Failing.. :-/

[topsychicks]

So after getting to W7, I'd booked a 5k race as an incentive. The week before, I started coming down with a horrible cold/chest infection, trouble breathing and generally urgh. I missed two runs that week, but went along to the run anyway. Started it, all the "proper" runners sprinted off, and I managed approximately 2 minutes before I had to walk . Eventually got round with lots of walk/runs. This was 2 weeks ago.

I thought the cold had knocked me, so tried a run from W3 last Wednesday thinking it would be nice and easy and a good way back in, but I could barely manage 3 minutes. Legs very tired and heavy, couldn't breathe, and had to stop during the running intervals. This has really knocked my confidence, and I haven't been out running since. How can I go from being able to do 20-25 minutes, to barely 3 minutes?

I *don't* want to give up, but have lost most of my motivation and feel I'm going to have to go back to W2, or even W1, and start all over again. I feel so depressed, I was doing so well and now I feel I've just failed at it.

[misswobble Graduate]

It's purely down to the cold knocking you back. I had a bad cold and sinusitis for 3 weeks and it puts you right back. If you're well again now just pick it back up from where you left off and see how you get on. Any running is better than no running at all.

[Tomas Graduate]

It's supposedly very, very difficult to get back into things after a long-ish break. So be kind to yourself but continue running. You will improve quicker than you think if you stick to it.

[AncientMum Graduate]

Be gentle with yourself. Build back up slowly. There's a difference between a sniffle and a full blown cold/chest infection. You're going to need a decent recovery time to get your strength back. Take care Topsychicks

[Hidden]

A nasty cold and chest infection takes some time to recover from. It's not surprising that's it's knocked you back a bit. Going to the 5K run when you were feeling unwell and not up to running probably didn't do your confidence much good. It's not easy to just go straight back into things and you might need to go back to an earlier week just to build up again. It would help your confidence to complete an earlier session and you could then build up from there. I hope you do get some motivation and confidence back because you have already put so much into the plan that it would be lovely for you to get to the end and earn your badge. Good luck and best wishes.

[topsychicks]

Thanks everyone. I've still not been out.. But today is the start of a new week, so I'm intending to try W2R1 tonight after work, and just try not to stress about going back to almost the beginning. If I've got to W7 once, I can do it again..

[paddy1959]

I feel for you I had ills ness knock me back but do not give up you have done really well up to know if you need to go back tom week 3 that not a issue just take your time next time do not book a 5 k till you done all 9weeks and find doing your 3 runs a week easy then do 5 k you will fly then good luck and please do not give up

[Hidden]

Take it easy and make sure you are completely over the chest infection - they are nasty and will knock you back... when you do get back into it you can expect to be "slightly" set back and I'd suggest a few short "trial runs" to see how you're feeling. That way there's no pressure to complete a specific distance/time and you can just let your body tell you how it's getting on... don't force yourself to do too much too soon... be kind to your body, accept that the illness will have set you back - but don't give up... go as slow as you need to - your body will remember...

Remember, it's not a sprint, it's a marathon (oh wait, perhaps not the best metaphor)...

Take care... we don't allow the F word here...