Most runners who’ve been in it for the long haul find themselves in sort of an “open marriage” with running. Am I the only one who personifies “running” and sings love songs to it? If not you should try it while you’re out on a run, at the very least you’ll amuse yourself for a solid 1.5 minutes. Okay, back to my topic now…my running comebacks over the past 10 years.
I’ve made a few different types of running comebacks over the past 10 years. Two of them were really “post baby” comebacks, one was more like “oops it was winter for 4 months and I didn’t run” and the last was a post injury running comeback.
The great thing about running is that you can completely stop for as long as you need to or want to, and then pick it up again and wind up stronger than you were before. If there’s a “friends with benefits” relationship that can really work, it’s the one you have with running. You can be as casual or serious about it as you choose to be and still make it work.
Each time I’ve made a comeback, I’ve returned with more confidence that I CAN get to where I want to be, along with a list of what to do and not do to avoid screwing it up. Don’t worry, I’m still screwing things up all the time and learning from it, but that’s part of the inherent beauty of any long term relationship, right?
Comeback # 1 – Post baby (okay, actually post 2 babies)
My longest break from running occurred just under a year after I started running at all, in Jan 2007 when I got pregnant, had a baby, got pregnant again, had another baby, and came back to the world of the living (relatively of course) in Sept 2009. I did not run during pregnancy due to complications, but I also did not have the desire to do it even before my doctor restricted my activities. Post partum, I simply did not have the energy or means at the time to prioritize fitness, so it didn’t happen. This is life and this is normal. I’m not saying normal for everyone, but for me this was natural and the way it needed to be.
I acted on instinct and decided it was time to start running again when Emily was around 6 months old. The photo above is from November of 2009. Over the course of 2 months, I went very slowly, beginning with just 3 days per week of walking/jogging about 2.5-3 miles at a time with my double stroller. The key with coming back to running when you have young babies/toddlers is NO PRESSURE. Think about the huge amount of pressure that’s placed on you as a new mom, you can lose perspective when you’re in the midst of it but it’s constant and it’s intense. This is the time to use running to make your life easier, not add any difficulty whatsoever. Enjoy being with your kids, outdoors, feeling your body respond to exercise again, and place no further demands on it!
Comeback # 2 – Post 3rd baby
Coming back after having Drew in 2011 was different than the first time. Once again, I didn’t run at all during pregnancy for medical reasons (incompetent cervix) but this time I was ready to run again and add some distance and intensity. I mapped out a loose schedule of when and how long I’d run, which at first was about 3-4 miles 4 days per week, and gradually built to 4-5 miles 5 days per week. This was mainly done with a single jogger while the girls were in preschool. It became part of our morning routine and Drew happily napped in the stroller.
Even though running was more “serious” for me this time around, I still had a young baby, a toddler and a preschooler and they always came first. Once winter of 2011/12 hit, I stopped running for about 3-4 months.
Comeback # 3 – Getting Serious and Going for Distance
In the Spring of 2012, though I hadn’t run for months, my body responded much more quickly when I picked it up again and felt faster and stronger than ever. I was still mainly pushing a jogger, alternating early and late mornings, but my mental focus had switched and I began to prioritize my running more. After years of babies being attached to me, I was more than ready to have something that I did only for myself.
This comeback led to a stretch of time in 2012/13 where all my PRs happened. It also led to some of the BIGGEST running mistakes I’d ever made – overtraining, making running my ONLY fitness activity, and eventually a big ‘ol injury.
Comeback # 4 – Post Injury
After my severe posterior tibial tendonitis in Sept-Oct of 2013 (I let it go for too long!) I had to take a full 2 months off of running. During this time I tried to keep a cardio base with spin and the elliptical for 30-60 minutes about 4 days per week, and it’s also when I overhauled my eating with the Whole30.
My comeback was unusual because I went right into training for the Boston Marathon in January 2014, beginning from scratch. Although this was NOT ideal, I was so nervous about re-injuring myself that I trained very conservatively, peaking at about 35 miles per week, with no goal other than completing the marathon. I wound up not only stronger than I’d imagined, but nearly back to where I was the previous year, pre injury.
When I look back on all these breaks and comebacks, it makes me realize how important breaks have been for me and my running both mentally and physically. I haven’t taken any significant breaks from running since that last comeback in Jan 2014, and I feel I might be due for one prior to beginning my marathon training for fall.
