Only 2 runs left of week 9 to finish and not being able to complete them due to being unwell it’s driving me nuts! Last Friday was my last run and since then I’ve had a chesty thing, no C-virus symptoms but it won’t budge. How long do you think I can rest before it starts to affect my ability? I’m so close!
Frustrated: Only 2 runs left of week 9 to finish... - Couch to 5K
Frustrated
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As stated in the guide to the plan, you lose next to no condition in the first two weeks of non running, after that the loss of condition is gradual.
Frustrating, yes, but in the grand scheme of things, just a minor hiccup.
Hi there, I was in a similar position to you back in December, frustrated at the setback just as I was finishing the programme, convinced I would fail and drop the whole running thing (a familiar negative theme for me). It was so disheartening. With cheering on from the lovely people on this forum, I went back to running after three long weeks, but going by feel more than anything else, so 8 mins of running 5 min walking, 8 mins of running one day, then deciding to up the running by one minute the next day, as and when I felt like it. Taking control myself took some of the pressure off to 'keep up' with C25K and in fact I finished the programme independently. I now run 10k every sunday. So don't give up, you will get there (and beyond!).
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Just to add, when I had a chest infection there was nothing wrong with my running when I started again, but I had to do shorter runs because my lungs had taken such a battering. So be prepared for that and don't be disheartened if it happens to you, because they recover quickly (a couple of weeks I think)
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Oh dear! It’s a shame but you need to look after your health, the runs will wait. General consensus seems to be that if it’s in the head it’s ok to run but if it’s below the neck it’s not. Perhaps there’s something else you can do to ease the frustration, like a brisk walk? Hope you’re feeling better soon!
So frustrating for you, but don't let it get you too down. Rest up and recover and make sure you are fully fit before picking up where you left off. If it takes you a little longer, it takes a little longer. The runs can wait and you will be all the better for it. 😊🏃♀️🌸