Last week I celebrated my 63rd birthday. A birthday I could celebrate free from restrictions. The last two have happened during lockdowns. It has been a strange year. One that has reminded me that life has to be embraced while you physically are still able.

It started off slowly as the world started opening up. I’ve travelled in this country and abroad. I’ve drunk coffee in coffee shops. I’ve met up with family and friends. I’ve walked for miles in Wiltshire, Cornwall, Devon and Somerset and I’ve indulged my Agatha Christie passion.

But there were missing pieces. My university course was delayed, my encore career didn’t materialise. And then ill health struck. Five months ago I was at my lowest since I was told back in 2015 that I needed open heart surgery. At least then I knew what was wrong with me and what the solution was. This time I was experiencing a range of symptoms which I was convinced were heart related. I lost weight, muscle strength and endurance and the fatigue when it hit was all consuming. It was such a relief to be told I had an overactive thyroid. I started treatment in December which has done its magic. My thyroid may be ‘bulky and fibrous’ but I’m feeling great.

When I started treatment I put in place 3 goals for my 63rd birthday:

1. A 100kg deadlift. This time last year I lifted 115kg. This plummeted down to 40kg as the thyroxine saturated my body. As I started to recover I was determined to recover my strength.

2. Complete a 10km race. Last year before I became ill I signed up for The Regent’s Park 10k in November. I love Regents Park. It is very close to where I use to work. When I was awaiting heart surgery I’d spend many of my lunchtimes walking through it. The beautiful grounds helped me come to terms with the impending surgery. And after I recovered I started running in it. Probably one of the few parks where you can wave at the camels. Unfortunately I was unable to run back in November so I had to cancel.

3. Do 63 birthday burpees. Just like most normal people I hate burpees. But I also believe that they are an excellent exercise. They challenge stamina, strength and balance. All essential requirements for a healthy body particularly as we get older. So for the last few years they have become part of my birthday celebration. But a few months back I couldn’t have done one let alone 63.

I’m delighted to be able to claim victory in all three. The week before my birthday I lifted 105kg. Given that I’m now 5kg lighter than I was this time last year I probably can claim to be back to full strength. I’m now chasing down that 120kg deadlift.

I completed The Regent’s Park 10km. I was slow (1.20) but I wasn’t last and apart from a few brief ‘walks’ I ran all the way.

On my birthday I did 63 burpees. It took me an embarrassing 12 minutes but I did it.

The one thing that age strips you of is speed. There is little that can be done to stop the decline in your maximum heart rate. Ten years ago I wasn’t aware of the decline. Now it is very real. I’ve returned to the playground. I’m too slow to be on anyone’s team. Life becomes that little bit lonelier as a consequence. It is no wonder that many older people just withdrawn from exercise at a time when they should be embracing it. But I’m just pulling up my big girl pants. I’m not giving up.

Despite this I’m feeling very positive. My university course has started. I’m doing a PGDip in Coaching with Warwick University. The face to face Induction Day is in two weeks. As someone who completed a law degree and a MA whilst either working full time or part time with a young family I’m really looking forward to having the time to enjoy university study.

I’m also doing a Business Confidence for Coaches course to support a joint business venture with a June launch date. The course is fascinating. It is taking me out of my comfort zone as well as giving me the skills to launch a successful business. Only time will tell if it achieved its aim.

One of my habits that I’ve developed over the last 18 months is to write a daily journal. This has been pretty consistent apart from when I became ill. I then went for days without an entry. But it has enabled to go back to my 62nd birthday to read how I was feeling. There was no excitement. Retirement during a pandemic was doing its worse. Jumping forward 12 months I feel so different. Life has purpose, passion and there are possibilities to pursue. I just have to grasp them even with a bulky, fibrous thyroid.