How long is too long to have a break between runs?

[Coco-Major]

I’m heading off for a much needed city break to Prague on Friday, I’ll be there for 4 days. My plan is to complete W5R2 tomorrow (Thursday) as that is where I am up to in the plan, then upon my return repeat W5R2 on Tuesday before completing W5R3 on the Thursday. Does this seem feasible or should I start again with R1? I feel like I’m doing really well and don’t want to mess it up 😊

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

4 days is fine... I took 30 years between runs, that wasn’t so good!

Fitness doesn’t start to go until two weeks of not doing the activity... so you’re gonna be fine.

[Coco-Major Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

30 years! Wow...Thank you 😊 it’s all really new to me, your reply is much appreciated

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Coco-Major]

No worries... to be honest here after 4 days off you’ll almost certainly be stronger than before the break, and running on fresh legs is so good. I run every other day normally. Last time I needed to run on a specific day I ran two days back to back (very much not recommended until you’ve run at least six months, I’d done 9) and this time I’m taking an extra rest day. So I didn’t run Sunday or Monday and Tuesdays run, despite the heat, felt so much better in the legs.

[Coco-Major Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

That makes sense...I think I just had it in my head that if I didn’t complete a set of runs within the week as the programme says I would somehow mess it up. I’ve really committed to it so I want to give myself the best chance of getting to the finish line. I’m still very much a newbie 😊

I read your bio..well done on your achievements, it’s inspiring to read, especially after such injuries 😊

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Coco-Major]

Commitment is all it takes to succeed here. We’re not targeting world records or Olympic medals... you cross the start lines and you will get there. A week can be 6 days, it could be 10... the end result is the same. We are not full time athletes and sometimes life says we can’t run on a given day, few days, a couple of weeks... that doesn’t matter... what matters is getting back out there straight away afterwards.... which is what your planning... and that tells me you got this, a lot of this is mental.

My old self was much faster... this me will outrun him though... he couldn’t run 5k and I will run 42.

[Coco-Major Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you 😊

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

As the guide to the plan states, you will lose next to no condition in the first two weeks of non running.

Pick up where you left off.

[Coco-Major Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you 😊

[Hidden]

As has been said, that break will be fine and might do you good. However, how about taking your running stuff and jog around Prague? Running tourism is marvellous fun🏃🏾‍♀️😊👍

[Coco-Major Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I did think about this, I’m only taking hand luggage so it will be dependent on space. I quite like the thought of a run across Charles Bridge 😊

[Hidden]

It will be a run that you never forget

Ditch a pair of heels and take your trainers instead - you really wont regret it!

[Coco-Major Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Sounds like a plan, my other half is in training at the moment for a big climb in June (Matterhorn 😱) so I’m sure he would be happy with a run while we’re away 😊

[Hidden in reply to Coco-Major]

Have a great time!

[Coco-Major Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you 😊