Serious loss of fitness - v. upset!

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone had some advice or even just a pick-me-up to help me get back on track with training?

Last September, I ran a half-marathon, not in any great time but I got round it all fairly comfortably.  Up until the beginning of December, I was able to happily run 4-4.5miles in the morning with my husband and my  10k time was about 56min.  Again, nothing spectacular, but I was doing okay.

Then, with bad weather and Christmas and various other commitments I stopped running until last week and it's been an utter disaster.

I'm struggling to go any distance, I'm out of breath almost as soon as I start, I'm completely demotivated.  I've retreated back indoors to the treadmill because I'm so embarrassed at my inability to go any distance.  Even at that, I'm only managing 2-3miles before I'm completely knackered.  I'm so frustrated and fed-up that I could cry.  I have cried!

How is it possible to lose so much so quickly?  Does this happen to anyone else?

RR - Don't worry about it, it is frustrating but you will get your fitness back. If you have not been running for 6 weeks, you will have lost some fitness but not all and you will be suprised at how easy you will regain it.

Rather than pushing yourself and being dissappointed, aim for 1 1/2 miles today and then gradually increase it over the next few weeks. Your muscles will need time to get back to it too and if you do too much too soon you could end up injuring yourself. You will soon be back doing your 10k.

Rubbish Runner - don't despair, lots of us have been there (it's usually me every January ) and it's very frustrating, so I can empathise with your tears.

Just grit your teeth and get through the next couple of weeks, taking it easy, and your fitness will soon return.

Thanks for the support - it's nice to know I'm not alone!  I'll be back in the gym again tomorrow and every day until I get this sorted!  I'll let you know how I'm getting on  

I'm glad there's still hope!!

RR I can understand your frustration, but because of where you were before with your running it won't be long before you are back up to that level. You may be trying to run at the pace you were doing before - when I have started back in the past I have started by consciously trying to run really slowly, I have found that this has enabled me to go further which makes me feel better about things. As has been said above, a couple of weeks and you'll be back into it - good luck

Thanks so much everyone!  I can't tell you how much it means to me to hear that my drop in fitness doesn't mean I'm the world's worst runner!

My husband took the same time off as me, more or less, but he's already running 6miles each morning at about 8.30min/mile.  Our original plan had been to train together for the Liverpool half marathon but it just ain't gonna happen!!

Me, I've stuck to the treadmill but taken your advice and slowed things down, which really helped.  I'm working out with weights again as well so hopefully my muscles will kick into gear soon.  I'm going to try a 4-5 mile slow run this weekend and see how it goes.  I'd love to get back outdoors.  I've also bought myself a heart rate monitor which will hopefully help with more focused training. 

I am determined to get back on track!!  This thread has been the first time I've posted on RW after being a long time lurker but it's been amazing help.

 Thanks again everyone!!!

RR just so you know you're not on your own, I am in the same boat. I had a down time over Xmas and then a knee issue which kept me from running even longer. Just keep running, slowly and steadily increasing the effort - it's about the effort not the distance or time.

 Just keep at it and enjoy it.

Craig

Hey all,

 Just wanted to give a wee update and thank you for all your advice.

I've been running consistently since I last posted, at least 5 days a week, up to 13miles this week for my long run, about 35 for the week total.  I've been following Parker's heart rate book so my miles are slower than I used to do them but I'm doing more of them.  My speed is gradually increasing but I'm holding back from trying to go too quickly because I've had all sorts of tendonitis and IT band issues in the past and would like to leave them there!  I've signed up for a marathon in September and I'm determined to finish it comfortably!

I'm doing my best not to compare myself to my lovely husband but it's difficult.  This is just my issue to deal with and I think I'm getting better at not feeling bad about my own running just because he can run faster.

 Hope the rest of you are doing okay!

 Cheers!!

Jeez = thats good going.

And you'd best change your nickname now.

Indeed don't despair and just keep going!!! I was in great shape last August....(18 min 5k pace for example). I have lost it hugely since due to a mixture of personal reasons, then a month with a knee injury while attempting my clubs helpers half whilst being half fit, then banged the other one on hired ice skates (tripping on the toe pick). The knees were both better 3/4 weeks later but then had the worst flu I ever had in December which put me out for the rest of the year more or less. I attempted a comeback on New Years eve and got about 6 runs in January. During this time I still felt lethargic from the flu I had...then for 2 weeks in February...a cold put me back to square one so had another two weeks off as it completely sapped my energy. It is only a week Monday ago I attempted to get back into it and it's a real struggle! Tuesday was ok having managed a 5 mile run...but last night my body just couldn't cope with a 7 miler I did. I felt like anything but running to be honest....you get good days and bad days of feeling good...and good periods and bad periods. It's going to take me a few months to get back to shape but I am sure if you keep trying...but running at a pace your body wants to rather than what your mind wants to...that it will all come back on it's own in no time. Maybe the poor weather in Demeber didn't help you to start with?

WJH, sorry to hear about all your misfortune.  It must be very frustrating for you.  You sound like you're pretty determined though, so I think you'll be back to form soon  - if you can follow your own advice!

Thanks Cougie, but if you saw me run you'd understand!!!

 I was so grateful to know that I'm not alone - I truly felt that I was the worst runner in the world!  I think the key for me has been allowing myself to run slowly - before, I just felt like a failure if I did that.  The heart rate monitor has been so useful for me because I feel I've achieved something if I manage to keep my HR at a certain level over a distance, and I'm constantly checking it so forget completely about my time.

I've found a new enthusiasm for running, where before it felt like a chore.  We'll see if I can keep it up longer term.  I'll keep you posted, if anyone's interested.

Have a great weekend everyone.