Thoughts on exercising alone?

[MelissaM]

As recovery continues, I continue to expand the scope, duration and difficulty of my exercise. This mainly consists of hiking more difficult and longer trails in the mountains around Boulder. Most of the time I hike these alone, with a cell phone that sometimes has coverage and on trails that have some foot traffic.

What are your thoughts on exercising alone? Are the risks any greater than exercising alone pre-surgery? I feel like my greatest risk would be getting fatigued before getting back to the car. . . a problem that could be solved with a little perseverence and a little rest, I think.

Is there something that I am missing?

[Les]

Hi Melissa,
I think your recovery and continuing to stretch the boundaries of your exercise program are both incredible! In my case, running is a very solitary sport, and I have always been alone, even marathon training for hours on end. I think having a cell phone on your hikes as well as staying on paths that have other traffic on them is the safest bet, regardless of heart surgery! It is, after all, a spooky world out there. Resting is good....fatigue can set in before you know it, especially so soon after your surgery. It's been eight years since my second AVR and I no longer think about being alone. However, I always wear my MedicAlert necklace, just in case....
Keep on hiking Melissa, it only gets better from here!

[ccrawford]

Hey evil sis - Keep up the walks, the jogs and the exploratory climbs in the Rockies. If thats what gets your heart pumping then do it. Keep that cell phone with you and keep one of your close friends advised what you are doing so if problems occur, you have the plan to fix it. Oh, don't forget to charge the cell phone ! Chris

[Nancy]

Hi Melissa-

i agree with Chris. Everyone who does hiking alone is always advised to let people know exactly where they are going, when they are going and when they expect to return.

Just do the sensible thing and have fun with your life.

[Ross]

I have visions of this wild lady roaming the mountain trails in Colorado. She is swift, silent and deadly. All opposition is treaded under her feet into fine dust. She is a breed apart from the rest. A conqueror, a warrior, a heart patient.;)

[MarkU]

I wear my MedicAlert bracelet 24/7.

Most of the people at my gym know my history, so working out there doesn't concern me.

My biggest fear when I run is getting hit by 85 year old driver in a ten year old Cadillac - fairly common here in Florida.

Mark

[MelissaM]

Owie, owie, OWWWWIIIIIIEEEE!!!

The gods must be punishing me for trying to enjoy nature too soon. My old friend pericarditis has returned with a vengeance. Grrrrrr.

The pain has been hanging around a week. Just got around to seeing the cardio yesterday and got the 'scrip for Indocin today after Advil proved ineffective and I am still waiting for some effect. Even laughing is painful.

Owwwwieeeee. :( The doc said NO MORE HIKING for a while. Double pouty face. :( :(

[bvdr]

Melissa,

I am so sorry about your pericarditis. I know you must really be hurting. Take it easy for a while...those mountains will wait.

[Ross]

What am I going to do with you? You stop that immediately ya hear! Are you trying to do too much again or is this just popping up out of no where?

[MelissaM]

I'd stop it if I could. . .really, really I WOULD! Mild pain just popped up out of nowhere, and about the same time I decided it was time to hit the trails big time. Probably didn't help, cause now the mild pain has become B I G. Jeeeeez. Have a job interview this afternoon - which is good :) - being in massive pain while interviewing is bad. :mad: Might call the doc again to see if there is any way to relieve the pain for a few hours - the Indocin doesn't seem to be doing much. . .

[sylviayasgur]

ooooh melissa!
sounds like you are really in pain. how are you going to focus on this interview?
i'm sorry you are going through this, but on the bright side... you don't have to think aobut whether to exercise alone or not for now, right? (only kidding).
i think you got great advice on exercising alone. although joey is the patient, i run with some form of i.d. at all times when i am alone outdoors. also, i try and carry a cell phone, just incase. you never know if/ when you can trip or whatever.
my sis in law who is a very strong runner, fell while running on trails and split open her knee on a rock and needed about 25 stitches. she had no phone and had to make her way back home before she could get medical attention.
so....
hope the pericarditis goes away soon and you feel better. let us know, ok?
stay well, sylvia

[LUVMyBirman]

Hi Melissa,

You naughty girl! What are we going to do with you?;)

Sorry Mr. Nasty has returned again. Give you a ton of credit for getting out there and on the trails so soon after surgery. Amazing girl!

Have known Prednisone to work on Pericarditis. No way I am condoning this....steroid yes.....but if you just can't take the pain, would not hesitate. Your doctor may even recommend it on a short term basis.
Take care

[MelissaM]

Sooo. . . we went on to the BIG GUNS. I am now on a Medrol pack (some sort of corticosteroid) and the pain is subsiding. That's the good news - yay!

I hope that the little sore throat that popped up in the mean time turns out to be a little cold, and not that nasty strep stuff. Corticosteroids reduce the power of the immune system to fight stuff off, I think. . .:confused:

Monday I take off for a week in Phoenix - fifteen hours of driving to get down there, so I hope all of this stuff gets fixed by then. . . think happy thoughts! :) :) :)

I also meet with the genetic specialist on Monday to rule out Marfans. Oh yeah - the job interview went well on Wednesday and have another one on Monday.

There just isn't any time to be sick, I tell ya! Keep me in your prayers. . .

Melissa

[Ross]

Just don't over do woman. I can't picture you being out of the job scene very long. You seem pretty diverse to me. Still have my fingers crossed.

[KathyH]

I am tired just listening to everything you are doing Melissa. I hope you are feeling better today. I know that Indocin usually take about 3 days to start working, so that might have been part of the problem. I hope you have a nice trip to Phoenix.
Kathy H.