Tag Archives: Fitness

Rain stops play

I am not good at patience.

An all too familiar scene!

I have always known that there are some professions that just aren’t for me. I would struggle to be a Cricket Umpire, for example, not only because my eye-sight is rubbish, and getting worse, but because I would find it impossible to make decisions on when to stop / start playing because of weather… with me in charge, bad light would not be a factor, and only the heaviest of downpours would warrant a break for rain.

I remember being at school and looking out of the window, hoping and praying that the weather would improve so that we could compete in whichever sport was lined up for that afternoon / evening. Whether it was the frost releasing its hold on the Rugby pitch, or the clouds dissipating so we could do athletics, there would often be doubt, and all too often, disappointment.

How the America’s Cup Race Director was able to make the calls he did is beyond me… wind too strong, wind too weak, wind in the wrong direction, even a perfectly reasonable race taking too long. I know he had strict rules that he was enforcing, but they didn’t always feel like they were in the spirit of the event, particularly for the spectators.

For me, if there are two teams present and ready to compete, that’s exactly what they should do!

This would be a handy device for today’s conditions! Unfortunately I didn’t pack mine!

Today is one of those “rain stops play” days. A storm has blown in from Africa and thrown a spanner in the works of the resort we’re in. Water sports have been suspended. Even the cycling has been abandoned due to risk of being blown off or being struck by lightning. To be fair, the weather is fairly severe; strong, gusty winds, heavy rain, thunder and lightning. Safety first!

Today is therefore going to be a different day. All activities have been moved inside. There is significant competition for stations in the gym and in the indoor pool. There seem to be groups of children in every nook and cranny around the hotel. Everyone seems to be having fun!

I need to take a deep breath, wait patiently for my opportunity to do some exercise…

Wait a moment… it looks like there’s a break in the clouds… maybe, just maybe, I can get out for a ride, even if it is a quick one!!!

An ice cold beer

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Officially my most craved after meal. I eat lots of fish, but not like this!

Since I’ve been “being good”, people have asked me on a regular basis whether I enjoy my new regime. The best way I can describe it is that it is like moving overseas to live in a new country… it is new and exciting but there are aspects of my old life that I miss. This can take various forms but often revolves around food and drink; the passing smell of some fine, forbidden food, the craving for something salty, an indulgent dessert, a hit of caffeine, the crispy surface and fluffy centre of a well-cooked chip, or an ice cold beer on a hot sunny day.

The physical environment obviously has a major influence on my cravings, as do associations with the “old life”. Ice cold beer has tended to be a major feature of most of my foreign holidays; a pool-side treat to help pass the day, a pre-dinner tipple to start the evening off, or a refreshing late night pick-me-up. In fact, ice cold beer seems to feature quite highly in many of my holiday memories! Not this one!

I have now gone 122 days without alcohol passing my lips (not that I’m counting!). I suspect I had enough in the preceding 122 days for my average still to be on the high side of the healthy limit. My abstinence has definitely helped me to lose weight and get fit. While I appreciate there is medical evidence that supports the fact that drinking some alcohol is better for you than drinking none, I still don’t feel like I’m quite ready for moderation… yet. I’m still an “all or nothing” kind of guy, even in my new life.

The destination for today’s ride… a chapel famed for its fertility assistance. Enter at your peril!

I’ve been cycling regularly since we’ve been in Rhodes. There is a small group that gathers every morning for an organised Mountain Bike ride. The typical ride tends to head into the mountains to visit places of “interest”. We ride on a combination of road (tarmac) and off-road (dirt / rocks), and the terrain is generally flat with the occasional steep incline (tough on the way up, treacherous on the way down). It’s a bit different to the road biking back home!

Depending on the difficulty and duration of the route, the main group may splinter, creating a break-away group as we look for some more continuous cycling. Given it’s my main source of exercise each day, I’m keen to make the most of it so a longer, steady ride is just the ticket for me. There have been a couple of really good sessions that have been physically challenging (mostly within the limits my Heart Monitor allows!) and enjoyable.

Nothing fancy… just ice cold!

