How To Get Back To Running After a (long) Break?

[mrrun]

We get hurt and then we stop running. Or life takes over and we stop running. Or we get bored with running (whaaat??) and then we stop running. So how to get back? Some are eager, some reluctant but what's the problem?

Problem is, we start doubting and questioning ourselves. 'Can I do this', 'what if I get stopped again', do I really want to run' (whaaat??).

I hit a runner's hat-trick. First it was 'posterior tibial tendon', a nasty piece of work affecting your foot. Can't run with that. I earned it by running more than I should've done. Half marathon every weekend and then some hardcore runs during the week. When that healed (and it likes to take its sweet time) I got Covid. That passed only for me to hurt another foot by hitting another guy's shoulder. Before you start questioning me, I need to say that I'm a peaceful man who also loves martial arts, a field of interest that gets you hurt more than, say, walking.

Ok, now that's all behind me I got back to punching/getting punched - and running. It felt sensational but I lost lots of leg and lung power (covid, maybe?). Previously after a break I'd come back with a routine higher tempo 5K and progress fast from there. Not this time. I felt I should pick a slow 3K with a two-day gap between runs. A week or so of 3Ks. The key idea was not to feel any strains in any joints or any pressure in the lungs or not too much of an elevated heart rate. The key when returning is simply to take it easy and carefully. I can't see myself going to weekly halfs for at least a few months.

Previously I would just go head in first and simply pick up another niggle soon. Is this current show of wisdom the final sign that I am ageing? Dunno and don't care. Great to be back. Distances will increase the way my body decides, I'll leave my instincts to one side. And as for the weather that greeted my runs? See the photo from my room before I went out yesterday. Even the skies celebrated my return.

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Ah, yes! I know what it’s like to come back from a long sojourn on the injury couch - a bit tough at times but …well, like coming home.🙂Glad you are back out there - good luck.

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you, I carry some experience. I've had more comebacks than Elvis. 😎

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon]

After the warmer weather over the summer, I’m finding this cooler wet weather takes some getting used to and It’s been a couple of months now since I’ve had to take any time off so it’s not that I’m easing back into it.

Seems to me that you’ve taken a good approach for returning to running. My guess would be that Covid, as opposed to age, is the main reason why you’re having to ease back in more gradually this time.

My main experience of returning was after my heart attack. I expected that it would take some time but it still felt like a frustratingly long time. Still, after a year or so, I was back to the weekly HM and three easy runs. That’s been the core of my running for the last year or so.

Great to read that you’re back out there.

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to SkiMonday]

Thanks SkiMonday ! Good to know of your comeback. Each time I return I carry more learning points and given that I'm generally a late bloomer, I expect to be fully compliant, injury and accident free at some stage in my eighties. 😀

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

At the beginning of every comeback I will joyfully take any run, no matter how short. It's just wonderful to be back. Enjoy!!!

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to linda9389]

That's one element that carried me through in this appalling weather. Then again, according to my blogs, there's no such thing as bad weather, only bad running clothes. The weather just is, and we happen to be there. 😅

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to mrrun]

The weather just happened to be glorious for me this morning - cool and rainy (straight down drippy rain, not the blasting in your face with a horrible wind type, which - as a glasses wearing runner - I have yet to find the right gear for!).

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to linda9389]

Glasses? Same club. London today is wind/rain in your face. When sunny I wear contacts and running shades. Winter? A hat and take whatever comes my way.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to mrrun]

I've never tried contacts. There's two times i think about it - driving rain on a run, or steamed up glasses inside goggles when I'm skiing 😀.

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to linda9389]

Try. It's simple. I can't run in the sun without shades and although I've got subscription shades they are too heavy and slide off the nose. Contacts and light running shades are the job. Plus, they make you look irresistibly cool. 😎

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to mrrun]

😎😎😎

[Irish-John Marathon]

Glad you are back Mr R

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to Irish-John]

Always a pleasure, sir. Never a chore! 😉

[Irish-John Marathon in reply to mrrun]

Us old dogs for the long road Mr R 👍🏻

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to Irish-John]

We've done the ground work the hard way, my friend. We'll decide how to proceed and when to stop. For now it seems the running road goes on.

[Irish-John Marathon in reply to mrrun]

"To infinity and beyond" Mr R

[Lordi Marathon]

Good to see you back! I am in a similar positiin (from a Marathon 2018 and 20 odd HMs to nothing during Covid). Back on the sofa, so have just started C25K again from the very start (+ my wife is doing it for the first time too!) I figure it's more important to build back to 5k and beyond very slowly to avoid any injury possibilities (59 this year, so no spring chicken). Onwards and upeards!

[mrrun Ultramarathon]

Long time no see sir, glad you're fine. Absolutely, once bitten twice shy strategy. I know I'll get stopped again at some point but at least I want to reduce my silly contributions. Doing C25K again is a smart move. 👍

[Lavender1962 Half Marathon]

Great that you’re back running! 😊

[mrrun Ultramarathon in reply to Lavender1962]

Thank you! When it comes to injuries some say that running is essentially injury time with some running breaks thrown in. Lol. For as long as we keep coming back, that's all that counts. I had a late sunset 5K a few hours ago and at one moment when the sun hang low, the street lights came up, and the tune hit the right vibe, the whole thing became alive and made sense. We can't possibly stop running. 😀

[Lavender1962 Half Marathon]

Those moments make it all worth it.