Getting back into running - anyone with me?

[SweetestThing]

Watching the London Marathon today prompted me to think seriously about how to get back into running. I used to run several times a week and have run London several times but in recent years, my exercise has been sporadic, with runs of only a few miles and lots of hiatuses.

I've now entered the ballot for next year's London (confidently predicting my eleventy billionth rejection) but have decided I need to have something to aim for before then, so have booked in for a half-marathon in September. So I need to get a training plan in place, sort out my diet and weight (currently carrying about two stone over my running weight) and cross-train.

Anyone fancy joining me in a virtual support and training plan?

I'll join! Not having run for over a year (I used to be a Parkrun regular) I joined a beginners running club last week and absolutely loved it. It's only C25K, but it's a start!

I'll join if I may! Just done day 1 of c25k. Used to be a reasonable runner but haven't run at all since having my son 18 months ago and was a bit sporadic after having the 3yo! Determined to get fit, lose the last of the baby weight and feel a bit more confident in myself.

I went out. I ran very slowly and walked up the steep hills. My legs hurt now so need to do some stretching. I saw a heron, lots of rabbits and midges!

Lots of new faces -welcome, everyone! I hope we'll all find this a support. It's interesting how many of you are like me, used to run regularly but life/illness/death/work get in the way and you have to press the reset button.

Well done, everyone who got out. I did another slow two miles this morning but had to force myself to go out after a rubbish sleep. Spinosaur, there's no harm in walking - you're still moving. I incorporate walk breaks when I need to and try to make sure I walk at a brisk pace if I can.

VivaFrida, we're not running purists - any form of exercise welcome :) My husband is a very keen cyclist and keeps trying to persuade me to go out with him, but I'm a nervous, wobbly cyclist so I don't enjoy it. I wish I did...

I really need to sort out my eating. Yesterday I was fine during the day - fish and vegetables for lunch, chicken and chorizo skewers with broccoli and potato wedges for dinner, but then I had three biscuits and some Easter egg chocolate. When it comes to the evening, I seem to have the willpower of a flip flop...

I tried the PiYo class yesterday but I was the only one there. The instructor said she couldn't do a 1-2-1 class as it would count as personal training and the leisure centre would object, but she did a 15 minute advanced stretch session with me that turned into 30 minutes. It was good to do something different and I think I'll try and incorporate some of it into my daily routine. I'm not very good at stretching.

So, fellow plodders, what are your plans for today?

Me. I was running 15k x 3 per week until I suffered meningitis which has led to hypothyroidism last year. Now I'm 2st over my running weight and struggling with 5k twice per week.

Can i join?
I used to run for fun/fitness doing 10k 3x per week, and the odd race although it was really my time away from the kids - anyway im now mid 40s, had major surgery earlier this year and an ongoing bilateral achilies tendinitis - however i have just done c25k week 2 run 1 this morning! ( week 1 last week)
Ive also gone back to boot camp which is a hiit type workout outdoors in a field at 06:15 x3 per week.
( been going 3 years until my op in Jan and returned yesterday)this was my running replacement but i love running and really want to be able to just go out and run 5/10k without thinking about it.

My focus is going to be remaining injury free but hopefully progressing as i also use running as weight control and am currently overweight which doesnt help the old joints!

Welcome, welcome!

It's interesting how many people are returning to running after illness. Exercise definitely helps with not just improving physical well-being but also mental health. Like Nothingoriginalhere, I was a regular runner for fun and fitness and also did bootcamp three days a week, but then was diagnosed with salivary gland cancer so for a good few months, exercise was on the back boiler as treatment and recovery took precedence. Returning to exercise, albeit slowly and tentatively, definitely helped me avoid chemical anti-depressants. Not that I have anything against, them, but by the time one of my HCPs thought I might benefit from them, I had had enough of taking chemicals and toxins into my body!

Anyhoo, that was 8 years ago and I'm still struggling to return to previous fitness levels. And I'm 8 years older too! Being part of this group and sharing what I'm doing/not doing, success as well as failure, will, I think, really help me to achieve what I've tried and failed over the past few years.

Sorry for the novel-length post :)

nrpmum, so glad you recovered from meningitis, even though it's left you with other medical issues. Keep on keeping on

@SweetestThing interesting what you say about successes and failures. So many people are just saying you can do it without considering the set backs we sometimes have after illness.

Sometimes I feel I can do 15k. Other times I struggle to get out of bed. It is so frustrating.

How do you approach the backwards step in your head?

SweetestThing you did amazingly well, recovery from cancer and no antidepressants! Wishing you lots of speed and strength coming to you soon!

In my case was a bout of shit luck at life that got me to stop running/putting weight on - in the past 2 months I have started exercising again and lost just over 10kg (1.5 stone) - only 4kgs to go now (10 pounds) to my running weight.

