Returning after a 4 month “break”

[Stormfront]

Hey all! I previously got to W6R3 (didn’t complete it) and am now looking to start up again. I’ve since quit smoking (2 months and counting...) and am unsure whether I should try and pick up where I left off or roll the program back a couple of weeks (or more?). Any advice really appreciated. I’m not a natural runner but really enjoyed the program before and look forward to completing it

[Speedy60 Graduate]

Hi, welcome back. Four months is quite a long break, how about starting with a gentle jog without headphones and see what your body says?

Well done on the non smoking 👏

[Stormfront in reply to Speedy60]

Thanks

[Comfortnotspeed]

Hi! Welcome back. Massive well done on quitting smoking!

I’ve had a break since September. I’d graduated and managed a park run. Decided to go back to the beginning and see how it went. I enjoy the process anyway. Hadn’t really been tested until the first 3 minutes and then hello! Needed to pace it. I suggest you try week 1. You could always move quickly onto W2. Good luck. Hope all goes well.

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

You could try one run from each week until you get to where you need to do all the runs to progress, you might surprise yourself

[Kingfisher29 Graduate]

Good for you - quitting smoking and restarting Running - I had a xmas break that lasted longer than intended and tho I’d just graduated the first couple of jogs were very hard .. so I’d do a couple of shorter runs from week 6 onwards and build on it - I’m persevering with the 30 mins runs now and still need Laura’s encouragement but its getting easier and your runs will too - good luck 🏃🏼🏃🏼

[Stormfront]

Thanks for all of the advice and support. I rolled the program back 2 weeks from where I’d left it and found that pretty comfortable. I was really surprised at how much fitness I had retained compared to how hard I found the program when I first started it. Thanks again for all of the support, onwards and upwards!

[grumpyoldgirl Graduate in reply to Stormfront]

Funny, I was going to say week 4 seems to have the right mix of running and walking to see how much fitness you've retained, it's my go-to if I've had to take a break. Happy running!

[trapeze]

well done with the ciggy's, I have restarted couch to 5 k about 5 times. I have completed the course every occasion, but never felt strong enough to be effective after the 9 weeks are up to keep going. Going back to week one is great for helping motivation. just do as little or as much as you feel comfortable with.