Fell off the wagon!! :(

[epld]

I was going pretty good until the end of Week 4, and then caught a nasty cold and was out of circulation for 2 weeks! Then postponed getting back to running for another week and finally started again and I must say, it is DIFFICULT!! Went back to Week 3 and still finding it difficult to cope Will I ever graduate?!

[Rollertoaster Graduate]

Hello! Long time no see Sorry you were unwell, but I hope you are all better now. Great to see you back here and that after a break you still want to get back on the horse (so to speak!).

Maybe if you find week 3 difficult, go back to week 2? You don't want to discourage or even injure yourself if you take on too much again too soon.

We are all here running for the long term so in the scheme of things an extra week may be the best thing you can do for yourself to build your confidence and stamina back up!

You WILL graduate! Believe in yourself and you can do it!

[epld in reply to Rollertoaster]

Heyy!! Oh my goodness... is that a graduate badge I see?! Congratulations!!! It must be such a wonderful feeling!

I'm doing a lot better now thanks Yes maybe I will go back to Week 2. What you said about running for the long term so in the scheme of things an extra week may be the best thing I could do makes a LOT of sense. Thanks. I didn't think of it that way before. I just kept obsessing about all the progress that was wasted.

And thanks for the encouragement! Will work, will win!

[Rollertoaster Graduate in reply to epld]

It is indeed a graduate badge and yes I am very proud of it. I think it makes me look very distinguished! haha If I can do it, you can too!

Don't think of wasted progress, just see last time as prep for this time round! Good luck and keep us all updated!

[ca66ie99 Graduate]

You will graduate I know it. I have been there, I was dedicated to the plan and kept it up until W7R3 when life got in the way !! I then only managed two runs during what should have been W8 and went on holiday.

I surprised myself by taking my kit away and managing two runs although I didn't count them towards the plan. Since I have been back I have just struggled to get back in to it, in part due to the shifts I work, the longer runs which have caused some pain in my shins and the weather. I also came down with a nasty cold and ran too soon, giving myself a nasty cough.

I was supposed to go out for W9R3 today but my shins are still aching and I don't want to cause an injury. I have decided to stop beating myself up. Whether I like it or not, the shifts I do make it impossible to stick to a routine, some weeks I can exercise 5 times, in a long week I have barely got the energy to go through the week of work.

You've done so well by getting back in to the plan and it will hopefully be something that you incorporate in to your life. For the time being I have come to realise that three runs a week is not going to work at the moment so I am planning on joining a gym as I cant go after I finish work at midnight (probably shouldn't go for a run outside at that time of night !!)

Good luck with your next run, let us know how you get on

[epld in reply to ca66ie99]

Thank you so much for the encouragement ca66ie99! Well done for running despite the odds!! And I do hope your shins are better!

I think you're doing so well to somehow incorporate c25k into your routine even though it sounds difficult. I think its time I stop making excuses and get on with it as well I 'll keep updating my progress on here. All the best to you too- you're almost done!!