and I Would Walk 500 More

It’s been a few months since my last post so it’s time to bring everyone up to date with how things are going, both in general and more specifically for my 1000 miles in 2019 challenge and training for my Coast to Coast walk.

Generally there isn’t much to say to be honest. I continue too manage my heart failure well and remain pretty much asymptomatic. I still get a bit tired at times but this is only to be expected and doesn’t really impact things that much (although getting to the end of a film at home without nodding off is a challenge!). I continue to be involved in various heart failure related groups, obviously Pumping Marvellous being the main one, but also the patient group at the Cardiac Research Facility at the LGI and the ISCOMAT research project patient steering group.

On to my more physical activities, I’ve just today reached the 500 mile mark of my 1000 miles in 2019 fundraiser so I’m hoping that I’ll actually reach 2000 by the end of the year. I should be further on by now to be honest, but the bad winter weather did mean I didn’t always get out when I should. I’ve also had some problems with injury, and have been told by a physio that I have ‘glutial tendinopathy’ which while it’s not excruciating does make walking and running slightly uncomfortable some days. Obviously I want it sorting as soon as possible, but I can still have full days walking so it’s obviously not too serious.

A few weeks ago, my brother Mike and I went up to Sedbergh in the Yorkshire Dales for a hike up in the Howgills. Mike is climbing up to Everest Base Camp later in the year, so he wanted to get some hills in and the area is near to where the Coast to Coast crosses the Pennines so it was ideal for me as the landscape is similar too what I’ll be hiking over.

The day started out lovely, and quite warm with a gentle start to the hike. We soon hit Cautley Spout which is Englands highest (cascade) waterfall above ground. The path basically goes straight up the side of the waterfall and is really steep.

After hauling ourselves to the top, we were met by gale force winds coming over from the Lake District which could be seen in the distance. I’ve been in some really rough weather when I used to hike 30yrs ago, but I’m not sure I’ve ever actually been in anything like this. The rain felt like shards of glass as it whipped into us horizontally for the few miles until we started the descent. Mike was literally picked up at one point.

At the time, you just concentrate on getting through, but afterwards when you look back there is a feeling of satisfaction (even though at that point you are cold, very wet and just want to get changed). It’s also where you know your heart doesn’t work as well as it did as you have to stop to catch your breath more, especially on the incline. I however don’t let it get it my way.

I’ve also been hiking up to Harewood House and back to get the longer miles in. It’s a nice if relatively gentle walk, but it gets over 17 miles knocked off my total and I get to see lots of red kites swooping over the valleys and deer roaming the grounds at Harewood.

Last weekend I decided to have a change and jumped on the train up to Settle for a walk over to Malham. I did this walk last year with friends, but this time was on my own. Amazingly I didn’t get lost although I did miss a path which would have taken me up Attermere Scar. Not too much of a problem though as it meant I joined the path I went up last year and didn’t stop me getting to the dramatic limestone plateau above Malham Cove. I’ve wanted to go up there since I first saw photos of it over 30yrs ago so was really pleased to get some great photos from the top.

So, we are now just over a month till I start the Coast to Coast and really looking forward to it, although a bit nervous. I know I’ll be fine, and though it’ll be hard work, it’ll definitely be worth it. This will be the longest I’ve taken off work since I was in hospital so the break will really do me good. I’ll also be joined by various friends and family, with my mother flying over from France to do the last two stages.

I couldn’t do any of this without the support of family and friends. They really have made it so much easier. I know that not everyone living with heart failure can do as much as I can so I grasp every opportunity to live well and reach new heights. That however needs people to be behind you giving encouragement so I can only thank them. I won’t mention names, but they know who they are.

Of course, any blog post like this from me wouldn't be complete if I wasn't asking you for your cash!  Not for me of course, but for Pumping Marvellous so they can continue to provide the astounding support they offer to those of us living with heart failure.  Any amount will be hugely appreciated, so head off over to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/1000-miles-in-2019-coast-to-coast and get donating!