Anzac, I think you are so right. Stress causes so much ill health. That’s when a bit of exercise does help as it destresses you IMO.
My high cholesterol is an inherited condition apparently, there is no other reason, I do all the right things, never smoked (a rarity in 60s and 70s!) have been on a low fat diet for ever etc etc. neither of my parents had heart problems as far as I know, and my children have been tested and are ok, but I just didn’t want to take the risk. Apart from being short of puff I haven’t had any other side effects, no muscle aches etc, and the pufflessness might not be caused by that.
Very strangely though, I had my annual blood test in November, but yesterday I received a letter saying that my blood glucose was high (not yet diabetic) and they want me to attend some thing at the hospital. Sounds like a box ticking exercise to me, and I know taking statins does raise blood glucose readings, however, I’ll give it a whirl.
A smell of embrocation fills the air, running kit is ironed and carefully laid out ready for tomorrows early morning nine and a half mile adventure. I will go out and pull up some trees, and whack those three snarling hounds that worried me last week.
Penny, I have not heard that Statins make you short of breath, but I have heard that there is a link with diabetes. Both my Dad, and my FIL developed diabetes in their later years when it has never been seen in either family before. They had both taken Statins for many years. My Dad passed away in 2009 at the age of 87, my FIL is still going strong at 89, so who knows, perhaps they do extend life, but not without side effects.
Morning all. Robert hope you have a great run. The weather is lovely here and hope it’s the same where you are.
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Happy Mothers Day to all the Mothers out there….
Thanks Myra, this is how it went……warts and all.
I was greeted by overcast skies and a nagging icey cold wind from the East, as I quietly pulled the door closed and jogged down the drive. I hit the street and started the watch, careful not to set too fast a pace this week; although a good time, last weeks pace was too fast and it defeats the object of LSD [long SLOW distance]. So I positively dawdled down through the village. There is a main road that connects our village with the next one, it’s very busy most of the time, and I could see some signs warning of a diversion, as I approached I realised that it would be the quiet country road where I run, that would now carry all the traffic.
As I left the level crossing behind and struck out onto the long straight country road, running felt so natural and flowing, the pace was good, and being out this early meant that only the odd extra vehicle squeezed by. It won’t be this quiet on my return journey. I had soon reached the turn that took me off the diversion and on to the canal bank. The only traffic here was a narrow boat tied up to the mooring. Wisps of smoke spiralled out of the chimney, and as I ran past I caught a whiff, not unpleasant, and I recognised the smell of burning wood. Memories came flooding back; I had smelt that smell before, as a boy me and my best friend Bill would regularly take expeditions out into the country, our favourite haunt would be an disused Sand Quarry a couple of miles away from the nearest farm. With a good view of the surrounding countryside, it was almost impossible to approach un-detected, and we would re-enact the Second World War, using any materials that were at hand. We would also light a small fire, and with potatoes raided from a nearby field, would cast them into the ashes to cook. After a while we would recover the black charcoal covered spuds and break them open to reveal the soft white mash inside, you never forget that wonderful taste, or the smell of burning wood in your nostrils.
I came back to earth as I reached the gate at the end of the canal section and popped out on to the road. The benefits of an easterly wind now became clear, as I turned for home it would be at my back, unlike last weeks westerly. I was in the groove now and enjoying every minute, shoes tapped out a rhythm, and I could hear the riveting of a distant woodpecker, spring was indeed just around the corner, and I could sense the energy as green shoots appeared on the verges and hedgerows. One worrying thought did spring to mind though; I was fast approaching the place where I had encountered the three dogs last week, and I wondered if I would have to resort to some aggressive moves this week.
I had no need to worry, I could see some horse riders assembling in the farmyard, and the muts were nowhere to be seen. I smoothly ran past, but still checked behind to make sure.
The road with the diversion on was busy as I rounded the corner for the mile or so it would take me to reach safety. It must be sods law that on a narrow country road cars come in both directions at the same time, making it difficult for them to pass; and even more difficult to squeeze a runner through without him having to take a detour up onto the verge. [Not always possible or recommended] But, I managed to reach the safety of the village intact, and even managed to put on some style as I ran passed some residents. I arrived home feeling happy and refreshed, and could have gone further, but this is how it’s supposed to be, this is what keeps me coming back for more.
The run was two minutes slower than last week, but the satisfaction was immense and worth it. My cup runneth over!
