Return to running

[LondonVic]

Have been nursing hip injury and undergoing intensive physio therapy for last 6 months. My physio has just put me on a return to running plan using C25K. Never a natural runner and always carrying a few extra kg around, but I used to be able to run half marathons. Now I am struggling to make that leap in Week 5 from 8+8 to 20 mins consecutive running. I've been repeating the shorter runs but just can't fathom running non stop. Not sure if the block is mental or physical. How do I move on?

[runswithdogs Graduate]

It's a tough mental challenge. Go super slow. Start off slower than you've ever run. And every time you catch yourself speeding up, slow down again. A new route also helps to distract you from remembering all of the places that you were allowed to have walk breaks before.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Just one slow and steady step after the other

As runswithdogs says, maybe a new route.. or just make up rhymes in your head.. change the words to songs.. give daft names to folk you meet..( not to their faces obviously).. names for shrubs and trees.. anything to make you forget time..!

Very well done you anyway for getting back to it..take it gently and listen to that body too

[Richard7 Graduate]

I saw a post on the forum that said count down from 100 - helped me to get through week 5 last week when I needed it. The mind soon forgot the legs!

[LondonVic]

Thank you so much, everyone!! I'll try every trick in the book tomorrow to manage that 20 minute (week 5, run 3) tomorrow. Including funny names and such and counting and slowing down. Thank you for your kind words. I can't believe I am even in this place. Just need to remember that a couple of months ago I thought I'd never run again!

[Decker in reply to LondonVic]

Music also takes my mind off the time. Kudos to you for getting back to running again!