I just went for a run and it was HORRIBLE

[RedPandaFluff]

I used to run loads. I ran a MARATHON, for flip's sake. And now 5km along a canal path is a struggle - I thought my lungs were going to burst out of my chest!

I haven't done much by way of exercise in the last year. Please tell me this gets easier! I've just turned 39 so I'm thinking age might be making it a little harder than I remember . . .

I fell your pain red but your post made me chuckle! I’m in a similar situation-just getting back into running and am awful at it! I’ve done marathons too. I think it’s key to get a level of base fitness and get out regularly for 6-8 weeks and it will start to return! Congratulations for getting out there and running

C’mon you’ve run a marathon before, you knew it would be horrible

Don’t come on here acting all surprised.

I’d highly recommend the Couch to 5 k app to get back into running, even if you have run a lot in the past. Maybe start at week 3 if you have some base fitness.

Yup the getting back into it sucks. I think it's actually harder as you feel that such a 'little' distance should be easy.

5km for a first effort in a year is good however bad it felt. You're far far ahead of people truly starting from scratch. Just get out every few days and in a couple weeks you'll be finding it easier again!

I got a great top that got me back into running - get a good book (thriller type) on Audible and only listen to it while running. Works for me, though I only ever do 3-4 k each run.

Lol at semideponent typo! I thought you meant you got a t shirt with an inspirational slogan!! I agree with a good audiobook or podcast though. The new c2 5k app allows you to play their instructions on top of your own music/podcast etc rather than having to listen to the dodgy music on the old podcasts!!

Well done for getting out there Op - keep up the good work!

I now just need go follow your example!

@semideponent I think you have something there . . . maybe buying an eye-wateringly expensive too from Sweaty Betty will make me more motivated 😄

I knew it would be tough to start again but I genuinely didn't think it would be THAT hard. I hated every minute of it and every instinct was telling me to stop 😫

*top from Sweaty Betty

DAMMIT 😄

Ha ha - yes, typing skills not great at the mo. But I have to say I love my SB tops as well as a good Frederick Forsyth through the headphones!

I second getting a good audiobook. I can get lost in the story while running. I use the audiobook app provided by the library service, so don't need to pay for audiobooks.

Going straight to 5km after a significant time not running will be hard. I'd have done C25K to ease me into it.

Right, thank you, I will definitely have a look at audiobooks in an attempt to make this less painful!

I think I may have done too much too soon. I've just had a look at my heart rate charts and my average heart rate was 184, with a peak of 192. Both of those are above my recommended maximum heart rate, so I'll calm it down a bit next time in case I keel over 😬

have you put on weight or doing less everyday cardio (walking, stairs etc) My CV is horrible right now since I cycle rather than run/walk to commute and am 4kg up on what I'm supposed to be.

My first run after nearly 5 years off was New Year parkrun exactly 2 years ago.

It was horrendous

I'm training for a marathon right now, first one, in April

Stick with it.

My Dad Wrote A Porno is good running fodder, I find...

every instinct was telling me to stop

Well yeah, humans are only meant to run if we're in danger or trying to catch something to eat. The rest of the time we're supposed to loll about conserving energy. Running is a totally unnatural thing to do for fun!

Well done on getting out there though - and 5k is an amazing return run. Get a race booked! You'll soon be all over it.

You need to go regularly for it not to be awful. = 3x/week, and I'm fine with it.

Also... just go slow. Nothing wrong with an easy run.

I did another one today and it wasn't quite as horrible! But I did slow down my pace . . . it does give me the motivation to keep going though. I figure 3-4 runs per week should sort me out.

I definitely find slowing down helps when you’re hating it! And not running to your old comfy pace. You’re effectively starting again.

You definitely deserve a virtual shopping trip to Lululemon then Red.

As BikeRunSki says, use a couch2 5k programme. I have also done a marathon and has a year long gap with no running. The couch 2 5k was brilliant. You'll be back to normal very quickly if you follow it.

The real test will be if I can drag my behind out of bed before work on Monday morning to run . . . 😄

You can do it @RedPandaFluff!

Just think how good you’ll feel after!

My Dad Wrote A Porno is good running fodder, I find...

I tried running to My Dad Wrote a Porno and couldn't because I was laughing too much!!!

There's nothing worse than that 'oh gawd I'm going to puke on my shoes' feeling when you're getting back into it! I'm going for my first run in six months tomorrow - I'm planning small around 3K and then if it's really awful at least it's not a long walk home!