If I stop for my couch to 5k training for 2 weeks..

[Mini13]

I am in my 5th week of Couch to 5K, and liking it very much!! (Thanks to Laura!, love her!) I will have to stop my running for about 3 weeks due to a hand surgery (CTS) when I am in my 8th week. I will be doing Race for Life in July so really want to get fit to do it. My question is, when I start again after the break of 2-3 weeks, will I be able to start from the 8th week (where I stopped)??, or should I start from the begining (do not have time for 9weeks then before my Race)?? Please let me know. Thanks!!

[Poppy2010 Graduate]

Hi! I had finished week 3 when my daughter crashed her car with me as rear seat passenger; then a week later I had an operation (unrelated) that went wrong... result 4 weeks no running. I restarted at week 3 (thinking I would not be able to do it) but amazingly I had hardly lost any fitness (and had only done a few slow dog walks in the 4 weeks off)

I hope your surgery goes well; I would say do a bit of walking when you are able; and then start again maybe one week back from where you finish; if that goes ok move on, if not go back a bit further. There is no absolute must to complete in as few runs as possible; so take care of yourself and good luck!

[Mini13 Graduate in reply to Poppy2010]

Many thankss Poppy2010, this really helps!

[Lynds Graduate]

I stopped for 3 weeks just after week 9 and had lost v little fitness when I restarted. hope op goes well!

[Mini13 Graduate]

Thank you Lynds, I just finished the first run of the 5th week, I completed it but it was hard!

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Hi Mini I think you just need to try a run and see how far you get with it. I'm pretty sure you won't have lost much fitness in that time. If you can walk while your recovering from the surgery that will help you too. All the best for a good outcome from the op. Take care and let us know how you get on.

[Mini13 Graduate]

Thank you oldgirl, I might try to walk over that time..that will help a bit I suppose...

[sgeorge5 Graduate]

I would say do any run just to get out there again. I am sure you will go straight back to where you were.

The one thing that has suprised me doing this program is how you can get away with the breaks once you have a little bit of fitness.

Good luck.

[Mini13 Graduate in reply to sgeorge5]

Thank you very much. I will be able to walk but no running for at least 2 and a 1/2 weeks due to the surgery. Hopefully I will be ok after the break. I am still on my 5th week, 2nd run to do tomorrow!!