Can you get back into running after a long break?

ylor89

Hey!

A couple years ago, I went from a couch potato who could barely run a lap to running about 3 miles a day within a few months. I remember feeling just GREAT (runner's high anyone??), but then winter came...and I didn't have access to the YMCA. So I stopped running and haven't run since.

I tried to get back into it, but it just didn't feel the same like it did the first time. For example, the first time I ever ran a full mile, I was feeling AMAZING! Again, runner's high?? But this second time...well, I felt really exhausted but not all that great like the first time.

If I keep at it, do you think I'll get running again? I have my doubts but I thought maybe some of you had stopped for a while and then gone back...

Thanks!

Runs4Wine

The longest break I've had in my running was when I was pregnant... it ended up being a 1 year hiatus. I just had to get back into the routine and I was good to go.

Before getting pregnant I started with the C25K program, and then when I returned to running I restarted the program. I admit some days I despise running and others I find my mojo and I forget I'm even running (or that I woke up at the crack of dawn). You can't have that runners high all the time.

What did help me was to sign up for races, so I had things to look forward to, and then gradually increasing my distances. I get bored when run the same route or run the same amount of time/distance everyday. I like to challenge myself and ward off boredom. Try running intervals once in a while to get a change of pace as well as work on increasing your pace.

Duck_Puddle

Yep-read my profile.

Running is my sanity, my sanctuary from the insanity in the world, and calms my soul. Bonus - it burns calories! Barring injury, it will not be taken from me again.

meerkat70

It's hard getting back into it, because I think you're always comparing yourself to what you *could* do. But it's worth it. You eventually get to a point where you're happy to be doing the distances. It won't take you long to get back to where you were.

kristenleewarren

ive had a couple months off a couple of times, stupid reasons like being lazy. its hard to get back into - but after a little while feels like you've never stopped

taylorwaylor

Just keep setting goals and you'll probably like it again. The only way to know the answer to your question is if you just get up and go ruuunnn!

CorvusCorax77

yes.

ExcelWithMel

I only run @6 months out of the year. From December-February, and June-August I barely run at all. It's too hot or too cold and I replace it with swimming (summer) or yoga (winter).
As soon as the weather is fair 40-65degrees I pick up running again for the season and run 3-4 times per week, 3-10 miles per day. The first week SUCKS. The second is not so bad. Buy the 3rd week I hate my rest days because I'm itching to run.

Just keep it up and after a few runs it should be better.

laserturkey

If I can get back into taekwondo after 5 years away, running should also be possible.

I'd start gradually.

k8eekins

Yep-read my profile.

Running is my sanity, my sanctuary from the insanity in the world, and calms my soul. Bonus - it burns calories! Barring injury, it will not be taken from me again.

^^ This ^^

n0ob

I ran 2.2 yesterday at 8.5 mph (8.8 after I actually calculated it...HS!!) and haven't run in about 5 months.

Nancy_hc

Fitness is a perishable skill.... take it easy - people make the mistake of trying to go back to what they were doing before they stopped. But YES, just like you did the first time, it will come back to you again. ) Its the motivatiopn factor you're missing - not the capability. You can do it!

Pedal_Pusher

yes

jaimesoo

I took the last year off to have a baby. He is 7mo now and i said enough is enough. I find myself looking at the trails and overpasses I used to run and being jealous of the runners that are up there. Having a feelin this would happen i signed up for a half marathon in March (LAST March). My official first training run was today and it felt great! I admit I had to stop a couple times to walk and I had to stop to use the bathroom but it felt great to be out there, on the trails and the overpasses.... and even in the snow! Just take one day at a time and do what you can. If you loved it before, you will probably love it again. I started as a wallflower who never ran more than a block in her life to a C25K in 2009 to running a full marathon in 2011 ... found out 4 weeks later I was pregnant. It can be done! Its all up to you! Friend me if you want more support too... i know i can always use it.

Elzecat

I'm working on it right now--started running in Feb. 2011, ran consistently until September 2012, then it was like one thing after another (illness, family stress, etc) and I was barely running once a week since then. Just starting to get back into my routines and it's REALLY hard...but I think it's totally doable. I hope it is--because I've scheduled another half marathon for May 2013!

00sarah

If I can start at 25... Lol
But I certainly don't see why you couldn't

July

I feel the same way - winter just knocked me down. And I find that the runner's high doesn't come until mile 4 for me, whereas it just to come after mile 1. Some things I've been doing to bring it back is track-based intervals, where I run my fastest one way around the track. And listening to Ke$ha.

Graceious1

Of course you'll get back into it. I had a few months break then did 20 minutes and eventually increased it. Now if I have a break for a month or a few weeks I can always get back into it and if I get that runner's high, as I normally do, I want to do it again. I have also got back into Tae Kwon Do after 8 years break(having kids and life) and did a grading a couple of years ago. I just can't stay away now.

Sycoholic

Last year I was running almost every day. I was posting some fast 5k times, although I never competed. Well, I just got burned out. I really loved running but just couldn't bring myself to do it anymore. The runs were the same neighborhood, the same flock of turkey, the same herd of deer, the same traffic. I have to drive 15 minutes to get to a running trail and most of the time that's out of the question. Even my favorite trail had become boring. So I took a break. No running. I was going to start mountain biking heavily but broke my wrist. Well, now I'm back to running and have the "blah" feeling some days. I think this is normal though as I'm comparing myself to how I was last year. I'm slowly getting motivated to build a goal and a plan to get back to that level. I'm running, but am going to start doing intervals and more hill work. I've already started running hills once or twice a week.

sherrirb

Last year, my husband and I started C25K (Couch to 5k) late January/early February. Neither of us have ever been runners in our lives before this. Getting through a few bumps along the way we were in Week 9 by May. We both experienced some medical issues and had to stop running. Week 9 you are running 30 minutes straight, we were averaging about 2.5 - 3 miles each run.

After we were both able to resume exercise, we didn't go back to running. It was summer and we were enjoying camping and just kep putting it off.

So here we are nearly a year later than when we first began and we are starting over, almost at the beginning. We wanted to see if we still had enough stamina and started on Week 2 and are now into Week 3 of C25K.

It isn't easy but its not as hard as it was the first time. We are more familiar with our bodies and know what we are capable of. Last year, when I was in week 3, I was having a hard time running at 3.2 to 3.5 on the treadmill and walking at 2.0 to 2.5.

Now, this time around, I am running at 4.5 and easily walking 2.5 on the intervals of this program. Getting back into running after having done this before is a LOT easier than starting running for the first time.

I am currently at 227lbs, which is obese.

ylor89

Running, here I come! Thanks everyone! :happy: