Indecisive about whether to start 400m/800m training again or stay in retirement

Have you had many injuries? That is probably the limiting factor.

I'd say if you think you will enjoy it go for it, but if you're not sure, maybe pick another sport?

Good luck :)

If you don’t have the mindset for it, as you claim, then don’t bother. You will never be successful without the proper motivation and attitude.

On the other hand, you are young enough that you could still be competitive. Your body may be in a good place, but so must be your mind.

Actually I have re-read your post and I think you should stay with the weightlifting. You say it is what makes you happy and brings you joy. That is more important. You associate running with burnout, stress and you say you just don't want to get out and train. Just go with what makes you happy. It sounds like that is weightlifting.

You can give it a go. Start by setting NO expectations. Think of running as a way to complement your general fitness. If this ends up being the balance you are looking for, problem solved! If you hunger for more, think about setting small realistic goals. Structured training will follow. In either case, a exploratory period of a year would be a healthy duration to figure out what you are getting into.

I have some... pretty serious body image issues about being too underweight, and that's one of the reasons after college I decided I would just lift 2-3x a week and quit running. Because you know, running would hurt my gains. It seems like you are in this kind of scenario?

I signed up for every charity 5k and turkey trot that I caught a glimpse of, yet wouldn't train for it because I was scared of losing weight. I'd run terribly as expected, yet I kept looking at the results sheets and thinking, "If I were running 50mpw, I would have crushed these guys"

Even though I was extremely dedicated to the gym (and apparently, signing up for races I wouldn't train for) it eventually became clear where my heart was.

1. Looking Good

2. Running

*VAST SPACE*

3. Lifting

I eventually had the epiphany that while running would absolutely lower my lifting numbers - It would not necessarily make me look worse physically unless I was grinding out major miles. I did not give a single F about what my lifting numbers were as long as I looked good.

So there I had it. I changed my training plan from "just lifting" to "lifting a lot, running a little" 10-15mpw. And I ended up looking better than I ever did while just lifting. I look positively SHREDDED.

Even after upping to 30mpw (I do force feed myself to compensate a little) I look the best I have ever in my life probably, and can run 18's in the 5k which is easily enough to participate in any running group.

My advice: I think you are interested in participating in these running groups... You don't need to be running to the best of your ability to participate. Running groups almost always consist of more people who got into running late 20's/early 30's rather than competitive HS or College track runners. Most likely if you were competitive in HS, you can hang with less talented folk on 1/4 their mileage. Just not no mileage.

Running Dogg wrote:

If you don’t have the mindset for it, as you claim, then don’t bother. You will never be successful without the proper motivation and attitude.

On the other hand, you are young enough that you could still be competitive. Your body may be in a good place, but so must be your mind.

This.

If you aren't driven to do it, go to the pub and play darts.

No one will miss you either way. Your knees will thank you.

If you want, try.

If you can't stay motivated, move on.

I ran 800m in HS and college.

I loved the race and the training (also ran mile and 2-mile and CC in HS).

I still love it. I run intervals as much as my body can handle it, and I've had a couple of surgeries, etc.

Maybe shoot for the 400m, and see how that goes. Do some running and at least once a week do some 150s, like maybe 4 of them with a 250 m walk between.

Start at 50% effort for a couple of weeks on the 150s, then 60% for a couple of weeks, and keep going until you are at 80%.

If still excited, then try 200m x 4 with 200m walk at 50% for another 2 weeks, etc.

This is 16 weeks with some running and 1 interval session a week.

You will know by the end of 16 weeks if this is best for you at this time in your life.

If not, find something else you want to do. The weightlifting seems to be a passion for you.

Doesn't sound like you have the "fire in the belly" to do this.

You are in the thinking stage. Make a list, assess your assets and realities of your daily life. Can you do it?

Then assess your damn head: how much to you want to do it--whats in it for you? What are you looking for.

But you have to be unequivocal! If you want to do it to equal or exceed your earlier performances? Or just for laughs and lumps? Either way, do it or don't but do it completely, whether for laughs or ego.

I think you should start over from 400m, good luck with that. If you need a fitness guide app, you can visit bhcmod.com. Hope this helps you.