I have a couple buddies in their 40s here that in the last few years had surgery for tachycardia (ablation??). Minimally invasive. Recovery was quick. Both of them are back in action doing long course Ironman races.
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Hope things get better sooner rather then later. As well as I hope you stick around on the forums too. 
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Well…shit. Godspeed @Captain_Doughnutman.
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Thought of you this morning, especially as an “old man” 50! who’s also new to structured training and serious riding. Its a reminder to appreciate what we have and the opportunity to train hard even when it “sucks” as things can change really fast
Again best of luck and hope it gets to a good place. Often times these “hurdles” as hard and scary as they are can be an opportunity for great personal growth
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I wasn’t expecting you to take me seriously!
VO2 CREW!!!
Really proud of you guys! Big love to you & your big lungs!
Imma gonna make you soooo fast!!
Well…except for that last guy… 
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Life is a funny thing where so much of an identity is locked into an activity. It takes a certain personality to even turbo train and choose hard productive work over consuming TV etc. If you have the drive and willpower to train turbo sessions then you’ll quickly fill that temporary void with something equally as fulfilling. Always hard when so much work goes into something but with medical and surgical options this may not even be the end of your involvement in the sport. Good luck in either case.
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That’s a bummer. I’ve appreciated your commentary and advice on the forum!
Good luck and I hope a speedy recovery awaits you.
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@Captain_Doughnutman I have Huxley on the calendar tomorrow - not strictly V02 but with an IF of 0.92 I think it’s in the spirit of the tributes and will surely leave me in the hurt. Now make the most of that Canadian medicine.
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In honour of @Captain_Doughnutman I saw the start of recovery week, saw Pettit and did this instead:
Recovery can start now.
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Not only did I eat a donut today (that too from Tim Horton’s), but I also did a VO2Max workout (Mills) at 100-105% intensity:
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Jeez Captain! This is so disappointing. I feel for you. I’ve been there. I was off the bike for two years, and it was hard. I had so much of my identity tied up in being a mountain biker. The struggle was physical and physiological. Just take care of yourself and know that you have a community here that is pulling for you. We pray your absence is temporary, and we anxiously await your return.
“Don’t let what you can’t do stop you from doing what you can”
-Jimi Hendrix
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Update:
Don’t mean to dull the joy of Flanders, just thought I’d throw this out there under cover of night.
From the meeting with my doc and the stress tests info, my understanding of my condition is as follows:
I’ve got (suspected) exercised-induced myocardial ischemia (silent and reversible).
Lotsa words.
Basically, during exercise, part of my heart doesn’t get enough blood or oxygen to meet demand (reversible = returning to normal function during non-exercise; silent = I don’t experience any symptoms, e.g. chest pain). Most likely caused by coronary artery disease/atherosclerosis, which is most likely caused by shitty cholesterol genes. This is also most likely what’s causing my exercise-induced hypertension.
There is some research out there which claims brief intermittent periods (think intervals) of ischemia might not be detrimental (~70-90% for shorter durations, 15-5min), and may even have some protective qualities, but on the whole, are most likely cumulative and cause heart tissue to die (basically a really slo-mo heart attack). Will get a final prognosis (and update) after I see the heart doc in a few weeks.
Until that time – and most likely for good – I’m hanging up the wheels.
Competitively, recreationally…I’m done.
My heart breaks if I ride the bike, my heart breaks if I can’t ride the bike.
Paging Ms. Morissette…
Luckily for me, I live in a cycling hotbed with access to many high level sports people. I’ve taken preemptive measures and started sessions with sports psychologist Dr. Kabush (her brother rides MTB or something) to address forced retirement issues. She’s got her work cut out for her!
I may also have one last delicious parting gift for my fellow Doughnutians in the nearish future.
Until then, be excellent to each other (and yourself!). 
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That’s rubbish. Lots of support flowing your way from TR forum but obviously all feel for you. Hope you stick around, but totally understand if want to go cold turkey away from TR!
Stay strong and big man hugs!
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Take some time to research epigenetics, that is how lifestyle (diet, stress, etc) affect how your genes express themselves. You aren’t necessarily doomed by your genes, your genes are somewhat reactive to factors under your control.
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For some reason I thought you lived in Eastern Canada… Take care of yourself and hope you find a way back onto a bike!
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Well this sucks. Best of luck, man.
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Good luck Dougnut!
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Hope things work out well some time down the line.
Mike
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Good luck Mr Doughnut - don’t go writing yourself off totally, but definitely take some time away to re-evaluate!
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