Vent about running...

[soveryexcited]

So I started c25k a while ago, and made it all of the way through. I didn't skip a single workout, and was so psyched when I completed it. I started the 10k training program, and got a week in when my kids got hand foot and mouth disease. All three of them. So for a week, I was dealing with that... and then last week, I got hand foot and mouth disease. Right now I am dealing with the lovely blisters all over my hands and feet. I haven't run in two weeks, and after almost 11 weeks of running 3x a week, this is killing me. How long until my endurance goes to pieces? Am I going to be able to run my normal 3 miles right away or am I going to have to go back and start the darned c25k from the middle?

[aurora]

So you ran 3x/week for 11 weeks total and the last couple of weeks you were up to 3 miles/day for each of those 3 days, right? You will loose a little endurance in 2 weeks completely off, but I certainly wouldn't say you have to go back to week 5. Maybe try a 2-mile run on your first day back and see how you feel. If you don't have any unusual pain the next day, I'd say you can jump right back in where you left off.

Sometimes I go 2 weeks without running (while I'm doing other sports) and I don't notice anything unusual when I start running again, but I've been running for 20+ years so that's why I'm advising you to be a little more cautious.

ETA - I also should have said I hope you feel better soon!

[Deleted]

First off, I hope you feel better soon!

Second, you won't lose everything you gained, and when you get back to it, you will get it back much more quickly than c25k will provide. I echo the suggestion of 2 miles and slowly increasing from there. You will surprise yourself!

[mommymatriarch]

From what I learned in my fitness instructor training, 2-3 weeks off causes a decrease in cardiovascular fitness and endurance. So taking off that amount of time will decrease your endurance some. But don't worry about it too much. I'm so sorry you've had to deal with all of that sickness. When you're finally able to get back at it, do a trial run with no expectations and see how it feels. All hope is not lost and I definitely don't think that you have to start the C25K all over again. But you may have to take the first few runs back into it easy. Set out to run the 3 miles, but after each run assess how you feel. If you feel okay, keep going. You can do this!

[shauni27]

mommymatriarch, your sig is so cute! I just realized your pup was a banana!

OP, I think you will be fine. You may have lost a little endurance, but you do not need to start all over. Go out for a run and see how far you make it. And then work your way back up again. It will be a lot easier this time around because you KNOW you can do it:)