Refreshment is a key feature of these break-aways. Identifying a target destination with an appropriate watering hole is an essential part of each ride. For most of the party an ice cold beer is the beverage of choice. For me, I’ve been adventurous enough to have a Fanta Limon. I have to admit, the beers do look incredibly tempting.

I know there’s nothing really stopping me from having one (other than the distinct possibility that I wouldn’t be able to cycle any further!), but I really am trying to be good. Yes, I may be being too hard on myself, but I’m determined to stick to the regime.

I will however set myself a goal… when I cross the line having completed my London – Amsterdam – Brussels cycle next May I will have a beer. I will make sure it is ice cold, served in a glass straight from the freezer, and I will enjoy it. A lot!

The “E”s

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At Cardiac Rehabilitation, we were taught that many of the key factors that impact the workload on a Heart with an “E”… Exercise, Environment, Emotion, Eating… (I’m sure there were others, but I can’t remember them… please feel free to chip in!).

Many of the “E”s are impacted by travel to foreign lands… strange place, unusual climate, different food, etc. As a result, I think going on a family holiday is a big step in the Cardiac Rehab journey.

A holiday obviously offers an opportunity for some Rest and Relaxation, away from the hassle of day to day life at home / work. For me, it provides a chance to diversify my exercise routine and build on the base I’ve laid down. However, I think it offers something more important. I think it offers the opportunity to embed the change that we’ve been through over the past few months. I say “we”, this definitely applies for me, but in a small way I think it’ll apply for Louise and the girls too.

The whole, “living with Heart Disease” thing was somewhat sprung on us. We didn’t have any time to prepare. One day we were “normal”, the next we were not. In some way, leaving home as a “Survivor”, being away for a couple of weeks, and then returning a “Survivor” makes it more official, normal. A little bit like moving house… you need a break of routine to really make it feel like home.

The Magic Kingdom… not sure my Heart could have taken the fireworks and the emotion of the whole thing!

Our holiday plans over the summer were severely impacted by my Heart Attack. The plan had been to visit Florida and enjoy some of the theme parks we have all heard so much about… you could call it a “once in a lifetime” trip… but when you’ve got growing children, they all are aren’t they!

We decided that a long haul flight, the heat and humidity, the thrills and spills of rollercoasters, driving in a strange place, and the good old American cuisine probably wouldn’t be the best recuperation-aid five weeks after my Heart Attack. So we spent the summer at home, making the best of what Scotland has to offer.

As it turned out, it had quite a lot to offer. We enjoyed one of the best summers for many years, I certainly can’t remember a better one since I’ve been living in Sunny Scotland (and I’ve been there for over 17 year).

The main pool and hotel complex. Always strangely deserted.

To compensate, we decided to book a “special” trip over the October School Holiday (Now!). The girls get two weeks off, so it’s enough time to get away… and really get away! We are in Rhodes enjoying a healthy holiday of sun, relaxation and exercise (in that order).

The “E”s have played quite a major factor so far:

The Environment is much warmer than back at home. The average temperature so far has been in the high 20 degree Celsius range. It’s felt hot! Perfect for lazing around and doing nothing very much!

The Environment impacts everything. It takes time for your body to acclimatise. Quite how and when it’ll make a noticeable difference is unknown, until it does! So, in the short term at least, this provides a need for a certain level of caution.

The lounging pool. Beautiful, but treacherously chilly!

We have access to several Outdoor Pools and the Mediterranean Sea (I’m sure it used to be an Ocean when I was growing up!). Both can best be described “refreshing”. Again, perfect for a cool down if you’ve been lazing around in the sun, but they’re a little too bracing for my liking. I’ve never particularly enjoyed swimming in cold water, but I suspect a fast immersion in any of these could be the last thing I do! Definitely to be avoided!

There are guided Mountain Bike rides twice a day. Definitely for me! The temperature plays a key factors in these too, as well as the terrain over which we ride (I know this doesn’t start with an “E”!). Being on the competitive end of competitive, the key thing for me is to ride at my own pace, to not worry about what everyone else is doing, and to listen to my body (and my heart rate monitor!). My body has definitely reacted differently. I guess I have to learn my limits again given the new conditions.