Although I don’t have a tangible reason to take a break, I feel that even 2 or 3 weeks of no running at all will be beneficial to my upcoming training cycle. While I DO worry about losing fitness during these breaks (the rigid obsessive runner lives on), history tells me otherwise, since I’ve always come back stronger, refreshed after each break!
How many running comebacks have you made in your life?
Do you feel you come back to running stronger after breaks?
How do you decide when to take a break, and when it’s time to return to running?
Gosh I didn’t workout or run for a couple of years when my son was born! I remember at the 6 week post partum mark when I got the all clear, picking up some weights…and then putting them back down lol. I was not ready or in the mood (and certainly had no energy!)…I agree, we can come back when we are ready and it is always there for us. I don’t even think it took much time to get back into the routine either once I was ready.
Totally, once I was really “ready” to go for it, it didn’t feel like a struggle, even to build a base of fitness. Kind of the reminder I need for myself now!
I completely agree that I come back stronger after a break, whether that break is forced (due to injury) or not. I don’t fear losing fitness and I oddly like the challenge of “getting back into shape.” There are more important things than maintaing fitness and it’s one of those things I know will come back eventually and I don’t need to maintain it 24/7 🙂
That’s great that you don’t fear losing fitness, I never did up until recently and that’s why I needed to look back at my own history and see I’ve always come back stronger. And you’re right, “getting back into shape” is a fun challenge!
This makes a lot of sense. Running puts a ton of stress on the body and I’ve read that taking a week or two break every 2-3 months helps rejuvenate the body. Personally I don’t think I will run again with my femur & hip issues. I do know that injury has made me more aware of my weak areas and I am much stronger now than I was before.
It’s hard to take a break “by choice” but my instinct tells me I need to before I start marathon training. I want to start fresh, or at least refreshed 🙂 I’m so glad you feel stronger now, there is a lot more to fitness than JUST running, it is only one thing! Hard to remember unless you take breaks here and there.
I will be very interested to see what happens after I have/try to have kids. I really do wonder if I will return to running, or what will happen. I’ve had several running “comebacks”–all from injury at this point. Working on my next one now!
I think after kids it’s easy to tell what’s right for you. Everything feels intense, and if you want to run you’ll run, and if not you won’t wish you did, your life will be rich with so many other things! Wishing you a strong comeback from this nagging tendonitis!
I agree with you 100%. There’s something great about taking a little break. My longest break was 4 years when I was in college. Since then I’ve had a couple of small injuries, and always feel stronger after taking a few weeks off. You’re in such good shape that you’ll pick up so close to where you left off!
It’s funny how we worry about losing fitness but then you wind up building it up pretty quickly since you’ve had a break and feel motivated. It also helps get away from the feeling that we “need” to run, because it doesn’t feel good to approach it that way. I never ran in college, I can’t imagine I’d have been consistent with it!
Great post idea! I also think about my “comebacks”. I was a serious runner from the age 10-18 (lots of 5k’s, cross country, track) and got burnt out by the time I started college. I took a break for a while, then decided to train for the Pittsburgh half my junior year and ran the full on my graduation day. I never really trained that seriously for either race, so I think my “real” comeback is this year! It’s the first time since I started running that I’m being serious about training and treat it like a part-time job. I hope it all pays off!
I’m sure it will! With so much running experience I’m sure your body will respond really well. Very cool that you ran for so much of your life!
The longest time I took off from running was about 8 months when I found out I had a torn labrum and then had to wait to have surgery. I was still able to work out, and I returned to running only 2 months after surgery using the alter-G. I remember that being my best comeback because I was in PT and for the first time I learned all the important hip exercises that I should have been doing all along.
I think that my comeback now is one of my harder ones because the problems I was having were due to years of small imbalances that eventually lead to bigger problems. Now its all about retraining other muscles to work better!
It’s interesting to see the effect of years of imbalance in the body! I know I have mine and I’m aware of them, though I understand what you’re saying about it being a challenge to correct and get things to work the way they’re supposed to. I’m not sure how to do that for myself, so I’m curious to see how this goes for you!
I only started running about 2 years and 2 months ago, but had to come back from a bad hip injury over last summer – I wasn’t running for 3 months, and the first month or two back just 3-5 miles at a time with a lot of walking, humbling after having run my first half one year into running. I had to keep reminding myself that everyone goes at their own pace, and that is what’s important!
I think it’s good to have had the experience of being at all points on the running fitness continuum! Fitness DOES come back which is something I need to remind myself over and over, looking at my history and realizing it only leads to good things with my running.
