Hey, it happens to all of us…sickness, job stress, raising a family and having babies etc. Life just happens and for whatever reason we fall off the run wagon! Here are just a few ways to easily get back into the run game after taking some time off.
1. Always taking small baby steps will make a huge difference. I think as runners we have a tendency to go all in after taking time off and really go overboard. Remember to always ease back into any fitness regimen and let your body adjust.
2. Schedule an easy/conversational run with a good friend. Running with someone you actually enjoy running with makes all the difference and you will spend so much time chatting away the miles fly by fast.
3. Run without the data/GPS watch/etc. You do not always have to be a slave to the numbers. Hey, I will call myself out on this. I am guilty of getting caught up in weekly mileage, pace, etc. If you are on social media is hard not to. But especially if you are coming back from an injury or some sort of stressful situation, pace and distance really do not matter. Frankly nobody cares about that stuff more than you. Just go and run for the sake of running. Run because you love it. Feel the wind in your face and your feet hitting the ground. Get back to the simple joy of moving your body and concern yourself with everything else later.
4. Just RUN! Sometimes not thinking so much about it and just going out and doing it is all you need.
Have you taken a run hiatus? How did you ease yourself back into it?
thedancingrunner 
Good points! Just took a hiatus after having a baby. I definitely overdid it my first couple of runs and am now having to scale back because I injured myself. Thanks for posting this!
It’s hard but really easing back into it makes all the difference. And you’re welcome!
I love #3… I’m guilty of stressing about my pace currently. I have to keep reminding myself that no one else cares and ultimately completing the run is more important than how fast I ran it. The speed will come in time.
I took about 3 years off running and I’m just getting back into it now… I eased myself back into it at the beginning of the year by taking my new dog out for walks and then eventually runs. Once I got more comfortable I eventually started setting goals for myself by signing up for races.
The pace obsession struggle can be very real sometimes! I hear ya!!
Great advice, had to stop four 4 months due to torn calf. Certainly got obsessed with numbers and got upset when I returned , so great advice about running without a watch etc, it does help and work getting back into running
It can be so mentally a mind f**k sometimes even more than physical! Excuse my french that’s just the best way to describe it 😉 lol
Great topic. I am exploring the same thing on my blog. I have been off for way too long so I am easing back into running by doing it regularly, in short bursts. I’m currently on week 2 of my daily challenge. if you would like to stop by and check out my posts. https://runwright.net/2017/05/18/temperature-turnover/
Fantastic! Short bursts can be good!
Yes!! I do all of these! I think the same way when it comes to getting back to it — I always do short runs to make sure I don’t get overwhelmed, and to make sure it’s not a completely miserable experience so that I’ll actually do my next scheduled run! Love the tip about going with a friend too because that really does make time flyyy :))
A short run is definitely better than no run at all. Great work!!
Just trying to get back into it after an enforced break! Trying to not get back into it too quickly!
Yay for getting back into it! Easy does it!
GIRL! I needed this today. I have been putting off getting back in the saddle for much too long! I gotta get out there before I have the “its too hot” excuse!
Yep! Happy running!