Where to begin again

[wendymirage]

Due to life and work opening up again after the Pandemic - I haven’t been able to / or haven’t been able to get myself motivated to run for about 3 months!

I really want to start again - Do I go back to the beginning of Couch 2 5K or where would be the best place to start from again?

I still feel I have a level of fitness but I know my form is not as toned as it was….I also want to get back out for my mental health as I felt so much better and more motivated when I exercising regularly…..I just don’t want to overdo it and have to stop before I’ve started.

Any advice would be grateful received…thank you so so much.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Sorry that you have been unable to run for 3 months, I would advise you to start again at week 1, however, as you have already graduated from C25K you could run only 1 run of each week once, for example run 1 of week 1 on a Sunday, run 1 of week 2 on a Tuesday and so on rather than repeat the whole program again, that is up to you, good luck.

[wendymirage Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you - that’s great advice! I’m going to start again tomorrow morning. I appreciate you coming back to me so quickly x👍😊

[mrrun Graduate]

Start from top, why not? When I graduated I immediately repeated the entire program and did the same with 10k afterwards. This is about health and fun, no pressure or competition. You call the shots and can do whatever you fancy. Priceless.

[sparky66 Graduate]

First step... again as you already know..is getting out the door 🏃‍♀️Kit on.. back in the game and just see how you get on.. don't over think it.. 😊

Looking forward to seeing how you get on 😁

Good luck 😃

[Teejay113 Graduate]

Try to get out as much as you can I found the beach is a good place to run.

And the fresh air is so good for your mental health.

Best of luck. Peace

[nowster Graduate]

When I restarted from an ankle injury, I had to start with less activity than even W1R1!

But after working up the activity gradually over six runs, I picked up C25K with two Week 4 runs, then started following the programme properly at W5R2.

As AlMorr also suggested, I'd do one run out of each of weeks 1-4, then pick up the programme proper at the start of Week 5.

[Crolla]

I had a ten week lay off when I broke my toes in 2019. I'd been running for about 18months and although I wanted to get back out again, the thought of starting from the beginning was a bit disheartening. What I did was try shorter distances and less time, so instead of the just over six laps round the park (which for me is 5k) I started with three, then built up from there. It possibly wasn't the best way to get back into it and there came a point where I was stuck and couldn't seem to get past a certain running time until I remembered that the programme is about running for 30 minutes, so it made sense to at least be outside for 30 minutes, even if I was walking for 10 at the end. If I were injured like that again, then I might take the advice you've been given and do one run from each week then follow from week five.

[RamblingMe Graduate]

I agree with the others, just start again and enjoy the process. I did the same as you, had a break and lost form so I went back to the beginning and am really enjoying it. You know you can do it this time, so just enjoy it!

[wendymirage Graduate in reply to RamblingMe]

Ah thank you....yes, that's what it's about really isn't it...the enjoyment...I am going to try and go out this afternoon and see how I get on! Thank you so much for replying x

[drun]

Many people had to restart the programme many times for one reason or another. Things happen you did it once you can do it again.

You might find it useful to read this post for new and returning runners.

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Enjoy your journey.