My Health Unlocked journey started 3 years ago. Having reached the age of 70 with a negligible use of the NHS, I've had my money's worth since! I've paid in a lot too so it's a return on investment!HealthUnlocked has been part of my journey too.
I've posted about my journey either directly or through others posts so I'll not go into detail now.
I've tried to stay positive and responsible for improving my health which started with C25K and then Parkrun. This helped me enormously in the first two years.
But as the first anniversary of my last event came round a massive downer descended on me this January. It had been coming. My confidence and positivity was squeezed out of me by fear of the hand of fate.
I have read about depression and anxiety in many posts on this site. I do my best to be sympathetic but I struggled to empathise, I couldn't quite find the shoes to step in to.
But as I reflect on it now, for me, it was almost certainly driven by the fear of what I would be leaving behind. Daft really because if I'm not here, whatever happens happens. But I didn't want to be responsible for upending the world's of people special to me because of some selfish or stupid actions.
But stopping running, the very thing that had been life affirming, for fear of it causing a catastrophic event, was now causing the very sort of mental health event that was also impacting my health with pretty poor consequences.
Parkrun had the sense to see it's main function as a health improvement opportunity. Motivational with a big emphasis on mental health, confidence, self esteem. They found that as more people joined in Parkrun, the average times for runners got slower. They realised this was a good thing. It meant more people were engaging, it had ceased to be just about athletes and fast times. Last year they had a big push to encourage people to Parkwalk as a start to a health improvement journey.
Time for me to re-evaluate my risks and rewards.
So after an absence of 6 months and only 3 Parkruns in a year it was time to start in my new local run having moved house. I needed to start again. So this weekend I put the shoes on. And as ever this new community was as engaging as the one I left. Huge smiles, lots of congratulations and encouragement. And one person got it just right, " keep on plodding buddy" . 😂 Back to first principles:
IT'S A RUN NOT A RACE
#chinkoflight. (chink of light!)
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Hi, I'm running off heart rate which is a bind as it's a bit distracting. I had a sudden cardiac arrest on a Parkrun a year ago, no warning. So now I'm staying aerobic and keeping HR around 130 as I was getting erratic peaks without explanation or warning with just modest exertion. It's also highlights the imperfections of a smart watch. Hope you're still running too, I'm finally on the Medina run as my new home!
I am still running but not as we know it 😂 I've started all over again. This week it'll be Week 6 Run 1. I'm taking it very slowly. Hoping to run a 10k with my daughter at some stage this year. That's my goal! Then a parkrun - I've had my barcode for years and never done one - I'd like to just be able to run a 5k once a week and leave it at that. 🤞😊
Smart watches are terrible at recording heart rate if you use only the built-in sensors. Have you tried a chest strap or optical armband? I've found them to be much more accurate.
40 minutes is okay. I'd never run until my stroke at 70, but C25K let me see the light! My heart is measurably stronger too in spite of some scarring and helped pull me through the SCA last year.
I did my first parkrun at 70, just 3 months after AVR, CABG and 2xPCI. Like you I’d not run until recovering from my HA and surgery.
49 minutes to get round on my first effort. 21 months later and I’m still going, 55 runs under my belt and my PB is now 39 minutes with sub 40 looking as if it will be the norm. I need to keep an eye on my HR though.
What is striking though is the psychological benefit, it’s massive. When I can no longer run I’ll walk or even tail walk as a volunteer.
Brilliant, I'm on 53 and dislike the red milestone Tee! So 100 is a must! It's so much easier to lose fitness and feel the loss than it takes to gain it. But I was heartened that a walk jog got me round in 44 on Saturday. My target had been to get to 50% age grading but I think that's on hold now. I was a smidgeon away. My syncope, although it happened on a Parkrun wasn't being driven by pushing too hard. Quite the opposite, I had deliberately set out on just a gentle run. Such is the lottery of a heart complaint and the complexities even the most eminent of Drs are yet to understand. Cheers Nigel
Really inspirational, glad you are getting your confidence back since such a jolt.I'm always saying it's the slow and steady tortoise whom wins the race not the hectic hare, looks like your proving it with every step.
Pleased you are so up beat . My dad had a saying it covered anything for illness to people'Don't let the buggers grind you down ' . My husband made me promise to live the best life I can and since I moved here in 2019 I do . Before I existed I didn't have a life . He was my life after he died in 2004 aged 47 had both parents and mother in law to look after .
