MY FIRST RUN AFTER COVID | Change of plans and upcoming races 

This video is so comforting. I tested positive the week before my last cross country race in high school. I just tried my first run back today and it was hard to run even one mile. It’s comforting that others feel this slump as well and have gone through it.

I am an old Generation X guy who is far past his prime. In my youth I was an extreme mountain runner in Colorado. Mountain running is part of my Apache culture in Arizona. In the past few years I just run casually and am slow. I caught Covid in January. I was vaccinated and updated in November. I studied public health and clinical epidemiology. So, it took a few weeks to recover and I returned to casual jogging. It seems like the elite runners who got Covid before vaccines came out in 2020 had it far worse with long Covid. Best wishes on future running. The Covid felt like the regular flu which I attribute to vaccines. One of these days I’d like to run a marathon in Greece just to finish and experience where it started.

I understand your frustration, I tested positive for covid the Tuesday prior to the London marathon. My charity were great though and have deferred me til next year

I'm glad you're getting better and only had mild symptoms! I was down and out with Covid last Jan 1, and ran a marathon on Jan 27! That was rough (lung issues) and had my absolute worst finishing time, but as us runners do, we push through! 💪 Now, all is fine and I ran a great marathon during the summer and have another one in a few days in California and my fitness has been back to pre-covid since spring, and I'm in my mid 50's. You're young and strong, you're going to be fine! Breathing hard and exercising those lungs is crucial for getting back to normal!

I just had covid , apart from a one day fever didnt have symptoms, went to gym after about 10 days in and tried the sled but by cardio was way down. I could do upper body strength work though. trying again today to see how it goes

I appreciate your positive attitude. I tested covid postive one week before my first marathon! I was distraught. But, after contacting the race director, I switched to a virtual race. I’ll be running the race three weeks post covid. I’m taking a tip from you and not pushing myself too hard. Best of luck at your ultra!

I'm so sorry about the covid, but glad it didn't wreck you! My poor niece is still struggling with terrible brain fog almost 2 months later. I can't wait to see the Scottish ultra!! You'll do great, especially since your training was so close to ideal before the covid break! There's nothing like a warm doggy homecoming.

Hope you recover fast and get back to full training and racing soon! I love Rich Roll! He's conversation pod casts are the best!

really inspiring mentality! I haven’t run for months cos I’ve got into a funk with not enjoying exercise unless it’s swimming or walking. Trying to gradually get myself back into some structure now, so this is helpful!

Love Rich Roll's book, his podcast and he's a pretty awesome dude too. Really good to see how you accept that this is where you are right now and pushing ego aside. Also the way you approach your A, B, C, goals is a really good technique in being flexible in your approach and allowing yourself to adapt your race if you have too. Great vlog and glad you are back on the mend and it wasn't too serious.

This was so great thanks! I’m just getting over a chest infection I’ll definitely watch this again when I’m well enough to run as well as the running channel one. Lovely to see you back. 😌

This is a great video. I am recovering from a really bad belt of covid which put me in bed for 3 day and this came after an op to remove my appendix and it feels like I'll never get back to running. Your remarks about being where you are now are really encouraging. As you know it can be super frustrating seeing your goal set out in front of you and now not knowing how to achieve them. You have encouraged me to take stock and re-evaluate my target. Without adjusting my plans would mean rushing ahead and ending failure and injury.

Good luck with Knoydart Flora! I hope the weather dries up for you, we've had pretty much constant rain this Month in Fort William so fingers crossed for some sunshine!

I am very happy you seem to have overcome Covid and best of luck recovering fully with your training. I'lll also take it slowly to recover from my injury and do all the exercise my physio recommends. I am glad to be back to easy running but have some work to do before I can go hard. Vivo looks really good and would probably be recommended for me to but it does not seem to ship to Canada.

Hope you did well on your ultra. Originally turned in to hear your thoughts on running after Covid infection which was sound advice, thank you. But I really loved your shaker bottle. I dislike plastic drinking containers so your metal one looks great. Keep up the great job.

Oh Flora, bet you were so upset! Thanks for sharing! I did Manchester marathon and I've only just done my first run back and everything still hurt n ached! Glad I'm not the only one who gets frustrated. Glad you're feeling better and good luck for Scotland xxx

Before catching covid I was training for Ironman 70.3 and I just finished isolating. I am feeling barely alive and any type of training can't even cross my mind... long recovery ahead I think. Glad you're ok because it can get nasty.

Good to see you back in business. This Covid stuff is scary -- especially for runners. Be patient with the recovery. I've had a few friends get it and it takes a bit for your heart rate to come back down while running. The next few weeks will be challenging but it sounds like you'll make a full recovery. Best wishes!

Glad you’re on the mend. Onwards & upwards

Impressive that you got straight back at it. It took me a couple of months to get back to running after covid and I was right back at square 1 doing couch to 5k. Good luck with your next challenge, you’re an inspiration! 😊

That's so tough, you were going to smash London. I'm sure you'll come back even stronger, all the best.

Great attitude! I'm just coming back from Covid myself. Have been training hard for the last 5 months to do my first ever marathon in Copenhagen on May 15th, and 3 weeks before race day, I get this crap! I had a relatively mild case, but my lungs really felt it, and I had a some what noticable temperature (39C, 102F) for a little less than two days. Coughed a lot though! My psyche has really taken a beating during isolation, and I just can't believe how I managed to dodge the virus for that long, just to get it right before race day! It's driving me completely mad!!!

Oh no ! Flora. U look good and recovered. Sorry about London Marathon. Hope u continued to recover. Best of luck on your ultra. Also love your outlook on life.

