Well, that's my race out of the window....

[Curlygurly2]

Some of you will remember that I won a place for the local trail race here last week, and was pretty chuffed. Well, I'm not so chuffed now...I had to see the doc to get a certificate to say I'm fit enough to run. I thought it would just be a formality, and I was more concerned that he would spot my manky heel. He took my blood pressure - sky high. I didn't believe him, I have it checked fairly regularly in UK, and it's always fine. So, he gave me a meter to check it at home, same result. Up and down as well, not just high, which he says is very worrying. I have to see a cardiologist, and in the meantime, he advises me only to run on the flat, ha ha, as if there were anywhere flat here, or better still walk briskly. He hasn't banned me from doing the race, or taken back my certificate, but he strongly advises against me doing it. I wouldn't enjoy it thinking I might peg out at any moment, so no race for me

So, meanwhile, I'm still getting out, getting my fresh air and walking. It's fine, I'm not that much faster when I run anyway!

[pollyp1 Graduate]

Bummer. I hope things work out for you.

[Tomas Graduate]

That sucks Curly. Very sorry to hear it, even it probably is the only sensible decision given the circumstances.

[Madge50 Graduate]

Oh poo! Doh! I'm so sorry to hear this, you were really hoping to do that, I was really rooting for you too 🤗. But, you must look after yourself, can't have a collapsed Curlygurly, that would be very bad ☹️

Lots of healthy eating etc., and take good care of yourself, hope things settle down

Mx 🤗

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

This is a really horrid thing! Huge hug!

Best to err on the side of caution though, until the issue is sorted You just take it..( you know...slow and steady:))

I will send you that 10K plan for you to read until you back on form...you can laugh as you imagine me doing some of the things.. the strength exercises that I am doing are hilarious..

Try and stay positive... there could be all manner of reasons why things are up and down x

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

OOh strength exercises! I need to do some of those!

[ancientrunner Graduate]

Really sorry to hear that Curly. Hopefully it will get sorted quickly and you will be back on track.

[Dpsl Graduate]

Such bad luck! Glad to hear you're not feeling any effects of the up-and-down blood pressure, though, and that it's not stopping you from getting out and walking briskly!

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to Dpsl]

No I feel fine, I'd never have known there was anything wrong.

[Rignold]

That is a real annoyance and doubtless a worry too. However there are plenty of things you can be getting on in the meanwhile - strength exercises as OF mention, and mobility work, that won't put undue pressure (hah) on your heart. Since my incident last summer I have been unable to do any of the metcon stuff I used to daily but have managed to keep my hand in concentrating on strength and gymnastic technique and mobility etc.

As of last week my cardiologist has actually cleared me to do 'sensible exercise within reason' again. we both shared a chuckle,at that one, as he knows full well that our definitions of that differ somewhat.

My theory is that unless you are specifically banned from an activity and you listen to your body then there are always creative ways around medical issues.

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to Rignold]

Thanks Rig, I'm walking at the moment, it's hilly enough around here to get reasonable exercise every day. I'm monitoring my heart rate, when it comes down a bit I intend to do some Galloway running. Hopefully I'll see the specialist within a few weeks. The real worrying thing was when the doc got me to do some squats with raised arms, and my BP went up to 220....bit scary that...and I couldn't tell. Listen to your body, yes, but it doesn't tell you when your BP is stupidly high.

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

Psssttt, Rignold here's the race I wanted to do, click les parcours at the top to see the route and elevation. I ran it in two bits last week just to see if I could and I felt fine.The doc said if I have a cardiac arrest at the top of Cordes, he's responsible.... I know they always look at the worst case scenario, but it's put me off a bit...

trailcordais.fr.gd/

[Rignold in reply to Curlygurly2]

Ooh, that looks super.

My BP is generally on the low side to occasionally very low as my heart is prevented by its stony casing to expand enough to pump the blood round. Between us we'd average out. Perhaps we could run it together as a three legged race?

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to Rignold]

Ah yes, that would be fab!

[Anniemurph Graduate]

Oh, Curly, that's a bummer Better safe than sorry and all that but still I think it's almost worse that you don't feel poorly - I mean, it's good that you don't feel poorly, but at least you would have suspected something amiss. Or is it better? I'm getting a bit muddled here but I'm sure you know what I mean. Good that he's found it though and that you will get it checked out - and that you didn't collapse at the top of the mountain

All the very best to you, m'dear. Do let us know how you get on x

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to Anniemurph]

I know what you mean, I'm torn between being glad he found it, and wishing I'd never gone to see him...

[AnneDroid Graduate]

What a shame. I suppose the one positive is that if you hadn't had to get the medical certificate you might have been "running" a big risk in all your runs without being at all aware of it. At least now you can be made safe, as it were. x

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to AnneDroid]

That's true, I'm scared to run now though.

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Blimey CG that's a real bummer. I'm sure that was a real shock especially as we think our BP would come down with this running lark. You're doing the right thing by not doing the race as you'd always be thinking about it wouldn't you?

I hope you get it sorted and you can get back to your hills xxx

[Maddee_6333 Graduate]

Oh no! So sorry my dear.

On the plus side, if it does turn out to be 'something' you've found out about it before you otherwise might have done.

[gdcgray Graduate]

Hoping you can find a way to get that blood pressure issue fixed. Hopefully without the statins, with foods like those rich in polyphenols etc... Wishing you the best. The main thing is keeping you healthy.

[Irish-John Graduate]

Very sad reading this CG. Is the Doc trying to identify the reason for your high BP ? Hopefully you will be ok

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

I have to see the cardiologist John

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

Fingers and toes crossed for you CG.