But my whole life changed moving . After he died our home became just a house . But since my move I have a home again . Plus finally getting diagnosed 2 things I was born it and getting treatment for both. I do daily exercises and 300 rotations on my static pedals a day. Monday go to sit fit class and Tuesday move it or lose it class.
My grief for my husband has gotten worse over the 21 years but I cope with it . Because of him I do what I do.
You are living your life to the full and doing something you love and that will help you physically and mentally. And extend your life. Happiness is a much underrated emotion. But it's vital . The smallest silliest thing can make you happy and put a smile on your face . Never give up making doing something that makes you happy and smile . 😊
Well written buddy I'm 76 and can relate to your story, I have recently joined a men's walking group here in Ireland and just love the co.radiry and chats we have and feel part of a lovely community where I have made new friends of all age groups who welcomed me into their group. I feel so blessed to have reached out and been rewarded ; )
Pleased to hear you are back running or even walking It's not as you say about how fast but what you get out of it Its not just the excerise but the comradeship and encouragement and since you have just moved what better way to make new friends Well done
Thanks. Parkrun is great for encouragement. Running at the back is a real boost for those running up front especially on an out and back course as I approached the turning point, which we had this weekend!
I too suffered SCA during a run, on April 28 2021. I just can't bring myself to run again, so I've returned to cycling. I was a huge cyclist before I started having heart "events" about 5 years ago, and losing that part of my life really knocked me for a loop. So I know how you are feeling.
I've learned that it's about consistency rather than killing yourself with every effort. I really miss the feeling of being absolutely wrung out after a long ride, but on the plus side, I'm alive!
Well put. I'm the exact opposite. I first had a stroke, and I used to cycle including the occasional sportive. The prospect of coming off my bike in the back of beyond on a solo long ride was too much for my wife to worry about. Even short running I used a tracker, but it didn't stop her calling to ask if I was alright if I paused for a rest. I've weaned her off that now but solo bike rides are off the agenda. But it is about doing as much as possible to keep active. It's possible I might be chair based further down the track but I'll still be engaging! Cheers Nigel
Well said (and well done!). I used to parkrun before my heart attack in November and have only walked it once since. I will be back on Saturday after your inspiring post, either to walk or run! All the best to you.
I have been a Parkwalker for almost 12 years and clocked up 371 events. I am unable to run and do not want to be a runner but every week myself and a small group of friends participate and walk round. It helps to be in the fresh air, exercise and we put the world to rights on a Saturday morning!
I frequently feel walkers are not as respected as runners but we all need to remember 5km is 5km whether you run it or walk it. As you say it is not a race.
Hi Loveex, I wouldn't say not as respected, but my new parkrun hasn't embraced the Parkwalk momentum in the way my previous Parkrun had last year. It starts with the race director at the outset and the way I guess the tail walkers are briefed or selected! We had no dedicated Parkwalkers and the tail walkers were brisk! But there is an opportunity for a bit of influence down the track!!! I've got to keep going for another 10 years to get to your total, brilliant. 😂
Guess it does vary across the country regarding walkers. My friend & I were constantly last when we first started, no tailwalker back then and some marshalls were no longer at their posts when we went past towards the end! We have encouraged many more walkers to join up and nobody is last now there is a tailwalker. We also have 2 park walkers every week. Influence down the track, like that! Keep going, they soon mount up.
Thank you so very much for taking the time to post this personal journey with your heart and mental health … my positivity was waning and the black dog was creeping up on me again.
14 months ago, before I had no choice but to make friends with the medical profession, I enjoyed analogue photographic processes. So today I have dusted down my camera, ordered some film and reconnected with a community I had abandoned … your post has reminded me that life is a journey and not a race … thank you so so much.
Life is for living to the full every day, some of us might have less days than others, but let’s make each day count by doing what we love … keep on running and enjoying life … sending positive vibes and best wishes your way x
Great stuff. I was reflecting on my heart the other day and had used analogue to describe it. Sometimes I think people expect digital should be the measure with atomic accuracy. So the odd blip or bump or missed beat becomes a source of anxiety. Perhaps there is a theme, reminding everyone we're human not digital. 💕
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