Cough, cough, splutter

[mummybowles]

The eagle-eyed among you may have noticed I've not posted on here since Thursday.

That's because I've been laid up with a bad chest. Feels like I'm going to cough up a lung. Completely out of breath just climbing the stairs. I just cannot run like this.

So unfortunately I missed my scheduled W7R3 on Saturday and I'm still not well enough to run today (Monday) either.

I'm worried about losing fitness. If I have a full week off (which I think it'll take to feel right again) will it ruin my progress to date ?

I'll still log on here to watch my fellow runners this week, so do keep posting and it'll motivate me to get back out there.

[Cmoi Graduate]

Sorry you're unwell mummybowles . Taking a week off won't "ruin your progress to date", as this extract from the FAQ explains :

Illness, and other parts of life, can strike any of us at any time and annoyingly, it stops us running. The big question is when to start back and, if you are in the middle of the programme, where to start back. Only you can know. The advice about colds is that if it is above the neck, you can run, below the neck do not. I am a wimp and like to enjoy my running and through experience I have learned that it takes longer to recover enough to manage physical exertion, than it does to get back to everyday routines. Performance and enjoyment may be below par, even when you feel almost fully better. Give yourself a rest and come back fully fit. If you have missed anything up to two weeks of regular running, you are unlikely to have lost much condition, so pick up where you left off and gauge how that run goes. If you miss longer, just drop back a run or week and see how it goes.

[mummybowles Graduate in reply to Cmoi]

Thank you Cmoi. That is reassuring

[moopo]

An idea I used after a break is when ready to go out and run. Whether that be the last run you did just to check or the next run you're due. Only you'll know your fitness. It'll probably feel a bit of a stretch because of your break but it's not like starting from scratch. I've found most of my improvement where there a week or so after my last runs.

I've had a few delays getting through the program. I kicked off in February. I'm ready to try week 9 this week having got 3 week 8 runs last week. That was after just over a week off.

[mummybowles Graduate in reply to moopo]

Thanks for this. Good to know you managed 3 x 28 min runs after a week off. Good luck for week nine

[moopo in reply to mummybowles]

Ta, first w9 in the bag. I hope you can slot back in after your malaise passes.

[Richard7 Graduate]

Hi MB sorry to hear about your being unwell - get well soon again!! I had noticed 😃 but figured it might be the storm effect! I should be out on my run this morning but am feeling a bit sluggish but will be going!I have used C25K for coming back from an IC visit many times sometimes starting around week 3 or 4 to get me going again but that is when I have been off for a good few weeks. A week or two shouldn't make that kind of difference.

I would say when you get out if you are feeling confident go for the latest run or restart the week worse case but physically a week off shouldn't make a difference however the mind games might kick in

Stay strong and I will cheer you on when you get back out.

[mummybowles Graduate in reply to Richard7]

Cheers Richard. I'm wheezing after climbing the stairs at home so daren't risk a run. I'm still at the 25 minute stage, so will do that when my chest eases up. Still hoping to graduate before the year end, but might not now make it for Christmas

[Richard7 Graduate in reply to mummybowles]

Sounds like a trip to the doc!! Good luck on getting better

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

As Richard7 says take a trip to the doctor's for professional advice MB, sorry about your wheezing, it might be a mild doze of covid or something else, there's a lot of flu variants going around at the moment, I hope you'll get back to C25K very soon, but in the meantime take things easy

[StoneDragon Graduate]

Oh no, sorry to read that you're under the weather MB. Wishing you a speedy recovery, but your health comes first. Don't rush back until you're ready. There is nothing worse than (trying to) run with a blocked nose and a chesty cough! 🤧

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

🍏 So sorry to hear this! Sending get well wishes. Lots of good advice already given. Listen to your body & rest! The runs will wait! Drink lots of fluid & know that you won’t lose any fitness for 2 weeks. Start back slowly on any week you feel comfortable with or even go for a 15 min run and see how it feels. Take care now xx

[Baggieboy61]

Sorry to hear your poorly MB. I recently had a week off with a dodgy knee. The time off did me good. I felt fresher and stronger afterwards. Made no difference at all. If your well you excel. If you’re ill then chill.

[Gentlydoesnt]

sorry to read that your poorly , I’ve looked forward to your posts and wish your all the best in getting back to when you feel ready to run again. Take care and rest up to come back and blow this apart again !

[Earlymorningsun Graduate]

🙏 I know how you feel - am in the same boat but you sound far worse, you poor thing! Sending big hug and ❤️, just take it easy and let the body get better before running again. It’s so frustrating though, isn’t it. Lots of good advice amongst all these lovely replies, we’re all with you!!

[Redbuz]

Aaggh what bad luck MB. Better to recover your health than rush to complete the programme. Best wishes for a speedy recovery and return to the road

[drl212 Graduate]

Oh no! This has been a rough season for colds and flu bugs.

Its up to you, but I would try Week 7 Run 3. If you find it difficult you can always go back a week, but you'll be surprised at how much the body remembers.

You are doing really well...