So today was my first attempt at a run since my holiday, which worked out at about 3 and a half weeks with no running at all.
I did not want to put any pressure on, as I realise that my legs would find it a shock, so I took my time over breakfast, and headed out much later than planned. I ran up to the lakes and around them, which was really enjoyable. I did have to stop and walk after mile 2 and mile 3, as my legs felt very stiff at that point, so I did some stretching and walked for a few minutes each time. While I was running my Nike+ was reading between 10.20-10.40 per mile, but by the time I got home I had done 5.7 miles in over an hour- can’t remember how many mins, but some of that was walking and a lot was stretching!
I feel this is quite positive really- last summer I did not have much of a break as we went away for less than 2 weeks I think, plus I was not running as far anyway. I remember the first year I started running, after my holiday I had to go down to a walk break every 5 mins or so, and it took me a while to get back up to 10k distance. I also managed to run up the steep hill (I had decided that I would be allowed to walk it), and clearly it should not take as long to get back up to my normal longer distances (I was doing 10 miles for my long run before I went away).
But when I got home I felt so tired! I think it really shocked my system. It also meant I was running late to meet my friends, but luckily they didn’t mind.
Hope all you UK bloggers had fun at your meet up.
So question- how do you get back into things after a break from your routine?
I won’t be half surprised if you are back to your normal rhythm after a week or so back, your body will remember and you’ll be off 🙂
I’ve not taken a really big break from exercise recently, but I did take a knock a while back after I gave blood. I just took it at an easy pace (I honestly couldn’t do any more!) and within about 10 days I was back to normal.
I think gentle persistance is the key – try to get back into a routine as soon as you can.
I think you’re doing the right thing- just keep walking and stretching and you should be back to your tip-top running shape in no time at all!
I think it sounds like you did great getting back after such a long break. I think whenever I’ve had a brake in my routine I just start small and slow and build it back up depending on how my body adjusts. Sometimes it can surprise us I think!
Yeah I am hoping it will surprise me 🙂