I competed c25k last November and then ran 30m or 5k (which I got down to about 35 mins) depending on how much time I had, about 3 times a week. Sadly I've got/had breast cancer, I will keep this as brief as possible I wont bore you all with too many details lol. I had a lumpectomy and lymph nodes removed back in June and was back running within 3 weeks. At first I was just doing 20 min runs because while the stamina was still there I got a bit scuppered with stitch after 17 mins. I overcame that and was fine. But then I started radiotherapy about 5 weeks ago and that floored me a bit with the raw boobie and fatigue but I'm finally feeling a bit better and I want to go and try running again in the morning. I cant put into words how much I have missed it but I'm terrified. Will my stamina have decreased by loads and how long should I aim to run first time out for 5 weeks? Anyone with similar experience that can advise please? 
xxx
How long between runs do you lose your stamina? - Couch to 5K
How long between runs do you lose your stamina?
Sorry to hear you've been unwell. Usually the advice on here is you won't lose much fitness if you're off sick or injured for two weeks. Since in your case it's been a bit longer than that, and you may also be a bit weaker due to the illness and treatment, the best option is probably to go out and run at a slower pace than usual, with no pressure to finish a particular route, and just see how far you can go. Do that a couple of times to get a clearer idea of where you are and then take it from there. Be gentle with yourself and enjoy your runs even if it turns out they have to be a little shorter or a little slower than previously.
Thank you! I was thinking I might aim for about 15 mins tomorrow and see how I go, but of course I wont push myself too hard. I just really want to get back to being me, and the last year running has been a big part of who I am. I am just terrified I will go out and it will be so hard I won't want to try any more!!
So sorry to hear you have had to go through all of this! But I love your positive attitude!
I think the above advice sounds great. I’m afraid I’m a bit of a newbie to this, just starting week 7, so I’m unqualified to answer properly xx
I would say, just be kind to yourself, do as much or little as you want tomorrow and just take the positive in that you actually did it! You got out there ! Xx
Enjoy your run tomorrow, I will be thinking of you and using you as inspiration to finish my 25 min run in morning! X
You'll do it! I started every run during the program thinking 'I cant do this' but surprised myself every time. Hoping for a bit of that tomorrow! I think I was roughly at your point in the program when I felt the lurve, before that I wasnt really sure if it was for me. Now I know it really is my thing I just need to build my confidence and more importantly my stamina back up
Up to week 6 was loving it! Every run I was stoked that I’d actually achieved it! The first 20 min run felt like I’d completed a marathon ! Lol
Then I had a nasty run first run if week 6 last week, where I just didn’t want to go out, but I did, then during the run I got verbally abused and had a load of those gas canisters you see everywhere thrown at me. By a van full of lads. Knocked my confidence for next run, but also made me more determined. Then I completed week 6 on Friday and now feel excited and nervous for this week. But I know I can do it! So I will!
My friend keeps telling me running is 80% mind , 20% body... so I’m giving the positive vibes XX
Weeks 6 runs 1 and 2 take a lot of people by surprise. You're not alone in that.
Sorry to hear about your bad experience- shocking. Hope you get back into your stride with no hassle from others.
I did it!! W7R1, complete!! Super slow today, but I did it xx I hope you have got on ok too xx
Well done for keeping going after the horrific experience with the bad lads, and completing your run xxx
All you can do is go out and see what you can comfortably manage, then based on that experience, gradually build back up again.
Getting out again after a break for major illness is the best tonic, but be kind to yourself and take it easy.
Ah Jue, sending you huge respect for having such a determined outlook after what you’ve been through. I think you’re winning just wanting to get back out there, so I agree with what others have said: try and see how you go. I’d take it slow. Aim for 15 minutes. And then a lovely cool down walk. Don’t risk an injury by doing too much too soon. Welcome back to the running. X
Sorry that you've had an enforced break from running - very frustrating, you have my sympathy! I had an enforced break in the summer due to hip issues and, just as I got back into running again, I was diagnosed with a bleed on the brain and had to have surgery. So I've been recovering and decided (once I felt well enough) to go back to the beginning of C25K and see how I got on. I did one run from Week One - that felt great so the next time I went up to Week Two, then Week Three. Am going to keep working my way back up until it feels like a struggle, then I'll repeat the rest of C25K and re-build my stamina. Good luck to you, however you decide to get back into it.
You are an inspiration I'm sure your positive attitude and underlying fitness has helped you through your Illness. Be kind to yourself your body has had a bit of a battering. I'm sure you will soon work back to your previous levels and beyond.
Hi, sorry to hear your story. I started CT5K after mastectomy & radiotherapy. I wanted to get more exercise into my life. Radiotherapy does take it out of you & you can feel tired for weeks after so take it easy. Just listen to your body but with your positive outlook you will get back to where you want to be. I graduated in June (finished radiotherapy in March). I have run 3x30 mins every week since but I have to have more surgery at the end of this month and will need to take some time off too. We can do this!!
Well done for wanting to get back out there but I'm very sorry to hear of your illness. I started C25K at the end of February and then started C210K in May with a local running group. I've had enforced periods of time off due to knee or ankle pain or both. A month or so ago I got a Garmin watch and was alarmed to see what my heart rate was doing for much of my runs. So I did some research and have started running at a slower pace to keep my heart rate down. The result is that I ache much less and have been injury free. So don't think of it as a bad thing if you go slowly.
However yesterday something came over me after having the best nights sleep in a long time and I decided to switch off the heart rate alert and just run 3k as fast as I could. I managed to do it in bang on 21 minutes (that's fast for me!) Oh my goodness I ache this morning! My knees are hurting and I also ached in the night which stopped me from sleeping. So I'll be back to my slow, gentle pace tomorrow (around 8mins per km).
Good luck x
PS. Going slowly has meant I've been able to get up to 7.5km so far without stopping.
You have a great attitude, and it's fantastic that you have the motivation and energy to get back out running. I found radiotherapy made me more tired, and 5 weeks after treatment ended I was at my most fatigued. What about starting with a confidence booster, and do one of the runs in the programme, perhaps middle of week 6? That way you are easing back into it, know you can do it, and it will encourage you. Well done, and all the best!
I so admire your positivity and courage and it certainly puts my niggling injuries into perspective. If i have to stop running for a while, I just go back to some point in C25K and (re)graduate ! This gives me the structure and encouragement to start running again and at least I am getting 30 minutes exercise three times a week. I am very lucky to have a great parkrun near me so if I cant run, I walk and if I cant walk, I volunteer. It sounds like you’re into running for the long haul so IMHO no need to rush back to running for thirty minutes.
At the moment with everything going on just go out and run what you can no pressure just enjoy. You know your body better than any of us. I wish you the best on your recovery. Good luck 😊
Thank you everyone for your kind words and sharing your own stories with me. You are all an inspiration! I managed 15 minutes this morning which I'm over the moon with! I'll take it slowly and build my stamina back up and it doesnt matter how long that takes.
No helpful advice but just glad to welcome you back!
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