Newbie.

[SlimmingEagle]

Hi all. I little about myself.

After 4 long arduous years I have finally recovered from multiple heart attacks and triple by-pass open-heart surgery. It was not easy and I had many setbacks.

I was 21.5 st when I left hospital. Today I weigh in at just under 17st.

In September just gone I decided I would like to run 5k to do something about my weight and fitness. I graduated in November by doing something I had been told all my life that I would never be able to (I had open-heart surgery in 1966 for ASD/VSD), run 5k.

This coming Saturday I am attempting 10k at the Richmond Park 10k event. The most I have managed is 7.5k continuously and 10k with a 1 stop strategy.

I have a diminished cardiac output and so running is not easy. Especially up hill.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

The pic is of me running my first ever continuous 5k

[Ajs07 Graduate10]

Wow massive well done on all you have achieved. My advice in the words of Oldfloss- very slow and steady. Just take your time and listen to your body. Good luck xx

[SlimmingEagle in reply to Ajs07]

I will, in all honesty, probably finish last but at least I will finish. I'll be more than happy with a sub 1:30. I know I will get a massive cheer when I cross the line; it means the organisers can pack up and go home!

[RunBrianRun Graduate10]

This is a massively inspiring story and thank you so much for sharing it with us here. It puts my moaning about feeling ill and a dodgy knee all into perspective. Thank you for grounding me and a massive GOOD LUCK in that 10K.

[SlimmingEagle in reply to RunBrianRun]

Dodgy knees. Yes. Remember when you used to refer to your knees as "Left and right" instead of now as "Good and bad" - Happy days!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate10]

Well done on all you have achieved so far. My only advise is to have fun with it. If it has more hills than you are used to and are finding it a struggle walk the hills and run the rest. At 7km you have built up enough baseline fitness to carry you through to the 10km so I wouldn’t stress about that. You will only do your first 10km once so make it a happy one, pace and PB’s can come on your future 10km’s. Have a great time, soak up the atmosphere and revel in your achievements.

[SlimmingEagle in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Now that I do like. "There is only 1 first 10K" I will take your advise and enjoy the occasion and what will be, will be.

[misswobble Graduate10]

Yes absolutely! It will be fun if you take it steady and walk as needs be. Walking breaks are the bees knees as far as i’m Concerned and can make all the difference,either in training or on race day 😃👍🏃‍♂️