So there I was 3 years ago, after working so hard to build up my fitness and getting to a point where I could run 10K comfortably in under an hour and average around 27 mins for 5K with a PB of 25:36.
Then Covid happened, I lost focus and slowly bit by bit was running less. Weight went on and gradually lost fitness. Different bouts of illness and running stopped for 2 months. Now I feel like I’m starting from scratch again.
I ran with my Cocker Spaniel daughter Ruby yesterday evening, well when I say ran I jogged, but for first time in a long time I ran the full 5K. Took me just over 39 minutes. A long way off my PB. But I’m delighted, it was raining too. I’m coming back, again. 😀 It’s so hard getting going again isn’t it?
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damienair
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it is hard, but running is in our blood now! I've been stop/start for over a year, but somehow keep trundling on, rather too intermittently, but at least I'm still running.
I like that Damien, running with your Cocker Spaniel Ruby, she also loves parkruns, being off running for a while does set runners back regarding time and pace, that was a nice 5K run you had with Ruby, I am sure she enjoyed it as much as you, glad you were delighted with it, this morning I ran my 124th (not) parkrun in lashing rain for the last 2 kilometers, apart from the rain it was a nice run.
Not really Birdlady64, luckily I wasn't too far away from where I live, I got my 124th (not) parkrun run in a time of 34.16 which was the same time as my first official parkrun in 2019, I am sure I would have been a bit faster if I hadn't been messing about with my waterproof jacket which didn't do much good because of the heavy rain, they are OK with light rain, when I got home I changed everything.
Thanks Damien, it would have been better if the rain hadn't been just as heavy, the waterproof jacket is OK in light rain but not when it's lashing down.
Well done for keeping going and with Ruby for company it sounds a great run. Covid and illnesses can really set people back for a long time but you’ve turned a corner and will get there - happy running!
I totally understand where you’re coming from Damien. You’ll get back to where you were and in the meantime enjoy your runs with Ruby. 🐕😍
I’m in a similar position at the moment having just come out the other side of my horrid non covid virus. It knocked me back for weeks and I haven’t done a fast run for ages. I was really hoping to set a few race PBs this year, but it never happened. So with that and the crazy hot summer. I admitted defeat and will reset ready to have another bash next year!
Any plans to come back over here? It would be lovely to meet up again. 😀
Think that’s very common post marathon TC. For what it’s worth, having just completed a half, I’m just doing the two weekly club runs and, maybe, one other random run at the moment. It’s a while until my next event so I’m enjoying some down time!
Yep - I was out for several months last year, and Covid set me back again this Spring - and it's hard coming back. Its fine to feel like you're starting from scratch even though you clearly aren't.
The key is I think to look forward to what is to come, rather than thinking too much about was was. And don't put too much pressure on yourself.
Well done on completing that 5k though. It sounds like you enjoyed it, and it looks like you are well and truly on the right path now.
It’s not the first time I’ve had to bounce back. But it never gets any easier. I’m aiming for a 30 minute 5K by Christmas and get my times down again and increase my distance in the new year.
Well done you and YES! It really is hard getting going again, no matter how many times we have to do it!
You are here, you are running.. and that is all it takes... we have to try to forget the where we were bit and focus on the where we are going bit! Easy said...
We are runners...and that says it all ...on you go!
your absolutely right. It’s so much harder building it back up again because you know what a mountain you have to climb to get there. But we will climb it again.
So glad to hear that you are feeling more confident about your running damienair. Covid has had such long term effects on some people, and it must be quite a shock when you have lost the ability to run as well as you could. But bit by bit I am sure you will be back, with the help of Ruby of course.
Well done you - you must be very proud of yourself and rightly so. I had similar situation a couple of months back and completed C25K (for the 3rd time). Back to running regular 5k’s and working (once again) towards 10k. I don’t regret starting from scratch at all - 2 steps forward, one step back still gets you moving in the right direction.
You’ve made a great start - good luck with keeping it going
Any illness, but especially Covid, can really knock a person back…so to be honest, you really are starting again.
Maybe not from scratch, as even when you’ve been really poorly, once you get out there and start plodding along, your body starts remembering what it can do. Also, your brain *knows* you can do it, unlike when we all start off on our C25k journey. 😄
So…be kind to yourself, and take it easy. The runs will come, even though you may not be quite as fast.
I'm sure work has a significant impact too Damien. I didn't start running until after I'd retired but am not sure how I would have managed if I was still working!
Yeah it’s tough. I think you just have to be driven to make sure you fit the runs in. I’m away for a few days now with work and won’t get to run. But next week I’m fighting back.
Hi damienair. Overweight, 6 months of injury, covid-19 and 70 years old; that was me until mid April. My physio fixed the problem, I calorie counted my way to losing 17lbs over 6 weeks, and I got to 10k again within 6 weeks….pace I left to build up on its own. So, the mountain isn’t as high as it appears. Well done on getting back to 5k; you will do it your way, but for me distance first and then letting a bit of pace come back naturally got me back to where I wanted to be. Every run felt to be a success. Mind you, I didn’t have a dog as a pacemaker ! 🙂
Totally agree that getting going again is tough damienair . I was thoroughly spoilt for my first 16 months or so of running - couch to trail marathon without any real hitches. Pootled for another few months, hoping for a fun 2022. Weather and assorted falls put paid to that, with my faceplant at the end of June doing rather more damage than I realised, both physically and psychologically. But I'm finally and very slowly getting back a bit of pace and distance. You're on your way back too - well done you!
Absolutely the same for me as for many others: I've been afraid to stop. I do not want to lose this now I've got it. I started running again as soon as the test line was clear. I wasn't badly affected.
I've slacked off a bit the last few months due to one thing and another, but have kept things ticking over. The one constant has been parkrun (except when it's been a logistical impossibility).
You deserve immense credit though Damien because you're going for it again which is so lovely to read. Only positives now my friend. You deserve to get back to where you're comfy with
Wow, it is hard to get going again but hey when talking about personal bests mine is 40 mins 44 seconds so your not great time is faster than my best, but we don't talk about pace or speed do we? And comparison really is the thief of joy , even comparing to ourselves, just celebrate and wallow in the joy of being able to keep running for that long, that far, and on that day (I didn't feel that little lecture coming on but I've got a new phone and it's got a will of its own)
You're getting there though, thats the point. You could have decided not to ever put on your running shoes again, but you didnt, you've kept going, that tells😀🏃♀️ you something!
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Achy legs but getting faster 
Why do we run?
“Hi ho...hi ho....it’s off to Parkrun we go”! 🤩🤩😍❤️
Back to it!
