Going backwards to go forwards ...

[Fionamags]

Its been a very long time since I've posted anything here - mainly because I was firmly glued to my office chair in the back bedroom, working feverishly and letting the whole thing get the better of me. The Xmas holidays were a welcome opportunity to take stock and get a grip. My other half, concerned at the semi-permanent imprint of a chair on my backside, starting dragging me out for brisk walks and it wasn't long before that stress started melting away and I began feeling a whole lot better.

Given that I haven't run for around 7 weeks, I thought that my comeback was going to need a bit of planning so, after a bit of serious googling on the topic, I discovered that if you haven't run for between 6-12 weeks then you need to start up at 50% of previous training. So I opted for week 5 on C25K to see how that would go.

The first 5 minute run actually felt marvellous and I didn't want to stop, but I duly stuck to the plan and since the third 5 mins wasn't quite as easy, I was glad that I did. (Good grief, how long ago was it I was happily running for 60 mins???) A run is a run though and I got home very glad to have started back. I also had to laugh at how I was back on C25K and running in hail

I am way behind on LeJog - currently tottering through Somerset - but with my trusty spreadsheet at the ready I have set realistic targets to get back on track, slowly working my way back to Ju-Ju's plan and ultimately, John O' Groats and 10k's. The main thing is I'm looking forwards to a new year and new challenges. Happy running folks and all the best for 2021!

[PeggySusi]

Happy new year! Lovely to learn you are back on it and feeling less stressed.. hope that continues into the new lockdown.. Great that your other half has been so supportive too.. It sounds as if you have got new realistic targets, and hopefully as your running times increase the weather will improve to make the runs more comfortable too.. that’s what we’re all hoping I think.. 🤞..better times ahead..😊

[Fionamags Graduate10 in reply to PeggySusi]

Thanks Peggy. Its also lovely to be back on the forum, I have to say. Its great to see the progress that folk have made and perhaps I shouldn't be surprised to see that there are others who are just like me - who hit a bad patch for a bit and are regrouping now. Hope you are managing to keep getting out there despite the icy conditions? Good to hear from you. xx

[PeggySusi in reply to Fionamags]

Hi, Fiona, yes I’ve been out pretty much every day apart from today.. but walking rather than running until this week..Today the weather is vile here, wet, grey and windy, plus Scout the dog has a poorly paw so I just did a brief treadmill run today.. but I’ll be back out tomorrow.. I feel that the outdoors is essential to stay sane at the moment.. 😊

[CaptFrey 60minGraduate]

Welcome back. Soon be grasmere gingerbread instead of cream teas 🤗

[Fionamags Graduate10 in reply to CaptFrey]

Oh where is that and how far??? Although, I think I prefer cream teas to gingerbread.... 🤫

[Hidden]

Your post was so good to read 😌. Taking a backwards step is the best way to take a step forwards. You are definitely doing the right thing and this approach should keep it fun and you injury free. I too have gone backwards to move forwards, starting with three 3k runs over Christmas and New Year and today I stepped up to 4k. It felt like a step up but in a good way. It is so good to have you posting again. Happy running 😊

[Fionamags Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks DD and good to see you back at it as well. I'm afraid 3k sounds a bit of a way off at the moment for me. But we'll see. Run 3 this week is the 20 minute run. If I manage that OK then I'll be sailing, otherwise I might have to step it back a bit more. But its good to get going again from wherever we are at, isn't it? I would love to do the final part of LeJog on the actual road as well if that is possible. Won't be till August probably so I am reasonably hopeful that it could be possible!

[Hidden]

John O groats will still be there when you arrive, good comeback Fionamags 👍

[Fionamags Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks! It certainly hasn't gone anywhere in the last 7 weeks 🤣🤣

[Roxdog Graduate10]

It's lovely to see your post - I was wondering if you were ok! So easy to slip into life taking over, particularly at the moment.I have no doubt you will be doing longer runs soon and it's definitely worth it! A little patience will pay off. We all have these patches - I'm injured at the moment so a bit grumpy, but it will resolve itself soon and I won't give up.

Let us know how you get on! 🤗

[Fionamags Graduate10 in reply to Roxdog]

Sorry to hear that you're back on the IC. Knowing you it won't be long till you are powering along in your unplanned way 😆🏃‍♀️💪

[Phdgranny Graduate10]

Happy New Year and so pleased to see you back running. Be patient and you will get there. I have had an enforced rest again over the last couple of weeks as self isolating. Should be back out on Thursday so will look forward to sharing our return!!!

[Fionamags Graduate10 in reply to Phdgranny]

Yay - we're all coming back!

[dijep Graduate10]

I'm so glad that you've managed to lose some of the stress over Christmas, I can imagine working from home makes it so much more difficult.Getting your running shoes back on is a great way to start the New Year. Well done for taking the step it maybe backwards but it could just be considered extra consolidation 😉

I love reading these comeback posts it gives me hope for when inevitable I come a cropper 🤣😳 Look forward to hearing more..