Dad’s pool… before the kids have woken up at least!

Given I can’t swim in the outside pools, the Indoor Pool has become “Dad’s Pool”. Unfortunately there are some other guests that might also lay claim to it, so I have to pick my times carefully! It’s not big, probably 10m in length, but it’s enough for me to practice my breathing. If it really were mine I’d keep the temperature a few degrees cooler, and get some fresh air circulating in the room. It is as close to a sauna as I’m willing to get right now! Hopefully it’ll serve its purpose.

We’re in a great place to chill out, relax and enjoy a break. There is a lot to do. I just need to make sure I don’t overdo it!

Your life in their hands

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Some jobs are more important than others. In some roles, the occupants are expected to keep up with continual innovation. They are often presented with new concepts, need to learn new words to describe bleeding-edge ideas and stay abreast of technological developments. If they snooze, they lose. The consequences are almost unthinkable.

I came face to face with some such professionals this morning.

We place important parts of our lives in their hands on a regular basis. We rely on their discipline and professionalism to prepare precise combinations of chemical ingredients to meet our exacting requirements. The result of their work plays a critical role in the day to day well-being of so many people. One mistake can have disastrous consequences, wreaking chaos on our carefully planned lives.

Yes, the role of Barista is a critical one!

Precision is everything!

I have to admit that I’ve struggled to stay up to date with developments on the coffee front. Before my Heart Attack I used to enjoy a Black Americano, or the occasional Skinny Latte (if I needed some extra sustenance), but that’s as far as my not-so adventurous coffee tastes took me. I’ve subsequently been off the caffeine, and as a result, the attraction of Coffee Shops has diminished considerably.

I do enjoy the taste of coffee, and my penchant for a sprinkling of Brown Sugar makes for a warm, comforting, occasional sweet treat, but the other benefits are a thing of the past. I think my body is still fooled into the idea of receiving a caffeine “hit” when I drink coffee but disappointingly it never arrives. It has become more of a comforting bedtime drink for me now rather than the shot in the arm, pick me up it used to reliably be. It used to get my day started, and get it back on track when I started to flag. I think coffee may actually have negative implications nowadays, with the net effect of making me more rather than less tired.

Having had an early start this morning (early morning airport check-in), we headed for a coffee to perk us up. Perhaps it was because we were at an airport, but the array of exotic coffee orders from the eclectic clientele seemed even wider than usual. I have to admit, I have no idea what pumpkin has to do with coffee, and I thought I had always been drinking “wet” coffee, I had no idea that I would need specifically request it! I’m still coming to terms with the various syrups on offer. It’s amazing what you can get nowadays!

Adventurously, I ordered my new “usual”, a Decaf Americano.

I have to be careful not to stand up too fast!

Shortly afterwards, I had a dizzy spell. This happens to me on a fairly regular basis. It’s one of the side effects of the medication I’m on – low blood pressure reduces the strain on my heart, but also means I need to be careful not to stand up too fast. The dizzy spell I had this morning was the worst one I’ve had for a long while. I was trying to focus on the Departure Board, but just felt myself wobbling. Hopefully no one was looking or saw me rocking backwards and forwards. Fortunately I managed to stay upright. Falling over would have been embarrassing to say the least!

Having recovered, I started to wonder why I was feeling particularly dizzy today… Was it the early morning? The result of a broken nights sleep? Or perhaps something I’d eaten.

What would the impact of a slug of caffeine be after so long without it? Had the Barista unintentionally spiked my coffee by confusing my order?

Given I recovered fairly quickly, I suspect it was entirely my fault. The event has, however, made me realise what an important role the various people that work in Restaurants, Cafes, Coffee Shops and Bars have in our lives. They have my utmost respect… but I will be watching to make sure my Virgin Mary doesn’t become a bit more Bloody than I’m expecting while I’m away!

