Advice needed

[Mummytotwo]

Hi All, I've been out of action for the last 8 months with sciatica so as a result I've lost most of my fitness. I am a previous C25K and 10K graduate so I'm looking for advice on were or how to start running again? Should I go right back to the beginning? To say I'm nervous about it is an understatement. Help!

[over61andstilltrying Graduate]

Hi Mummytotwo, I am so sorry you have had stop your running due to sciatica, but also very pleased to read that you ready (or very nearly ready) to take up running again. I had a little peek at some of your previous posts and see you were a speedy runner. Well done for your brilliant running in the past. It must have been very disappointing to have to lose your fitness, but you know how to build it up, so you are already ahead of many people.

I am no expert, but if you have not been given any guide lines from the medical folk, a good plan may be to start at the beginning of C25k and see how it feels. I have read of somebody who restarts C25k every year, I think they were in Canada where winter running wasn't possible. Whatever you decide all the very best for your return to running. 🏃‍♀️😊

[MarkyD Graduate]

Welcome back M22, so pleased to see you recovered from the sciatica and now ready to run.

I'd suggest planning to run W1r1 to see how you get on. Then run W2r1 if it went OK (or W1r2 if it didn't). And keep skipping forward each run until you find your level. In 8 months you may have lost some stamina (all depends on how active you could be with the sciatica). But the important thing is to get back running (but not be in too much of a rush).

Let us all know how you get on.

[Mummytotwo Graduate in reply to MarkyD]

Hi, Well yesterday I was brave and decided to start at Week 4 Run 1 and felt ok so I'm going to continue from there, repeating runs if necessary. Thanks for the advice.

[MarkyD Graduate in reply to Mummytotwo]

Oh excellent! You've not lost too much fitness and that is a good place to pick up! Enjoy your running.