[Fionamags Graduate10 in reply to dijep]

Thanks. You have been very sensible though in the yoga etc that has probably prevented injuries. Its my head that gets in the way of things... but I've learned how important exercise is to burning off some of the stress. So onwards ho!

[MoliJ Graduate10]

Welcome back, I was going to pm you to see if you were ok after not seeing you on here for so long. So glad you have started back running, it is so good for stress and your mental health. Happy New Year to you and happy running 🏃🏻‍♀️ to you x

[Fionamags Graduate10 in reply to MoliJ]

Thanks Moli - I'm so glad to be back again. I let things get on top of me but now charged up with new resolve! Lovely to see everyone on the forum again. x

[MoliJ Graduate10 in reply to Fionamags]

Just go nice and steady. I am just trying to do 3 5ks a week and if I do only 2 I don’t stress about it. Might try and up the distance around March when the weather gets better. X

[Allbarron 60minGraduate]

Fab post fionamags!! So positive! Glad you got out and back on the road. I'm sure you'll recoup that fitness quickly. It's just so easy to get caught up in other things but we do well to remember the benefits we get from that time spent running. Think I need to remember too 😃

[Fionamags Graduate10 in reply to Allbarron]

Yes I see you have made a 'pledge' over on the Jan Quest as well. Onwards and upwards for us both!!!

[Allbarron 60minGraduate]

Absolutely! Been back in work today and trying to remain positive. Schedule has me running tomorrow night 😳 which I'm not looking forward to but needs must👍

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10]

So glad to hear you’ve managed to cast off the office chair and get back outside again Fionamags. I’m sure it won’t be too long before you’re back up to full flow again!

[Fionamags Graduate10 in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Thanks! Need to get in form for when actual parkruns start up again. I've never done one in the real world and your park run gang sound brilliant.

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10 in reply to Fionamags]

My parkrun gang ARE brilliant!

[ThisGirlNowRuns Graduate10]

Hi there, know just how you felt - we've had lots of snowy/icy paths which have left me too bambi-like to go out for a run for a while for fear of injury, now have fear of not being able to run and losing all the progress I'd built up. Typical when I've had 2 weeks back-bedroom free also! However, have realised that the main progress is that I want to get back out running (cos I actually enjoy it) and like you will take it easy and be determined to build back up/beyond slowly and safely! Happy New Year

[Fionamags Graduate10 in reply to ThisGirlNowRuns]

You will do it too - I sense the same determination! Us comebackers seem to be coming out of the woodwork. Its somewhat comforting to know that a small gang of us are getting out again!!

[Sparkey5000 60minGraduate]

Love a plan and sounds like you have swung into the new year a happier person - look forward to hearing about your progress

[Fionamags Graduate10 in reply to Sparkey5000]

Thanks. I'm much happier and am determined to not go back to where I was. No job is worth it!

[Lifluf Graduate10]

What a good idea to go backwards a bit first to get you fit and feeling confident again. Now all you need (all we all need) is some decent weather. A little bit of sunshine and warmth would make all the difference. 🌞Welcome back😊

[Fionamags Graduate10 in reply to Lifluf]

A bit of sun and warmth? Sigh. If I wait for that I'll lose the use of my legs entirely - it will be a few months yet 😆. But the ice is just about gone so I can cope with that. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate10]

Glad to hear that you are getting back out there. I know how it feels when work takes over 😏. I didn’t cope well with working in my spare room during the last lockdown but I’m running this time so I hope it’s going to help me get through it better this time. Hope your running continues to give you an outlet and some stress relief too.

[Fionamags Graduate10 in reply to Frizzbomb67]

Thanks! I've been in the back bedroom since March with no sign of a return to the office for many more months yet. But that's OK as I have some brilliant colleagues and we touch base for regular chats. I shall certainly make space for runs and walks now. I'm now scheduling the runs in my diary to protect some outdoor time otherwise deadlines take over.

[Hidden]

Welcome back Fionamags, really glad to see your post and that you are looking forward to getting back on track. My whole running journey seems to be peppered with steps forwards & steps back, my motivation and energy comes and goes like the wind. What is changing though is that when I lose it or simply can’t find it! I trust that it will come back again. Had a ‘just couldn’t face the gloomy weather’ week last week and today I was off again like a rocket 🚀 Happy New Year & Happy running 🤗

[Fionamags Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Ooh off like a rocket?? I've not done that!!! 🐌🐌🐌 We just have to do what we can at the moment though, don't we?

[Hidden in reply to Fionamags]

😀 I think it was just the strength of the wind behind me 💨 🤣 my stats said I didn’t run any faster, no pb’s for 6 months! It was more a mental thing I think... definitely Fionamags do what we can, anything we do is valuable, especially whilst we have no communal running or events to give us a boost 🤗🤗