Hi all,
I'm ashamed to say I've not run in months!
I'm scared to start again, and worry I might not be able to do what I once did!
I've started doing my 10k steps again, trying to work up the motivation to start all over again...but was hoping to get some advice from anyone who's possibly been in my situation before?
I really am worried, but I understand it's a mental thing!
I just can't believe I've let it get to this stage... 
I would put your kit on and go for a super gentle run or add a few minutes of running during one of your walks. It doesn’t matter how long for. Doing any sort of run will break your streak of not running and it will be much easier to go again. You could even do c25k again if you think the structure would help.
Does it really matter if you can’t match what you did before right now? You’ll be out and running which is better than feeling bad that you aren’t.
You say you’re not motivated, but that can’t be right because you want to run again! Don’t let the gremlins tell you that you shouldn’t or can’t. Try and stop thinking about it and just go and do it. You’ll feel great when you do.
See how it goes. There’s a lovely friendly thread for c25k repeaters if you decided that was the route you wanted to go down. Really good luck to you ❤️
Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your graduation, fellow runner.
This guide to post C25k running may be helpful healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
To get your Graduate Badge leave a message at this month’s Graduation Badge Post, which you can find in the Pinned Posts here healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
To be honest, if you haven't run since March then you would be safer redoing the whole of C25k to rebuild stamina and endurance, but more importantly, your injury resistance.
Many of us have redone the plan successfully and it is far better than pushing on when your body may well not be able to cope.
We consider that if you want to keep improving your running ability then three runs per week is probably optimal for the average recreational runner. If you just want to maintain your general fitness, the two runs per week will probably suffice. Therefore, anything less may well see a decline, but it will be slow and can be overcome by stepping up your frequency.
The NHS exercise recommendations are laid out here nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/e...
Keep running, keep smiling.
You have literally NOTHING to worry about. You should NOT be ashamed either.
All that will have happened is a loss of the fitness (a combination of of cardio-vascular and leg conditioning) - that's all.
And it's easily regained once you get going again.
There have been, are , and will continue to be, thousands like you who stop for whatever reason and then come back to it.
I did C25K in January 2015 ... I've had numerous breaks due to injuries and simply restart (gently!) when I'm ready. It's a very normal process for me.
Just get your shoes on and get out there ... and enjoy Week 1.
You'll be fine. ENJOY.
Hi John
It was nice to read of your encouragement to Tealady.You me mentioned you have had several injuries and restarts. I finished the C25k a few months back. And now have a stress fracture on foot. Can you speak of experience of that injury ? I keep seeing runners and wish i was out and about too. I do miss the running, although i do other sports this running was my own personal goal.
Thank you all for the great advice!! I really appreciate it!!🥰
I'll get back into it, I'll start from Week 1!
I'm a little nervous - but your comments/guide were helpful! I hope to graduate again before the end of the year (have around 12 weeks - so it should be enough time!!)!
You can totally do it again, TeaLady92 , after all you did it once before! 🤗
Also, hats off for reaching out on the forum here! Shame makes you want to hide, so you've already overcome that by writing about it. So, you are showing that you can do something you're nervous about - and it's just the same with starting to spice up your walking with a bit of running (aka week 1).
Get out there and do it.
Ive restarted 3 times now. I also managed the 10k once , before i had an injury NOT caused by running.
My biggest mistake was looking back and comparing myself to what i could do before. Once i got over that i was more comfortable.
I am aiming to start jukus plan next week and complete my 10k without injuring mysrlf.
Get out there and dont think just do
Happy running and enjoy x
you can do it. If you want to run again that’s a big help. I have restarted umpteen times due to fractured ankle ( while walking), fractured toe ( stubbed it on the bed leg!!) , bouts of covid…… and I just go back to C25k to test how did I am and work my way through again. Sometimes I’ve had to start back at week1 and work my way through again. Sometimes if it’s only been a couple of weeks I start in the middle of C25k.
Wanting to run is half the battle. Hope to hear you next run report soon. Good luck fellow runner 🏃♀️ 🤞😁
C25K WK9R3 Final Run - Complete!!!
Run 3 Week 9 C25K COMPLETED!!!!
Week 9 Run 3 c25k. Completed 
First freedom run after C25K completion 
C25K completed, first run alone a disaster..
