post covid

[Allotmentrunner]

really struggling to get back to C25K after COVID. I know lots of you have been there, any advice please 🙏

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

🍏🤗 You WILL get there even if it feels rough right now. It took me ages. My GP said listen to your body & go back to walk/run until you feel ready. She was right but it took a couple of weeks before I stopped feeling breathless! Xx

[Allotmentrunner Graduate Graduate in reply to Annieapple]

Thank you, will be patient!

[drl212 Graduate]

I agree in that you'll have to be patient and listen to your body as AA says. If it's been some time since your infection, you might want to check back in with your healthcare provider to make sure that there is nothing else going on.

All the best and keep us posted.

[Allotmentrunner Graduate Graduate in reply to drl212]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. It’s early days so have to learn to pace myself x

[Trailslogg Graduate]

I feel your pain - I just had Covid two weeks ago and although my symptoms were mild and I'm no longer feeling sick since at least 10 days, I still get out-of-breath so easily! On Sunday I walked (slowly) up the hill that's part of my standard running route and ended up coughing for the rest of the day. But Monday I felt fine again, and today I actually went for a slow run - though not a 'full' run: I went back all the way to Week 2 because I'm scared of overdoing it and hampering my complete recovery. But it was brilliant, my legs remembered what to do and everything else felt fine too. So I'm not sure I have advice for you, apart from taking it slowly - but I'm hoping that gradually (and, let's face it, probably with ups and down along the way) we'll both be able to get back to our regular routine!

[Allotmentrunner Graduate Graduate in reply to Trailslogg]

Yes like you I went back to week 2. Why was I so surprised it was so much slower than the last time I did week 2! It’s been hard work but good we’re both getting out there again. Wishing you continued progress.

[Allotmentrunner Graduate Graduate]

I’m not strong on patience, but think no choice at the mo!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator On a break Graduate]

I was marathon training earlier this year until covid totally knocked me off course. It really affected my breathing and I felt like I couldn’t catch my breath, even on slow runs. I was running about twenty or thirty miles a week, then suddenly I was doing well if I’d run three. It’s so demoralising. Try and hold on the fact that you will be back where you want to be-it’ll just take time: I’ve probably taken a full three months to get back to something like what I was before and I’m still building my distance again. It’s one of those things that seems to happen to all of us at some point-we’re flying and then we’re on our face. You’re in good company here so any time you just want a moan about how unfair it is, you’ll find many sympathetic ears.

What helped me most?  Oldfloss ’s three As-acknowledge, accept and adapt.

Acknowledge that you’ve been unwell and that’s had an impact on your training.

Accept that things will take longer and you might be running in a way that wouldn’t be your first choice for a while

Adapt plans and timeframes for achieving goals.

I did a lot of just walking before trying to run. Then, run/walk worked brilliantly for me building up again. I did four minutes run, one minute walk instead of continuous runs for a long time. That suited me perfectly and I just needed to put aside my ego about running for less time and taking “breaks”!

Pacing so that on days where I felt good, I didn’t overdo it and pay for it the next few days.

Keeping my goals the same but changing when I’m going to aim to meet them. This one comes from Coach Bennett’s running towards your goals guided run on Nike Run Club app. The goal is still the goal, the timescale is just different.

Switching some of my strength work for less intense yoga.

Prioritising going to bed at a sensible time so I was getting decent rest.

Wishing you all the best with your recovery ❤️‍🩹

[Allotmentrunner Graduate Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Wouldn’t wish it on anyone, but good to know I’m not alone. Thanks for taking the time 🙏