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[Daisical]

Hi I graduated a few weeks ago, but since then I have been ill with flu and couldn't run for 2 weeks! I have now restarted but am finding it really hard I've done week 6 twice now and have completed it , but found it really hard! Any tips would be great!

[simonHumph Graduate]

Surely it's not just the no run for 2 weeks but also your body has been hit hard. W6 can be a challenge. Perhaps dropping back to a week that has some recovery walks?

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Running is hard work Daisical, and flu can knock you of kilter. You are still a bit tired probably... but you did do those runs😊

Be pleased that you are back out there, go for a nice slow steady run with no pressure (play a week you enjoyed) and keep going for as long as you feel you can.

You have graduated.. there is nothing to prove. Don't be hard on yourself, more will come as you get stronger.

Good luck.x

[SillyLilly Graduate]

So sorry to hear you haven't been feeling well. It's great that you have started up again. Please don't be hard on yourself. Believe me when I say I'm kinda dealing with the same thing you are right now. For two weeks I was fighting a nasty respiratory virus and was unable to run. Last week I started up again and lets just say it didn't go well. I hardly any stamina to run even a 1/2 mile straight without stopping. It was very frustrating and upsetting. I came here asking a very similar question. Many said just be patient it will return and that my body was still not fully recovered even though I thought it was. Well here I am this week and I have to say it's getting better. I'm still not where I was at graduation but I am feeling stronger. I've taken my runs to the gym since the weather is too cold in the morning. Yesterday I was able to run a full mile without stopping (that takes me around 15min..yup pretty slow)..i stopped for 15seconds and continued on. I think in total for my 30min run I stopped maybe 1minute in total. The last mile was more of a challenge but it was my legs not my lungs that were tiring. Last week it was my breathing that was more of the issue now that i look back. I think a few more runs and I will be near back to where I was. It's the mental game that is playing on me too. Being on a treadmill now as opposed to outside is mentally really tough. A flu is much more severe then a cold virus so just give yourself time and take it slow, it may take you longer. I totally get how frustrating it is to be at a graduation level and then have a setback like this. I feel your pain. Now I understand why runners are so dedicated to their training..time off the road means loss of stamina, speed etc.. Some things we just can't control so continue on what you are doing and I'm sure with time you and I are gonna be right back to where we were. Take care

[Daisical Graduate]

Thank you I think I just beat myself up and think I'm a failure for not being able to just get up and back to running 30 minutes! I think I'm just going to be a bit kinder to myself !

[doogaloo]

that's Such bad luck. i got a throat infection and couldn't run for 2 weeks and got v stressed about 'going backwards'. i think i went back a week but then eventually got back on course. the way i thought about it was that it's all running anyway so it doesn't Really matter that much. the main thing is to keep going and not to get too demoralised. no one can take the fact you've graduated away from you even if you struggle for a bit now. good luck!