I wanted to ask if anyone had given themselves a break over the Xmas period, and how you are getting on with the prospect of getting going again, and what your first run was like?
I had the longest break I've had since starting C25K in June then Bridge 2 10k in October - 2 weeks and 3 days. I found the burden of getting going again increasing day by day, but today was the day I decided I have to head out.
Probably no surprise here but by far it was the worst 5k run I've ever done. I've never stopped running a 5k and I had to stop about 4 times. It may have been the bacon roll I had 2 hours beforehand... but I do feel like I left it way too long before running again, and I gave myself too generous a break. I'm now kicking myself thinking that I've undone all my effort I spent months building.
Can anyone relate? Did anyone else find it awful after a 2 week break?
Thank you and HNY!
Nat x
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nrbone
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15 Replies
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Totally Nat I've just had a lay off because of a niggly calf, strewth twas hard the next run after about 15 days away 😬
Thanks so much for your reply! It's so hard isn't it. I've read somewhere that condition starts to decline after 2 weeks. I feel like mines completely disappeared after 2 weeks!
It’s fine to cut yourself some slack over Christmas and well done for getting back out there. I know I’d struggle after running after a bacon roll, having taken a 2 week break or not! 😅
The main thing is, you got out. Next time it’ll feel better and your fitness will soon return. No hurry, just take your next few runs easy. 😀👊
🤣oh dear, that was a hard lesson to learn, bacon rolls not good to fuel your run obviously. Take it easy but try to do something each day whether it's a short run, a walk or just a few planks. It doesn't have to be a record breaking 5k. Take care and happy 2021 running you know it's worth it 🤗
I had an enforced break of just over a month due to injury after an 8k in November and was itching to get out there for my first run back. I was also nervous wondering how I’d do and how my injury would hold up. My first run back was on Christmas Eve and I took it really really slowly. I also ran with my hubby which helped. Although the run was good and my injury didn’t flare up, the wait and the anticipation beforehand were awful.
Be kind to yourself and ease yourself back gently. The best thing to do is to go out without any preconceptions and see what you can reasonably and comfortably manage. My Christmas Eve run ended up as a slow 3k and I loved it. I’ve an indulgent month of calories to shift now and have done three 3k runs since Christmas Eve, so now I hope to step up to 4K.
Please don’t worry. You will get back to your 5k and you haven’t undone all your hard work. You still got out and ran. Accept it as an intervals run and take it from there. Perhaps your next run could also be an intervals 5k or a short 3k?
I quite often have to take a week or so off due to health reasons. When I'm feeling better I'm keen to get out again but start to doubt myself the longer I wait. Usually start with a short one at a comfortable pace to get confident again. Did that this morning actually and managed to put a bit of a spurt on for the last stretch.A week or two doesn't really affect your fitness- it's more to do with your head. Not sure about bacon rolls before you set off.😊
Yes I struggled with a two week break back in Nov but I found the key was to just get out there on a regular basis forget the stats completely and above all I realised I had let my water intake drop way too much when not running. So lots of water and more sleep really did help. You wont have undone everything - see where you are in a couple of weeks I reckon.
Hi I ate my weight in chocolate over festive period and only managed 2 runs and lots of walks due to slippy pavements. I had a 3rd run today and was nowhere near 5k like runs 1 and 2 but decided that that was okay as I was out in the sleet and rain and my speed and distance will pick up again. Decided to look forward and not worry about losing ground. Just give yourself a big high 5 for getting going again 🏃♀️👏
Thank you so much everyone for your responses they all perked me up so much and really made me calm down about it. I've gone on a few runs since and I've noticed that above all it's the gremlins in my head telling me I need to stop, you're out of breath etc, rather than feeling physically unable to run further. Having said this I've pushed through and I'm feeling way more confident than I was on my first couple of runs post Christmas slothness.
You'll be pleased to hear that ive put the bacon rolls down...!
It might have felt extra tough because you’d built it up in your head. You knew it would be hard work and so that might have held you back a bit?
Still, the important part is you got back out there 🙌🏼 Thats the worst bit over ☀️ Keep looking ahead and don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s one hell of a crazy time for any of us to be motivating ourselves to get out the door at all so well done 👍🏼
Thanks so much acountrycabbage! You're right just motivating ourselves to do anything right now is a major isn't it. I've been in lockdown pretty much since 16th December and given this I'm actually quite proud to have got back out there again. It's so easy to get into a funk isn't it.
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Too confident!!! 🙄😟
Happy Christmas everyone 
🎶All I want's a 10k for Christmas! 🎶
Beating the Christmas indulgence 
