Running again after illness

[Eletheelephant]

A few weeks ago I was quite ill with suspected coronavirus. Me and my partner did the 14 days quarantine and weeks on I'm fully recovered - except I've lost all my fitness. Before this I was training for a half marathon and running 10ks, and I'm now back to square one. I am trying to be positive and counting myself lucky that I wasn't sicker and never had to go to hospital. I'm doing the couch to 5 k again - the program that got me into running in the first place 8 years ago and 3 stone heavier! I completed week one last week after getting very very out of breath every 60 second run on day 1, and I'm taking on week 2.

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Gosh, I am so sorry that Covid-19 has swiped all your fitness. Luckily you have C25k to return to!

But of course it hasn’t taken it all away. I am sure that you will soon notice your recovery is speeding up as your body recovers. All you training and stamina will now help you out. Well done and good luck x

[Lesaspie Graduate]

I had the same thing! It was such a shock, was really upset. I did a post on it earlier today. But I am not sure if I did have the virus. Normally things like that absolutely wipe me out. You will get the fitness back, I am certain but wow this all comes as a great surprise.

[Eletheelephant Graduate in reply to Lesaspie]

I was a bit upset as well as I was so active. I'm trying to just count my blessings that I wasn't any sicker and focus on cautiously training and trying to get back into it. I hope you manage to get back to where you left off and it doesn't take too long!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

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

Covid 19 can, apparently, severely reduce lung function, so it is even more important that you follow the advice on the recommended pace in the guide. You may have to forget about any comparison with your former running pace and accept that you have to redevelop your ability to run from scratch.

Be kind to yourself and don't push too hard.

Enjoy your journey.

[Eletheelephant Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks! I'm trying to take it slow and follow the program fully. I've accepted it will probably be months before I'm back to where I was, and that's OK - at least I'm back training. Trying to focus on being grateful that I can start running again when many people have been so much iller than I have!

[Eletheelephant Graduate]

Update for anyone at home - made it through the week 2 run and feeling really good to be back out there, even if it is taking it slow and steady x