This year and last I have been part of Tall Mom's 1000+++ mile challenge. Last year I capped the year off at 1111 miles ending the year by running a costume race on New Year's Eve! This year I decided to raise the bar even higher, because I just can't not push, and try for 1500 miles. The beginning of the year I went out like gang busters and really racked up some miles. Then came the pregnancy.....and the miscarriage.....then strep throat.....and now bronchitis. Through all of these physical curve balls I have been determined to push through and get the miles done no matter what. I have fought with myself both mentally and physically to do whatever it took to keep my miles up. Well yesterday, as I wheezed through the day, I decided to scrap my 12 mile run I had planned. It was difficult emotionally to do but I knew that my lungs needed a break and would probably revolt had I ventured out for 2 hours. I was able to get a VERY long overdue pedi with Jill and have dinner at her house! In the end it was a hard decision, but I needed to listen to my body this time.
It stuck me how hard it was not to run and made me wonder a few things about runners.....are we crazy?.....ok well I guess we are a little. I mean we PAY MONEY.....sometimes big money.....to run!!! That aside, what is it in runners that cause us to push our bodies and limits when others head to bed? What do you finally need to take a rest day? And the big question......are your rest days really a "day of rest"? I want to be doing this running thing until I'm a little old lady so I guess I need to start embracing the rest!!! What about you?
I finally embraced rest days once I got injured. I was trying to make my 1000 miles last year and I think that I was running 2 times a day for most of December. My PT guy told me to stop or I would not be running when I was a little old lady. Embrace rest. It is how your body heals and how your body is able to keep running:) Take care of yourself. Do you think that you need an antibiotic?
ReplyDeleteI don't know, maybe I'm abnormal. I don't set mileage goals and I know I'd be a better runner if I ran more but I just don't.
ReplyDelete3 days a week does it for me. It's a balance I'm happy with.
Yes, we are crazy. The sooner we all accept this the better! LOL!
ReplyDeleteSeriously though, I think there is something is everyone that pushes us to do our best and we just happen to run instead of other things.
Cool on hitting your goal last year - I'm hoping to get there this year - I'm not sure how viable this is at this point. We'll see!
I wasn't great about rest days when I started running- but I've gotten better. Now that I am injured (stress fracture), I am forced to enjoy the rest days- and I do :).
ReplyDeleteAs my mileage has increased, I do embrace my rest days too. I'll go biking with my kids or something else, but nothing dedicated to really working my body.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about that paying $ to run thing. We are kind of crazy.
Found your blog from Fitness Friday - nice to meet you!
I really listen to my body... some weeks I don't feel the want or need for a rest day and I don't take it. other times when I am pushing hard I know I need the rest and I take it. I enjoy the miles though and feel really good at higher mileage. I think everyone has to find their own perfect balance, and I think that balance changes as other things in our lives change. You have had A LOT going on, and as they saying goes, "something has to give". Enjoy the rest days and take care of yourself!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you took the rest. Somtimes we are our own worst enemies. But the old cliche of "listen to you body" is incredibly on the mark.
ReplyDeleteI have a hard time resting on rest days. I want to do it but I also feel lazy. I am trying hard to get that out of my head because in the end, its important to do it and it is what our bodies need.
ReplyDeletegreat job on persevering and getting through with running. if you make your goals that is great and if not you are still doing great things for yourself!
I haven't fully accepted that I am crazy but my husband keeps telling me I am ! I have a hard time with rest days. I always feel like I should be doing something! I could really use a pedi!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a runner, but I'm pretty sure the compulsion to keep moving is a general one; I step, spin and lift weights daily and am not happy unless I'm pushing towards some goal or other (right now, I really want to do a full, unassisted pull up!).
ReplyDeleteI feel guilty taking rest days...I have no good advice on that one :(
ReplyDeleteFound you through Fitness Friday Hop and am a new follower. I am a new runner and still find it relatively easy to talk myself out of a run, but I am really looking forward to getting where you are where I would have to force myself to take a break.
ReplyDeleteI laughed, really laughed at your heading picture - the washing and child hanging off the treadmill - I can totally relate :)
Like the previous commenter, found you through Ftness Friday Hop and love your header :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I was younger I was beyond driven. I, too, wantted to still be fit when a little old lady. Getting myself hurt and not healing led to 8 years of sitting life out. It super sucked. I can tell you this…i listen so closely to my body that I can now read its mind ;-)
Rest is a part of the plan…rest must be a part of any sound fitness plan. Be good to yourself!
I have only been running for just over a year so every rest day makes me panicky that I will fall off track. And the past couple days I have been forced to think about the gamble of running rather than resting when I might be courting injury.
ReplyDeleteI loved the title of this post! It really speaks to me, because it's really hard to say 'when'! I always feel like I should go for my run.
ReplyDeleteBut there are times, when it really is wiser to take break for the day.
I do take rest days, but am trying to be better about this too. Breaks are good, I am learning this. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's good to be among the crazy!:)
ReplyDeleteGood for you for listening to your body and taking time to nurture it! I think that goes hand in hand with wanting to push it beyond limits!!!
I know the value of a rest day, but it isn't easy. For a long time my "rest" days were just not running. So it was actually a cross training day. At the urging of f friend and my husband I've been working on taking a real rest day. It's, for lack of better words, uncomfortable not to do anything so I stretch for 60 mins. That's resting. Right?
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling the words in your post will be on my mind today.
Greetings. Stopping by from the Friday Blog Hop. I am often amazed by the will of many runners to push themselves. For me, it's a workout like Insanity that really pushes me. I'm not a big runner. Nice to "meet" you.
ReplyDeleteI do think dedicated runners have a bit of crazy in them... maybe a common personality trait in us is when someone (or something) tells us NO, we come right back and figure out a way to accomplish whatever it is we set out to do. Telling me NO just makes me want to try that much harder!
ReplyDeleteOf course we're crazy! :) You've had a tough year. I think the sure sign of being a matrue athlete is knowing when you need to back off. So many of us push through workouts when we'd really benefit more from taking some down time. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteand thank you so much for your supportive comments on my post. It really meant alot to me. Our time will come!
I'm glad you took a rest day, those are as important as a run! Running makes me feel I can do things I never thought I can. Plus I love the running community, those are the best and most supportive people I ever met.
ReplyDeleteI am learning that rest is so important or my body can't perform for me. Sounds like you made the right choice and did some pampering and fun :)
ReplyDelete