Breaks are definitely essential with running. Not only are they great for keeping you physically strong, but they help keep you mentally fresh. I’m taking a short break right now for no other reason than post-marathon rest. I think looking back at all of your comebacks is a reflection of what a tough, strong runner you are!
Agree that the mental is probably just as important as the physical! They seem to go hand in hand. Post marathon rest is important, I’ve never rested quite enough after a marathon in my opinion. Just as important I think is prior to beginning a more intense training plan, I’ve noticed my body can only go so long without starting to give out.
So secret reveal….I haven’t run in 5 or 6 weeks now…6 I think….and I won’t be….hopefully I can talk about it on the blog soon :/
Interested to hear about your experiences with it and what made you stop! It’s definitely not something everyone can or should do all the time.
I think this is a great for people to read and recognize that running is always there (well, except when injured!). I too have had my ups and downs and comebacks over the years. Some have been really tough while others have snapped back quickly. By choice, I’d never take time off! ; )
It’s really hard to take a break “by choice” but I think I owe it to myself and my marathon training to do it. Last thing I need it to start training in July already running 6 days a week. I know my limits 🙂 And I need to drill into my head that it IS always there. And I might save money by prolonging my shoes a few weeks 😉
Do you think the spinning and elliptical really helped you for when you returned to running? I’m on injury time now and wondering if it’s worth it for me to hit the gym while I recover.
It helped with the cardio base but it still felt bizarre as hell to actually start running again. I think it made for an easier transition though, especially to get back more quickly to long runs. Sorry you’re injured, that really sucks 🙁
I never actually started running until after baby #1 (who turned 14 yesterday:)), but babies #2 and #3 were certainly breaks. I had super easy pregnancies and ran almost until delivery, but c-sections with all three, so had LONG recoveries…wasn’t even really allowed to go for walks for 6 weeks, but I never really listened to that and was always out with a baby in a stroller doing a walk/jog within a few weeks. My other big comeback was after an extended break from a torn MCL (fell down my stairs carrying a baby–saved the baby, didn’t save my knee). That was the toughest and longest, and I really thought I wouldn’t ever run normally or the same distances, but I now can.
But running is about those rest periods I think. I have been suffering a bit lately…more back pain than I have ever had (never had that before), I have a foot acting up. What does this all mean? I visualize myself running in some form forever, but what will that look like? Maybe it will look like just a couple of miles at a slow pace because that is what my body can handle. I guess we just have to be happy with what our body can do today and try not to kill it for future running.
I think when these little nagging pains come up it’s easy to start questioning your future with running – I do the same! I want to be able to run, at least a little, until an old-ish age so I know I need to swallow my pride, get over the fear of losing fitness and take these breaks. You are so right, we need to accept and be happy with what our bodies allow, and try to preserve it all we can!
Love this! Thanks so much for sharing – always love these details!
Running for me has always been something ‘separate’ – just for me, before the world is awake. So even when our kids were little I would get up and run early.
I only really took a ‘break’ when my thyroid died and we moved out here … I went to the gym for a while, and tried off and on to get back into things after our schedule made the gym impossible … but it wasn’t until spring 2012 that it really clicked. And I’ve run at least 5 days every week ever since – and have no desire to stop (ok, actually part of me fears stopping).
I think the fear of stopping can be pretty powerful, I’ve been feeling that way which is why I had to look back on my history and SEE that taking breaks has only led to stronger running. That feeling of “separate” is hard to get with any other activity though, so there’s that too. It’s hard to leave it “by choice” 🙂 We’ll see how it goes! I have a 10k (and 5k with daughter) mother’s day and then I’ll be chill-en 🙂
wow i LOVE this. i was actually reflecting on my own running story yesterday and as i was typing, i became aware of how many times i’ve put running on the back burner, but NEVER took it off the stove. isn’t that totally amazing? like, if you love running there is just nothing that will replace it. for me, i know that my body suffers when i abuse the magical running pill. so i just have to administer smaller doses to myself and actually build up gradually…. graddddddd-uuuuuuu-alllllllllll-y. that is so furkin hard, ya know? anyway, this time i’ve truly been healing and just riding the spin bike and going on several long walks the dogs. ya know it’s actually nice to feel my leg getting better. i don’t think i’ve actually allowed myself to fully heal since my first achilles injury in 2012, can you believe that? well i had already signed up for ironman so honestly i just didn’t think of stopping. and then signed up for another one after that first one and i think now that all i was doing was putting a bandaid on it. i never ran to my full potential since 2012, and that’s just plain silly and sad! but it’s okay. we are all learning each day.
thank goodness i love some other things, like writing and reading blogs, lol. i can’t wait to start running again with a fresh pair of legs… it will be worth it to wait. right??? 😀
thanks for a great post, Michele!
