Learning to run

[Teddyandtom]

Hi guys, I am two years out of an aortic valve replacement, and in March this year had a dual chamber Pacemaker fitted for good measure.

I would like to take on the couch to five K challenge. I haven't run anywhere for twenty years, and I'm not a pensioner quite yet.

Has anyone out there my age profile and done the C25K challenge, after experiencing similar heart problems.? If so how did you get on, did you manage it.

I'm worried!

[Bazza1234]

I am now almost 72 - I started to run at age 67 and about 3 years after that I discovered that I had quite bad atherosclerosis ( calcification/hardening of the arteries) - this slowed me down for a while but I regained my confidence and went on to run a few half Marathons. Just recently I have discovered that I am losing sight in my right eye ( Central Retinal vein occlusion, probably related to my atherosclerosis)

But back to the running - I am very active now in the running community . I do a 5K parkrun every Saturday and run with a running club on Sundays - I run by myself on two other days. My only regret is that I did not take up this lifestyle earlier!!!

When I was much younger, even when in the Military, I could not run. There is a saying - "we run because we can - not because we know how to" . Running is indeed a natural human gait - but to do it efficiently and safely you have to understand that it is a learned skill. So when I first got the urge to run, I looked at the C25K programme and thought that it was too much for me. So, I did this 7 week running training course which was much easier mayoclinic.org/healthy-life... This is a run/walk programme like the earlier weeks of C25K but the running intervals are quite short unlike C25k which aims for you to run continuously for 30 minutes. After I successfully finished this programme, I did the C25k programme and finished that in 9 weeks. Then I went on to the B210K ( Bridge to 10K programme) , then onto a Jeff Galloway Half marathon programme . I have had a mixed past 18 months - fractured a bone in my foot ( not looking where I was jogging) which took many months to heal, plus long overseas holidays plus now this low vision problem, I am kind of starting all over again with a Couch to Marathon programme (52 weeks long - only time will tell if I can finish it or not )

There is a C25K sub- Forum on this NHS website that is very active and supportive. Best wishes for your endeavour

[Teddyandtom in reply to Bazza1234]

Inspirational Bazza, thank you for sharing with me

[wiltsgirl in reply to Bazza1234]

Hi Bazza this looks very interesting, with the 5k plan you mentioned do you need to warm up and cool down?

[Bazza1234 in reply to wiltsgirl]

There is no mention of it in the actual programme and I cant remember whether I did or not. It wouldn't hurt anyway to do a 5 minute walk before starting out. It is VERY easy at first with only 15 seconds bursts of running interpersed with 45 seconds of walking.

[gal4God]

Do it slowly, walk loads at 1st.

[Teddyandtom in reply to gal4God]

Many thanks

[lifelover55]

I'm 57. Had my aortic valve replacement and mitral valve repair in April (3 months ago). I did some running prior to my valve replacement and did the Couch to 5K twice in 2 years. I was struggling with illness and took off time in between the training programmes which is why I repeated the 5K. I started the C25K again a couple of weeks ago and it's going well.

I highly recommend the programme. It's gentle and motivating. You will see how quickly you improve. I still have some tough days where my muscles are tired and the temperature outside is too hot but I have plenty of good days as well.

At the end of the programme I wasn't quite ready to run a 5K but I just kept going. Got myself an inexpensive watch to time myself and slowly worked up to a good time to be able to do the Park run.

Good luck to you. Start slow and stay mentally strong. Don't run too fast if you're not yet up to it.

[Teddyandtom]

Thanks a million for this, very helpful