Advice please

[SStarryEyes]

I graduated end of June but since then done very little running. I'd like to get back into it but not sure what week to restart at. Any advice appreciate.

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

if it were me , I would be starting again all over.

This time you will find it much easier - there will be no psychological barriers as you know that you have already completed it. This time you would do it more confidently and maybe a bit more aggressively ? If however, you decide that you have already done it and why bother doing it again - then proceed to run when you have lost most of your fitness over the past few months, you could hurt yourself.

[AncientMum Graduate in reply to Bazza1234]

Some good points there Bazza. And food for thought as I plan my return to running. Cheers m'dear

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Why not start with W1r1 and if that feels easy move on to W2R1 the next time and so on until you get to a level that feels a bit more challenging and pick the programme up from there. Take it nice and steady though.

[AncientMum Graduate]

I'm in a similar position myself due to injury. I'm hoping to start running again in a couple of weeks and had intended to start at w1 and work forward from there doing two runs from each week, rather than 3. However, I may do as Ully suggests: w1r1, then w2r1 and so on. The first time I find a run hard (not impossible, just hard) I'll stick at that week and work my way through the programme from there. Decisions decisions! I suspect either plan is ok, so will probably end up playing it by ear. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[Kingo]

I gave up running altogether. Instead I ride my bike 10 k at a time

[AnnieW55]

Starting from w1 and seeing how it goes is a good idea. just take it steady on how you progress from there, as in the above replies. If it was a case of just being a lapsed runner, it may be that doing c25k in it's entirety may give you back the discipline of regular running. Whatever strategy you decide on Good Luck and enjoy.

[Toonlou24 Graduate]

Agree with all comments here. I think id start at week 1 then next run up to week 2 if I felt fine. And keep doing this until you find the right level. It's great that you want to get back into it though. Well done for that. Go for it!!!

[Jonny1 Graduate]

I agree with Bazza. I would start over as it will seem a lot easier than the first time. You don't want to push too hard and hurt yourself or lose the motivation to carry on.

[trevnfi98 Graduate]

Hi, Maybe you just go for a run and see how far that takes you. If its too much, then obviously stop, walk abit then carry on running.

[SarieX]

I have started again but just did 2 runs of weeks 1-3 instead of 3 ... Taking it steady and building up again ...

[xfatcat Graduate]

Similarly, I went on holiday. Put on some pounds, etc.

When I got round to running again I just went out without worrying about times and thought about why I was really doing it. I suppose it helps that it was good weather. Taking breaks is natural so restarting is bound to happen. Don't be hard on yourself. The hardest thing is getting out the door so get going...

[baronblaze]

In 2 months you haven't lost as much fitness as you think.

Just go with what you feel comfortable with.

Personally i know i can run 5k so when i have taken time out from running whenever i start again i just go out and run.

It might be hard especially the first 2k but doable; i would find it more difficult to start again.

[TeresaGriffith]

I was going to say, how about walking everywhere you'd normally take a bus?

[SStarryEyes Graduate]

Thanks everyone for the advice. It's nice to know there's no right and wrong way of doing this, just what is right for me. I need the discipline of a structured approach but, knowing that I have done it before, I think I might just do 1 run from each of the earlier weeks and see how I get on. I really would like to get beyond 5K this time and keep running.

[Peiginthecity Graduate]

I fell out of routine for 5 or 6 weeks due to work commitments and jumped back in at week 5 day 1 a few days ago. I ended up running through the 2nd "walk" as I felt capable of continuing on through the break (so ran 5 mins, walked 3, ran 13mins), and have been doing slow 30 mins runs since. I think you can pick up a little further along than started all the way back at week 1