Getting back on it after being ill!: I reached... - Couch to 5K

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Getting back on it after being ill!

Kathryn12 profile image
8 Replies

I reached the end of week 3 and then got hit by a horrible viral infection, starting to feel normal again but not sure when I should start back up again and how much I should do? I was getting really in to it and actually feeling as though I was achieving something! But could quite easily just give up on it..... 😔

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Kathryn12 profile image
Kathryn12
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8 Replies
SC1472 profile image
SC1472Graduate

Sorry to hear you've been poorly but good you are now on the mend. If you are feeling better then there is no harm in getting out in the fresh air, albeit very fresh today. Just take it easy for the first couple of runs i.e. Snail pace just to make sure your body is ready, you should hopefully be ready to move on in the programme.

Now-runner_NeedsAttn profile image
Now-runner_NeedsAttnGraduate in reply to SC1472

Good advice. I had a chest infection earlier this year and when I was finally getting over it I just went for a run, felt OK for the first 2K but quit near 3K when breathing started to hurt. No harm done, no "failure", just a bit of exercise. Why not?

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate

Remember how good you felt when you completed Week 3?😊

You know you could do that run so maybe that would be a good place to start back..Do it once slowly, and if you manage it move on. If you find it too tough first time, try again. Gently ease back into it though.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.😊

Maddee_6333 profile image
Maddee_6333Graduate

Depends how totally recovered you are. I had to start over again from the very beginning more than once (due to injury).

If you're not feeling all that great, maybe go all the way back to the start. Then if you feel okay after that, you can skip to the first run of week 2etc. Whatever you choose I wouldn't advise just going straight into week 4. Good luck!

RainbowC profile image
RainbowCGraduate in reply to Maddee_6333

I'd echo Maddee's advice - any time I have a break of a few weeks (like, the past month!) I try to go back in at a level I'm confident I can do, so my first run back has every chance of being positive. :) And you can then judge from the first one whether you want to repeat it, or move on to the next.

Kathryn12 profile image
Kathryn12

Thank you all for your support.... I will let you know how it goes :)

Please don't give up. You won't have lost all of your progress. I was ill during week 6 (I think) and I was amazed that after a really horrible cold and a week off, I was able to pick up where I left off. So you could try that and if it doesn't work out, go back a couple of runs.

I'm no spring chicken and a novice runner. Just take it slowly and NEVER GIVE UP :)

Kathryn12 profile image
Kathryn12

Okay so I've only just gone back out today! I suppose better late than never!! I had to go back to week 2 but seemed stronger than I thought I would be! Thanks for your support guys!

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