Skip to main content

We have 1554 guests and no members online

Day 67

Day 67

Today was a walk around Combe Hills Wood. Never been there before, and I won't be going back again!! Place looked nice at the car park, but as soon as you venture into the woods, the paths are just full of mud! Am sure during the summer its lovely, but today was just crappy trying to walk without slipping over all the time. Took the enjoyment out of it all. 

So about a mile into the walk, perhaps a bit more, we decided to head up to the high point and see the view. The path was very steep and had to stop once or twice due to it being really steep, and to allow me to just catch my breath. Wasn't struggling like I would have done before my heart attack, but there was still a bit more to climb. Once I reached the top, the views were great to be honest. My partner had decided that this walk wasnt long enough once we got back to the car and as Glastonbury Tor was just 10mins away by car, we, or should I say, she, decided to go there and take a walk up to the Tor. I had never been before after all these years living within an hours drive of the place, so off we went.

At Glastonbury, you instantly notice lots of middle aged people walking around in tye dyed trousers, weird hats, long braided hair that hasn't been washed in years and the smell of cannabis floats around in the air around each corner. There are some weird people, nice enough, but it was interesting to watch people and hear people.

So the walk along the road to Glastonbury tour there are a couple of routes up to the Tor itself. I decided to go for the steeper climb, but slightly shorter climb. Although it looks mighty steep approaching the Tor, once you go up this path, take it steady and you will be fine. I didn't struggle with this, in fact, since my bypass, I have to say I haven't struggled at all, just a bit out of breath like any normal person would be climbing up a steep path.

The views at the top were AMAZING. 360 degree views from the top. Great place for taking in the view, so if you are in the area of Glastonbury or are thinking of visiting, just do it and take in the view.

Glastonbury Tor

  • Hits: 12

Day 73

Day 73

It was a long walk today on rolling hills. The start of the climb was long to reach the top of the Mere Down Ridgeway. Its also high up and the wind blows strongly. Slow walk at the end as my muscles were starting to ache a little, and the calf muscles especially. Definitely out of breath when I got to the top, but not gasping for breath as I have done in the past. I think I didnt have enough fluids in the morning which may have contributed to my slow walk up this monstrous hillside!!

Saw some deer whilst walking along the ridgeway, that was nice, and a steep walk down the hill side, slipped up once, but managed to stay upright. This walk was about 5 miles and once up on the ridge, you could see for miles. Great walk.

 

long walk, mere down, ridgeway, 5 miles

  • Hits: 11

Day 97

Day 97

Apart from the walking to the shops and back, which is a few times a week, its been a couple of weeks since i did a big walk. Today was Melbury Hill (theres a beacon at the top) and its quite a high hill. The steepest hill i have done and I though Stourhead was steep, but this is on a different level !!! The photos don't really show the really steep part of it, so you will have to take my word for it.

Enjoyable walk, thought I might struggle with the steepness, but although i was out of breath at the top, thats partly for going too fast, but its quite a long steep walk, but could still hold a conversation going up. Onwards and upwards.

 

  • Hits: 10

Day 121

Day 121

So after waiting what feels like an eternity to go for a run, I had permission from my GP and also the cardiac rehab nurse to start a gentle jog. The discussion with the cardiac rehab nurse was quite simple. Listen to your body. I would suggest you do the same as well.

We also agreed that I would jog for 1 minute, followed by a walk for 1 minute and so on until I finish. I was given a heart rate to watch out for and not exceed, which was a range of 88 to 121 maximum.

So on day 121 after leaving hospital, I went for my jog/walk. I went with my partner so she could tell me when to jog and when to walk, which is very useful, as I just tend to keep going without realising. We had planned our route, 2 miles around the streets and that should be a good start for me to eventually not only continuing to run but also take it further.

The first part was walking for 1 minute, and I am now very comfortable with walking, as I have done lots of that so far! I was very eager to get running. 

When I started to jog, it felt good, I felt good and got into a nice rhythm. After 2 miles, I wasn't too out of breath, just enough to get the heart rate going and boy did it feel good. Periodically throughout the 2 miles I checked my heart rate and the maximum it got to was 124bpm, which is ok.

So for my 1st jog/walk it felt really good and I very much enjoyed it. At last, I felt that I was starting to get back to normal. The key thing to keep in mind if you ever have to go through what I have gone through, is the fact all of this recovery process is NOT a race. Its a slow and steady thing and rome wasn't built in a day, as much as you and I would like to progress quickly, the body really does need time to heal.

 

  • Hits: 9

Day 311

Day 311

There has not been a lot to report on since day 121 apart from lots of walks uphill, downhill and some on the flat but I have gotten stronger and healthier.

 

Today is a significant day as I completed a 20 mile sponsored walk on behalf of the British Heart Foundation and raised £400 to date.

 

The walk was along the south west coastal path and there are some really steep climbs and walks. It took just over 7 and a half hours to do, so we weren't dawdling along but set a brisk pace.

This will probably be my last entry for a long time, but suffice to say, I found the walk easy, it was tiring having walked for so long but my heart, lungs and legs were strong and didnt struggle. I guess you could say I have pretty much recovered from my life changing operation and the fitness has improved incredibly.

I am also going to the gym every other day to run, to do core work and leg work. Its a real pleasure to go to the gym and not struggle with any of the exercise. Most of this is because of the operation but having given up smoking since my heart attack, this is quite an important factor in improving my fitness and keeping myself as healthy as any other normal 50+ year old. I know it can be difficult to give up smoking, but sometimes it takes a life threatening jolt to make you want to do it !!!

 

20 mile walk, sponsored walk, giving up smoking, healthier

  • Hits: 10

More Articles …