Running after stroke

Following on from the podcast and subsequent on line chat about fatigue and exercise, I thought I would share my journey and accomplishment of running. All post stroke.

Prior to my stroke (2013) I would say that I was a reasonably fit person, although I never ran or took part in any basic fitness training. I would walk a lot and think that kept me fit. Following my post stroke depression I met my personal trainer, around 10 months post stroke, and my positivity for life began to return. I threw myself into fitness (sometimes to my own detriment as I would spend days in bed following a short mountain climb!). I loved it. I loved the feeling of climbing to the top of a mountain or kayaking across the Pumicestone Passage where we live and just being with nature. It was only during the early part of 2015 that I took up running and trained for a 10K. I completed that in June 2015 in a time of 1 hour: 9 minutes. I completed it again this year (in the howling wind and rain) and it took me two minutes longer. I am to compete in the 10K at the Sunshine Coast event in August. Yes, it hasn't been an easy ride but I have, and continue, to put in the effort needed. I now do the local 5K Park Run on Saturdays and sometimes volunteer and continue to run 3 times each week. (here is a photo of me with my husband David taken at this year's Caloundra Foreshore 10K). I do not believe the words "I can't" exist, unless you are physically disabled to do so. Manage your running with your fatigue and you will do OK. Trial and error but you CAN do it if you really want to. Here is a poem (Page 112 of my book 'A Stroke of Poetry'). Enjoy and let me know about your accomplishments in exercise, however small they may be.

I did it!

When we first came to Australia

seven years ago this year.

Our Lady of Rosary was Patrick's school.

Many memories we still hold dear.

Each year they organise a fundraiser

held here on the Coast.

The Caloundra Foreshore run it is.

and well attended by most.

There’s a 10K, 5K and so much more.

a beautiful family day.

You can even take a 3K walk

and participate that way.

So, the first year I attended

I did the 3K walk.

Run? No chance. You’re having a laugh.

I'd much rather walk and talk.

As the years progressed

and I saw those runners coming through.

I thought "Maybe, am I serious?

Is that something I could do?”

I'd watched my good friends running

And some had suffered a stroke like me.

They'd trained and got so fit again.

That’s where I aspired to be.

Even after my stroke recovery

and getting fitter by the day.

Without the correct training

a 10K run? There was no way.

So my friend suggested a personal trainer

based here on the Coast

If I joined their runners’ eight week plan

maybe a 10K I could then boast.

So, with my personal trainer,

and boot camps through the week.

I added on the running course.

I tell you, it was no mean feat!

Many mornings up at 5am.

Is that really a time to rise?

Some training sessions were really tough

The trainers I grew to despise!

I hurt my knee on a training run.

That really set me back.

Physiotherapy sorted that out,

and the day came around real fast.

I was feeling very nervous

But my mindset got me through

If I was going to achieve this goal of mine.

I knew what I had to do.

As I ran downhill to Moffat Beach

the finish line in my view.

I saw my son waiting to run with me.

Tears welled and then I knew.

I've really gone and done it!

I've actually run 10K.

A goal I thought I would never reach

Was well achieved that day.

Shelagh

The 10K runner!