Help. Sickness made me stop. Where do I go from here??

[QueenGreen]

I had done W6R2 and couldn’t believe it. It took me years to get to that point. I bought my new trainers and was feeling so motivated and ready do start W6R3. Then I took a bad cold which developed into a chest infection. That was about 2 weeks ago. I know that sounds fairly recent but I feel I’ve lost every single bit of fitness I had. I have been eating absolute rubbish and not drinking enough water, and have put on weight. I feel right back at square one, and even the though of starting week 1 again fills me with dread.

I want to try again tomorrow but I don’t know at what stage to jump in at. What do you guys suggest? I know I definitely couldn’t run 20mins again, especially as my chest is still improving (and I’m asthmatic which doesn’t help). I don’t want to hit my body too hard and want to start gradually again.

What week should I start at?

All advice welcome please. This has happened me loads over the past few years and never could get past week 3. I thought I was going to actually do it this time

[Grannyhugs Graduate]

Poor you, sounds like you e lost a bit of confidence too. I understand you don't want to restart but you also dont want to fail or risk asthma problems. How about setting yourself up for good news and start a speedy C25K by taking 1 day of each week to build your confidence until you find your place again. Just a thought, take care

[Bladerunner2049 Graduate]

Morning. Don’t beat yourself up. This happens to all of us. Either through illness or injury. The fact that you’ve posted here means you have the desire to get back running.

I would suggest you start at week 4 run 1 and build from there. You might feel like it’s a step backwards however it’ll give you the confidence to move forward and in a couple of weeks you’ll be back.

Good luck

Noel.

[mrrun Graduate]

Start from where you left it but go very slow. Or maybe a few weeks before. Or even from the start. I started from the start twice, second time I did it after completing the entire program. And why not, we are in no rush. As for the rest of the business (eating/hydration), you need a bit of discipline, self belief, more discipline, determination, positive thinking, lots of stubbornness and finally, even more discipline. It sounds more difficult that it is. Simply go and do it.

[Buddy34 Graduate]

As you've not just had a cold but a chest infection, make sure you fell fully fit first. Maybe go back to wk4 just to see if you feel the running is ok. Good luck 😊

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

As mentioned in the guide to the plan, if you have a break, go out and see what you can comfortably manage and use that as a basic for moving on.

[Hidden]

Well done for keep going and never giving up. I think you're amazing.

I am asthmatic too so I have to be careful. I had two bouts of bad head colds whilst on the plan that both turned into chest infections I didn't feel well enough to run during that time. I didn't think about where on the plan I was although I was bitterly disappointed I couldn't run. When I started to feel like I was fit enough, I went out and just took it easy and did as much as my body was able to. Once I checked my fitness levels, I went back to the week where I'd got to but I also took my inhaler out with me. I certainly didn't start back at week 1 and I think if I did that, I would have been demoralised.

You know you can do this because you have the determination to not give up. Have a rest then check your fitness but don't overdo it.

Good luck and get well soon 😊

[QueenGreen]

Thanks for all your advice. Just a little update. I considered all your advice and decided to start at week 4 again. I felt going completely back to week 1 would be demoralising though liked the idea of doing run 3 of each week!

However, week 4 it was, and I couldn’t do it!! I done the 3min run, 5min run, 3min run (with difficulty) and just couldn’t do the last 5 min run. It goes to show how a break can have an impact. I don’t think it was my chest that was the problem, I think it was the legs not being used to it, and generally feeling heavy and unfit and dehydrated.

Anyway I’m not too disheartened.. at least I tried, and it was good to feel some sweat on my back again. I’m starting tomorrow being a more disciplined healthier version of myself!

[Hidden in reply to QueenGreen]

Well done for getting out there and giving it a go. I think you’ve got an amazing positive attitude to it all and you’ll get there 💪🏼