How to Get Back into Running After Time Off: Tips and Tricks

Resuming your running routine after a break can be difficult, but it is not impossible. There are steps you can take to ease back into running and restore your fitness level, regardless of whether you took a break because of an injury, illness, or simply a lack of interest.

To prevent injury and burnout, starting out cautiously and gradually building your mileage and effort is crucial. Experts advise beginning with two or three short, easy runs each week and progressively increasing the length and frequency of your runs.

You might also adhere to a couch to 5K training schedule made for newbie runners and people looking to resume jogging after a break.

Cross-training, strength training, and goal-setting are other suggestions. You can minimize the strain on your joints by cross-training with activities like swimming or cycling. Strength training can enhance your running technique and help you avoid injuries.

Establishing attainable objectives, like finishing a 5K in a few months, will help you stay motivated and monitor your development.

Assessing Your Current Fitness Level

It’s crucial to evaluate your current level of fitness before resuming running after a break. This will assist you in choosing a starting point and establishing reasonable objectives for yourself.

Taking a fitness test is one approach to determine your level of fitness. Examples of this are a timed run, a step test, or a walk test. Your total fitness level and cardiovascular endurance can be assessed using the results of these tests.

Monitoring your heart rate while engaging in physical exercise is another method for determining your degree of fitness. You can accomplish this by taking your pulse manually or using a heart rate monitor. You may assess your degree of cardiovascular fitness right now and modify your workouts accordingly by monitoring your heart rate.

It’s crucial to keep track of any illnesses or injuries that can limit your ability to run. Speaking with a healthcare provider before beginning a new workout regimen is always advised.

Assessing your fitness level is a critical step in resuming running after a break, according to How to Run Guide. By doing so, you can avoid injury and set reasonable goals for yourself.

Creating a Realistic Plan

It’s crucial to make a realistic strategy that takes into consideration your goals and current fitness level when resuming jogging after a break. Here are some tips to help you design a plan that works for you:

Start slowly

It’s crucial to build up your running regimen gradually. For the first two weeks, base-building, aerobic runs are advised, according to Runner’s World.

Set a target

Establishing a goal can inspire you and provide you with something to strive for. Choose a hard but doable objective, whether it’s finishing a race or running a certain distance.

Be adaptable

It’s crucial to be adaptable with your plan and make modifications as necessary. It’s acceptable to miss a run or change your plan if necessary because life can be unpredictable.

Incorporate strength training

Runners: This workout is for you pic.twitter.com/p3mlWTEDtj

— Men's Health Mag (@MensHealthMag) August 17, 2020

Strength training can help you avoid injuries and raise your level of fitness overall. Spend some time working on exercises that strengthen your upper body, core, and legs.

Resuming your running routine might be difficult, but remaining upbeat and recognizing your accomplishments along the road is crucial.

The most crucial thing to keep in mind is to pay attention to your body and refrain from pushing yourself too hard too soon. You may return to running after a break safely and successfully by making a strategy and following it.

Starting Slowly and Gradually Increasing

One of the most important things to keep in mind when getting back into jogging after time off is to start cautiously and gradually increase your mileage. By not pushing yourself too hard too quickly, you can avoid getting hurt and staying disheartened.

Following a workout regimen that aids in the formation of a new habit and gradually increases your mileage is a wonderful place to start, claims Verywell Fit. By doing this, you’ll be able to establish a regimen and gradually increase your endurance.

It’s crucial to pay attention to your body’s signals and refrain from overexerting yourself. It’s crucial to stop and rest if you experience any pain or discomfort, as The New York Times advises.

Instead of running the danger of hurting yourself and needing even more time off, taking a few days off is preferable.

Incorporate cross-training into your program as another useful idea. Without putting too much strain on your body, this might help you increase your strength and stamina.

For your cross-training days, BSX Insight advises beginning with some light cardio, such as bicycling or swimming, and progressively increasing the intensity as you feel ready. You can do this to increase your stamina and get your body ready for jogging.

