. Running is slow as I'm in Tri training mode, so trying to manage 3 sports to train for...I much prefer simply running.

Brian Walsh  Thanks Jim!! I'm giving you something to strive for now. I'm top on my dashboard but I have a few friends that have ousted me for a week here and there. Hoping to break 30K in one day at some point, I was close one time (7 mile run, plus walked 18 holes of golf...just 500 steps short)

Can't wait for the race!!!

Brian Walsh  Glad it got there ok. Even more happy to see how well your recovery is going! Keep getting stronger!

Brian

Brian Walsh  Thanks Jim! Going to the post office today during lunch to ship the shirts out. One more thing down.

Brian Walsh  Thanks for the note Clare and I hope all is going well with your recovery. 10 months, you should be ready! I have some special situation so I waited a little bit longer, but could have started back to running within 4 months. Look at Mitch Friedman, he is an avid runner and ran a couple within a year of surgery if my memory serves me correct. If you would like a shirt, just click the link and send me a note, happy to get you a shirt you can run for HVJ in Spirit. My plan is to place the order around July so that should get a shirt in time for your race.

I also understand the challenges of traveling with children, I have 3, thankfully my parents or my wife's will be taking them for the race weekend :)

Brian Walsh  No golf carts allowed :) I'm sure you could walk a 5K. You have the time to train for it. Else happy to have you cheering.

Brian Walsh  Your inspirational! Glad to see you are doing well, keep up the good work, and tell Lise to keep on top of you so you don't get too crazy. I guarantee you'll be joining us along with Lise. Her and my wife Shea can then share stories about what a pain we husbands are post surgery :)

Brian Walsh  Jim, feel free to send me an email to walsh.briang@gmail.com, just easier to correspond for future, I'm usually pretty responsive there and sometimes miss entries here.

For yourself, you don't need much. I wore sweats in, shirt and coat. You'll want to make sure you have a razor, deodorant and a toothbrush (they have ones for you, but I'm particular about my toothbrush). Of course some puzzles, reading is also good to give you something to do. The visiting hours are fairly strict, so you'll have a good bit of time to without your wife or anyone else around and the TV gets old, but it is also a good time to connect with your roommates. When I went out of ICU I had 3 roommates for most of the time, 1 who was there the whole time with me. Also you will need a place to stay, I highly! recommend Bubba and Bean Bed and Breakfast, http://www.bblodges.com/ It is a couple block walk to the hospital in a safe area. My wife and mother walked back and forth from there to the hospital daily. The guys were great and when my stay in the hospital got extended 1 day longer they threw in an extra night at no charge. Great service and the lowest rates you will find in the city. Eating around the area is tough, not too much, Fox and Hound was really good according to my wife and there is a subway across from the B&B along with a Pizza joint as well as a great Italian Restaurant, very small and can't remember the name at the moment. I think that pretty well covers it, but if you have any other specifics you are looking for, just shoot me an email.

If you have never been to the City or stayed in the city either, I recommend planning to get there early enough to get settled in and go visit some of the sites. Lots of Museums, Rockfeller Center... If you stay at the B&B there is a subway stop right on the corner which makes it easy to get to anywhere. Get a map of the subways too, either in paper or on your phone, mark your hotel and stuff it will help you navigate around (I'm known not to follow directions too well :)

Hope that helps you. To your question about underwear...those are optional and really can't be worn anyway till about 3-4 days after surgery due to all the other tubes etc. The stuff I wore in, was the stuff I wore out since really you do the morning of is walk to the hospital in them, strip down and off to surgery you go, never to see those clothes again till you leave :)

Brian Walsh  Nice! I'm sure you will be well recovered. I actually originally hoped to run that this year but I will table my thoughts for a future year since my wife was not keen on me marathon training right after heart surgery. I will be praying for you!

Brian Walsh  I'm sure I'll sign up for something in the NJ area at some point. if you are ever interested would love to have you join me. I work in NJ and grew up there, actually born in Flushing NY, so I may even go for a NY race at some point. Send me an email, walsh.briang@gmail.com and will definitely plan one out at some point.

Brian Walsh  Thanks Jim! All to the glory of God. I look forward to running with you in the future post your procedure.