Merry Christmas everybody!

[Sadeskin]

Hello to all - hope yesterday was a special Christmas Day and wishing you all a memorable Boxing Day! I hope to relax today and enjoy some family time.

How is everybody doing in the running world? I have had a few problems with this app and it doesn’t always let me in, plus a few problems with running in general .. I have put off posting for fear of negativity, plus being a graduate I am never sure if I should post too much. This forum provided me with wonderful support during my training, I think of those friends I made often!

So - the negative part - I am sad to say that I am now struggling a bit. It was going so well and I was enjoying progressing, consolidating my 5K runs and finding different routes and of course parkrun! Then I developed sinusitis from a cold I picked up at work (I work in a Reception Class), was on antibiotics and it generally took a long time to clear. I began by cutting down my runs to 2 a week as I just didn’t feel up to it, then I began to struggle mid-run with feeling a bit sick (TMI but this came from my nose/throat) and now I end up feeling a tight chest (I had asthma as a child, only ever feel it now if I’ve had proper flu which is hardly ever). My cold is still lingering and I feel like my chest is completely different. Could it be asthma? Am I still poorly? (I don’t think so it’s been too long).

The last run I attempted I managed only a mile and felt horrible in the chest afterwards. Not running my regular 5K is bringing me down and I feel I’m in danger of letting it go. To the point where I find it hard to get out in case I fail I guess or feel poorly.

Does any of you amazing people have any advice? I would love to do a bit of running this week.

My step-dad suggested a slow mile as almost a warm up, before walking and then attempting my 3 miles. This may help my chest? I feel quite unwell when running sometimes. I also get stitches which I hardly ever got before.

Sorry that this is long.

Sadie

[Shelby1973 Graduate]

Hiya ur dads solution is a good idea . Or try walk /run again to build back up . U can do this as uve already proved. U just need to get ur body and mind back on track . Go for it . Merry Christmas x

[Sadeskin Graduate in reply to Shelby1973]

Thank you. Going back to run/walk really helps, I just need to fight the negative demons I think! I didn’t expect to struggle so soon after progressing so well. Thanks for taking the time to read x

[TJMazz Graduate]

I think sometimes keeping motivated after graduation can be hard especially if you have also been ill.

I suggest building it back up again. Maybe some walking mixed with running. Trying new routes can make it more enjoyable. Sometimes life gets in the way. It’s hard to keep doing something for yourself when you have children to think about.

Think about what motivated you to start C25k and what changes have you noticed. That is what keeps me going.

Hope you start to feel better and maybe 2018 will bring more happiness in your running journey. Keep posting and let us know how you are doing. You can do it 🙋🏻

[Sadeskin Graduate in reply to TJMazz]

Thank you for taking the time to reply I so appreciate it! It’s as much a mental as a physical battle for me 😩 Thanks for the encouragement - I’m def going to run/walk a bit more. I still hear Jo Whiley telling me to keep going no matter what though which makes it feel like the wrong thing to do but I guess it’s sensible. Merry Christmas! Xx

[TJMazz Graduate in reply to Sadeskin]

Yes, the mental battle is a difficult one. You don’t have to do 5k every time or run for 30mins. You can mix it up and do shorter runs or sprints or interval running. As a graduate you can mix it up and vary your running to keep it interesting and progress.

Hope you start to feel a lot better and can enjoy getting out there again. Thinking if you. Keep smiling. Have a great day 😊

[Sadeskin Graduate in reply to TJMazz]

Thank you so much. X

[AnnieW55]

If you still have problems with a tight chest it could be the virus lingering and your body needs more recovery time before you start to push it (remember above the neck run, below the neck sit it out until clear).

As asthma has played a part in your past, maybe it's there again and you may need an inhaler.

Another thought maybe use a buff/scarf to cover your mouth and help to warm the air before it hits your lungs? Works for many of us. Your step-dad's idea would work hand in hand with this.

Just keep the faith, all will come good and you will be enjoying your runs again when fully fit. Just remember "slow and steady" isn't just for beginners, it's the same for all of us at varying times. Best wishes

[Sadeskin Graduate in reply to AnnieW55]

Oh my, I didn’t even think about the temperature of the air and how it affects hitting my lungs! 🙈 of course, yes this would be a factor as August - beginning of December were so different. So obvious. Thank you .. I do have a little scarf, I wore it at a parkrun I’ll dig it out.

I wondered the same about an inhaler so borrowed my sons (it’s the same as what I used to take) and I felt a bit giddy. Not a great feeling!

Really thinking the cold air may be flaring up asthma though after reading your words. It does make sense .. brought on by a virus. Thanks

Your advice is so helpful .. I will read it a few times . Xx

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

Oh Sades, I am so sorry to hear that you have been so poorly. 🙁 If you feel up to run/walk then by all means do it, especially if it keeps your spirits up. But equally, maybe some rest and a little time out (from pushing yourself when not well / beating yourself up for not getting out there) could be valuable? Your running will always be there for you, and you can build up to 5k again easily. This running lark - you are in it for the long-haul and there is a lifetime of runs out there for you yet!

I have been struggling for a month now, since injuring a hamstring. I rest for 2 weeks, it becomes a dull ache so I try a little run, but it's still not right. I think I will take a couple more weeks off completely or at least until there is no more ache. I am learning patience. I still want to run like mad (picture a dog sound asleep, but its legs going like crazy like it's chasing a rabbit!), but in my heart I know the best thing for me is to rest it. Running will always be there.

Do get your chest/asthma checked out again if it doesn't get better soon/with rest, my dear. At the moment I am focussing on strength training whilst I cannot run, maybe you could try that too? Easily done at home in a snatched 30 mins!

