Coming back after viruses

[Aspire24]

I’m really struggling this year after a really good end to 2019 with a 10k (just the one) and a PB at Park Run on NYD at 31.04. Then I got a virus which put me in bed for a week, waited another week and then was building back up by doing some shorter runs. Was getting stitch which I never had before and finding it really hard work. Then I get another cold this time but with the weather too have been in the couch. Went out today to ease myself back in but for some reason I can’t run slow. Now slow to me is 7-7.30 mins a k. I think I’m running slow and then my app tells me 6.40 so I slow down, next k 6.30🤔. So now I’ve run out of steam so when I hit the hills have to walk. Coming back from injuries seems simpler because you have a physical reminder but I’ve not had to get back from illness before so any ideas welcomed. Sorry for the ramble but my run was more like a ramble in parts🙄😂. There seem to be a few with these bugs this year

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

I think the winter bugs have been nasty this year so you need to give your body time to recover. Iinstead of trying to go slow which your struggling with why not try going short then build back up. If you want to run that hill then try just the hill rather than a hill in the middle of a longer run. Just a thought. Happy running

[Aspire24 Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

I know, I normally manage to swerve them but not this year 😱. Kept me away from little grandson too 😕. His 4 months old now, do you have long to wait? Think I’ll try to stick to short flat runs for a bit 👍

[Grannyhugs Graduate10 in reply to Aspire24]

Overdue 🥴 hard as she was lead to believe by midwife she'd be early. It'll probably be waiting for a storm name it likes before appearing 🤣

[Aspire24 Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Hopefully won’t be too long🤞 Don’t the storm names alternate between male/female so that might be a bit of a wait. Hope all goes well 🤗

[Grannyhugs Graduate10 in reply to Aspire24]

Thank you

[ktsok]

Viruses/after effects can linger for weeks... I find I run too fast when I’m not feeling particularly good/fit/comfortable. When I’m feeling great, I can easily get into that 7’+ pace for the first k or 2, relax, then gradually crank up the pace, still feeling good, and can finish with my fastest k. When I’m not on top form, I find I go straight into that 6’30” pace, run out of steam after 2 or 3k, and have a stop/start or very difficult end to the run.

Don’t know why this happens... Maybe it’s a psychological thing; we want to get the run over with so we go faster?!

If you aren’t bunged up, you could try pacing yourself through nose breathing? That helped slow me down a few times.

Great PB btw!

[Aspire24 Graduate10]

Well at least I’m not alone, there’s no logic to it. Think I’ll stick with short for a while as you suggest👍

[Wenderwoo]

Sorry to hear you’ve been unwell. Fingers crossed you’re better now, and I’m sure things will settle down after a few runs 😁

[Aspire24 Graduate10 in reply to Wenderwoo]

Thanks Wenderwoo🤞