This is where I've been running for the past week. As you can see, it's nice and flat which I think is a very good idea for the reasons explained below and since I've not run for 3 months due to a foot problem.
I was so excited at the thought of that first run back! Where to start? What time of day? Where will I run? Will my foot be ok? Only you fellow runners will know what it felt like when I took my Garmin out of the drawer and charged her!! Oh how I've missed you sweetie! ( aren't we nuts?).
Anyway I decided to run in the arboretum nearby (very lucky) as it's mostly flat and I thought that was sensible for the first couple of runs. I took the advice from many of you here and took it nice and slowly and thought I'd listen to my body and see how far I could go. In my head I was thinking I could do 10 minutes (I had been cycling and doing weights and thought I'd kept my fitness levels up) .
Ten minutes? I wish!!!
After a couple of minutes I was puffing and panting and my breathing was all over the place, my legs felt heavy and it was so hard! It was a hot day so I'm blaming that! Anyway, I thought there was no way I could have run for 10 minutes. So I slowed right down and did what I could which in the end was 3 x 3 minute runs with a minute walk in between.
Obviously running uses different muscles from cycling but bloody hell it was tough! But I was back! No niggles, no pain and the foot was not complaining.
That was last Wednesday and I've built up slowly since then and yesterday did a continuous run of 12 minutes. I'm happy with that and I'll build up slowly. I'm just so happy to be back out there, regardless of the distance or time.
Thanks very much to those of you who kept me going during my absence with your words of support and encouragement. It meant a lot.
PS I think my addiction is getting worse!
Written by
Irishprincess
Graduate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Welcome back, and well done for listening to your body. It is hard, after a long absence, to know where to start, or how much is enough, even if we have been doing other activities during the break.
You are very lucky to have such a lovely place to run
It was harder that I anticipated but it's done now and feels great! Thanks for your good wishes and yes I'm very lucky to have the arboretum. We just moved here 5 months ago so still exploring!
Well done IP! An idyllic spot for a return to running. No matter that it wasn't what you'd hoped. You were out there doing it which is all that matters. You'll soon get back into it. It was bloomin hot out there today. I was boiling!
It sounds like you have no niggles, which is marvellous, so you can bask in the post-run afterglow and think about your next run.
MrsSparkle, it's so lovely. Can't wait to see it in the autumn as the colours are apparently stunning. And yes it definitely helps with the motivation!
Oh Irish Princess, that looks an amazing place to run So glad to hear youre back out there again , it mustve been so frustrating for you to be out of action for so long . Hope you enjoy your run this afternoon and Im sure it wont be long until your back to your best.
Brilliant IP so glad that you've managed to get back out there. Just take it steady though as we don't want you heading back to the IC. Running is so addictive though. Good luck
Thanks GF. I'm taking it VERY slowly and trying to curb my ambition every time I go out (I can go faster, further). But the thought of another absence keeps me steady!
So pleased your have your running shoes on again It is So addictive, isn't it? My days are classed in my mind as running days or rest days when I wake up in the morning, not oh it's Friday ! What a wonderful spot you have to run. PS 'arboretum' is one of my favourite words, it just rolls off the tongue
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.