Losing fitness at week 9

[FatCat123]

Hi all, A couple of weeks ago I did the first wk9 run, and felt great. Then I got the flu, and am starting back up again. My first run was a complete flop, the second better. I've just tried again, and pulled a calf muscle after 4km , so had to stop. I'm feeling very discouraged - before I was ill felt that I had discovered something amazing, and now it feels like I've lost it. I feel quite sad about this. Can anyone empathise?

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

I think everyone can empathise!

If you had proper flu, then that's a serious hit to the body and will take to recover from. But you'll be fine. Your sadness comes from the fact that you're new to this, you've just completed Week 9 and so you feel all that work has been wasted. It has NOT! You'll have a much higher level of fitness right now than you had at the start, you just need to keep heading back out there and maybe try from Week 5 . Either way, keep it nice and easy and you'll be fine.

Since C25K, I've been running for 5 years now and have had a few injuries that have set me back. But each time, I dust myself down and restart.

NEVER EVER GIVE UP!

Good luck

John

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Don't let it get to you, your body took a knock, once it fully recovers you'll feel much better. Next time just do a 20 min run (with 5 min warm up and down). That should feel easier and give you a boost. Then do a 25, then a 30 👍🏻😊

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

Hi FatCat123 , I'm sure the majority of us have felt exactly like this at some point, don't despair though, you've had flu and that really takes it out of you, I just don't think you realise how much until you try something vigorous like running. I think trying to take up where you let off might be the problem...I know you wouldn't have wanted to start a couple of weeks behind again but throwing yourself back into it full on is asking too much of yourself. If I were in your position, i would go back to maybe week 6..maybe run 2 and do a 10 min run with a 3 min walk break in the middle to see how your calf muscle feels...breaking yourself back into it gently with shorter runs that you can complete will make you feel better than aiming for something unachievable as you've found out today. Be kind to yourself, the weeks left of c25k are still waiting for you...but not until your body is ready x

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Flu takes ages to get completely over, maybe try walking for half an hour a few times before you try running again and when you run slow down a bit more when you do run and i’m sure you will soon be back to full fitness

Good luck and nurture yourself, no run is a fail

[CandyCool Graduate]

Oh I have been there it is so demoralising! You feel so cross with your body as it was doing ok and now you feel you are starting again! But you aren’t really, just be kind to yourself be patient and you will see it won’t take long. Just don’t push it x

[AngryFlower Graduate]

Your body takes a while to recover from illness particularly if you had the full blown flu. I would advise building up again rather than going straight out and trying to do the full distance. It all depends how much break you’ve had from running, if it’s two weeks or more you’ll need to take it steady as your vo2 max will have reduced but having reached week 9 you already know that you’ll soon be back up there.

Take care of yourself and don’t push it and don’t be discouraged, it’ll still be there waiting for you.

[FatCat123]

Thanks everyone for your support! It is much appreciated. I think part of the problem is that I see myself as something of a quitter, but if I give this up I'll be gutted. I'm back out today, wish me luck....

[Jazzyrunner Graduate in reply to FatCat123]

You’re not a quitter - you just said, you’re back out today! Go for it - but go for it gently, be kind to yourself. Flu takes some recovery time. Slow and steady.

[FatCat123]

And I've just done 20 mins, and thoroughly enjoyed myself! My calves were co-operative, too. Thanks again all, the cheering on has been invaluable.