Glad you're able to get back at it! Good luck!!

This video was helpful. I would not particularly recommend running a marathon 3 weeks after covid IF your time is important to you. I tested positive 6 May with mild symptoms and ran Edinburgh marathon (my 6th) on 29 May (3x vac). I got 5:27. Which is 40 minutes slower than my previous worst time and 70 minutes slower than 2019. A “bad day at the office”. My pace slowed from about 11 miles. It felt like I hadn’t done any taper (although I had). I think it’s some sort of covid effect. Thanks to the vid and posts on this channel it wasn’t a surprise and I am ok with my time. If anyone else finds this video and is considering whether to run after covid here is some detail of my experience: I tested positive 6 May and ran Edinburgh marathon (my 6th) on 29 May. I got 5:27 which is 40 minutes slower than my previous worst time. I had completed all the training apart from the second 20 miler and the weekly and long run distances were spot on the training I did for my last marathon in 2019 (I got 4:12). I also included cross-training and more strength training which was a plus although my speed work was not as high quality as 2019. I lost some pace during lockdown so parkrun is ~ 3 minutes slower than 2019 I had a race plan to aim for a minute a mile slower and hoped for 4:30-5:00 My pace turned to ratshit at about 11 miles. . I found it tough from mile 18 and reduced to walk jog. Mile 19 was at 3 hours 28 which was 3 minutes slower than the long slow run I did in April while training despite doing a full taper pre marathon (actually extended if you count covid 5 days self isolation) I calculated the stats from my last 5 marathons 5 hrs 1 +3 sigma 3 hrs 40 -3 sigma 4 hrs 21 average My time of 5 hours 25 is 5 sigma worse than the mean so indicates special cause variation I didn’t experience any respiratory effects and the symptoms have not recurred

I did wonder about London! Good to hear from you and Stay safe. look forward to the next one :)

Shame you couldn’t do London I was wondering when the Vlog was coming, at least your back out again now though, good luck with the ultra.

I just realised watching your video you live just down the road from me haha. Cool vid BTW. Hope you get back to fitness :)

Wish you health and recovery,running channel,Ben Parkes,Messy happy are great !!keep the good spirit.You are amazing!!!

Hiya Flora I've just started to feel better having not run since sept the 2nd due to covid, i work as a postman and its been mega frustrating not doing my usual 3 runs a week but I had to listen to my body, im hoping to run again early November. Good luck wishing you a quick return to fitness to grab those goals girl. 👍

Thank you. Mirroring other comments, I'm in a similar situation and this was useful for some perspective.

My dog loved your welcome home dog greeting voice.

Good to see you'r well again. Lots of Km's waiting for you 😊

Glad you managed to get through with few symptoms/issues, have seen some awful long-covid stuff. Showing a good amount of respect for it too, knowing that you don't want to do something that may completely ruin running for you further down the line 🙂 Being stuck in the house on your own for that much time is a terrifying thought even without the addition of covid 😅 If it is of any use you can have some of my energy and physical ability, that would give you 13 miles physically but a few hundred in energy levels 🤣 p.s. doggo ❤

Glad yr back flora ! took me ages to feel like my lungs were back to 100% after covid , my first few runs were tough , but it helped with the brain fog somehow

I'm sorry to hear you had Covid! I'm glad you're feeling better 🤍

Glad you are ok and on the road to recovery.

It's so sad that you weren't able to compete! But I am glad that Covid didn't really affect you! :)

Good to see that you have recovered Flora. Good luck in Scotland 👍. Try not to die though. Would be very hard to vlog after 🤪

Ah, that is annoying to hear, but I love your "positivity", your mental attitude, quite inspiring indeed :) Good luck for the upcoming challenge!

How long did it take you to get back to pre-covid levels of fitness? I feel like it has totally ruined me. Went for my 5th post-covid run today and I'm still running a full 2 minutes per mile slower than pre-covid. I only took 2 weeks off running so I'm convinced something weird has happened with my lungs. I mean.... runners take 2 weeks off all the time and they dont start back at square one, right!? Stats: 3hr marathoner. Pre-covid easy run = 140bpm / 7:50 per mile. Today = 150bpm / 9:00 per mile. Just followed u on strava.

Aw that kinda sucks. Always next time though. Keep up the great work, it's just a race at the end of the day. Good to see you're back up and running. 👍

Awww damn that sucks :( I hope you recover quickly❤️

I am glad your ok Flora

Flora good that you are feeling better. Your fitness level will return with time. it is your choice I realise but not getting vaccinated is so risky these days.

Get well soon Flora 😊

Like your goals, especially B and C if needed.

Hope you recover quickly, did you have the vaccine before you caught COVID-19

I watch your videos to get motivation to run :) But Finding ultra is very nice book

What sports watch do you use

Hi Flora, Glad you are okey. Lot's of dog training as I saw :) I would love to hear your suggestion about running in winter. I would love to cut down my 5k time but I don't think the winter time is the best for that. Should I just wait for the spring, and just easy run on the cold? Or if I put on every clothes and do the training. Thanks

Very sensible.

What watch do you run with??

Glad you recovered well and got back to running.. We’re you vaccinated before getting Covid ?

Lol “subscribe if u wanna watch me die”. 77 miles yikes! Plz don’t die. 😜

Sees gorgeous lady. She runs. Subscribe is instantly clicked.

Sorry Flora but what i don't understand is if you are prepared to take on such daunting tasks as marathon running, then what is so bad in having 2 little jabs in your arm during the course of the year like about 70% of the population ?? Because if you had have done so you would probably have been a finisher in this year's London marathon !

Imagine an illness so deadly you have to test to see if you have it. LOL What a joke.