If you took a long hiatus from running....

[Susie]

I basically did C25k when I started back after my stress fx. Not officially, but that was the basic gist. It hurt the pride a little, so I had my dog start it with me to make it more fun

[froggy76]

I ran a half marathon in 2009 and then hardly ran at all again until this January. It was really hard to accept that I wasn't where I used to be, even though that should be obvious after 5 years off. I got back into it by resolving to run at least 1 mile per day, which kept me motivated but was ultimately too much too soon. I ended up with injuries and finally quit my streak after a few months.

The thing I found most helpful to get back into it was intervals. I could run a mile but not much more, so to add distance I would do 3 minutes of running and 1 minute of walking. C25K would serve the same purpose of easing you into it slowly. Use walk breaks when you need them and eventually it will all come back.

I'm still not at my pace from 5 years ago, but I'm learning to accept that. Also, I have to be a lot more careful now to avoid injury- making sure I stretch a lot, taking rest days, etc.

[Deleted]

May 19, 2015 9:10:29 GMT -5 Susie said:

I basically did C25k when I started back after my stress fx. Not officially, but that was the basic gist. It hurt the pride a little, so I had my dog start it with me to make it more fun

This. I called it the Pooch to 5K programme. I was kind of glad he likes to stop and pee - gave me the chance to get my breath.

I struggle with motivation when the weather is crap or I don't have a race in the near future. Weather I can't fix, but I can plan a race. Recording everything in a spreadsheet of what I plan to do also helps.

[mrshandy]

I think C25K is a great way to get back into it.

Before I really got into running, I went through spurts of activity and non-activity and C25K was a great re-intro for me. But I'm a person that loves a system and a plan so it works good for me.

[labbie]

I ran a marathon several years ago, didn't really run regularly afterwards, and just got back into running regularly about 1.5 years ago.

After many discouraging stops and starts I did the C25K program and can't say enough good things. The slow and steady approach and mixing running/walking helped me stay motivated and avoid injury (previously I'd gone out too fast/much and had shin splints, knee pain, etc.). If I wanted more of a workout than the 20-30 minutes then I'd stay out and walk further.  I did a 5K at the end of the program and have done 2 half marathons since.  During the C25K, I also repeated certain weeks if I felt I wasn't ready and that helped too I think.

Good luck!

[Deleted]

I'm just starting back after a year long IT band injury. I am basically doing C25K from a very beginners standpoint (makes me sad as I once was a regular Half runner), but I don't want to re-injure myself.

[Deleted]

I'm coming back from injuries and major illness. I tried C25K and it was too much for. Talk about a bruised ego and downer. Instead I worked myself up to a mile and am trying to add .25 mile increments. Im also running whenever I feel like it which is a huge help as I rebuild my strength.

I normally would recommend C25k and good new shoes. I don't think you can go wrong with it.

[MrsE]

Uh, well. I'm not. Heh.

But I did take about 8 months off after my first knee surgery and I started back slowly, one step at a time.

[Velar Fricative]

C25K was immensely helpful both times after long hiatuses. The only reason I stopped this last time was because I got pregnant (doctor's orders).

I'm no longer pregnant and plan to jump back in and start over again with C25K after my follow-up visit. I'm really excited. It can hurt my pride at times given where I was at my peak level but it really does help to resume running in a gradual way to avoid injury and find the fun in it again.

[Brit]

Back in 2012 I had to start from scratch again. At that point I started with run/walk for 20 minutes. Over time I tried to do more running, less walking, and overall more minutes. I guess that is kind of a free form C25K?

It sucked a lot because 18 months earlier I had been in marathon PR shape. I had to get over myself big time to accept that it would be hard work to get into running shape again. It was really hard for me to accept.

[Deleted]

I just kept running until the runner's high kicked in. And then I became obsessed.

[mccallister84]

I also wanted to add that I found cross training to be essential. I started doing spin the same time I eased back in to running and I credit that with helping my endurance to come back faster.