Hello everyone...
Here I am again.... and I have some ideas that are popping into my head...
On C25K forum, where I am for a lot of my running time. I am aware of a few folk asking questions about illness, and injury and in particular getting back to running.
For me, right now, I can totally empathise with those questions.
As some of you may be aware I am going through a period of not running. I have been logging some posts about my progress, getting back to it on this forum
Now I have written about this before... and I am going to use the content of the previous posts here...
It can be very hard at times like this to accept what is going on, whilst trying to maintain some degree of fitness or even mobility. Hence my references in past post links, to acknowledge, accept and adapt!
Exercise helps to keep us physically and mentally fit. This is what we advocate much of the time. A lot of us really depend on it, as part of our lifestyle.
When illness strikes, we can miss running so much and we worry about how rapidly that fitness will disappear, particularly in the early days of our running. This feeling is often followed by the almost overwhelming desire to get out there again, as quickly as possible. As we move on, we get into a lovely running pattern and the fact that we are not able to do that, can give us some very dark days
We are all so, so, different and we all recover from illness or injury at different rates, but one thing we all need to try, ( really try) to remember is that we need to get back to our running safely. That does mean at times, we have to be really, really strong and really believe that, those runs do wait!
We want to keep the fitness and we want to feel like running again. So... how can we achieve that.
The first thing we need to do is... WAIT. What !!!!
Yes, I said, WAIT.
You need to wait until you are fully better before you run again. It can be all too easy to kid ourselves that we are almost OK, and think we are able to do more than we actually are able. The thought of having to wait longer is not a good one.. We have to ask questions of ourselves and answer honestly... and that is so hard!
The nature of the illness or injury is a factor, but even if it is only a mild illness, or a relatively simple injury, we still need to make sure we are both physically and mentally, ( and this applies to me right now), fit enough to run again.
So we ask a few questions... and we answer honestly.
These questions were ones suggested in an article I read..
It's a great article with lots suggestions..
womensrunning.co.uk/health/...
Questions
* Can I cope with daily activities such as showering, cooking and cleaning without feeling wobbly and ready for a lie-down?
* Can I get through my normal, working day okay?
* Can I take a brisk walk or run up a set of stairs without coughing/feeling breathless, light headed, nauseous, or just exhausted?
* Have at least 48 hours passed since I had a high temperature? If that is applicable.
* Am I eating and drinking normally?
* Am I sleeping well?
* Has my resting heart rate returned to its normal levels? (Only answer this question if you are used to tracking it).
* Has my fatigue lifted and do I feel strong enough to run?
Okay... the next question is,,, what exercise for your strength and stamina well being, would you be able to do currently?
Well, this is the trickiest part of all!
My go-to is always ,initially, low-impact training.
Because;
*It’s easy on my joints,.. ( old ones)!
* It builds consistency with training...repetition is good, familiarity too.
* It improves cardiovascular endurance...every little helps!
* It relieves stress... always useful when no running has taken place.( You had better believe it)!
* It boost well-being... and that has to be good!
There are loads of links to all manner of exercise, right here on this forum and there should be something to suit everyone!
You can devise your own plan to fit in with your life. commitments and time available.
Those of you who have read any of my past posts, know the kind of exercise I use...
Squat, stretch, stamina and core! Plus. One of the best exercises ever... walking.
I use loads of Body-fit with Amy... low impact short and sweet sessions to get me moving again...arms, legs, back, core etc. and then some longer workouts when I am back on form... there are loads of links here, YWA.... Yoga has been and is a really big part of my comeback routines currently. I need the mindful, relaxation of those sessions.
Check out all the posted links on the forum, please!
As and when we do feel the time IS right to head out again, then that becomes a little simpler...
Make sure that you are ready to go.
* Eat well... you need to build up or back all those resources that a healthy eating regime gives you.
* Rest well...plenty of rest time and some good hours of sleep will promote recovery and return to fitness,
* Listen to your body, YOU are your own best friend... and you would not lie to a best friend. Pushing too hard is not an option.
And finally...
Slow and steady... ( what else)?
Hope this has been useful to some of you. I am taking careful note of all that I have written!
I shall be off to bed very shortly, despite the early hour, as it has been a tricky day, with Mr OF, some worries, now resolved, but, we are both in need of some rest.
Even, simply resting in bed, if you can calm your mind, can be helpful... some gentle breathing exercises may help too...let the thoughts float....the bad and good, but let the bad take their proper place...focus on them, then let them go and replace those thoughts with the good ones. The positive, the happy and the hopeful...
Think of all that you have achieved... and know that there is more, just waiting to be achieved,, when the time is right.
Sleep well or rest easy everyone.
See you tomorrow...
Oldfloss xxx
S&F Catch-Up: had any breaks from workouts lately?