So here I go again...….jumping back on the wagon!

[Fabat50]

Yesterday I completed W4R3 (again). I graduated last year on my 3rd attempt (long story but illness did not help) and it definitely took me more than 9 weeks. I even completed several Parkruns, became a bit of a Parkrun tourist, eventually actually ran 5k and then somehow, with no particularly good reason, I fell of the wagon last September.

At the end of January I decided to take the bull by the horns, gave myself a good talking to and joined a gym with some friends, found a fabulous personal trainer who pushed me to do stuff I didn't think I could in a great supportive, motivating way. Then of course the world stopped and I thought the best thing was to go back to Jo Wiley and have her talk me through getting back running. I had done weeks 1 and 2 in the gym so have completed weeks 3 and 4 outside now. It is great having Jo as my 'friend' again. And although I thought I had lost all my fitness I have definitely coped better with the first few weeks better than I thought I would.

Looking forward to W5R1 tomorrow and desperately hoping that we will all be allowed to exercise outside as it is so important not only to our physical wellbeing but of course our mental health too.

It is, as ever, fabulous to read all the posts on here. Very inspiring.

[Elfe5 Graduate]

Yay! Welcome back! 😄 It’s amazing how some fitness is still there when we think it won’t be.

Enjoy! 😄

[Fabat50 Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

Thank you. Yes I was amazed that some of it had stayed. Now to build on it

[Hidden]

Lovely to have you back Fabat50! We've missed you on here. I finally graduated a couple of weeks ago after not finishing during week 9 last summer due to injury. It was a long road back but I got there in the end.

Happy running 😊🏃‍♀️

[Fabat50 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Delly-dot. I have seen your recent posts. Great to hear you graduated after all your time on the IC. That's a place I want to avoid. Sounds like your consolidation runs are going well ……...hills and all. Great to have lovely places to run but for now the streets of South London will do me fine as long as I can get out.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome back to the forum and well done on your progress.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

and may refresh your memory about some aspects of running.

Enjoy your journey.

[Fabat50 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you. Always good to have the memory refreshed.

I intend to enjoy - life has slowed and become simpler in some ways and it feels right that running should fill some of that space I now have.