Today I did 1 hour 20 minus on the elliptical cross trainer. I still have good CV fitness, strength and endurance... it's the fast pace it's completely gone!! I have turned into a turtle

Morning all!

My ankles/Achilles are not as sore as I’d expected this morning, which is great.

I’m planning on doing some body weight work later after warming up by cleaning to whole styhouse.

Food-wise was not great yesterday but my focus is on exercising at the moment as I tend to get obsessed with restricting food and I really want to stay energised to keep up the exercise habit right now, partly for the positive effect it has on my mental health and motivation.

So for now I’ll be aiming to make an improvement on my diet everyday and if I “slip up” then I’ll just start again making those little improvements without berating myself. I’m thoroughly fed up of the restrict/binge/guilt cycle.

nprmum, I think I try to accept my failures by thinking that, however poor my run or gym session is, it's better than sitting on the sofa doing nothing. And I sometimes remind myself that at one point I genuinely thought I wasn't going to see 2012, so even a poor run is somehow sticking two fingers up at cancer. I know that sounds a bit drama queeny, but it's genuinely how I feel.

vivafrida, you are so nearly there! That's a long time on the elliptical trainer - I don't think I'd have the cv stamina for that! Maybe one day. Shit luck happens to us all, and for some people, it seems they get more than their fair share. Well done to you for setting yourself back on the road to fitness. We're all on it at different places and different paces, but we all get to our fitness destination at some point.

Bound, I totally agree with not beating yourself up when you slip up. Food shouldn't be seen as something we deny ourselves but as something that, when properly balanced, is a pleasure as well as fuel. I'm trying to achieve the balance. Two egg omelette with a little bit of cheese for breakfast, logged on MyFitnessPal. Tasty and filling. Not sure what will happen for lunch yet!

Also, I am no expert, just sharing what has/hasn't worked for me! :)

@SweetestThing I think that is a great attitude. Not dramatic at all.

Well done everybody. Reading the different stories and different ways of keeping going is really helpful. And yes, walking is still moving! It is all good.

Jeez you are a motivational bunch so pleased that those of you who have been ill or injured are moving on forwards.

I have ditched the Pepsi and done one yoga session - st this rate you will be doing marathons and I will have done my first 5k😂

I’ve found my people. Please can I join. I’ve been a 3x10k runner and a few years ago somehow slipped into the demon drink, lost all interest in exercise and life in general. Anyway I’ve decided enough is enough and haven’t touched any drink in a fortnight and have started exercising again. Shred x 2, weights once a week and on Thursday I’m going out my first club run. I used to enjoy running on my own but think running with a club will make me more accountable.
Love reading how everybody’s starting again, I know we can do this.

Hi, Dogwalks2. We can absolutely do this, and at our own individual paces, supporting each other.

spinosaur, one of the joys of outdoor running is seeing nature - I saw a beautiful pheasant this morning and last week saw a couple of deer (lucky enough to live on the edge of the North Downs, so can get off-road on my longer runs).

I made leek and broccoli soup for lunch today (will have to apologise to DH for the inevitable windy effects of this later!) and am planning on salmon and prawns with hollandaise sauce and steamed vegetables. I'm trying to stay off carbs for a week or two to see if it helps at least kick start some weight loss.

Listen, fellow plodders (nothing pejorative about that term; it's a great name for people who like running but are highly unlikely to come first in any race! We keep going, we plod on, even when it hurts or is difficult in some way) - we've got a great little group here. Let's keep it going, sharing our good and bad bits and who knows? We might even all join up for a parkrun or 10k sometime!

And dogwalks bravo for taking the courageous step to knock alcohol on the head. Are you feeling any benefit already, do you think?

Alcohol has been a big issue for me Dogwalks - have been off it for a week so need to stay that way.

Love the idea of a meet up celebratory plod

Alcohol is so easy to become friends with, isn't it? I try to keep an eye on my consumption, having lost my father and brother to alcoholism, so I make sure I am monitoring how much I have. I am now thinking of it as empty calories and full of sugar and carbs, so it is not making me want any.

Where is everyone based? I'm in East Surrey.

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Reading this thread inspired me to get out and do 3k yesterday. First run in a month! Felt really good.
Today = less so. Very stressful day at work and came home hungry and cross. Having a beer instead.
But I will be back out there tomorrow!

Yes me!

I've had an 11 month running break. Had a baby 10 weeks ago and I started getting back into it 2 weeks ago.

So far I've bumbled (run/walked) round 2 parkruns and am on week 2 of C25K.

I've just ordered myself some new flashy trainers to and they arrived this afternoon. Can't wait to try them out on my run tommorow

Me me me.. place marking..
Was volunteering for London marathon n have also entered for next year. Longest i ran was half marathon three years back since then gained 18 kgs n stopped running. Want to get back into running regularly