Just to be clear this isn’t a pity post and I apologise for the length
C25K probably saved the life of his previously couchy 48 year old, at the very least it probably saved me from having much more serious physical affects from my ‘episode’
Some folks on here know that two weeks will be my C25K start anniversary. I did the programme and then went on to do 10k’s and also found I quite liked other exercise as well. I us d to walk a lot with my dogs and felt this kept me fit, the truth is I wasn’t as fit as I thought. Running changed my life and my health.
Three weeks ago out of the blue at the kids school quiz night I had a major cerebellar stroke thanks to a clot breaking loose and turning into a brain grenade. Like a fool and not knowing what it was I declined an ambulance and spent a weekend in bed feeling terrible before being admitted to hospital on the Monday morning. Critically I missed the 4 hour window for thrombosis drugs.
The reason for the post here is that the the many medical professionals I’ve seen over the last few weeks have been unequivocal that my level of fitness was a significant factor in saving my life and also sparing me paralysis and or other physical affects. Don’t get me wrong I’ve a road to recovery and still had a vague notion of running my BM10k place this weekend which of course was impossible.... next year I’ll be there and with a more ambitious goal than this years 53 mins.
Here’s an excerpt from an interesting article.
“Dr Andrew Murray, sports and exercise medicine consultant at the University of Edinburgh. “However, the evidence is crystal clear that those who are physically active are significantly less likely – up to 25 per cent - to have a stroke and if they do, are significantly less likely to die. You’re never too old, too fat or too unfit to get active and building it up rather than going hell for leather is the best approach. Grant’s high levels of fitness undoubtedly played a huge part in his recovery.”
I had my first post stroke exercise yesterday, no running until I get the all clear but walking is encouraged so I got on the treadmill and did a steady 3km with the last 1KM incorporating 2x5kg dumbbell curls and lifts.
Again sorry for the long post but I really encourage anyone on the fence to start this programme, my life today would almost certainly have been very different without it. Finally before I go an by way of helping others
I have seen the FAST adverts for strokes and felt it couldn’t be that and that I could spot a stroke, the truth is I couldn’t. I didn’t... my stroke was further back in the brain so manifests differently... I had extreme dizziness and vomiting and apparently I was slurring although in my head I was speaking clear as can be... call the ambulance, not being seen in he first few hours was a poor mistake on my part.
Below, me and the family doing the Poppy run last year and hopefully we’ll all be back this year.
Written by
Cliff_H
Graduate
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Sending you my very best wishes. Thank you so much for sharing your story. At 53yrs and having just completed my first week on C25k, your determination and motivation will keep me going. Please, please keep us posted on how your recovery programme is going. X
Thanks for your story it certainly inspires me to continue. I wish you all the best for your recovery and hope you will be out there running again in the not too distant future!
So sorry to hear about your recent trauma. Very good to hear that you are on the road to recovery. This running lark definitely does have its benefits. Good luck to you and take care 👍
Well done on handling your stroke well and getting out and doing some exercise to help with the fitness. I have been doing a few long distance walks after my Brain tumour op and two weeks ago did 5k in 52 minutes I will probably try running once I have finished with the chemo hopefully in October and like your note it was mentioned in my hospital notes about my fitness so well done and keep it up
Michael
P.s I am only 55 but fairly fit after doing C25K two years ago I also have what they call GBM4
Thanks for sharing this Cliff. These are important things to know. I’ve had stroke and heart issues in my family for years. Was one of the main reasons for me starting to run. All the best with your recovery
It's good to hear from you again Cliff. Thanks for the update on how you're doing and a great post reminding us how this programme and running can benefit us beyond ways we can't even imagine.
That's a nightmare situation Cliff. My father had a number of strokes which started in his forties so when I reached my late forties and realised how unfit I was and sedentary my lifestyle was I got on the C25K train. Your story is a definite warning shot but also a terrific advert for this.
Thank you for sharing this with us and here's to a speedy and complete recovery for you. What a lovely photo, I hope that you all get to run together again soon x
Wonderfully positive post. Wishing you a smooth road to recovery x
Thank you so much for sharing this. I too am a 48 year old reformed couch potato with a somewhat dodgy family medical history, so it’s really encouraging to hear ismdoing myself some favours.
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Do you think its cheating to be doing C25K on a treadmill?
That's it - I've started... 
W9 R3 - I’ve done it! 🏅🍾🏃🏻♀️
Couch to 5K again... anyone remember me?
