Fed up!

[Speedydonzalez]

Having come this far and actually looking forward to week 7 will have to take a break as in isolation due to son testing positive 😞. Hope I won't have to start all over again, bloody covid!

[Midgeymoo17]

I had this problem two weeks ago. you really will not need to start over. it will be easiest to restart if you complete home work outs but not big problem if you do not.

Advice I have seen on this forum, is that for a break of upto 2 weeks you do not loose substantial fitness and can just restart where you left off.

My experience was not that so I consulted google to find the science behind that. The actual conclusion of the paper was that for people who had a minimum of 3 months base fitness behind them, could normally return to a running plan where they left off for a break upto two weeks. This was because in a 2 week period there was only a measurable change in cardiovascular fitness - there was no noticeable change in "structural system" namely your legs ability to cope with the pounding.

The key bit here as the minimum of 3 months behind them. That actually does not apply to many C25k'ers as the plan is only 8 weeks. The expectation- but no evidence of this- was for those less than 3 months the fitness reduction would be greater.

That said, it will come back quicker than you think. A week after my isolation ended I am running for 30 minutes again. I have actually have transitioned to grass running that is more demanding on the cardiovascular system than road running. My return looked like:

1x20 min Grass Run on Hills, 1x25 mins Road/Grass Mix, 1x28 min grass. (I did 0 home workouts in isolation).

If you need to repeat anything- it will be less than the first time.

[shuffleido Graduate in reply to Midgeymoo17]

I don't really have any advice about the break from running a I am a novice but I do hope that both you and your son are ok.

[GailXrunning Graduate in reply to Midgeymoo17]

Very interesting 🧐

As a newbie, I’d love to know more about the difference between grass and road. I’m almost entirely on grass (w7).

My self-competitive gremlin is thrilled at the thought I’ve actually been doing the tougher option. 😈 💪 😈

And my hyperchondriac / drama queen gremlin whispers in my ear that this surely explains the onset of those twinges as the ground became softer. 👿 🤕👿

[Buddhagal Graduate in reply to Midgeymoo17]

Take good care of yourselves...I can hear your frustration. Sounds like you've done a good bit of research....am sure you'll be able to pick up quite quickly once you're out of isolation...🙋🙋

[nowster Graduate]

After two weeks break at your current level, I'd suggest redoing week 6.

If you can find things to keep yourself active during your confinement, all the better.

Best of luck!