Incorporating Strength Training and Cross-Training

For runners who want to return to the sport after a break, strength training and cross-training can be helpful. These workouts aid in the development of muscle, the improvement of endurance, and injury prevention. Here are some pointers for adding cross-training and strength training to your regimen:

Training in Strength

Nike advises beginning a strength training regimen with an emphasis on running at least two weeks before you start running again. This will help to improve strength in the muscles required for running and prevent injury. Here are some activities to think about:

Squats: bolster your hamstrings, glutes, and quadriceps
Lunges: Strengthen your quads, glutes, and hamstrings by doing lunges.
Calf raises: bolster the calf muscles
Planks: bolster your core.

It’s crucial to begin with small weights and raise them gradually as your strength increases. Strive for two to three times a week of strength training, with at least one day in between each session.

Cross-Training

Including a full day of rest can help with recovery, claims Verywell Fit. Consider including a cross-training sport on these rest days, like yoga, cycling, or swimming. Cross-training helps develop muscles that may not be used frequently when running and builds endurance.

It’s crucial to pick a cross-training sport that supports running without endangering your health. For instance, low-impact cycling, which uses many of the same muscles as running, can be a suitable option. One to two times per week, try to cross-train.

You’ll be more ready to resume jogging after a break if you include strength training and cross-training in your program. To avoid injury, always start out cautiously and increase the duration and intensity of your workouts over time.

Staying Motivated and Accountable

Staying motivated and responsible is one of the hardest aspects about starting to run again after a break. Here are some pointers to assist:

Goal-setting and progress monitoring can help you stay motivated and responsible. Goal-setting should be specific and measurable. Think about entering a race or establishing a time or distance target for your runs.

Adopt a training schedule

Sticking to a schedule might help you increase your distance gradually and stay on track. Also, it can lessen the risk of harm and burnout.
Locate a running partner: Having a running partner or joining a running group can help with motivation and accountability. Moreover, running with others might enhance the enjoyment of the activity.

Be realistic about your starting place and gentle with yourself. Don’t push yourself too hard too soon. Trust the process and exercise patience.

Remember that returning to running is a journey rather than a final goal. Appreciate your accomplishments and treat yourself well as you go.

Listening to Your Body and Adjusting as Needed

It’s crucial to pay attention to your body when starting to run again after a break and modify your training schedule accordingly. Here are some pointers to assist you in doing that:

Go out slowly

Don’t try to match your pre-break speed or mileage. Instead, begin with short, easy runs and gradually build up to longer distances and faster speeds.

According to Marathon Sports, you should go into your initial runs with an open mind and refrain from feeling obligated to run the same distance or at the same speed as you did before.

Pay attention to your body’s pain signals.

If you feel pain while running, stop immediately and take a break. 

The New York Times advises that you should not ignore any pain and to instead take it seriously. Running through an injury can make it worse because pain can be a symptom of damage.

Consider taking a day off

Rest days are just as crucial as running days. Your body needs time to heal and repair after a run, claims Runtastic. Always take at least one day off each week, and pay attention to your body to see if it requires more.

Always keep in mind that getting back into jogging after a break takes time. Expecting to reach your prior level of fitness right away is unrealistic. It’s crucial to exercise patience and pay attention to your body. You’ll soon be back to running like a pro with patience and consistency!

Final Word

Getting back into running after a break can be challenging, but it is achievable. By following a few simple steps, anyone can get back into running and enjoy its many benefits.

First and foremost, it is important to start slowly and gradually build up your endurance. As Runners Blueprint suggests, starting with a walk-run program can effectively ease back into running.

Additionally, listening to your body and taking rest days as needed is important. As BSX Insight recommends, taking a day off between runs can help prevent injury and allow your body to recover.

Proper nutrition and hydration are crucial considerations as well. Maintaining hydration and supplying your body with nutritious nutrients will support both your running goals and general health, as suggested by Verywell Fit.

Ultimately, it’s critical to establish sensible objectives and to recognize modest successes along the road. Setting reasonable goals helps keep you motivated and on track, as The Travel Runner advises.

You must be patient and gentle to yourself along the road since getting back into jogging after a break is a journey. Anyone may pick up running again and profit from its numerous physical and psychological advantages by adhering to these easy steps and remaining dedicated.