Start at the very beginning : So, here I am... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Start at the very beginning

sTrongFuse profile image
sTrongFuseGraduate
26 Replies

So, here I am again; week 1, run 1. The struggle back to health and fitness having spent 2023, so far, floored from the effects of Long Covid has begun.

It's an odd feeling. On the one hand, I know what to expect, on the other, it's a bit of a leap into the unknown.

There will almost certainly be ups and downs along the way, but the journey has begun. Wish me luck...

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sTrongFuse profile image
sTrongFuse
Graduate
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26 Replies
Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

No luck needed...you are here... we are here..and the runs are waiting.All you need to do is run, slow and steady.

Listen to your body... do what it tells you and keep posting.

We are running with you and will be there when you cross that re Graduation Finish line!

Huge well done to you.

Welcome back x

sTrongFuse profile image
sTrongFuseGraduate in reply toOldfloss

It's a bit strange to be back at this point, but at least this time I have you all here from the start. Didn't find this group until W5 first time around.

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate

I do wish you luck sTrongFuse, not heard from you for a while, sorry about the Long Covid, wasn't it you who ran your first parkrun the very same day in 2019 as I ran mine? or am I thinking of somebody else?!, anyway, good luck for your running journey with C25K.

sTrongFuse profile image
sTrongFuseGraduate in reply toAlMorr

Thanks Al. From memory, we did run our first Parkrun at about the same time (I think you were actually a week before me, but my memory is one of the things that long covid has affected). But thanks again for the support, it will be just as welcome this time around.

Granspeed profile image
GranspeedGraduate

Wahoo! Back on the trail. Do OldFloss’ famous slow-and-steady and remember, I’ll always be slower! 🐌

sTrongFuse profile image
sTrongFuseGraduate in reply toGranspeed

Thanks to covid, I'm finding hitherto undiscovered levels of slowness, but I'll get there.

RJN12 profile image
RJN12Graduate

Yay! Like you, I have had to start from the beginning after years of ill health. On week 4 now. It is surprisingly tough, but I find it easier mentally knowing that I have done it before, and that I love running, so have something to look forward to once I graduate.

sTrongFuse profile image
sTrongFuseGraduate in reply toRJN12

I ran my 25th HM back in November, three days before coming down with covid. Typically I was running 10-15k, 4 times a week at that time. No idea if/when I will get back to that, but I've taken the first step on the journey and, this time, I know in advance that I can do it...

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate

Wishing you lots of luck, and strong legs, welcome back

sTrongFuse profile image
sTrongFuseGraduate in reply toSueAppleRun

Thank you

JoP61 profile image
JoP61Graduate

Best of luck. Many of us have done the programme more than once due to coming back from injury or illness. Keep us posted - we're rooting for you. 👍

sTrongFuse profile image
sTrongFuseGraduate in reply toJoP61

Thanks. I will almost certainly be posting regular updates...

MatthewR profile image
MatthewRGraduate

Such good luck to you! Well done you. Take it easy through those ups and downs 🙂👏👏

sTrongFuse profile image
sTrongFuseGraduate in reply toMatthewR

It's all I can do. Recovery has definitely not been a linear path to date

Alkanet profile image
Alkanet

Good luck! I feel encouraged to read your post. I graduated in May and enjoying my runs. I got covid in August and am still recovering from its effects. Hoping to start walking more and eventually start again on couch to 5k. It’s good to read a post from someone with a similar experience. Enjoy your runs!

sTrongFuse profile image
sTrongFuseGraduate in reply toAlkanet

It's tough. Before I caught covid in November, I was running 4× weekly, typically covering 10-15k. I managed a few runs at the start of the year before the chronic fatigue hit me. I've had to build up my walking again, and irs taken me six months to get to this point where I feel able to start C25K again.

Good luck in your recovery.

hamit profile image
hamitGraduate

Rock on!...slowly , Good luck😁

sTrongFuse profile image
sTrongFuseGraduate in reply tohamit

Thank you 🙏

Olliebear125 profile image
Olliebear125

Good luck,slow and steady you can do it..👏🤞

sTrongFuse profile image
sTrongFuseGraduate in reply toOlliebear125

Thank you 🙏

Frenc profile image
FrencGraduate

Well done there sTrongFuse I’ve also had LC and it’s awful, words can’t describe it. I wish you well and just remember to take it easy if you need to! 😊😊😊

sTrongFuse profile image
sTrongFuseGraduate in reply toFrenc

Having spent most of the last 6+ months not just sitting on the couch, but mostly lying on it, I'm in no hurry. I don't want to overtax myself and set my recovery back. I'd love to finish the plan by the end of the year (in theory I should finish before Christmas), but I'm just letting myself be guided by how I feel from day to day.

Frenc profile image
FrencGraduate in reply tosTrongFuse

I hear you, pretty much the same here! I started C25K again a few weeks ago and so far have have done 6 x week 1 runs. The first few times it felt like someone had hit my lower legs with a cricket bat and my HR wasn’t happy, but slowly improving. Long covid is a horrible, horrible thing, but hopefully we’ll come out the other side. Christmas sounds like a good plan.

Basil73 profile image
Basil73

Good luck. We are all behind you.

sTrongFuse profile image
sTrongFuseGraduate in reply toBasil73

Thank you 🙏

Sheila52 profile image
Sheila52

Good luck! I’m on W1 R1 for the 3rd time 😂 I can’t seem to get past week 1. I think I’m scared of attempting W2 in case I can’t make it.

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