Back again after 2 pregnancies and turning 40 😱

[Popstess]

Hi 👋

I completed c25k in 2021 with the help and accountability of this group. I was running regular 5ks throughout 2021 and into 2022 when I became pregnant I kept the running up until I was around 5 months when I got sciatica.

I returned to c25k early 2023 but only got to week 3 before giving up, lack of time and the friends I was running with kept cancelling. I then fell pregnant in 2024 and had another baby end of last year who is now 3 months.

So I'm back and wanting to try again to complete c25k this time whilst juggling a toddler and baby oh and I also turned 40 last year so I'm a few years older and feeling very unfit.

I found this forum really helpful in 2021 when I was doing it so hoping it will help motivate me and stay accountable again,

any tips for returning after a long break and lots of changes?

[Yesletsgo Administrator]

Congratulations on your babies!

As it's so long since I had a baby I can't offer anything specific, other than to make sure that you're recovered from the birth (especially if you had a c-section) and if in doubt ask your doctor/health visitor or similare.

Here is some great general advice from our pinned posts:

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Looking forward to hearing about your progress

[Popstess Graduate in reply to Yesletsgo]

Thank you I did have a c section with them both but I'm fully recovered and good to go with exercise.

Thank you I will check those links out.

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate]

I’m a Nanna now but I would say be kind to yourself, take it easy run for the joy or the 30 mins peace xx

[Popstess Graduate in reply to Wavy-chick28]

Thank you I will try to take it easy and be kind to myself. That's a good way of looking at it!

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Wow nice!2 babies and now returning to running, just take it steady, there's no rush but if you can get out ,3 times a week you'll soon notice a difference in how you feel once again.

[Popstess Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you so much, I don't know if I'll manage 3 times a week every week as my husband has to travel for work sometimes too but if it takes me a bit longer to complete it that's fine.

I have a double buggy that's a running buggy so once my youngest is 6 month old I can run with them in that 😬 not sure how doable that will be but it's an option!

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to Popstess]

Just run when you can then, and if you can take the little ones out for a walk in the double buggy it would be good.It took me longer to complete And I ended up being able to cover 10 miles so there is no rush 😁.

The most important thing is to enjoy your running adventures, you've done it before so your brain knows you can do it again.

[Popstess Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

You're so right, I'm definitely not going to rush it and I'm hoping to enjoy it.

[CBDB Ambassador]

I don’t have any advice on how to run with buggies, but just sending you lots of joy and fun on this old and new running journey.

If you have a park run near you, I believe there are always some buggy runners and walkers and you might find some likeminded mums!

Happy running!

[Popstess Graduate in reply to CBDB]

I do have a local park run, I never did it last time although I ran the route plenty of times. I might give it a go this time

[CBDB Ambassador in reply to Popstess]

Yey!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Welcome back and from me... it really is the same old advice... slow and steady! There are lots of supportive ideas for running and juggling!

A running buggy can be great...bit getting support to maybe take on the small toddler whilst running could be useful?

Exercises for Mums and family too, to get you to feeling a tad stronger... I will try and find some links we put on the strength and Flex Forum...x

Well done you on this return!

[Popstess Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you! Yes sounds like a good plan,

[Mbubbles Graduate]

Hi there. I too, have completed it before and stopped for health reasons. But I’ve just completed it again after a two year break, and I’m 55. (Oh, to be 40 again!)

My advice is to be kind to yourself. Being a mum of baby and toddler is incredibly demanding, and even more so in your 40s, so if it takes a bit longer than nine weeks, that doesn’t matter.

Hopefully your partner is supportive and able to take over childcare duties while you run. It’s good to have some time for yourself too.

I’m sure you will manage and wish you the best of luck x

[Dippyeggs in reply to Mbubbles]

Hi I'm same age as you and just returned again after completing the c25k during lockdown in 2020 and then giving up because of an injury.

[Mbubbles Graduate in reply to Dippyeggs]

Well done for coming back. Hope it goes well 🤞

[Dippyeggs in reply to Mbubbles]

Thanks! I've just done 1 run so far but it was ok 😊

[Popstess Graduate in reply to Mbubbles]

Thank you and well done for completing it again! How has it felt this time around? You are so right I am just going to take my time and run when I can and it takes as long as it takes to get there. I've got a few friends who I've ran with in the last I'm hoping I can rope into coming on some runs I really am more of a social runner and like a natter whilst I run, I find when I run alone my pace increases and I have a negative voice in my head telling me how fat I am, how slow I am, how stupid I must look, how red my face is etc etc it's a real bully. I listen to music or a podcast to try and drown it out but prefer company.

[Mbubbles Graduate in reply to Popstess]

I always run alone and listen to music. I worry about slowing other people down and in the winter I run indoors, as the cold air triggers my asthma.

It was going really well this time around and I was finding it easier and going faster than before until I became ill around Christmas. So, to be honest, it’s been a bit of a slog since then and I’ve just had to slow down.

[Popstess Graduate in reply to Mbubbles]

You've done well to get back to it after illness, illness always scuppers me!

[Dippyeggs]

Hey Popstess, when you said you needed your hub to watch the little ones while you run, I didn't realise your youngest was practically newborn! Kudos to you for wanting to get back to fitness so quickly! 🙆‍♀️ Best of luck and let me know how it goes!. I'm hoping to do wk1 r2 tomorrow.

[Popstess Graduate]

thank you! I will let you know however at the moment the weather is atrocious where I live and forecast to be 100% rain all day Sunday so I'm not sure id I'll get out or not. I'm hoping to. Good luck with run number 2 tomorrow you've got this

[Newbie_Megan Graduate]

Hey 👋 I just wanted to say if you feel ready do it! I’ve just completed c25k for the third time after having my third baby 7 months ago and I’m 36. I also had a section but waited a little longer about 16 weeks til I felt ready to start again! What helped me was not necessarily finding time for three runs a week and stretching out the programme but using days in between for long walks with the pram!

Last week I did my longest run to date (45 minutes and just under 7k), but I still used the 30 minutes one for the first part of the run too! I’ve signed up for local 10k in April which is also keeping me motivated to stick with it even if I can’t do runs 3 times a week.

I’d say take it easy, listen to your body and don’t be afraid to repeat runs good luck and congrats on the baby.

[Popstess Graduate in reply to Newbie_Megan]

Aw thank you, well done completing it! That's a really good idea I think I will do the same as I don't think I'll always fit the 3 runs in every week but I can definitely do some long pram walks between. I've already been doing 5k walks on the run up to prepare for starting the c25k