Restarting after a few weeks break

[Betterhabits]

I have just been recovering from a cold that really knocked my energy levels about - wasn’t too nasty but took a long time to feel 100% again - 3 weeks without a run 😩.

So today I finally felt well enough to restart running - I had been up to week six of the program which would culminate in a 50 minute run. So I took things easy today and just did a 15 minute baby run from week five recovery week. Wondering what the standard advice is on building things back up after a break? Any recommendations?

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Week 5 a baby 😢run, 🏃🏾after a short break, run a little slower than you normally do just to check that your legs are in recovery mode

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

A cold can affect your body for a few weeks afterwards so you’re right to take it easy. You’ve already started with a 15 minute run and provided you felt ok during and afterwards then that could be your base and just build up from there.

You’ll know yourself what you should do each week but just take it slower than you’d normally do and go easy on any hills for a few weeks 🙂

[Annieapple Administrator]

Exactly what you did! Repeat week 5 at a gentle pace drink lots of water on run and rest days & continue with the program. Glad you are over it! Post viral fatigue is horrible! 🌷

[ForbiddenPlanet Graduate10]

Excellent advice from other posters, I believe. IMO It's tempting to push harder, but easy does it. Hope you enjoy your return to running!

[slothycoffee]

I am in the same situation- I had an awful cold that lasted over 2 weeks in Feb. Prior to that, I was running for 50 minutes. For the past few weeks, I have been consolidating my 30 minute runs before starting my 10k plan again.

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

So glad you are better.... it sounds like your cold knocked you for 6, so I would say ease in very very gently for the next few weeks and see how you feel to then build up again.

[Betterhabits 60minGraduate]

Thanks everyone, I will continue with week 5 then look at something a little gentler than week 6 which culminates in a longer run and incrementally build from there- just grateful to be out there again.