Newbie - Should have wrapped up warm! Any tips? 😊

[N3vrGiv3up]

Hi all. I am new here so I thought I would say hi 👋. I started the C25K programme (again!) in Sept 23 and everything was going really well until I picked up a flu bug. I had to stop for a few weeks and I started the programme up again, only to the catch COVID 😭. I tried to start again after Christmas but I then developed Bronchitis!😢😢. I don’t know if I brought it upon myself by running in shorts, a t-shirt and a flimsy running jacket in use cold conditions but I probably did. I just know that I got really hot when running so I thought I would be cold at the start of the runs and then be hot enough to withstand the cold weather. I have just been out for a run for the first time in 4-6 weeks and it was really hard. I jumped back into Week 6 Run 1 and boy was it hard. I am thinking about going back to Week 1 run 1 and starting the whole programme again but this time making sure I wrap up warm for my runs. Does any have any thoughts on this? Any replies would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks.

[RunforMum Graduate]

I tend to go for layers and absorbant fabrics. I too went back and repeated earlier runs - if I'd gone more than a fortnight I had to go back because I needed to rebuild my fitness. Good luck!

[N3vrGiv3up in reply to RunforMum]

Thank you.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Layers, layers and layers...cap or hat... buff... gloves... you can peel them off if hot, but they need to be on to do that !

Your lack of clothing won't have given you, the flu, Covid or Bronchitis... but it will not have helped either... better to start , togged for the weather and then, take off

Repeat again, would be my feeling... it is familiar and fun... slow and steady and enjoy! Many of us have done this... including me !

[N3vrGiv3up in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you. I think I will go back to the start. So frustrating but I guess you are right. Better to build back up from scratch and not try to push it too hard. But, as you say, it is familiar and fun. Thanks again.

[GoogleMe Graduate]

It might be a bit more subtle than 'wrapping up warm' - Oldfloss says it implicitly in her list of what you can be wearing to peel off as you get warm - it's more a case of extremities (if you can call your neck an extremity too!)

I wear the same in just about all weathers - leggings and long sleeved t shirt. Short sleeved t shirt in very warm weather (alone) and very cold (below about minus 5) on top. Gloves and buffs are invaluable. I've found that unless the weather really is warm, I am better off keeping my calves covered (I've never yet had an injury but uncovered calves>twinges) I don't find synthetics very agreeable to wear next to my skin on the whole, never seem to feel quite the right temperature, so apart from a few pairs of leggings, I am usually in cotton. And I have never not regretted wearing a jacket!

Those very earliest weeks when most of the session is walking can be a bit trickier, but perhaps you've picked a good time as the weather warms up. Repeated infections can have a neurologically depressing effect so I would say do whatever gives you confidence.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to GoogleMe]

A great reply....

I feel heartened to know, that I am in excellent company, with my long sleeved T shirt and long leggings... like you it has to be very warm for short sleeves, or capri leggings, ( I do have some really funky ones), and even then I tend to wear a long sleeve shirt with sun protection! A light jacket too is part of my gear

Because I am slight in build too, I feel the cold a tad more...and I would rather in the colder months know that I am going to stay warm.

[GoogleMe Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

No jacket for me. I find that I am not always good at recognising that the reason I am finding a run tough going or feeling terribly ill is because I am too hot. I sometimes set out thinking "Oo, perhaps I should have...." and then remember, it has never ever ended well for me.

However I do almost always have my backpack on so perhaps that's been keeping my back warm!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to GoogleMe]

I use a lightweight back pack to stuff discarded layers in .. or to carry croissants in on my way from the bakery !!!🤣🏃‍♀️

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Love a bakery run 😂😂

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate]

I’m with the others layer up! Long sleeves and leggings mostly has to be tropical to break out the shorts and vest, as I type I’m planning on a run morning but it’s wet wet wet so the little jacket will be on too. Happy running!