Running

[Irishwolfhound]

Hi Folks

How long after your operation did any former runners restart running again. I was training for a marathon before my operation and I want to start running again after but don’t know when.

Thanks

[Chappychap]

You might want to read the story of Ranulph Fiennes. He was training to run seven marathons in seven days when he suffered a heart attack and had bypass surgery.

Four months after being discharged from hospital, and at the age of 59, he went on to complete the challenge, seven marathons in seven days spread across six continents.

iaaf.org/news/news/heart-at...

That's what I call inspiration!

[Irishwolfhound in reply to Chappychap]

Yeh very inspirational, may not be able to do it myself but will give it a go!

[abathmatt]

I had my heart attack on 13/12/17 which bought my 1,777 day run every day streak to a shuddering end.

Luckily my heart attack was only a mild NSTEMI (partial block) and my stent was fitted in Papworth 5 days later.

I started running again, very slowly, and just a mile a day on 01/01/18. And so far I managed to run everyday since, my milage for this year is 1,706 so I'm averaging 5 miles a day. Just off for todays run now.

Good luck

#BetterNeverStops

[Henry20]

Hi

I'm no medical expert, nor one involved with the fitness business, but I have had a couple of stents fitted and am going through cardiac rehab classes. From my own experience and talking with others in the group, there is no single answer. It is all a very personal thing, returning to fitness. For example, I wonder what drugs you are on? Do any limit your heart rate or your blood pressure? They will surely affect what you might be able to achieve.

Really, I am trying to make the point that you need expert advice on what you might achieve. If I overdo the exercise, my body tells me; and I am listening. I can understand the urge to get back to where you were, but not everyone is like Ranulph Fiennes. Please consider the effect of further cardiac problems on your family and dependents.

So for me, its exercise, Yes - but under guidance and medical supervision to return to my previous fitness level and to improve it if I can. I value being here far more than achieving a particular fitness aim within a specific time.

Henry

[Irishwolfhound in reply to Henry20]

Very valid points made there Henry, I start my cardiac rehab in a few weeks, I’m not in the position to walk far let alone run so will wait until I get advice off the rehab team as I am on a beta blocker for life.

[Henry20 in reply to Irishwolfhound]

Hi

Thanks for your reply. Good luck with the rehab; for me it has been invaluable and has really been essential. One of the most surprising things has been the effect on my mind and thinking. Being with others that have been through similar experiences has given me people I can talk to, knowing they understand.

After the rehab I can continue with paid for classes and I'll do that too. It will get me out and keep me exercising on a regular basis -something I have never really done before since I left school more than 50 years ago.

In one particular session recently, I was invited to move up a level in the amount of effort needed; I did so willingly, but didn't listen to my heart rate, it was a sign I was overdoing things and ignored it going up a little higher than before (and significantly above the limit level set by the nurses for me). They asked if I felt OK and I did and continued. At the end whilst warming down, I nearly passed out; (Just after the stents were fitted, I did pass out, so I knew exactly how it felt and what was happening). The next few days were a bit rough as I recovered. Now I know I must listen and obey. I do wonder how much more I'll be able to do, I hope a lot, but .... I must take it at a rate that is sustainable.

Glad to hear you will do the same sort of supervised exercises, I'm sure you'll benefit greatly. Although everyone has similar stories, each is actually different and unique. The sharing of these experiences is, I believe, very useful in the recovery process. So good luck. Exercise is vital. However, for me, I now know that achieving a particular standard is unimportant; the real goal is survival.

Let us all know how you get on.

[Irishwolfhound in reply to Henry20]

I’ll keep you all posted

[pinnelli]

Hi I was cycling approx 10,000 miles per annum when I had OHCA our cycling. It knocked me ten and I’ve never been quite the same since. Ranging from PTSD to anxiety and these day ocassinal anxiousness. I was 46, never smoked, never ate junco food, low cholesterol and BP. So it was real shock.

I oromoised my wife I’d slow down and cut back my fitness addiction. Interestingly she thought I couldn’t do it and would be a real pain climbing the walls however I naturally accepted it.

But I have returned to active life, it took me 9months to properly cycle and return to gym etc. (I was doing rehab and walking etc from a few weeks after). Took me longer to go somewhere remote - quite frankly I was petrified. But I’m living a reasonably active life and I think more relaxed and not trying to hold down serious busy job, be a parent , husband and cram in loads of biking. So overall keeping fit, enjoying sports again, but without being time poor all the time. AND OF COURSE I appreciate everyday and every step and every bit of countryside and mountains I see 😁. I’ve even wild camped a few times where there’s no mobile signal.

Best advice is you know your own body. Listen to it. My cardiologist is a middle age runnner and whilst he stress tested me to the limited to demonstrate I have more capacity (though told me not to work that hard ordinarily, he was making a point) he general advice is make sure I can still have a conversation if not slow down. I think it because the heart will be pumping and arteries dylating around a stent that is permanently dylated so not ideal.

Take care and don’t rush but enjoy fact you can. Be happy to give up strava etc and just be 👍

[Andyman]

After my HA and 4 Stents I was told to start walking. This I did 400m and increased daily. After a few months I was walking really fast and just started running because it felt just a natural progression. Now I walk or run or cycle or gym daily and canoe when I can. We are all individually and you should listen to your body and get advice along the way. Don't rush to I have your old life back remember it was that that caused your problem.

[BigT2013]

I walk 15 miles plus a day doing my job at a very brisk pace. I waited a few months building slowly following advice from consultants and surgeon.

Also I know runners they attended Cardiac Rehabilitation gym as did I. The cardiac nurses there can advise on fitness and when u could resume marathon training. 😁