Covid19 saved my life

[PlaneSailing]

It was on my daughters 12th birthday, after rushing to be there for her special day, that my heart stopped beating - literally. Twice.

Paramedics got a bad report from an airline crew so they gave me GTN and strapped an AED to my chest. It took a few minutes before they got the alarm and then an aural alert “shock advised” followed by a zombie like convulsion of my body. It was an adverse reaction, not a heart attack.

My body was that 0.1% of people who are seriously allergic to GTN.

It had taken several months of a fatiguing work schedule and a virus that brought me to this point. I had developed pericarditis

The road to recovery seemed unsurmountable as any exercise was like a raw rubbing on the blistered lining of my heart. Despite trying many diets and miracles my weight simply crept up. I was getting too heavy for running and in too much pain to do regular exercise. It seemed like a one way street, despite returning to work and just coping with the occasional pain.

Then the lockdown started, life seemed quite grey. That suddenly changed with a mere walk of the dog. I had stepped out of the house in nail biting cold with 2 sweaters and a coat on, after an hour of gentle meandering of our fur baby the typical English weather had changed to a heatwave and I was sweating like I had been running on a treadmill - I didn’t have a cough, or feel unwell, did I have the virus? I felt ok so I kept my 3 layers on and walked home! As I peeled off the layers it became obvious just how much I had been sweating, but for the first time in 2 years I actually felt good! People just don’t understand that I cannot just start running, so maybe there is a walking version? That doesn’t sound like real exercise does it?

The NHS website suggested the couch to 5k app, attached with this group forum? Everyone seems so brave and bold to be able to instantly run! Ever tried that with a painful blister along with being overweight? Ok I thought - I’ll keep walking, with my 3 layers! I’ve been doing this for 4 weeks now and every day I feel so much better. I have lost the love handles along with 5kg without even feeling like I have been exercising at all. It’s the most alive I have felt in 2 years, and I’m highly motivated to continue. Maybe I can start to run? Maybe a little fear? I ordered my running shoes yesterday!!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

Of course you can run.

Enjoy your journey.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Welcome aboard... you’ve been through a lot there, that’s some origin story for a soon to be awesome new runner!

You may need to consult your GP if you haven’t already done so just to be sure. The other thing I’d recommend is looking at the NHS Active 10 app... this will have you brisk walking, raising the heart rate and pushing your fitness up... it aims to get you to 3x10 minutes a day, or it can be a 20 and a 10 or a full 30. This would fit alongside C25K nicely, or if running isn’t yet possible, it should get you into condition so that it becomes possible.

Have a read of how to run this plan in the guide here healthunlocked.com/couchto5... which will answer many questions. Come talk to us often.

You can do this... enjoy your fitness journey

[Dtay1978 Graduate]

Well done 🥳

[Yoda-I-Am]

Wow, you’ve definitely been through a rough time. But it’s great to see that you’re taking back control and moving forward. I’m just a regular guy who hasn’t yet finished C25k, but I’d encourage you to take small steps (not literally) If walking is working for you, i’d stick with that until you really feel you have enough stamina to do more. It’s not a race, thankfully 😅