So true, if you love running you can take breaks and always feel that urge to come back to it at some point! Gradually is hard, I hear you! It’s easy to get caught up in signing up for a bunch of races, at some point though you can’t let races rule your running or your life! I’m glad your leg is feeling better and you’ve been doing some real healing this time around. And it WILL be so worth it to keep your body at its best!
good post ! i SAY resting is good but i am bad at actually doing it though i mix up my fitness with weights running spinning boxing yoga etc so i feel ok about it.
i am afraid to lose fitness and was mad at myself that i didnt keep up long runs over the winter but have been surprise that im a little farther in my spring plan for running than i thought i would be. i think personally i will need to see proof that resting is ok for me and obviously want that by choice not injury.
im glad to see that you have been able to keep your fitness and even get better by taking breaks and so have the commenters ! give me guts to try it ! i guess for me…my breaks are more i just run way less (time and miles) particularly in the winter. i think that when i super hate running it means i need a break but sadly it can take me a while to realize it in the moment.
I’m going to continue yoga even when not running but I don’t think I can bring myself to do the elliptical or bike! Which is fine because the point is stop running the legs at all for w bit. It’s hard though because I do have that fear of building cardio fitness back up, though my history shows me it’ll work out. And I relate to not recognizing the need for a break in the moment. My brain will go straight to “what’s wrong with me!” when the answer is completely obvious!
and i absolutely must say….an incompetent cervix ? is that a thing ? like did you seriously just look at the doctor who told you this and stare at him or laugh ? i think i would have. i mean….is there a condition in men where their parts are diagnosed “incompetent” ? well….i guess i can think of one : )
but seriously ??????????????????????? even a hysterectomy…comes from the idea that women are crazy and to treat a women in the “old days” who had psychological problems (which prob just meant she disagreed with her husband at the time) she got a hysterectomy…to literally “remove her hysteria”….ok rant over 🙂
And the incompetent cervix sounds like it’s from the middle ages, totally! It just means my cervix shortened and dilated way too early in my first pregnancy. I wound up 2cm dilated at 30 weeks and spent the rest of the pregnancy in the hospital on strict bedrest. My daughter was still born 6 weeks early but healthy. For my second and third pregnancies, they stitched my cervix at 13 weeks and removed the stitches at 37 weeks, worked like a charm! Good thing I don’t “need” my cervix for anything else now 😉 Of all the things to label as incompetent!
I needed a mental break at the end of 2013 after a DNF at my goal marathon and then running a disappointing follow up. I came back slower but through 2014 was dealing with (and unknown at the time) Crohn’s flare and powered through Chicago and NYCM miserable. Which then left me with the Crohn’s and a stress fracture.
Once the fracture healed I tried to come back but the Crohn’s (now diagnosed) was kicking my ass. I eventually called uncle and stopped running.
Now I am getting back as my Crohn’s is getting to remission and avg about 20 miles / week but slower than ever. Like 11 min miles are hard at times. I did a speed workout 8 x 400 and my 400’s pace was 8:30 which used to be my half marathon pace (and it kicked my ass). It is depressing but I try to just put it all in perspective and wait for it to just come back. I mostly am stubborn and do too much even when I am too tired but I try to listen – it’s frustrating wanting to just be back to normal!
You poor thing! Ugh, you’ve been through a lot, for sure. I know it’s tough to go easy on yourself and be patient, but you really are doing well and speed will come back as your body strengthens, I do believe that! I can sometimes be stubborn and do too much, but I’ve learned and I’m still learning that it won’t get me the outcome I want long term. Hang in there and try as best you can to be nice to yourself!
i could not agree more with the breaks. it makes you realize where you need to really focus on.. health and family first. Because that’s what makes your running great! support.
Yes, so true, health and strength physically, mentally, emotionally is what supports everything else!
I just made a comeback recently after taking a break because 1. I was just exhausted from constantly training for something and 2. I was getting married. I totally agree with the body coming back stronger. I think the break helped my body recover and get ready for more running!
Definitely two great reasons for a break! I think a little no-run time will help strengthen me mentally and physically to tackle training again 🙂 Awesome that you’re having a nice strong comeback!!