I had never been a runner, or even into fitness, since my late teens and when I used to be a boxer. But this year, having a desk job and the Pandemic assisting in me hitting 22 stone I decided enough is enough and decided to make the change.
In March I started dieting, then discovered the C25K and that exercising is really the secret. I completed the C25k and was using this site for tips to increase my distance/timings and were going well.
Now over 6 stone lighter and managing to maintain running every other day I got it, the bug of running. Life was so much better for me, and I could see a future where I am much older and enjoying life, something I could not envisage at the start of the year being the inactive 22 stone.
3 Saturdays ago left for my morning 6k, 5 strides in I knew something was wrong with the 'old ticker', but so determined I continued to run (only managed 5k). Discomfort grew (not pain I add), took the dog out for a few miles then I thought I think I should call someone. 6 hours later I am being told I am having a massive heart attack not looking good.
In a nutshell, my heart is knackered, but by running and losing weight I have managed to avoid any further operations and been released on medication, something I was assured would not have happened if not for weight loss and my fitness level.
The worse thing is out of all of this, and what is killing me. I so want to run, desperate in fact. I know, I know, I need to take things easy, but this has made me more determined to hit my goals, improve as a runner, and my all-around fitness.
Why am I posting this? Well, I feel part of this running community, and I am just on the Subs bench waiting to be tagged back in. But mainly if you feel any tweak or pull, please don't hesitate to speak to someone, get checked out. I managed 5k and a long dog walk in this state. Don't leave it last minute (2.5 hours wait for an Ambulance, but that is for another post). But the most important thing is this, every step you run, every slight improvement, even every failure you try is a MASSIVE step in the right direction, I am a testament to that. Keep on Keeping on!
I am being told I can attempt 0.5k runs already, which I intend to start in the next week, long road back, but cant wait to put my earphones in, hit the country road and lose myself again.
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Blue_74
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I had a similar experience. Out for a run, my pace collapsed, I just couldn't run so I walked back to the office and got my lunch. Whilst eating that, I developed a tight feeling across my chest. Looked up my symptoms and read that a heart attack is usually accompanied by pain in an arm or the neck but I didn't have anything like that. So, I finished my lunch, had a shower and decided to call in at the GP surgery on my way home after work. GP ran some tests then called an ambulance. At the hospital, they confirmed a mild to moderate heart attack and I had a stent fitted a few days later.
Now, it seems crazy that we both suspected a heart attack but didn't do anything about it for hours. I'd say that anyone who thinks they might be having a heart attack should call an ambulance immediately. I suppose, for someone who's really unsure, calling NHS 111 would do but it has to be done immediately.
In my case, I think I delayed because I wasn't sure and didn't want to look silly by calling an ambulance for some minor problem.
My recovery started with some gentle walks but avoiding hills (that was a huge drop down from where I'd been a couple of weeks before).
I was back to doing some short easy runs within a couple of months but it was around six months until I felt able to start building up my running. It was frustrating having to hold back so much but I think it was worth it to allow my body to heal. Seems to have worked OK; two years on, ive just run a couple of marathons.
Enjoy your time on the subs bench, take it steadily and I wish you a good recovery.
In my case it was having a heart attack 7 months ago which put me onto my running journey. Its the best thing I have ever done.
I knew straight away something was not right as I just could not get any oxygen, had discomfort in chest and was involuntarily coughing. When I looked in the mirror my face had turned grey.
Two stents fitted, couch program started and 10k just completed. Yay.
Excellent weight loss you have achieved. Well done and here is wishing you a speedy recovery.
We guys tend to ignore discomforts like that until they floor us.
I was in a meeting at work a few years ago, and started to grey-out. I asked my colleagues to call an ambulance. A bike first responder arrived initially and checked me out, then a proper ambulance arrived about an hour later, checked me over with better equipment, then sent me home with a doctor's appointment for the following morning.
Thankfully it wasn't a heart attack, and the problem was eventually traced down about a week later to my thyroid hormone levels going on a rollercoaster ride.
My nephew, in his 40s, had a similar experience. He's got stents and fingers crossed seems to be healthy. His first question post op was 'when can I run again?'The doctor said hardly anyone asks that, they're usually complaining at being told to exercise more!
Sorry to hear about the rough patch you are going through. Well done for losing all that weight and for starting running. Good luck for the future and hope you can run again soon . Take it slow and savour it.
Thank you for stressing how much good running and a healthy lifestyle can do for one's body. I will keep that in mind when the gremlins try to keep me from running.
You and also SkiMonkey write that you suspected something wrong but didn't react accordingly right away. It seem to be somewhat common. An acquaintance of mine who is in his late 60s, avid cyclist and tennis player had a similar experience. While playing tennis he felt at pull in his arm and though this was due to him hitting the ball too hard. He continued the match, rode his bike 5k to his GP, only to be told he'd had a heart attack.
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week3run1 ✅. 3 x 17 mins with 1 min walks. 
How did your parkrun or (not)parkrun go?
