Heart condition: My own motivation to adopt an exercise programme came about following a heart attack ( actually number eight ) about eighteen months ago.  During the last twelve years I have also had a stroke resulting in partial sightedness and have recently had cataract operation on both eyes with very good results ... and I have suffered untold angina.

Fitness before treatment(s):  No comment received.

Treatments:  A subsequent angiogram ( number four ) confirmed two blocked arteries plus one " almost blocked ".  Actually these wonky arteries are three of five bypass operations about twelve years ago. 

Cardiac rehabilitation: Realising after the last heart attack how far down the " slippery path " I had gone - with pills doing nothing but giving a little relief from angina - I took the local hospital heart rehabilitation exercise programme - the first real programmed exercise regime ever, for me !  Through the enthusiasm and kindness of the physios, I began to feel somewhat better for the first time for ages.  This introduction to exercise, plus self-imposed fat free diet and loss of two and a half stone, together with persuading the specialist to let me go on Statins has brought some wonderful rewards ...

Present training regime: I ( together now with my wife ) have regularly exercised for the past eighteen months.  We take part in three sessions per week, each lasting approximately one and a half hours, in a local Health and Fitness suite.  This has all the usual equipment; Stepmaster, Jogger, Bicycles, Rowers, et, ... One peculiarity is that within the confines of my recommended exercise heart rate say of 90 to 110 bpm I raise no sweat ( sorry perspiration ) - nobody has been able to tell me why this is so !  Have you any thoughts please ?  The day of enrolment for the Health and Fitness Centre necessitated replying to the usual questions, re. health, age, etc, etc, ...There was a most incredulous " double take " from the gym manager when I told him I was taking such a vast assortment of heart medication ( 9 items ) and a case health history of C.H.D. - for a time it was doubtful if I would be accepted - but I was fore-armed with a G.P.'s letter and everything turned out o.k.  Possibly I fall well outside the normal ( ! ) in terms of the aims of a " Cardiac Athlete ", I hope not however, and trust my targets and P.B.'s to date, put into perspective heart disease and old age.

Achievements as a Cardiac Athlete: I've improved to the extent I can now jog ( albeit only sometimes ) for three minutes.  Yes, I did say THREE MINUTES !!! ...

Training tip(s):  No comment received.

Future goal(s):  Whilst my P.B. for jogging is 3 minutes and the computer on the jogger machine tells me I'm " above average " my next target is to jog " round the block " - about 5 minutes, and I've so far managed about half way.

Motivator(s):  Refer to heart condition above.

Thanks to:  My wife for her love, support and encouragement.  Also, due to my blindness / partial sightedness I am no longer able to drive - my fishing days are now restricted to the kindness of friends for car lifts.  However I have adapted a three wheeler bike ( to carry my gear ) and there is one local lake I can now go to for the odd days " freedom ".  I'm sure many local people ( unaware of my sight problems ) think of me as an eccentric !