Where to start?

[jlk22]

I began couch to 5k about 2 months ago and got to about week 5. Due to illness I have been unable to run for the past 3 weeks, feel up for starting again tomorrow. Any advice - should i start from week 1? 3? 5?

Thanks

[Hidden]

Not one of the experts on here but I suggest giving week 5 a go and seeing how you feel. If it's not too bad then great, otherwise repeat week 4 and build yourself back up.

Remember slow and steady. Let us know how you get on.

[nhs2015 Graduate]

See how you feel. I had gone to week six and had to stop for an op and convales. I restarted again (week 3 I think) and doing one week on a day.

[TheHistoricalPresent Graduate]

The same EXACT thing happened to me at the same time in the program (about the same time off too). I just did my next run and SHOCKINGLY it was my best ever run!

That's how I learned that longer rests actually make me gain fitness better than running every second day! I don't leave weeks and sometimes I still only leave 1 day but generally I leave a few days between runs.

Just try W5R1 unless you have physical discomfort still from being sick. You may be surprised, and if it's too much just listen to your body and you'll get an idea of what week to go back to based on that experience.

[MarkF42 Graduate]

I agree with others, after 3 weeks you should be able to pick up where you left off, or maybe a week before - depends on how ill you have been. I've stopped and restarted many times and after a short break I can usually pick up from where I left off. For longer breaks I always start back at week 1 for day 1. If easy do week 2 on day 2, week 3 on day 3 etc until it become a struggle. As soon as it becomes difficult start doing the 3 repetitions and follow the program from there on.

[spillanecoach]

Personally I would go with re-doing the week before's programme - I've had a couple of breaks due to sickness (now approaching Wk9, Run3 - the final hurdle!) and have found that approach worked for me. Good luck