So disappointed! Now what?

[Meanmommab]

I was supposed to run my first 1/2 marathon at the weekend but went down with a stomach bug so couldn't do it!😥 I was so disappointed and am unsure of what to do next. My goal was/is to run 1/2 marathon distance and since that felt achievable, as 25km is not that much further, to achieve that too. I don't know what I should go back to once over this bug. I tapered for 2 weeks so what distance/time should I start back at? When could I reasonably expect to be able to reach my 1/2 marathon distance and how soon after that, my 25km? I now feel a lack of motivation and would be grateful for any advice and I know you wonderful lot will help.🥰

[Decker Ultramarathon]

First off, don’t stress. You can only control what’s in your control, the rest is just life. 🙂 In fact it could be a good thing if you use this time to further strengthen your training. Whether you could pull off a 25 would depend on how far you got in your half mara plan. What’s the longest distance you have run in this last training block? Personally I would work forward from 50% to 75% of your plan depending how I felt. Getting up to 18-20k should prepare you to run 25 on the day. Good luck!

[Meanmommab 10 Miles in reply to Decker]

Thank you. I ran 12.75 miles 2 weeks before the race and then tapered. I haven't got any races planned at present but just want to do the distances for me. Will look at my training plan and see what the distances are at 50% and 75% and see how I feel after my next return run.

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Meanmommab]

12 miles? I should think you’ll be fine with minimal additional training once you are feeling ready.

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

I have just been there, well almost! I was getting through my HM plan nicely, when Covid struck. I ran 10 miles on 17th April, but wasn’t able to run again until 27 April (by which time I was testing negative). I tried an experimental slow 5k, which was no problem, moved up to 6.29 K on 29 April, 13.1k on 1 May, 5.87k on 4 May, then a slow 10 miles today. My HM should be run sometime next week. There was very little science in it I am afraid. Just “suck it and see.” I did check my peak flow and I also kept an eye on my Average Resting Heart rate. Both were headed in the right direction before I upped the distance too much. Bottom line, taking it steadily and in stages worked for me; you need to do this by feel. Everybody’s metabolism is different. As soon as I start running again, regardless of distance, the smile comes back. You can’t undo the bug, but you can avoid further problems by building up again systematically and responding to how you feel. Hope it all goes well for you 🙂

[Meanmommab 10 Miles in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks, I will bear that in mind. Good luck for next week.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

So disappointing, but there will be more events and more start lines and you will forget this. What you do next should be governed by how you feel. A couple of weeks off won't have caused you to lose much fitness, but the tummy bug might have. Perhaps take a week of easy runs and go by feel. I bet you'll be back up to your previous distance very soon. Take care.