A bit of a tit

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Before I start, I want to re-assure everyone that I’m fine, feeling good, and not hurt in any way by any of the events described herein. I have recovered from my mid-week tiredness, and I’m looking forward to a restful weekend. I know people worry about me, and I appreciate it. I will look after myself, and take things steady, but I’m not going to stop doing things, and “stuff” will happen. That’s life!

Anyway, on with the story…

Since I’ve been cycling, people have spoken of injuries picked up in bike accidents. Cuts and grazes here, fractured ribs there, a variety of debilitating and confidence draining injuries picked up in bike accidents. Yes, it’s a little bit scary, but it comes with the territory.

I was fully protected, but in little danger!

Today I had a spill myself. Actually, calling it a spill is over-egging it slightly. There was no high speed collision, no mechanical failure, no twisted pile of limbs and wheels. No, it was one of the world’s most slow, sedate cycling accidents ever. In fact, it’d probably be more accurate to call it a casual topple.

I had a bad start to the day. Embarrassingly, my topple occurred before I’d even left the car park to start my ride. It was the classic, “brain not realising your feet are connected to the pedals” accident. It was the sort of incident that would keep my father-in-law giggling for months. An absent-minded over-balance followed by slow topple and desperate but unsuccessful attempts to arrest my fall.

Apparently it happens to everyone. Today it was my turn. I felt a bit of a tit to say the least!

To be fair, Colin (my cycling companion) did very well not to fall off his bike in sympathy (prompted by hysterics). I probably would have done had I been in his position! Fortunately there weren’t too many other witnesses.

After our ride this morning. Colin still trying desperately not to laugh at the memory of my topple!

Talking of idiots, we were buzzed by a couple of boy racers on the ride this morning. I don’t understand how someone could derive pleasure from out-pacing a cyclist, but they seemed to.

Two particularly souped up cars caught our attention. Both were noisy. Very noisy. One of them also seemed to have a James Bond-style smokescreen kit fitted. Nice touch! They must be very proud!

Nice, but does it have “Automatic Smokescreen” kit?

Fair weather golfer

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I’ve always been a bit of a fair weather golfer. I’ve never enjoyed playing golf in inclement weather. I really don’t enjoy the hassle of waterproof clothing, umbrellas, wet grips, damp feet or the general misery of seeing a round fall apart (which is generally the way with my golf) wishing I was somewhere else. Somewhere warm and dry.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy playing golf. Up until recently, it’s been my primary escape outside work. A few hours in the fresh air, enjoying the best of what Mother Nature has to offer. It’s just that I prefer it in shirt sleeves rather than oilskins.

Not my favourite way of spending an afternoon!

Given there is a Scottish winter between me and the Euro City Cycle, I need to “Man Up!” on a number of fronts. One of the important ones is braving the elements to get the miles in.

I could be a wuss, and do all my winter training on the Turbo Trainer in the garage, but there’s nothing like actually being out on the bike dealing with the gradients, the road conditions and the elements. As my sessions get longer it may also get a little tedious despite the distraction of the Sufferfest videos.

So, I’ve made a pact with myself to get out despite the weather (assuming it’s safe to do so, of course!).

This morning was my first test… the weather was dreich* to say the least. I’m proud to say that I got up and out anyway and did a solid solo 13 mile ride.

A dreich Scottish day!

I headed to the Railway Line for the ride again. One of the benefits of a miserable morning was that it was quiet. It seems that only dog owners were willing to brave the elements – even the few runners that were out seemed to have dogs in tow.

I say only dog owners, but I don’t strictly have evidence to back this up as I did spot a couple of other sportsmen doing their thing… standing in the middle of the River Dee, fly fishing. Good Luck to them!

Dreich, but a beautiful morning for catching fish!

So, a new rule for me:

Don’t let the weather get in the way of doing the things you want to do!
(Except playing golf, perhaps!)

***

* Dreich: A combination of dull, overcast, drizzly, cold, misty and miserable weather. At least 4 of these adjectives must apply before the weather is truly dreich.

Scotland’s favourite word apparently, perhaps because it’s in such common use. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2013/01/favourite-word23012012)

My next (big) challenge

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As I approach the end of my Cardiac Rehab sessions, I need a challenge to help keep me focused and motivated throughout the dark cold winter nights.

