Have you had to start from ground zero--again??

[kaf7878]

I have not been "consistently" training/running for a loooonngggggg time! It actually boggles my mind that I even competed a full and half marathon a few years ago. Seems like another lifetime...

I really want to get back into it--I do miss the excitement of having something to train for and the fun I had at the races.

But, everytime I go out and run, I feel like I'll never reach that level again. It is hard!

I am following a walk/run program in Prevention Magazine that seems doable. Last night I did a 35 minute R1/W3 combo. It sure is humbling....

Has anyone been gung-ho and accompished a lot and then let it all slide? Have you been able to regain your focus and work your way back? Any tips?

 

[bunnyfoo]

I took a month off from running back in February and when I tried to start again in March, I had a hard time running 3 miles without stopping. I went back to 10R/1W and eventually got back into it. I think you just have to give your body a chance to get back into things.

 

[windwalker]

When I retired from the Air Force in Jan 1994, I was 155 lbs and my body fat didn't even register. My average day started with me taking a group for a 25 mile bike ride around the perimiter of the base, then a 6 mile run at lunch in the desert with a mile swim to cool off and weights in the evening.

After I retired I just stopped exercising, I wasn't a warrior any more, I was a civilian. So I worked 60 hours a week and ate junk food like a good worker bee and made my paycheck.

Seven years after I retired my 30" waist had swelled to the point that my 38 waist pants were cutting me into. My abs had become one big ab that hung over my belt. I woke up when I turned 50, when I realized I would be winded from wiping my window at the gas station.

I quit my desk job and went to a job that had 40 flexiable hours and lots of vacation time. I took a 50% pay cut to get some quality "Me" time again. Now I go in at 12:30 and work till 9pm and have the mornings for quality training. I get off when ever I have a race or Disney event. I even make almost as much money as I did before.

Now I'm almost 8 years into my come back from that abess. Will I do that again, uh no!

Come Back Kid Panda

 

[lenshanem]

I've had to stop and start all over again a couple times just within the past couple years due to two surgeries. I've also had a couple running injuries that slowed me down. The first time wasn't that hard, but this past time has taken all my will power. I'd say plan a race that you can look forward to so you can have some motivation. I think that is my problem. When I was coming back from my first surgery I had the Disney Half I was looking forward to. It really helped. Good luck!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Welcome back! You can do it!

Tips: don't give up. You already know it can be done. Find the fun. Follow a schedule.

Join in here and talk about the good and the bad. We love to support each other!

 

[Duanerice]

Last 2 years I went through this. Two years ago I had knee surgery in May and could not run for 2 months but had to get ready for a marathon from scratch. Last year I had shoulder surgery in May and could not run for 2 months.

When I came back this time, I could barely run 3 miles. I thought I was going to die. But, I slowly kept going and and added a mile here and there. Got a little faster, ran a little farther each time out. But I had already signed up for the Goofy in January so I had no choice!

The key is you have to want to do it. Have a race in your sights or as Panda did, have a waist in your sights!

I made it through May this year without any surgery.

You can do it!
Duane

 

[ksoehrlein]

I've only been running for a year and a half, but I had to take a long, unplanned time off from running due to an IT band injury. When I first started back up, I was SO frustrated when I would compare myself to where I had been before the WDW half. Then I started comparing myself to where I was when I was only X weeks in to my original training, and that felt more like comparing apples to apples. Actually, I'm doing better than that, since I didn't exactly start at Week 1 of C25K when I started back up.

I know I'll get back to where I was eventually, but I have to remember it's not as easy as turning the switch from Off to On. It is humbling to start all over again, but remember, if you keep working at it, you'll get back there too. Good luck!

 

[tmanaster]

I am so there!

I hate how a break in training causes such a loss in no time at all! It seems totally unfair to train for a year, take a two month break, and feel like you are back where you started!

I ran the Country Music Marathon in Nashville last year. I then started a full time master's program in Nursing that takes up way too much of my time and drastically reduced my mileage. Now 4-5 miles feels very hard!

I know I will get back where I was, I just wish it would be easier!!!

 

[chimera]

Hey Kelly! Welcome back!!

Sign up for a race. That may help with keeping you on track. I would absolutely flounder if I didn't have a goal at the end. I'm registered for the Women's Half Marathon in Nov in St Pete if you're interested.