Advice needed please

[Glitterjav]

Hi All! I’m currently on W9R2 so close to graduation and I’m thrilled. The thing is that I have CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome), and up until now I have managed the program ok but now with the 30 minute runs I’m starting to feel it really taking it out of me. I’m worried that post graduation I won’t be able to sustain 3 x 30 minute runs a week. To be honest I never thought I’d get this far with the illness, but I really think sustaining it will finish me off! So my question is, is there a modified version I can do that still ‘counts’? I’d like to keep running but just not sure if 30 mins three times a week is realistic for me. Thanks in advance 😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

You don't have to keep doing 3 x 30 minute runs a week... you choose how you want to run...

My normal pattern was always Sunday, Tuesday and Friday... Tuesday a short and sweet... , Friday.. maybe a 5K ..( that got longer as my running evolved) and Sunday... a longer run day.. a go out and see where I get to run...No idea of time in any of them...

You organise your run days and your runs to fit in with how you feel... Just try to have a regular pattern that will keep you on track .

Every run you do counts...I sometimes fit in a 1K here and there, as my run days have changed slightly... I count them, most certainly!

When you graduate we will still be here to help and advise you too

Well done you!

[Glitterjav Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you for your advice. Yours sounds like a nice relaxed approach 😊

[Pianism Graduate]

I'm interested to hear everyone else's opinion but mine is that every minute of running you do "counts". It's all exercise, building or maintaining your general fitness and contributing to your wellbeing. If 3 x 20 mins or 2 x 35 mins (or 6 x 10 mins for that matter) are what is sustainable, then go with those. The important thing is for it to contribute to your life in a positive way! We are all so very different and there is a place here for all of us. Good luck in finding your own sweet spot.

[Glitterjav Graduate in reply to Pianism]

Thank you! I like the sound of a ‘sweet spot’!

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Do what suits you Glitter! Maybe aim for one run per week (ish) being 30 mins but any others can be anything you like..... as a graduate you set your own training plans.

My daughter is running her first half marathon on Sunday..... she has trained with just two runs a week as she is two years post -kidney transplant and similarly needed to use her energy wisely.

Just two more 30 mins runs when ever you are ready makes you a graduate, yeayyyy! Im shining the badge up ready for your visit to the podium🏃🏻‍♀️🎓

[Glitterjav Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

Wow! Your daughter is doing well! You must be so proud 😊 Thanks for the advice, think I will see what feels comfortable.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

You can do whatever you want, but bear in mind that the recommendation is that we all do a minimum of 150 minutes of cardio exercise each week. That doesn't have to be running, but nothing does your bones more good than running.

[Glitterjav Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you, I’ll bear that in mind 😊

[DiscoRunner Graduate]

(Gets our old broken record! Because I’m always banging on about this 🤐) But on youtube there’s a great short film showing the ‘Japanese slow jogging movement’ technique. It’s a low impact style of running maybe it would suit you? You could do a 30 minute when you felt able and one or two shorter ones. I think with this style of running, you wouldn’t do yourself any harm if you hadn’t been able to run for awhile.

I think it’s amazing that you’ve come this far, and trying something that will be doing you so much good. So huge respect to you for doing this. And you are so so close now. Good luck!

[Glitterjav Graduate in reply to DiscoRunner]

Aw, thank you for your kind words! I must admit that when I started I didn’t really expect to get past Week 1!! I started it to help my mental health and it has helped me so I’d like to keep it up now, just need to find a way that works for me. I’ve seen the Japanese running technique, it’s kind of how I run in the last minute of most of my runs!! 😂

[MarkyD Graduate]

My brother runs every day, alternating 1km and 2km. He finds that more achievable (and prefers a daily habit). There will be a lot of advice about not running every day, but those shorter distances should be OK.

[Glitterjav Graduate in reply to MarkyD]

I know this wouldn’t be achievable for me as the rest days are what make it manageable. I may do shorter runs though.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

What they all said really. I don’t pretend to understand your condition here... but would chopping the run into intervals help? Maybe still 30 but with walk breaks every 10? Not sure it that would make it worse.

[Glitterjav Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

It’s more about the recovery time with me and my CFS. I’m lucky in that I have it mildly, but it’s the carrying on with everything else that’s life as well as running that’s difficult 😬 I’d like to try the 30 minute runs but it may be that I’d need two days off in between. I guess I’m scared of pushing myself and ending up crashing. All the suggestions are really helpful though so thank you for yours 😊

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Glitterjav]

Two days off is fine... maybe small slices of cross training during a rest day or two?