That’s about my speed. Chronic pain is my problem. I need to do something to strengthen my back because I had back surgery and may be having another one soon.
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That must be awful, I hope they can help with strengthening your back.
Also welcome to the forum…
Try working on strengthening your core if you can. And make sure your hamstrings are as supple and flexible as possible, this will aid in taking the strain off your lower back. All the best for any upcoming surgery.
Blimey I thought this thread had died a death, I didn’t get notified of any new posts after the big changeover so assumed it was lost in the chasms of cyberspace…I’m so glad to see it re-instated. After having so much anguish over the last year concerning my running, I think I’m beginning to see a light at the end of a year long tunnel. I’ve had an ICD fitted and following a visit to the electrocardiologist, or whatever they call them (it was an electrical problem with my heart) and a green light to try some training, I have got a lot planned for this year. Obviously I shall take it a step at a time, and depending how the last step went will depend on how I will proceed with the next step.
I’ve not allowed myself to get too out of shape continuing to walk five miles almost every day, and more recently introducing some easy strength and stretching exercises, but have had to be careful not to disturb the wires from the device to my heart. All will be revealed in my visit to the hospital tomorrow.
Welcome to the forum Chillya, and I look forward to reading your posts…
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Wait…are you saying the wires are exposed?!
No, sorry Lucy, the device has been implanted under the skin in my shoulder, two wires were inserted into a vein which led to two chambers in my heart. It’s all totally implanted and once the incision has healed and tissue has grown around the device and the wires (six weeks approx) there is very little risk for the wires to move and normal activities can be resumed. It’s just the first four to six weeks where moving the left arm too far could pull the wires out of position. Getting dressed and showering have been the most difficult, even more so since I’m left handed.
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Ok, phew! That makes a great deal more sense lol
I would offer to help with dressing and showering but it’s likely your wife wouldn’t approve 
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I’m sure she would Lucy…
I certainly would…
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lol, come on then, let’s get you stripped off and in the shower then…your wife gets a well earned night off 
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That thought is going to keep me awake tonight Lucy…
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Well if staying up all night is not a problem… 
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Taking a bit of swing at resurrection myself 
. Wickedly 
cold here 50F/10C has left me whining but determined. After an un unplanned vacation (a tad bit of major surgery), the old routine is still a way off. For now, this third three mile walk/run feels like a victory.
The surfboard is still in the corner complaining, and the pantry has been alerted that the carbs are on eviction notice.
2022, onward and upward.
That report is immensely heartening and reassuring, OGF! My mother skied after her device is fitted and she’s had hers now for some twenty-odd years, causing all sorts of trouble. Truly happy all is well with you! 
Missed you Surfermom…After 42 years, 3 months and four days running came to an almost ‘Dead’ Stop…I could chatter on for hours, but you sound like you’ve had a few problems of your own…So welcome back…xx
Missed you too, OGF! There were a few times that I too thought he party was over. Let’s tempt those fates a little longer, shall we! Easy going, of course 
!
Alrighty. After a dull and chilly four-hour drive long before the sun came up, my running shoes were itching to do something. It’s cold and blustery today, so I put on a long-sleeve top, running vest, running jacket, head band, winter leggings, warm socks, and the complaining New Balance shoes to brave the cloudy, windy, 50 degrees.
It’s fun to run on a day like this because of the empty roads, but I seem to be feeling the temperatures more in the form of tight muscles and achy knees. I put on several pounds while I was down and I can feel every one of them. They won’t be around long if I can stick with this new program.
The new program is designed around a committment to stretch and sustain running for as long as I can. This is real challenge, being guilty of running from the moment my feet hit the ground. I am now walking to warm up, running a short distance, and walking again. I confess to having a lot of psychological suffering over this, but I remind myself that after six decades of living - it’s ok.
