Worried ill lose my running skills 🏃‍♀️

[59andrun]

Morning everyone I hope you are all well and enjoying running in the rain. I actually love running in the rain if I'm honest 😊 although nice warm rain would be my preference. So since graduating a few weeks ago I have continued to run 3 times a week. So my last run on Friday felt a bit hard, I felt tired, but we all have those runs I know. Anyway Friday night started with tummy bug. I'm all ok now but feel a bit washed out so decided to give Monday run a miss. I don't know why but I have this little panick because I have missed today's run I won't be able to do it Wednesday, is this just me or does anyone else feel like that when they miss a run?

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

Welcome to the world of gremlins! We all feel like this. I often start runs convinced I’m not going to finish them. I almost always do and when I don’t, it’s because I’ve made a sensible m decision to cut short. Getting out there with the attitude that you’ll just give it a go and run for a short time, then carry on if it feels ok it what works best for me. It’s a really wise decision not to run if you’re feeling sub par. It’s ok to postpone Wednesday if you’re still not recovered. All those runs you’ve done before won’t suddenly fall out of your legs after a few days!

[59andrun Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thank you, I am really glad it is not just me. Yes I think that is the fear that all those runs will fall out of my legs😂. Thank you so much for the reply and support. Really appreciated 😊

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

You won't lose fitness from missing a few days and need to rest and get better before you run again, when you do go back out just run, no expectations, no time or pace goals and see how you feel. Get better soon

[Beachcomber66 Graduate]

All of the above, and take it extra steady on your comeback run….you don’t really need to, but it might make you feel more confident. You are doing brilliantly 👏👏👏

[59andrun Graduate]

Thank you all so much for the support. Yes I will just go out run and see where it takes me, no expectations 😊.

[RiceAndPeas]

I often find catching a bug plays havoc with my mind and makes me worry about things. I picked a nasty cold bug before week 5 and was convinced I'd never run again, what was the point if it was going to make me ill? etc etc. A few days on bed later and a week off and I actually felt much stronger than before I was ill. Don't worry about losing fitness, I am sure you will come back stronger too.

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

Hi 59andrun …nope, you’re def not alone with this feeling…my running, since starting my own business, has taken a back seat at times & I always feel guilty when I miss a run day…don’t worry though, you won’t lose any fitness just skipping a day here and there…and I am with you all the way about running in the rain…it’s my favourite

[BlackCountryLee Graduate]

I think we are all the same with the self imposed guilt when you lose a day or two of running, but most training plans include a rest week here or there. It gives your muscles and tendons the chance to absorb the training you’ve done so far and repair and from what I’ve read you come back even stronger. I’ve also read you can take up to three weeks out and still only lose the tiniest amount of accumulated fitness. So don’t worry too much. Hope the bug clears soon for you 😊

[Reggit Graduate]

Don’t worry too much about it. They reckon you won’t lose much if any fitness for a couple of weeks and then it slowly declines.

That said, if I have 3 days off in a row it feels really hard the next run but fine after that - it’s probably a head gremlin to be fair.

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After a gap, I find that what I've lost is incentive rather than fitness, so I tend to just get out without setting any expectations on run length etc and then I find myself pleasantly surprised that I am still fit and enjoying the runs.