Take care,

Sadie-runs xxx

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Sadie-runs]

Also, happy Christmas, dearest! 🎅🏻😘

[Sadeskin Graduate in reply to Sadie-runs]

PS Merry Christmas to you too! xxxx

[Sadeskin Graduate in reply to Sadie-runs]

My lovely fellow Sadie - thank you for your valuable and fabulous words, they mean such a lot! It's silly really isn't it how we can't tell ourselves these things sometimes, I will learn to rest a little I think and the art of patience is one in which I struggle with. I am sorry to hear that you have a hamstring injury and that you have had to rest too. I love your attitude though and it sounds like you are doing well with your training, perhaps that would be good for me too yes (what exactly do you do?) After reading these comments and having a good old reflect of the last month I really feel that it's asthma after an infection that is holding me back, brought on by the colder weather too. I had asthma as a child, quite bad at times but it's not been an issue as an adult. Mind you, I've not been a runner until now! The trick is keeping my mind happy - my biggest demon - and keeping it going somehow. I was really getting a kick out of progressing and being able to run 5K, a little rest I could handle but struggling whilst running threw me. It's a tough but wonderful hobby isn't it!

I have been thinking of you and wondering how you have been getting on, I have had problems with this forum so must log in from the laptop more often. I will keep in touch, I think we need a 'graduates support forum' perhaps! I feel bad for clogging up this place to those on their C25K journey ?

Hope your injury gets better, quickly.

Sades xx

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Sadeskin]

<hugs> Winter is hard on us runners. 🙁 I second the advice of others - get a Buff to put over your mouth, really helps prevent the cold air hurting the lungs. And give your body some time to get over the infection - your lungs could use the healing time. You are a wonderful, accomplished runner - no doubt about that - but look after your body and health, okay? I do completely understand your fears and frustration though - feel it myself! Just have to keep pep talking myself out of it.

For strengthening exercises, I have been doing some targeting yoga for hips, glutes and core, using an app called Yoga Studio. I don't recommend unless you have been doing yoga in a class for a while, as correct alignment is important and you need a teacher for that. I have also added in some other exercises - squats, clam shell, plank etc and devised my own programme. You could also download the NHS Strength and flex podcast - lots of people on here use it! Just a little something to keep you going until you are up to full strength again! And all these exercises are good for runners. I am a slow learner it seems, but the penny has dropped - a stronger body is a less injury prone one!

I have had a bit of a rocky road since graduating - a month of 3x a week, even reaching 5k a couple of times, but the last 6 weeks have been so up and down. 🙁 Just got to try and remain positive and patient! I'm here for you Sades, message me whenever you like! And stay close to the forum. We may be graduates, but we are still wearing L plates. 🏃‍♀️😀

Sadie xxx

[Sadeskin Graduate in reply to Sadie-runs]

Thank you Sadie. I'll dig out the NHS podcast, could be good for me. Your encouragement has really lifted me up x

[Elfe5 Graduate]

Hi Sades, good to hear from you. Sorry you have been poorly. I think the advice above sounds really good. Teachers are always exhausted at the end of term (me too!) even if they haven't been ill - you have both of those things to content with. I have had to rebuild my running after straining a calf muscle and was surprised at how tired I felt too. I used the podcast for W1 R1 in a flexible way several times and that really helped me. - I just used the 60 and 90 second time intervals in my own way - so built up running for 1, 3, 5, 7 min intervals with short walks of 1-2 mins between. ( It was easier than trying to look at my watch repeatedly in the dark - and much more encouraging). After doing that a couple of times I did two lots of 10 mins run with 2 mins walk between. On my 4th "rebuild "run I went out expecting to do 2 lots of 15 minutes with a short walk between and to my surprise ended up running for the full 30 minutes as I had been doing before my injury. I just listened to my body and was open to rebuilding as slowly as necessary. For me, some running, however limited, is better than no running. I am glad that I didn't have to re-do the entire C25K program, but I would have done that if I needed to because it is so lovely to be out running again.

[Sadeskin Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

Thank you so much for your encouraging words! This is JUST what I need to hear, I will give this a go. You are so right about feeling exhausted, my job takes a lot out of me physically to the point where I ache most days! Glad you have got back to where you want to be, I will keep your advice in mind. xx

[Elfe5 Graduate in reply to Sadeskin]

I forgot to say, I also wondered about whether it's ok continuing to post as a graduate. I noticed that other graduates do so and of course they also encourage the people who are still on that journey, so I assumed it is okay. I am not yet ready to do the bridge to 10k although I hope to do that later and really find the support on the forum so valuable. 😄

[Sadeskin Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

Snap! I had hoped to start that 'bridge' in the new year but will put it off, it's always there once we're ready I guess. Until then a comfortable 5K is my goal! (I am the sort of person who always needs a goal I think) x

[Elfe5 Graduate in reply to Sadeskin]

Me too! My current goal is to do a park run and then I would like to use that as one of my three runs a week. I thought I would consolidate for at least a month and then have a look at the bridge to 10 K when I feel ready. I also have a school holiday mini goal of exercising every day-mostly alternating cycling and running. It seems like a good way of combating the impact of Christmas eating too! 😀

[Sadeskin Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

Sounds great! I like your attitude. My goal was parkrun too, I used it as 1 of my runs each week. Although I do like the solidarity of running on my own, parkrun provides that unique feeling of really achieving; all the volunteers are supportive and it's a great feeling afterwards. I planned on doing the Christmas Day parkrun here but had to miss out, so it was a little bit of a double-edge sword but feel so much better since posting here this morning. Demons hey!! Well done you