A month to be forgotten 🥴 feeling very left b... - Couch to 5K

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A month to be forgotten 🥴 feeling very left behind 🙁 Advice welcome!

CazzaW profile image
CazzaWGraduate
37 Replies

So having been doing so well with my 3 times a week 30 min. Consolidation runs I then got ill 🤒

My last run was 5 weeks ago when we were lucky enough to have had a week away. The run itself, on our second day, was challenging but ok. We were staying in a self catering chalet in the middle of nowhere, very socially distanced! in the mountains, just before the snow started in earnest. It was very hilly with Nordic Skiing tracks all around so I suggested we ran around Lac Superieur... that’s the pic... beautiful 🤩 Surely that’s got to be flatter down there I told hubbie 🤔 It was... but not much 😂 I ran out and back and hubbie carried on round and completed the 7.7km circuit around the lake road. My plan was then to build on that with 2 further runs that week continuing round to 5K then sadly I developed a hideous infection (all stemming from a broken tooth root 🙄) I shan’t bore you with the gruesome details other than to say it’s the most ill I’ve ever been but thankful I just evaded hospital twice! Anyway, am feeling much better the last couple of days (I can even go out for a walk on my own again 👌) I’m now contemplating how I get back out there and get back to where I was 😬 It’ll be a couple of weeks before I’m fully recovered and my jaw (that locked up 😩) will take a few weeks longer (not that I need that to be able to run!) although I have to say it was great for weight loss 🤣

I think I’m going to gradually increase my walking pace, then when I feel up to it just try maybe 10 mins very slow jogging and gradually increase as I feel able. I might even go back to some earlier interval weeks in the C25K plan. It’s just impossible to know how I’ll get on until I try it 🤷‍♀️ I know from all the advice on here that you don’t lose much condition in 2 weeks but I’ve been sat around a lot! Any advice would be gratefully received 😊

I’m very out of touch with everyone altho’ can see several of you over in Bridge to 10k so still hope to join you at some point.

Well done to all of you making such great progress 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ no matter what stage you’re at and I shall have to do a mammoth catch up with everyone’s posts!

Happy running 😊

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CazzaW profile image
CazzaW
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37 Replies
IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

You cannot know what you can manage until you try.As stated in the guide to the plan, healthunlocked.com/couchto5... you lose no significant condition in the first two weeks of non running.

After that loss of condition is gradual.

All any of us can do after a lay off is to go out and see what we can comfortably manage, then build back up gently, using C25k or something similar as a guide to weekly increase.

CazzaW profile image
CazzaWGraduate in reply to IannodaTruffe

Thank you, yup you’re right, I’m not gonna know what I can manage until I try 🤷‍♀️ Really looking forward to getting back out there again!

LottieMW profile image
LottieMWGraduate

Oh no! How awful...tooth pain is the worst, and infections can be gruesome 😖

I think you have the right idea...some good brisk walking for now, then try some jogging...you won’t know until you try. I guess if you do rerun some C25k, you won’t be plagued by 👹 as you *know* you can do it 😉

...and don’t be worried about being ‘left behind’...as you well know, it’s *not* a race...it’s all about what *you* can do ☺️

Take care and happy walking/jogging/running 🥰

CazzaW profile image
CazzaWGraduate in reply to LottieMW

Hi Lottie, long time no chat 😊 delighted to see you’re absolutely smashing it 💪You’re right, I really have no 👺👹 I’ll just do what I can when I can. I might even go back to the beginning, if might be quite interesting to redo it from the beginning.

It’s really quite cold here now and we’ve had several episodes of snow so I’m going to take it very steady anyway, don’t want to slip up on the ice as well 😂

You take care too 🥰

LottieMW profile image
LottieMWGraduate in reply to CazzaW

Oh yes, ice can be so treacherous ❄️

I’m in a Facebook group with someone who has started running again in Toronto. She posted the other day about getting all togged up to go out...then realised that the pavements were still too icy, so had to give it a miss.

It’s very mild here...but wet and miserable, so that’s messing with my plans 🤨

You may have seen that I’m using the dreaded W5R3 for some speed(!) work 😂...who’d have thought it!?!

