I'm back post-op and going to do it again!

[Vogueskater]

So I did couch to 5k with support on here from Sept '20 to Jan '21. Was lifechanging for me and I was still enjoying running 5-6k twice a week and got sub 40 mins for the first time. Then was diagnosed with fibroids and had a total abdominal hysterectomy on 24th May.

Just had my 6 week sign off to start running again from the consultant. On various forums for post pelvic surgery running advice and it's frustrating there is no really good data on the safety of running especially regarding prolapse long term after this surgery. But there are many stories of women doing well- and I'm not aiming to ever do any more than 10k's or competitive racing.

So I am building up to brisk walking 5k first then will start couch to 5k from scratch again. Expecting to find it different this time- I still have the muscle memory how to run now and the cardio fitness level- which I didn't have the first time around, but expecting to tire much more easily generally.

Anyone else here been through similar?

[Instructor57 Graduate]

Welcome back and it's good to hear you have the green light from your consultant!Also a good idea to start with walking as you suggest !

Good luck with your recovery 👍

[nowster Graduate]

It sounds like you have a good plan.

If you want to try something a little easier even than Week 1 of C25K, try doing a light jog for 20 seconds out of every minute and walking the rest. Do that for about 15 or 20 minutes.

All you need for that is a watch with a second hand (or even a brand new one).

[Post-Op-Jogger Graduate]

Hi. Well done getting back to exercise after surgery! I had a kidney transplant in April and wanted to build up my strength after week 6 (with medical approval). I walked (1h 30 mins, gentle hills) for 2 weeks then started C25K at week 8 of recovery. I'm now at wk5 of C25K and it's going well. Found the walking very tiring and the first week of C25K exhausted me but then muscle memory kicked in - I had done similar running programs in the past. I found early mornings easier than evenings so I think it's possibly too much after a full day of normal day to day activity when you're in recovery but easy in the mornings after a good night's sleep. Good luck!