This is an important decision for me. It will create the structure of my next phase of my recovery. I need to select something that is realistic and achievable, but also something reasonably challenging. Challenging enough to keep me interested, fit and focused!

I checked out the British Heart Foundation website for ideas. Given my recent fitness exploits, it made sense to look at their cycling options. They offer a large number of interesting choices… the extravagantly exotic, outrageously “foreign” and luxuriously lengthy options were ruled out fairly quickly. I also eliminated the mundane… it’d be good to do something a little bit different!

Having tested a few options with the family (where I successfully tested the boundaries of exotic, foreign and lengthy), I landed on…

…a Bike Ride from London to Amsterdam to Brussels.

280 miles over 4 days starting on 7th May 2014.

Along the way, I’m also hoping to raise a few quid for the British Heart Foundation.

This is the sort of climbing I like!

Excitedly I went to register for the trip. Unfortunately, my first attempt was a complete anti-climax. ironically my attempt failed on a web page with the title “Your challenge starts here”… it appears it does!!! Having spent some time typing in my long list of medication, I was a little frustrated to say the least!

Anyway, I eventually resorted to the manual telephone method, and I’m now all signed up!

All I need to do now is raise some cash, get properly fit and persuade a GP to sign my “fit for fun” letter in advance of the trip. All very exciting!!!

I hope you’ll join me every step of the way!

Out and about

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It was another cracking morning in the North East of Scotland this morning. I marked it with my latest venture out on the bike. It’s the second weekend I’ve been out early, not quite the crack of dawn, but certainly a good start to the day. It’s definitely a routine to get into!

A cracking morning to be out on the bike!

As a result of my recent “Sore Leg” post, I have received some guidance that the reason my legs have been hurting is because the cleats on my shoes were slightly at the wrong angle. Having made some subtle adjustments to my shoes, it felt much more comfortable. Hopefully problem solved… it’s good to share your woes!

This morning’s ride was the longest continuous effort I’ve put in since my Heart Attack. We went at a steady rate and kept going. We covered about 16.5 miles in just over an hour (including spending some time trying to correct a mechanical “knocking” sound that turned out to be the lid of my water bottle rattling against the frame!!). It didn’t feel fast, but it felt quite tough.

The first of many loops around Westhill – slightly more undulating than the Turbo Trainer!

I do have to remind myself that I’m recovering from a Heart Attack, and back this up with frequent checks of the Heart Monitor. I am however also making up for about 20 years of physical neglect, so my of my body is at the limit, not just my heart!

It really is great to be out and about though. It gives me confidence that I’m making good progress. I’m just about to enter my last week of Cardiac Rehabilitation, so it’s a good time to start to (slowly) push the boundaries!

The summer’s over

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The summer’s over. The girls have gone back to school, marking the end of a rather different summer holiday.

Thanks to my little incident, Disney World was exchanged for Codona’s Aberdeen and Daytona Beach for Cullen. Thanks goodness the weather was good! I think fun was had by all.

Who needs Disney World?!

Right on cue the days are getting noticeably shorter and there has definitely been a turn in the weather. The last three mornings have been greeted with a heavy, persistent fog. Rather than the refreshing blanket of moisture that started the balmy days of summer, there is no obvious end to the mist, no sun to brighten up our day, just the promise of the darkness and damp to come.

As we enter a new phase, I fear it’ll be easy for the memory of my Heart Attack to fade. I’ve met several people recently who have been through similar experiences and can’t remember the details of the event. Everything has gradually returned to normal, and the old bad habits have crept back in.

I am very keen that this doesn’t happen to me. I can be very focused when I want to be, but stamina is not a strong point and I’m not the best “completer / finisher”. The new health and fitness regime is going well, but I need to make sure it stays that way!

This doesn’t describe me very well! I can do it but it’s hard work.

The current phase of my Cardiac Rehab will be finished in 3 weeks which will mark another big change. I know it’s going to be increasingly difficult to get motivated to exercise when it’s cold, dark and wet. I’m going to have to find myself some new forms of exercise to keep my interest up…