Help!

[NeverGotMyPuppy]

I posted this on chat yesterday and was kindly directed here.

I used to be able to run 10km (only in the gym, never outside, just within an hour). I then slowed on the running and started cross training, I then got pregnant and exercised up to my due date. DS was a terrible sleeper and I got out of practise.

DS is now 14 months renewed my gym membership about 3 weeks ago. I got up to running 5km (about 29 minutes) and extended it to 6. However I went yesterday and I just couldnt run. I tried again today and same thing.

My local park running operating anymore and there isnt really anywhere I can go outside

Help. Where do u go from here. I feel really despondent.

When you say you couldn't run, what exactly do you mean? What stopped you? Your legs? Your breathing? Something else?

I just couldnt get into any kind of rhythm. Everything felt 'off'. And then I just felt exhausted really really quickly. Running for 30 mins straight suddenly seemed impossible.

It could be as simple as it being the wrong time of the month - there will be days/weeks when everything feels harder because of your hormones. The chances are that if you try again in a few days you'll be fine. But check that you aren't running at too hard an effort - keep it nice and easy.

Look at the Jeff Galloway programme, OP.

I sometimes feel like that OP, especially on the treadmill rather than outside. It just feels wrong. I switch to the cross-trainer when it happens and then go slow on the next run. Slowing right down or alternating with walking takes the pressure right off. Why can't you run in your local park?

You're probably doing too much too soon.

After a lengthy break from running you need to go back at a much easier level than you were running before. And then increase by no more than 10% a week. Going from nothing, to 5k to 10k in the space of 3weeks is much too much, much too quickly.

Don't be despondent - it's remarkably easy to overtrain. Just cut right back to no more than 5k at a time, no more than 3 times a week, and only add either speed or distance (not both) from time to time.

We done for getting stuck back in!

Wow ! - I could never run 10K. Just haven't got the mental stamina!

But to get back to it, just run as much as you can. Then walk. Then run again. The Couch to 5K app I used started with a walk run alternating sequence of about 90 secs walk then 90secs run, for 20 minutes or so.

Or do an exercise class at your gym.

Or start lifting weights. Proper weights - it's a revelation just hw strong & fit you get. I love lifting

Basically, what Stella said! It takes a bit of time to get back into it after a break. Up your mileage by around 10% each week and aim for a rest day between runs.

It took me a few weeks to get back into running after both my pregnancies, but I took it steady-ish and didn't push the pace until I was comfortable running decent distances again.
After DS it took four months for me to be racing 10ks again, but after DD I was back doing halves by 10 weeks. Not planning on more DC, but I do wonder if you come back faster each time, as your body is more used to adapting.

A Half? At 10 weeks post partum?

Yeah. But it was slow!!! 30 mins slower than my PB. But I enjoyed it much more than the eyeballs-out-to-the-line race pace stuff