Stay safe and happy running 🐌🐢🏃🏻‍♀️💙❄️💙

MinnieMoo55 profile image
MinnieMoo55Graduate

Hi ya, was wondering what was going on for you and it sounds as though it wasn’t pleasant at all! To be ill 🤒 in such a beautiful place must’ve just sucked as well 😢

After some posts of CRs I’ve also been very quiet over the last few weeks.

I’ve been out 🏃‍♀️ using the Nike running app but there’s been nothing worth posting about - I’m just about getting in 2 runs a week and struggling with motivation in the dark after work. It’s also meant I’ve kept runs to 25-30 minutes and not tried for more.

As we reach the end of the year I think the endless work days are taking their toll and that feels like enough so nothing to celebrate or really talk about on the forum.

Still, I’m off for Christmas break from Wednesday 16th so hopefully more daylight runs for me 😊 and a good reason not to completely over indulge!! 😂

I’d definitely see how you go right now. It’s so good that you’re posting as it means you’re starting to get your motivation back. Now just take it gently, test yourself and then that will tell you where to go back to on C25k. I’m sure you’ll smash it when you’re ready - you’ve got this 😊😊🏃‍♀️🤗👊🙌👏🏁xx

CazzaW profile image
CazzaWGraduate in reply to MinnieMoo55

Hello running buddy 👋 Yh sadly it spoilt the week but hey ho these things happen. Relieved I haven’t lost the desire to get back out there! Had guessed you’d be working hard, glad you have some time off coming up and can get out in the daylight. As none of our boys or other family are allowed to visit as planned 😞 we’re hoping to go away for a week, just a couple of hours drive north, but Toronto is still in lockdown until 21st so we’re waiting to see what we can do 🤷‍♀️ There’s a slight chance we might be able to ski 🙏 so that’s certainly given me the incentive to get stronger quickly 😂

Will let you know how far I manage when I get out there... won’t know til I try!

Take care of yourself and enjoy your time off 🎄🍷 💁‍♀️💁‍♀️

Oldgirlruns profile image
OldgirlrunsGraduate

That all sounds horrible CazzaW, not the week away obviously!, but the tooth - ugh! I’m glad you’re able to start running again - only you can know where to start. I had to stop at week 6 on C25K for some weeks because of an injury; when I restarted, I went back to week 4 to see how it would work and found it was fine. Pick a week, try it out and go from there! Good luck!

CazzaW profile image
CazzaWGraduate in reply to Oldgirlruns

Thank you 😊 will do!

Frizzbomb67 profile image
Frizzbomb67Graduate

Sorry to hear you’ve been so I’ll. it’s great that you’re feeling well enough again to want to get back out there. Perhaps try running the Run 3 runs on each week of the C25K and see how you go. You should find your level pretty quickly I would think.

CazzaW profile image
CazzaWGraduate in reply to Frizzbomb67

Thank you 😊 let’s hope so 🤞😬

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate

Try to push away those feelings of being left behind. We can all only go along with what is right for our body at that time. So unlucky with the dental infection, but also lucky as they can be truly horrific.

You've got the right plan, just get back out, don't push too hard, just see how a short one goes!

Good luck 🤞🏻😁

CazzaW profile image
CazzaWGraduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo

Thank you 😊 yes it was awful but I was very lucky, sounds as though you may speak from experience! Will pick a short one as you say and until I try I’m not gonna know 🤷‍♀️

RacingintheStreet profile image
RacingintheStreetGraduate

Oh you are so not ‘left behind’ , so lovely to hear from you on the forum again 👌😀What a time you’ve had after what looks like a beautiful week away .

I think like Oldgirlrun says maybe dip into week 4 and see how that goes . Once you get a feel for it you may find you’ll ‘hop skip and jump ‘ over the weeks and catch up .

I’ve certainly got back to it , but was floundering a bit with the CR30 minute runs so the B210K time plan has bucked me up a bit . 60 minutes yes , 10 K no 😂😂😂

I’m not religiously getting out 3 runs in the week but getting out 👌and once I do I am still enjoying it 🙏

You were doing really well in terms of pace and distance so you will get it back , and ,I suspect, quite quickly .