I am still walking way more than running, but I still managed five miles. For this tortoise, slow and steady wins the race 
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We must be inextricably linked Surfermom…
Wearing the shorts was a good decision as I ventured out into a very sunny but cool late morning. It was about 5*C and now I’m doing more walking than running, it just seems better to go out a bit later once it’s warmed up a little (nesh or what) I walked the mile through the village and past the church, there were plenty of cars parked close by, something was going off…
As soon as I hit the open country road I was up on my toes and jogging, keeping an eye on my heart rate monitor. My heart rate was climbing steadily and the legs were good, it soon levelled out at 163 bpm, a bit high, but the legs were still feeling good so I kept going a bit longer. I was surprised by the distance I had covered as I stopped to walk. My heart rate immediately returned to normal, so after a couple of hundred yards, I went again. I walked past the church in the next village and was gladdened to see the snowdrops in bud, they adorn the verges and churchyard each year and attract lots of visitors.
Each time I jogged now my heart rate kept to reasonable limits, and as I jogged the half mile or so to another village, it barely rose above 140 bpm. A walk and a phone call to Mrs Fox that I was still in the land of the living. I was approaching mile number four now and decided to have one last jog, I surprised myself…
I must have jogged almost a mile with a heart rate of less than 100 bpm, I must admit that I was jogging as slow as I could without actually walking, but not once in all that distance were the legs asking to stop…Last week I considered myself back to where I had been before having the ICD fitted, but this morning was feeling more like the good old days…A nice 6 miles while Mrs Fox prepares the beef bourguignon and a bottle of beaujolais to wash it down with…
Happy Days!
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So, so heartening (ha, pun intended) to read of such a satisfying outing! 
You always make it sound so idyllic there - quiet country roads, village churches…
While I know it’s a pain (ha, another bad pun), but I think you are exceptionally wise to watch your heart rate and adjust accordingly. It’s also brilliant that you are checking in with Mrs. OGF. I have an app on my phone that allows whomever I want to track my location in real time. I wonder if anyone in my family has ever actually looked? 
You understand that I am too much in my zone to be distracted with a phone call, but I think it is very, very smart on your part, and will take that as sound advice. I am sure Mrs. OGF is most appreciative.
We had a crisp, iridescent blanket frost on the ground to greet us this morning. We haven’t seen frost here in four or five years 
! Last night I covered the tropicals with Christmas lights and sheets over that to save them. As you might guess, I am too wimpy to run yet. The warmest time of day here (well, anywhere for that matter) is about 2PM, so I am planning my walk/run for about that time.
Six miles is outstanding! I am trying to add a tenth of a mile every few days. Expect a report - or a confession - tomorrow. Enjoy dinner!
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The sun is out after two bleak days, though the wind is brisk and the surf quite high. It’s been an hideous week having lost another friend (to cancer 
), so in need of some head clearing I ventured out for a walk/run.
It is interesting how your body really does retain memory when it comes to exercise and though I am severely out of shape, my legs are feeling strong. I started out walking a full square mile, stopping to stretch (loathe it but know it’s the right thing to do) and then breaking into a nice clip of a run.
Today’s adventure included being chased by two large puppies who had escaped their fence and mistook my running for an invitation to play. Once I managed to get them out from under my feet, I jogged with them towards what I believed was their home. In no time, I could see the owner making a beeline towards me shouting mea culpas and scrambling to corral the four-legged hooligans. No harm no foul, I was back on the trail in no time, but walking, running, walking the rest of the five mile course.
I feel great, but my knees are not happy 
. Cheers!
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Well done Surfermom, five miles is a long way however you tackle it, and I think we are allowed a bit of a walk occasionally after the year we both seem to have had.
I know what you mean about the dogs, most of the dogs I come across are friendly and just want to run alongside me. It can be a bit frustrating on a rainy day when they jump up and smear mud all over my legs or bottoms. On the rare occasion that the dogs turn out to be aggressive I have been known to take issue with the irresponsible owner, and there is nothing as annoying as arriving home with dog doings all over my trainers. Not every owner cleans up after their animal…
I was thinking that when I was a child in the fifties I only knew one family who owned a dog, perhaps because it was a struggle just to put food on the table for the humans.
Nowadays where I live just about everyone owns at least one dog, with some people having three or four. Surely it can’t be good for the planet, apart from the love and friendship they bestow, they eat lots of food, mainly meat products, produce as much CO2 and methane as cattle, and don’t actually do anything (you can’t eat them! not here anyway) to contribute to our fight to save the planet…
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