02/01/2024
February is heart month. Last February I went into cardiac arrest. After my wife and the paramedics got me going again I was brought to the Ottawa Heart Institute. They kept me for a few days and then did a triple bypass on me. After they sent me home, part of my rehabilitation was to walk daily starting at 8 minutes twice a day. The goal was to reach walking 2.4 km in 30 minutes.
It’s been a hard and painful journey but each day and week I gained more strength and endurance.
Fast forward to this February and I had this brilliant idea of working my rehab a bit more and I’ve started to learn to run. I decided to sign up to run the 5k race in May as part of the Ottawa Race Weekend.
My good friend Jamie McLennan started a team, which I’ve joined, and he has chosen to raise funds for the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation.
As this is heart month I would like for everyone to make sure that they, their friends, and their families take care of their health and their heart. Eating properly, exercising, and choosing healthy habits make a difference. Trust me.
Running this 5k is a personal journey but a way for me to give back and support the research that contributed to saving my life.
If you would like to donate through my team the link is:
In February 2023 I went into cardiac arrest. Following a week or so of tests I underwent surgery for a triple bypass. As part of my recovery I started walking everyday which has led me to think that I can run a 5k. This is a photo of me when I came home March 08 2023.
