I miss running much more than I realised

[Achy4days]

Flu and then a chest infection meant I had been bed bound for the past few months. I knew I wasn't well and needed the time off but I just couldn't help having itchy feet. The desire got the better of me and I ended up going for runs when I thought I had recovered from the flu. The runs felt crappy and I couldn't understand why I was not pushing towards 7k like I was before I got the flu. I thought I was making good progress towards 10k and it was as if all my efforts in previous weeks are being rapidly rolled back. And then to make matters worse, it seems running in the cold had inadvertently caused a chest infection that would not go away.

Those weeks of being away from running was much harder than I had ever imagined. I worried about a lot of things whilst lying in bed sick, like problems my absence is causing at work or that there weren't signs of me getting better and such. But most of all, I was anxious and upset that I couldn't go running. Despite having weeks off thinking about it I can't describe what it is that I miss.

It's been about three months since I first came down with the flu and I am pleased to find that I have been able to go for two short runs this week (3.5k and 4.5k) and they felt GREAT. I don't feel triumphant or joyous as such, just great and made me realise I've missed it so much.

[O505k Graduate10]

Gosh, you have had a difficult time. Be kind to yourself as you recover.

[Achy4days Graduate10 in reply to O505k]

Thank you <3 I might have been too kind to myself and ate too much cake! lol

[Tartancat Graduate10]

Running is certainly an addiction. So pleased it sounds like you are finally on the mend 😊

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10]

So sorry to hear you've been battling illness but glad you seem to be on the mend finally! Keep the runs short and easy for now until you feel strong enough to push it a bit. I had to take 6 weeks off unwillingly earlier this year and have just started to get back into the swing of things again and am enjoying the journey again.

[Achy4days Graduate10 in reply to SaskAlliecat]

I'm sorry to hear that you have had to be on the recovery couch for weeks too. It is hard to get back into things and finding one's rhythm but glad to hear that you are enjoying it again.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Oh wow A4D, that must have been hard, but how wonderful you’re now on the mend and able to go out for some short runs. Onwards and upwards and you’ll soon be back up to 7k and beyond. 👍💪

[Achy4days Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank you Cheeky <3 I've only managed a total of 12k this week so definitely slow progress but will enjoy the 7k when it's time

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Achy4days]

We’re here to cheer you on if you need us! 👍👊👏

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

As a fellow flu victim (now recovered thankfully! ) I know exactly how you must have been feeling! I too missed my running desperately but stick with it, it does all fall back in to place as your body recovers. Glad you have enjoyed your last two runs and hope you continue to feel stronger.😮

[Achy4days Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

It's been hard and will continue to be hard so thank you for the positivity <3

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Bad luck to have been struck down like that for so long but great that you are now on the mend!😀

[Hidden]

Welcome back to the forum. Take it nice and steady, be kind to yourself. I just had a look at your previous post and can see how much you loved your running. Hope you are back to form soon

[Achy4days Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Helen! I tend to write a post when I'm still smug/chuff/high from a run earlier in the day so to stay positive and motivated! lol

[ButtercupKid]

Welcome back ! The better weather will be great for convalescing. Take it easy on your recovering body and have fun out there x

[Achy4days Graduate10 in reply to ButtercupKid]

Running past all the blossoming trees and fresh spring greens in the local parks has definitely been a highlight. Makes the gasps of air taste sweeter ;D

[ButtercupKid in reply to Achy4days]

High quality gasping is always a benefit 😂

[Achy4days Graduate10 in reply to ButtercupKid]

LOL

[grumpyoldgirl]

Welcome back A4d, I know that awful feeling only too well, I think we miss the endorphins that our bodies produce when we run, so it's a double whammy when we can't. You're doing it exactly right now, we have to build back up, and not try and pick up where we left off. Just enjoy being back out there for now 👍😊

[Achy4days Graduate10 in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

Thank you Grumpy. Being off running for so long it has in a way helped me realise that rather than trying to milk the endorphines I will definitely need to try and enjoy my runs more.

[grumpyoldgirl in reply to Achy4days]

Definitely the way to go 😊 best of luck 🍀