Stopped on week 8 Run 1 now don’t know where to start at again.

[JulesnBoo]

I stopped running on 16/2/18 to spend time with my dog BellaBoo, she had lymphoma and was very poorly. I just couldn’t spend 45 minutes away from her, time was precious. She passed away on 26/2/18 and I am still devastated but want to start running but I don’t know where to begin again. I know I won’t be able to run for 28 minutes. Do I just go and try on week 5 or start again. Any advice welcome. I was so close to graduating but my Boo came first. Pic of her below aged 10 and a half. Thanks x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

So sorry about your lovely dog...what a super photo

Try just a gentle run and see how you go... your body will tell you what it would like to do, Choose a good route, and one that you enjoy, and have an Irishprincess joggette

If you feel that Week 5 is too much.. start at the previous week... You may find that you are stronger than you feel

[JulesnBoo in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you, I won’t know until I get out there. But you’re right my body will tell me. I’m sure it will be groaning. Thanks for your help x

[GoogleMe Graduate]

I think Oldfloss is right - that all that matters for the first outing is that you get out there and are gentle with yourself. I'd suggest not seeing it as part of the programme at all and just assess and make the run after that your return to the programme 'proper'

In fact my main tip would be to make sure you have a hankie or lots of tissues with you. That's one heck of a lovely dog to lose and running can make people feel more cheerful or release a lot of stuff that needs to come out.

[JulesnBoo in reply to GoogleMe]

Thank you so much for your advice will take plenty on tissues I think x

[Bridget007 Graduate]

Sorry to hear your sad news about your beautiful dog xx

[SuperMouse Graduate]

Very sorry about your poor BellaBoo. Lovely photo!

When I have had to stop I started back 2 or 3 weeks back from where I had finished. Just see how you go and you can always go further back or repeat weeks, it's not set in stone.

Well done for coming back!

[JoBell21]

So sorry x it’s so hard when you loose your best pal x keep running x

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Just wanted to add, from one 'dog is part of user name' to another, that I hope you do feel able to keep your username.

[JulesnBoo in reply to GoogleMe]

Yes I’ll definitely keep my username she’ll always be in my heart ❣

We have now got a Rottweiler puppy had her a week, and I thought she may help to fill the big hole in my heart, but she has just made me grieve for BellaBoo even more. I’m sure in time she’ll be fine, was just maybe a bit too soon. Maybe she could come running with me, when we’ve got her trained. x

[Langley-Loper Graduate]

I had a holiday break at week 7 or 8 so went back to week 6 which is my favourite - run with walking intervals before back to the continuous. For the same reason week 5 is a good choice too.

[JulesnBoo in reply to Langley-Loper]

That’s what I thought about week 5, plenty of walk breaks, it’s probably 7 weeks since I ran, so I know I’m going to be so unfit. Especially with no dog walking either. I won’t know until I get back out there. Will try my best this week to start again x