Long covid fatigue and fitness

[WeeMeeG]

I had covid last year and the fatigue it brought on was debilitating. Only now am I feeling ready to get on top of my fitness. But, every joint seems to hurt now, looking to eat better too, anyone experience this and have any tips?

Thanks

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

This article about recovery from Covid may be helpful. yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/yo...

Take your time. Build back strength and stamina slowly. C25K is perfect but if you need extra rest days or repeats, then fine. You may need to start just walking before you run

Good diet and hydration are also significant factors in recovery.

Be kind to yourself.

[WeeMeeG Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you. Diet does play a major factor (big learning curve here) I don't think my hydration is as good as it should or could be. That's changing though and little and often is better for me.Thanks again 🙂

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to WeeMeeG]

Have a browse through the FAQ Posts healthunlocked.com/couchto5... which have basic advice on a whole rang of running related topics, including hydration, which is crucial for runners.

[WeeMeeG Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Hey, that's me completed wk 3 run 3, can't believe I got this far.. Thanks for the sign posting and advice 😊

[Hidden]

Good luck with that return to running WeeMeeG ,

runnersworld.com/news/a3862...

[WeeMeeG Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, much appreciated 😊

[Hidden in reply to WeeMeeG]

Welcome a fixed runner is a happy runner 👍🌟if you can learn to love fruit (maybe you do already), myself I go with seasons and definitely always bananas after a run👍

As for water I'm definitely still improving, and opt for the little and often throughout the day

[Itsamiracle Graduate]

I had covid in November and am still struggling with lung capacity and fatigue. Your post has given me hope I can hopefully get back to running again soon. Good luck with your recovery.

[WeeMeeG Graduate in reply to Itsamiracle]

It took me a few months of gentle stretching and exercise. Qijong and tai chi helped with the energy along with Vit D supplements, magnesium oil body oil and fruit smoothies. Looking after your mental health is essential. I practice mindfulness and now teach. It was to help ground me when my mind and body felt overwhelmed. One day at a time x

[Fionamags Graduate]

Good luck and I hope the running will help to restore your energy levels. Keep posting too!!

[WeeMeeG Graduate in reply to Fionamags]

Thank you. Struggling with all the aches and pains but not letting it put me off. Adapting as I go 🙂

[Over60sRunner Graduate]

I graduated at the end of August 2021, nowhere near running 5k but running 30 minutes consistently, and was starting my consolidation journey when I came down with COVID followed by the "super flu" that was doing the rounds then in October 2021 😒 I had 5 weeks off work (and running), started to run again for a couple of weeks at the end of November, and then got hit between the eyes with the ghastly fatigue again with my last run being on 10th December🙄

Whether I went back too quickly or started back too fast I don't know, but I had to take another couple of weeks off as I just couldn't find my running mojo at all. I finally went back on 29th December and am on my fourth run - not fast and not far (averaging 3k and I was up to 5k), but I seem to to be holding my own so far. I'm hoping that I won't crash and burn again, but accepting that this might be the case and there's a long haul recovery on the cards. I am just so grateful for whatever my body will allow me to do at the moment. I'm back at work after a fortnight break for the festive season and I know this is going to affect me adversely.

The only humble advice I can offer is to take your time, be kind to yourself, keep your expectations low, and be realistic. Do whatever you can manage on a day-to-day basis and hopefully your will be back on it sooner rather than later - that is my wish for myself and I offer the same wish to you 🙏

[WeeMeeG Graduate in reply to Over60sRunner]

Thank you. I hope you are doing ok. I completed my first day of c25k on Tuesday, went a long walk yesterday and will do a short burst later today, finished with some gentle restorative yoga. Rest days to follow.I am enjoying the exercise without thinking too far ahead, loving just being able to participate in some form of movement with the brain fog and debilitating fatigue.

You have been through a lot, physically, physiologically and with the added mental and emotional upset. As you say, day to day basis is the best way to go. X

[WeeMeeG Graduate in reply to Over60sRunner]

Hope you are doing ok x

[WeeMeeG Graduate]

Hey everyoneJust completed my first week. (again) tired but grateful for my body completing it. Also grateful for this platform. I do know I am a little fitter than I was last week, and probably half of last year thanks to Covid. I know I am out of shape and put on a few llbs but, I am not focusing on that anymore, the goal has changed.

Thanks again everyone ❤️🙏