Couch to 5k, mission complete, covid pneumonia complete recovery

[natswright]

Just in case you were thinking it was not possible to come back from what I was hit by 21 months ago, yesterday I completed week 9, the final week, of couch to 5k.

I'm not quite on 5k pace yet, but I managed 2.85 miles in 30 minutes, pretty good going for a 52 year old with lung scaring!

Better still, I was comfortably maintaining 160bpm HR while running, for 10 minutes, and the remaining 20 minutes were around 140-150bpm.

My threshold for aerobic to anaerobic is probably around 155-160bpm now!

21 months ago, just sitting up in bed had my HR around 130-140bpm and I was breathless. In fact its the detraining you suffer by been bedridden, plus the fluid and damage to lungs that causes the tachycardia.

So there you go, mission complete, with, 3 months to spare!

Now I just have to climb a bigger mountain than the small one I managed a few weeks ago!

[sassy59]

Well done to you, you’re an inspiration. Keep going xxx❤️👍

[peege]

Fantastic news Natswright, gold medals for perseverance and determination to overcome 💪

[cofdrop-UK]

👍👏🏻⭐️ Xxx

[B0xermad]

Amazing, well done for persevering through all of the hard work you have done, the best thing I did was get a fitbit watch which is a good motivator to get moving,now just got to sort 2 dodgy knees out to go with the dodgy lungs

[Alberta56 in reply to B0xermad]

I'd suggest get the knees done as soon as possible, if the doctors agree. My husband postponed a knee op because he wasn't in much pain THEN. Now he's in pain, very immobile, but there is no way he could do the exercises post-op, so he is stuck. Not that you are like my husband, of course.

[B0xermad in reply to Alberta56]

I was due 1 operation in May bit got cancelled and they took me off the list as blood test wasn't to their satisfaction so awaiting to be put back on it.I try 10 000 steps a day where possible

[Alberta56 in reply to B0xermad]

Gosh- that's an awful lot of steps. I hope all that walking keeps you as well as poss. Husband has never exercised enough, which is one reason his knees are crumbling.

[B0xermad in reply to Alberta56]

Definitely does plus blf gym ,I used to be a special needs ta and spent lots of time on the floor hence the dodgy knees

[natswright in reply to B0xermad]

It depends what is causing your knee pain. For 12 months post illness, I had terrible joint pain, knees too. Even earlier this year I still had knee pain. Oddly doing proper stretches before exercise really improved this. Today, I've no knee issues at all.

Stretching has helped my neck pain too.

It seems that any illness the forces you to be less active reduces fitness and leads to muscle problems.

I was lucky maybe, my lungs got better and I was able to regain my fitness.

[B0xermad in reply to natswright]

Great news for you ,my knees have arthritis and a meniscus tear but I am 63 so wearing naturally joints

[Cloudancer]

Fabulous!Thrilled to bits for you!

Very well done( love the photo)

[Alberta56]

Good to hear from you Nats. I'm glad you're meeting your goals one by one- well deserved success after all your hard work. That's beautiful countryside you are running in. I'm slightly envious- I want to climb a mountain, a very small one will do. Trouble is my lungs aren't keen on the idea and there aren't any mountains in Essex.😄😊 🏔⛰🌋🗻 xxx

[JPC2]

Well done that’s fantastic to hear. I was hospitalised with covid pneumonia in November had fluid on both lungs and didn’t manage to get rid of the infection until end of January. I’ve started to feel better and increased my rehab but my heart rate is still high and I’m still breathless so it’s really great to hear there can be an end to this. Well done again keep healthy x

[natswright in reply to JPC2]

It takes a long time to recover from pneumonia, and the inactivity makes things worse. The high heart rate is often because your heart simply has to beat faster to get oxygen to the less efficient muscles. This is also why you are breathless. It took 12 months before I got that under control.

The damage to your lungs also takes time to heal, 8 months for that.

So you can see why serious pneumonia causes this. The COVID is just the trigger, flu could equally have caused a serious pneumonia.

Gradually build up exercise, and in time, you'll recover.

[JPC2 in reply to natswright]

Thanks for that it’s encouraging to hear I have to keep reminding myself it will take time. I can now keep your post in mind and keep pushing forward. Good luck with the rest of your journey.

[Ergendl]

What an inspiring story! Thanks for posting.

[Digger0]

Excellent - it's because you did what you were told 😜 and paced yourself!

[Izb1]

Love the photo and well done Natswright, your hard work has paid off. I haven't been able to run for about 15 years, apart from the rhuematoid I don't think my heart would cope, along with my hip, knee etc lol x

[Nula2]

Well done you! 🙂. It's a message of inspiration because although lots of us would not be able to do what you've done it's a reminder (to me anyway) to keep as fit as we can and do as much as we are able. 🙂 xxx

[cazza34]

Thank you, such an inspiration.

[Aljm]

That is absolutely brilliant. Well done. And an inspiration that things are possible. Any top tips that helped you get started or along the way?

I have Bronchiectasis and am trying to improve my fitness and breathing after pneumonia in the winter. Thinking swimming might be key.

[natswright in reply to Aljm]

Hard to say, as it depends if you suffer fatigue after activity. I had post viral fatigue, and that limited what I could do.

However essentially, pacing. Say you find you can manage a 3 minute walk 3 times a week, with no ill effects, do that for 2 weeks, then try a 4 minute walk for the following two weeks. If you struggle, it means stay at the same activity level for a bit longer. Gradually increase activity and slowly your fitness will improve.

Keep an activity diary too.

You have the complication of Bronchiectasis, and this is going to make things harder as it hinders your breathing. However if you can increase fitness, your muscles get more efficient, so it could help with breathlessness.

As always, speak with your GP too about any routine changes to activity.

What worked for me, may not work for you, so always take medical advice!

[hannahcat]

This is my first time posting here, but you have inspired me Natswright. I am 53 (only a year older than you) and had double lung pneumonia two years ago followed by what was thought to be bad pneumonia this winter but was subsequently diagnosed as Bronchiectasis. Since my first pulmonary problems two years ago, I've also started suffering from tachycardia. My job involves singing and lots of movement, so I've always been very active and fit. Since January, though, things have been rough for me. You are inspiring me though to continue gradually increase my activity level. BTW, I once tried the couch to 5K about 4 years ago but had to stop because I fractured my ankle. Maybe it's time I try again... Thanks for the inspiration.

[natswright in reply to hannahcat]

If you follow my recovery story on here, I started with basic physo exercises, and a little walking, and build that up. I then picked up and ebike and build up some stamina cycling as it puts much less strain on your heart, as you are seated. Then I built up walking again, and 15 months post pneumonia was walking every day.

It takes a long time to build up to running, so i'd suggest get comfortable cycling and walking first. You need to be at a point where you are comfortable doing several activities a day. Then you may be ready to run.

Like you, I had severe pneumonia in both lungs and was told I had permanent damage.

[watergazer]

Wow ! Excellent. Well done x

[JJ_7]

Great going Nats!!!. I am still very slowly taking walks but back pain prevents any proper trainiing. xxx