Blackburn man who 'died for five minutes' after suffering heart attack says running 'saved his life'

In 2015, at just 5’ 6” and 18 stone, Ian Goodliffe cut a very different figure than he does today, as overweight and struggling to even walk up a hill led the then 64-year-old to suffer a massive heart attack in Blackburn's Witton Park.

Mr Goodliffe, who six years ago, led a virtually inactive life, says his determination to shed some weight is ultimately what has enabled him to carry on living.

Mr Goodliffe decided to take action when he first noticed walking up a slight incline in his neighbourhood in Blackburn with Darwen was making him short of breath.

His son, a keen runner, suggested he try the Couch-to-5K to shed some weight.

The programme takes beginners from walking with a bit of running in the first few weeks, to being able to run 5K at the end of week nine.

During week two of the regime, tragedy struck for Mr Goodliffe in Blackburn's Witton Park.

Two silent blocked arteries did not take kindly to his new habit, and during a warm down he suffered a massive heart attack.

Thanks to the park first aider and the on-site defibrillator though, Mr Goodliffe is still here to tell his tale.

He said: “I was dead for five minutes.”

After two stents were put in place, Mr Goodliffe's GP gave him the OK to get back on track, and in March 2016 he pulled his trainers back on to try the Couch-to-5K again.

Now aged 70, Mr Goodliffe is a much healthier 13 stone, with dozens of running milestones clocked up – the most recent being the Tatton Park 10K with his friends at Blackburn RoadRunners – the running club he is a member of.

BwD Running Mayor Andrew Gardner said: “Ian is such an inspiration to myself and the Blackburn RoadRunners and shows us that running is something everyone can do.

"Not only is he is fitter physically and mentally than he’s ever been, he’s thankfully still with us to see his grandkids grow up.

"And if you need extra motivation to try the popular running app, we’re so lucky to have a fantastic Couch-to-5K local group run by Rick Wilson.”

After Mr Goodliffe completed the initial Couch-to-5K programme, he took the celebration 5K run and then, with his goal achieved, he stopped running.

But this turned out to be merely a pause.

He said: “What they don’t tell you about a heart attack and recovery from it, is that depression is very common.

"I struggled with anxiety, and when I stopped running I realised the depression was returning.

“I can’t recommend running highly enough, it won’t be for everyone.

"It’s hard some days to get going – even I still have days when I don’t feel like running, but I’ve learned that – whether I’m feeling good or bad – that I always feel better after running.”

The national lockdown has meant that running clubs paused group runs, but hopefully now with the pandemic easing, groups can get together again.

Mr Goodliffe added: “The social side of running is brilliant. I’ve made so many friends who I might never have met otherwise.”

Having spent lockdown trying the RED programme (Run Every Day) with an incredible 500 consecutive runs clocked up, next in the running calendar for Mr Goodliffe is the Southport 10K, Ilkley and Kessick half marathons and the Coniston 14 – the latter of which will be his fourth outing.

He continued: “My son has already done the tough Coniston 14 five times, so I need to get through it at least another couple of times to get ahead of him.”

If you’d like more information about getting started with running contact the re:fresh BwD team and you can find out more about the BwD Running Mayor and follow him on Twitter @AndyJGard.