How things can change......

Hi all, i haven't been on here in a while. I was fitted with a pacemaker for 2nd degree heart block in April 2010 at the age of 27 and if i'm honest, i didn't cope too well with it. I started drinking a lot and carried on smoking too much. Then in August 2011 my little boy was born and it was like a slap in the face to wake me up! I knew i had to sort myself out mentally first so i took it slowly.

On New Years eve 2011 i was smoking 20 a day and weighed 250 pounds. On New years day onwards i didn't smoke anything!

I've now signed up for my first ever half marathon in September this year. I have never been a runner and am no way built like one so it will be a mental and physical challenge, but i'm doing it all for the British Heart Foundation so will definitely finish it. Have been training for a few months now and i don't smoke or drink, and i'm down to 220 pounds. Still a way to go but i'll get there!

My wife has been a brilliant support but if it wasn't for my little Son i dread to think where i would be now.........but i'm coping!!

Jon

8 Comments

Congrats

by sputnick - 2012-07-26 04:07:39

Hi Jon,
First of all congrats on becoming a dad. Second, make sure you enjoy those first few years before he becomes a teenager lol!
You have changed your life for all the right reasons n you should be proud of yourself. You are much more likely to still be around when your son is an adult, and to be able to do more with him as he grows up.
good luck with your half marathon in September. It is good to see someone giving something back!
best wishes, Jan.

Congrats No 2

by Tattoo Man - 2012-07-26 07:07:10

Hi Jon. May i echo sputnicks sentiments ?. You are doing well and having a race as a goal can only be good for you.

What Half Marathon are you doing ?...the Robin Hood is off this year..shame because its a good one.

Leicester and Peterborough are both quick courses. For a first Half I would steer clear of Derbyshire.

Glad you are fundraising for BHF they are really good charity.

Best wishes.

Tattoo Man (Newark)

Notts Half is a greatrun....

by Tattoo Man - 2012-07-26 07:07:43

..venue...atmosphere...support...probably amongst the best that you will get in the UK.

I might just do it myself

Get in touch via Private Message.

I'm steady ,but will get round

Tattoo Man..I'll get some BHF myself

TM

way to go!

by Tracey_E - 2012-07-26 08:07:29

Kudos to both you and your wife! Congrats on your little boy.

Faster on the chase ?

by IAN MC - 2012-07-26 10:07:23

Hi jonstone. I see that you are a front line UK Police Officer. Is it really fair for those villains on the run ?

With your better lungs after giving up smoking, and the loss of weight and your half-marathon fitness they won't stand a chance. I almost feel sorry for them !

I too have done runs and raised money for the B.H.F.
It is a fantastic charity and those regular heart magazines which they produce are great.

Best of luck for the run and do let us know how you get on

Ian

thank you

by jonstone - 2012-07-26 11:07:27

thank you all for your comments, the encouragement will help no end!

Tattoo man, the Robin Hood half marathon is on this year and it's the one i'm doing. The full marathon is off because they can't close enough roads. Apparenlty the half marathon course is flatter this year which will help!

Jon

Keep on keeping on.

by Moner - 2012-07-26 11:07:58

I'm rooting for you, what a great turn around.

You'll be kicking ass in no time.

Moner
>^..^<

Hi!!

by ranita - 2012-08-08 07:08:16

I am a new member in this forum! I am 31 years old and I had my first pacemaker 6 months ago. I had a 3rd degree heart block since I was born and I didn't know it.The shock was extremely big for my family and for me too...I was in great pain after the imlantation but day after day the wound was better. The most important thing is that i didn't allow me to feel sorry for myself.I saw that i gain my life with this small thing under my skin...I am glad that I am here and i can speak with you.I started again my tango lessons 20 days after the implantation.and 1 and a half month later my aerobic exercises.One thing that still bothrs me is that when i sleep on the left side i can hear my heartbeats which is a little bit anannoying!What i want to say to you is that you should be proud of yourself you managed to surpass all of your problems. You will have the chance to see your child to grow up and you will have the strengh to do things you wouldn't be able to do under other circumstances.
Rania

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