Will my fitness decline straight away? - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Will my fitness decline straight away?

Shanleighx profile image
5 Replies

So I finished week 6, 3 days ago... I normally run every other day! I’ve had to take 3 days off due to an injury (a deep burn on the top of my thigh which if I ran would rub against the other one and cause me so much pain)

I’ve been going walking on these rest days but I feel so so so annoyed that I can’t run every other day :( I got to the point where I was looking forward to my runs & loved the routine of it!

I’m tempted to just try and run tomorrow morning and start week 7 to continue my progress but I don’t want to cause even more damage 😭 I’m so stuck and frustrated!

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Shanleighx profile image
Shanleighx
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5 Replies
Tasha99 profile image
Tasha99Graduate

Not for at least 2 weeks 👍🏽

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate

Not advisable to run until your injury heals, hopefully that won't be too long, don't start week 7 just yet, if its longer than two weeks, restart, say at week 3, if less than two weeks continue with week 7, I hope you will recover in less than two weeks.

SteHarr65 profile image
SteHarr65

Hi , I did my Couch to 5k back in 2018 in June when it was hot hot hot and someone said to me don't worry if you can't keep up with running every other day. If you body needs an extra day then so be it. you are only following a guide line so do it at your own pace. The biggest danger and I am speaking from experience is when you come to the end of the course and your feeling on top of the world with yourself the temptation to push is high but don't take at least 3 or 4 weeks of steady work or even repeat the last 4 weeks. I did 3 runs getting a little quicker and the a Parkrun and really suffered with shin splint after that. I listen to my body even now and usually run 5k every 3rd day, joining a gym helps to strengthen the leg. When they re-open I will be there. Good luck and don't worry, take that extra day you will run all the stronger for it.

Arrabida profile image
ArrabidaGraduate

Hi! You should be fine to pick up where you left off. I've been running for over a year now and if I leave off for a week or two (injury, holiday) I just go back a week or two. Don't run if you're injured - it will take way longer to heal. You've broken the mental barrier so you know you can do it. So well done! I adore Couch to 5K. It's my greatest achievement.

Shanleighx profile image
Shanleighx

You are all so kind, Thankyou! I will wait until it’s fully healed hoping just a few more days now x

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