Hope everything continues to heal and you feel better and stronger .

Good news is you’re back 💪💪🏃🏻‍♀️

CazzaW profile image
CazzaWGraduate in reply to RacingintheStreet

Hello Racing 👋 missed seeing your pics 😊 I need to check back to see what I’ve missed!Glad you’re still hard at it and it sounds as though you’re progressing famously 👏

Glad I haven’t lost the desire to get back out there so that’s good. It’s really quite cold here now and we’ve had several episodes of snow so I’m going to take it really steady anyway, last thing I need now is to trip up 😂 I already feel as though I’ve aged 20 years... I certainly looked it 🙄 Hoping the weight I lost stays off.. another reason to get out there again 🏃‍♀️

Hop, skip and jump... here I come 😊

Reggit profile image
ReggitGraduate

I had similar in autumn (not the dental issue!), had nearly a month off for various reasons.

Once able to go out again I ran my 5k route as far as I comfortably manage (about 3k) and slowly brought it back up from there - at this time of yer I’m only managing probably 2 runs a week - it came back surprisingly quickly and I’d guess a month later I was knocking chunks of my time on that route.

Basically give it a run with no expectations and see where you’re up to and bring it back from there.

CazzaW profile image
CazzaWGraduate in reply to Reggit

Thank you 😊 that’s encouraging to hear that you bounced back quite quickly. Yes, I shall start off with no expectations 👍

Jericho2332 profile image
Jericho2332Graduate

Welcome back cazza! That sounds awful! Take your first few steady I'd say and you will be surprised how quickly you will get back up to pace 👍🏻

CazzaW profile image
CazzaWGraduate in reply to Jericho2332

Thank you 😊 I hope so 🤞

What an absolutely breathtaking photo! Sorry to hear that you were so unwell. Your plan of building up sounds good - it’s all about listening to your body. I remember reading somewhere that your fitness comes back quicker each time so I’m sure it won’t be long until you’re - literally - back on your feet!

CazzaW profile image
CazzaWGraduate in reply to

Thank you 😊 yes it was absolutely beautiful. I was sorry not to be able to run there again but there will be other places whilst we’re here 🤞Back on my feet 😉 love that! 🏃‍♀️

Dups profile image
DupsGraduate

So sorry to hear you have had an awful time being unwell. I agree with Oldgirlruns. I remember being injured for six weeks on W8 on C25K. Started back on W3 to get some fitness back. Like you I felt like I was so far behind. 19 weeks to complete.

Just take it slowly and build back up. Before you know it you will be running and posting on a regular basis.

You can do it. Good luck😊🎄⛄️

CazzaW profile image
CazzaWGraduate in reply to Dups

Thank you 😊 I’ll be out there soon hopefully 🤞

Eletheelephant profile image
EletheelephantGraduate

Just take it slow and listen to your body - you'll get it back! I know how it can feel to lose progress to illness - at the beginning of the year I was the fittest and strongest I'd ever been, training for a half marathon regularly running 10Ks, doing weights and playing netball once a week. Then in March, I was the illest I've ever been with a virus - I think covid as I had lots of the symptoms, but back then there was no testing unless you were hosptalised, and thankfully I just managed to stay at home. It was weeks before I could do a short walk again, and with all the time in bed I found my fitness and muscles had degraded significantly and my lungs weren't in the best way. When I felt well enough, I tried to go for a jog and had to stop after a couple of minutes. It was really disheartening but I got back on the horse, and completed the C25K again from scratch. It took longer to get my fitness back than it had the last time I'd tried to do the program, but I suppose I hadn't been training from such a base level then. I am still not back to where I was a year ago but I'm on the right track, playing netball again as restrictions allow and jogging and doing weights classes again. Anyway my advice is to not beat yourself up, give it a go and listen to your body. You might need to go back a few weeks but that doesn't really matter. In 6 months time you'll be back where you were and you won't be able to tell you had this setback.

