I stopped for a week. What now?

[SheRunsSheSmiles]

I'm 55 and running for the first time ever. I started Week 5 and found it hard. Then life intervened and I was very tired. I'm ready (I think!) to re-start but don't feel up to starting Week 5 Run 3. Should I re-do Week 4 or re-do Week 5 do you think?

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

If you've been away from running for a week then going back to W5R1 should be fine. W5 builds you up gently to that wonderful first 20 minute run so you should be able to cope with that. If it seems a struggle you can always drop back to W4. You won't have lost much condition in just a week. I am 57 and a recent graduate and I would encourage you to take it slowly and enjoy it. Look how far you have come and how far you can go, if you want to. I know when I completed W5R3 it seemed like a miracle.

Good luck.

[SheRunsSheSmiles in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks - it's great to have your encouragement. I ran 3mins twice this morning. It was tough! I may be easy on myself and do Wk4 again to settle back into the routine, since I wasn't feeling 100% this last week.

[crox Graduate]

Either way, it's the doing, not sitting, that counts

[SheRunsSheSmiles]

Started again! Ran Week 4 and did a 60min brisk walk with the dog this morning. Feeling good again. Hurray!