stick to the couch, dear

[Justinerose]

I am determined to return to my running. Every morning I go out and then I return because it is so cold.

Should I stop trying. I have done several 10 k runs, and have various heart issues, however I feel fit and don’t want to give up.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

As long as your medical professionals are happy for you to continue running, it would be a shame to give up if you want to start again.

The weather has been really tricky lately. I haven’t run while it’s been icy. I don’t want to risk an injury. It’ll get better with spring around the corner. Have you got some warm clothes for when you first set off? Layers you can remove if you get hot? On the cold days I have run, I’ve got hot pretty quickly! If you can get yourself going, you may find you really enjoy it. The worst part is the first ten minutes.

There would be nothing wrong with using a treadmill while it’s freezing if that appeals?

[Cmoi Graduate]

Hi Justinerose , assuming you've had the medical all-clear, then there's no reason for you to give up on running.

Suggestions first re the weather: if it's really bad outside, and you're willing and able to run on a treadmill, then do so! If you can get out - and personally I'll run in snowy but not icy conditions - then I'd suggest you do a thorough warm-up indoors prior to running, and your cool-down indoors afterwards too.

Layering your clothing should help, and don't forget some or all of gloves, hat and buff, depending on how cold it is and your personal preferences. I also make sure my face is moisturised, which helps stop my silly temperamental skin from playing up.

I'm not sure how long it's been since your last run. If it's a matter of days, then sorting out clothing and warm-ups should help considerably. If it's been more than a couple of weeks, but not months, you'll probably need to build back by doing a bit less than you were previously, or just going out for a gentle run and seeing how things go. If it's been months or more, then you'll probably need to go back to an early stage of C25K. These are only approximate indications, though, as your general activity levels and fitness also play a part.

While I know from experience that it can feel frustrating not to be able to do as much as you could before, even doing just a little is better than doing nothing. Good luck!

[GoogleMe Graduate]

What point do you turn around at Justinerose ? And how are you experiencing the 'too cold'? After 20 minutes of warm up (clue) walk and gentle run things are generally getting pretty toasty. And if you don't turn back until you've been running for 15 minutes, then you'll have done a 30 minute run by the end.

Great stuff from MissUnderstanding and Cmoi already. I am just wondering if it might be breathing in cold air that's making you uncomfortable and you might find some tips with a search for cold air or for exercise-induced asthma. People often mention covering face and mouth with a buff initially.

[Andy6659 Graduate]

Only you can decide that especially if u have heart issues, but best if luck in wat u decide

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

Because of your title, assumed you were doing c25k from the start again but it’s dawned that you might not be! What sort of runs are you trying? If I haven’t run in a while, I pick a short time I feel confident I can manage and just do that so I can have a successful run. It could be as little as a few minutes, oran early week if c25k would work too.

It’s much easier to go back out for your second run! Psychologically being a runner who ran a few days ago rather than a few weeks ago makes a huge difference.

Really good luck to you. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Hello.. and welcome back.

Well you have had some great advice already... so... maybe now take stock?

You, have I am sure got the all clear to run, so... time to be kind to yourself. The weather is in many parts of the UK fairly dire, and the icy conditions are keeping so, so many of us inside. the UK, That and for some of us, illness or the aftermath of. Me included. I have not run since 30th Nov...the cold, icy and now snowy and icy weather contributed.

So... if you have all the gear but are still feeling the severe chill, maybe until the weather eases, work indoors. If you have a TM or an elliptical, that is a way to get started. if not, well, there is so much that you can do indoors, to stay fit and maybe keep those happy running pheromones jingling.

Loads of us are doing Yoga with Adriene... there is indoor walking, ( don't think this is slow and not beneficial...), just take a look at some routines that a few of us are doing now., using YouTube and walking routines with Lesley Sansone! Pacey and all different lengths of time. They really do get you going. If you take a look across at the S and F forum there are a lot of good ideas there. Okay, so while you are doing that, maybe just get some walks outside done. Pick a day where there is no fog or ice underfoot, or pick a place off road, where you can walk safely and briskly. and begin like that. Brisk, short walks. layered up and snug. Then, think how to move on.

Loads of us, literally loads have repeated all or bits of C25K again, and in most cases, it works. It gets us back to where we were or where we wish to be. I repeated bits of it after physical injury and all of it after a blip in 2021. I shall probably when i CAN get out be repeating bits of it again. Post viral issues after Covid just before Christmas and then time out, because of the weather have weakened my running body, despite all that I do to keep moving, I shall when the ice goes, head out and take those first steps. My resolve is as strong as ever.

You are not on your own... you are with folk who for similar or other reason know how you feel. Take a look at some of the past Catch-Up Corner posts... you will find so many of us there chatting and sharing similar stories. One post I wrote there last year suits many folk on the forum, right now. Maybe take a read?

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

For you, as for so many of us we simply? have to try to;

Acknowledge... the weather is dire, we feel under par, it's cold, wet, snowy or icy.

Accept... We need to run, we want to run... we cannot run.

Adapt... what strategies can we use to help us stay positive, stay motivated and stay fit.

You are strong... look how far you have come and you are here, wanting to get back to that. You will do it, we will do it with you. Believe it.

[oaprunner Graduate]

I'm just a little older than you and have decided to run only once it's safe to do so. I have run infrequently during this time of year, but still find I can manage a non-stop 5k when I do go out. By the end I'm warm. However I am walking as much as I can and doing exercises to maintain strength and posture. Being retired and having more time, if I go anywhere less than three miles, I'll walk.

I'm definitely not so tolerent of the cold and think I have to accept that.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate in reply to oaprunner]

I’m a lot younger. I wish I could just go out and run 5k after a break from regular running. My comeback run is maximum fifteen minutes at a snails pace with permission to walk and/or cut short if I need to. That’s when I’m still walking and exercising regularly. I have to build back up to a non stop 5k over a few weeks. We’re all different.