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?
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Popstess
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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:
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.
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!
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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