Returning to running

[idontgotoparties]

I’m not really sure what to do when returning to couch to 5k as i’ve had a couple of months off running but my overall fitness levels haven’t dropped at all. When I stopped running initially I was only on week 3 and I think I would be able to run for 90 seconds so I’m tempted to just jump back in at week 3, but I don’t know if this could cause injury and if i’d be better just going right back to the beginning. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Better to start again at week 1 idontgotoparties, well done on getting back to C25K, remember to take all the runs slowly, you can repeat any runs or week's if you wish to, drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, no running on consecutive days as that could cause a injury, I just hope this time you will complete the course and not stop at week 3, good luck, if you wish, you can report your progress on this forum.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

Was it a break because life got busy it because of injury? Plenty of people restart at week 3 after a break with no issues-listen to your body and see how you go. You can always drop back if you need to. It’s totally up to you!

Good luck! Can’t wait to hear how you get on!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Welcome back Your choice You could jump in... or you could as many of us have, begin again... and if all feels well... on you go

Sometimes and  Irishprincess jogette can give you a good idea if how your running body feels. You just head out and listen to your body, your breathing and the way you are landing. Your body really is your best guide.

Do, please, as  MissUnderstanding says, let us know how you go on

[Folkylass Administrator Graduate]

Try restarting at week 3 see how you feel during it and after , if you feel you can continue then there’s no need to start again , but if it feels harder than you thought which I doubt as you say your fitness level hasn’t suffered, then start a fresh. Lots of us have revisited C25K myself included. For me I think I got to W5 and realised that I really had progressed from when I first started this program. Only you know your body and like Oldfloss has already mentioned your body is your best guide.

Good luck and let us know how you get on 🙋‍♀️

[JeremiahObadiah Graduate]

Or you could do one run from Week1, the next from week2 and you’ll be back at week 3 by the end of that week all things going well. Don’t forget to run slowly.

Look forward to hearing how you progress and if you do go back to week1 altogether, well it never hurts to be thorough.

The C25k programme is a minimum of 9 weeks and it can be wise to pace yourself gently and spread it out a bit further if needed.

[Podcastlover Graduate]

I had similar where I had a few weeks off due to injury, but my fitness hasn't dropped. I had made it to week 8, but decided to go back to the beginning to build up the strength in my foot. Rather than do each run 3 times I've just done it once and moved on to the following week with a rest day in between. Just taking it steady to avoid injury and will repeat a run if necessary.

[drl212 Graduate]

I think it is your decision to make. If you think you can jump back in at Week 3, give it a try. If not successful, back up to Week 2 or Week 1.

I've been off of running for almost two weeks now due to a really bad sinus infection/head cold. Been feeling pretty miserable. I was in the middle of training for a 10K.

I think my first run on my return will just be to guage how I'm feeling and then I can make a decision as to where I think I'd like to return to.

With C25K, stick with a programme run and let it be your guage.

Best of luck and do keep us posted.