CazzaW profile image
CazzaWGraduate in reply to Eletheelephant

So sorry to hear about your setback. Sounds awful but glad you’re gradually progressing. I have a friend back home who has long Covid, it’s really rubbish 🥴My problem is nothing as bad as you’ve had so I’m sure once I get my strength back I’ll be fine, but I will take it steadily. Thank you for sharing your experience and good luck with your recovery 😊

Jcksam profile image
Jcksam

Yeah you’re not wrong toothache can be gruesome, I ended in hospital for a week with sepsis once but hey I’m a man, got to be dramatic hey. I think you’ll just need to build up slowly till you’ve got rid of all the bugs but as you’re general wellness improves your fitness will too, just do what you can do and your body will remember what it can do.

Good luck Cazza, have a Happy Christmas and a great New Year.

CazzaW profile image
CazzaWGraduate in reply to Jcksam

😂 whether you’re a man or not, I think you’re allowed to be dramatic about that... it’s what I just narrowly escaped! Thank you, I will go steadily, feeling vastly better this week so might even get out for a little try by the end of the week 🤞

Happy Christmas to you too and a better new year ahead for us all hopefully 😊

Catho78 profile image
Catho78Graduate

Hi CazzaW, I missed you my friend. So sorry to hear you’ve not been well, I truly sympathise, I had an unresolving dental abscess for 4 weeks at the beginning of the first lockdown when no dentists were working, not fun, so sorry you been suffering. Glad you feel well enough to venture out again. You’ll be beating us all in no time, don’t worry about being left behind, we got you my friend, when it comes to learning about running, we’re in it together. I’ll be a new runner after 2 years experience still I think lol. Great support here, were all on a journey 🤦‍♀️ Take care 🤗

CazzaW profile image
CazzaWGraduate in reply to Catho78

Thank you 💁‍♀️ feeling hugely better this week 👌Poor you an abscess and no dentists... hideous 😬

Definitely don’t want to be beating anybody 😂will just be happy to be back out there knowing I’m back ‘with’ you all albeit virtually 😊🤗

Irish-John profile image
Irish-JohnGraduate

A couple of years ago now I dislocated my hip and didn't run for four months.I did the entire programme again from scratch and it actually made me a better runner :)

Second time around, I was very relaxed about it because I had no worries about "succeeding". I learned instead to really listen to my body instead of my gremlins :)

And - no matter how short a one you manage any time you go out the door, a run is a run is a run :)

Very best wishes for a full and comfortable recovery and for many happy miles in your future :)

CazzaW profile image
CazzaWGraduate in reply to Irish-John

Thank you 😊 and top advice which I will heed 👍

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate

My month off running due to the ankle/shin sprains was beneficial to me, just like Irish-John 's sabbatical was. I'm more relaxed and don't push to go out every other day.

Hoping you're feeling right again soon, so you can get back to it.

CazzaW profile image
CazzaWGraduate in reply to nowster

Thank you 😊 I thought about you and your time on the IC, can see that you’re smashing it now 💪 The one good thing is that the 5 weeks not running has totally cured my ankle tendonitis 👌...silver linings and all that 🤷‍♀️

Bambi2020 profile image
Bambi2020Graduate

Keep looking after yourself and you’ll be back upto speed in no time- Your virtual running buddies will still be there waiting for you 🙂🏃‍♀️👍🏻

CazzaW profile image
CazzaWGraduate in reply to Bambi2020

Thank you 😊 feeling hugely better this week, getting stronger, will be out for a little trot soon 🤞

Blondefox profile image
BlondefoxGraduate

Glad to hear you are back on the forum, but sorry about the dental problems- ouch! Don't worry, do what you feel is 'doable'😃. I'm struggling with winter darkness, soI'm just trying to get out once a week. Tried a running machine at the gym for a change- and quite enjoyed it. I think that will be my strategy to keep my winter fitness bubbling at 30mins running. Definitely not going for the 3x a week in the dark and cold. Ugh 😩 Roll on Spring😊

CazzaW profile image
CazzaWGraduate in reply to Blondefox

Thank you 😊 have been wondering how you’re getting on. Hope you’ll be enjoying some time off very soon and can maybe get out in daylight. Well done for using the running machine to keep at it 👌🏃‍♀️

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