You so enjoyed that run Robert. Yes, you must feel great after it. Glad the dogs weren’t out :shock: When we’ve been on rambles it’s the cows I’m not sure of. Although they haven’t bothered us so far. I’m looking forward to our walk next Saturday, The Water of Leith walkway, Murray field to Balerno. 9 miles. Haven’t done that walk before. Enjoy the rest of your day Robert 
That sounded a great run, OGF. Myra, we lived in Edinburgh in a converted granary building overlooking the Waters of Leith in the mid 1980s, but it was until 2008 that I did the walk from there to Leith itself. Unfortunately one tunnel was blocked so there was a rather rambling diversion that added time to the walk. I rather think you are walking in the other direction though! Enjoy.
How interesting Penny! I haven’t been in that area before, so I’m really looking forward to it. Someone else is leading the walk, so they’ll have done a recce beforehand - thank goodness! I just have a feeling that it will be a lovely walk.
Penny, I could have written most of that about myself and I have to go see the nurse tomorrow cos my annual blood test showed my glucose was high too. We’ll have to swap notes!!
A great account of today’s run OGF. You cooking the potatoes on an outdoor fire reminded me so much of the hike we used to do with the Guides. We had to take two younger Guides on a hike and cook them lunch on a fire, using kindling and twigs picked up in the woods. The meal would be well blackened but we were so hungry it would all get eaten without complaint. How I loved those hikes. 
Those were the days Val, they won’t come back, but they have left some special memories…
No running today, but a visit to the cinema at Meadowhall with some friends.
There is always something nice to eat on these days out.
It’s safe to go out now all the kids are back at school and the rest are back to work after the weekend.
Morning all. Enjoy your visit to the cinema Robert.
Thanks Myra,
I’m taking one for the women this morning, we’re going to see ‘Suite Francaise’ It’s about a woman who falls in love with a German Officer during the occupation of France in the second world war.
Plenty of sloppy stuff…urrrrrggggggg
Just catching up with yesterday’s run Robert. It brought back memories of times when my ex, our daughter and I would go out for a run in the car and instead of stopping at a cafe for something to eat, we would stop at a local shop for potatoes, tins of soup etc then find a nice spot to build a fire. The soup was just heated in the can while the potatoes roasted in the fire. That plus any picnic additions we had brought made it a feast for a king LOL.
Just the sort of thing that I’d get up to Freshfields.
I don’t think they do it nowadays do they.
When I was an apprentice engineer, we had a coke burning stove in the machine shop, [that’s when ‘coke’ meant something entirely different] it had slots on the chimney; we used to take soup or beans and warm them up in the slots for lunch. Sometimes we would stoke it up until it shone red and do toast, sometimes with a hefty wedge of cheese on.
It tastes better, doesn’t it LOL. What have we done to our children if their only survival knowledge is when McDonald’s opens LOL I’m happy to know that although my daughter enjoys fine wining and dining, she could just as happily survive living in the wild
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The mist had closed down visibility to around one hundred metres as I strode out along the deserted street. The moisture clung to my face and legs making it feel colder than it was, but I soon slipped into a relaxed comfortable pace. No gasping for breath this morning, I would take it steady and enjoy the trip. Across the field and through the woods, not a soul in sight, that was until I reached the busy main road. There was a spring in my step as drivers rushed by on their way to work, but above the sounds of the traffic, a siren grew louder and louder. Cars pulled over as the paramedic zig zagged through the endless stream of vehicles, just as I though my ear drums would burst, he was gone. It brought back memories of the morning he came for me. I wondered if he was the same paramedic, did he recognise me as he sped past, was he proud to see me out running, back to normal, a success story indeed. I turned down the cul-de-sac and it was suddenly silent, I made the call. The lane was dry and firm underfoot, there was more evidence of approaching spring with cherry blossoms overhanging the lane from above, and hawthornes with visible buds giving a distinct green hue along it’s length. The mist had retreated now and I was running warm, still bouncing off the lane, the early sensible pace was paying dividends now and I knew there was plenty left. I slowed to a stop as I twisted through the half open gate and stopped the watch. 49:29, a very fast time, anything under 50 minutes for this course is considered fast.
I wasn’t even trying this morning, and still posted a fast time, not only that; just lately I’ve been consistently fast, could it be that my Heart is recovering to a level greater than before…Just a few months ago I would have been on my knees after a fast run like that, and now it’s becoming normal…
Another great start to the day OGF !!
A word of caution perhaps?
http://breakingmuscle.com/endurance-sports/endurance-training-is-bad-for-your-heart