Can I get a do over? That’s the way I feel after being sick/not sick, running/not running for the past 2 weeks. I was under the weather just enough to still try to workout, only to find that I was not performing at 100%, ok miserable, and I wasn’t doing myself any favors trying.
Finally I gave myself 2 (gasp!) yes two full days of rest and I think, at last, I’m over the hump on this nagging bug.
I got out yesterday ahead of an ice storm. Leave it to an ice storm to light the fire beneath my procrastinating booty.
It was blustery and bleak. But 27 in degrees in January? Especially after that shot of sub zero we had? I’ll take it! The plan was to go slow. That’s what long runs are about right? Building endurance? Of which I’ve got none right now. I have yet to run more than 8 miles at a crack since MCM back in October.
Honestly I wasn’t sure I was even capable of 8 miles the way I haven’t been running lately. I suspected I’d wimp out and loop back for 5, maybe 6 miles. Lo and behold, 8 it was. I came back feeling encouraged because, all things considered, my slow 8 miler on trails felt pretty darn good.
I was even more encouraged when I read a little something in this month’s Running Times that talked about the power of ‘not running’ . According to Team USA Minnesota’s Heather Kampf,
“A body can’t be consistently training and improving. Taking breaks has helped me continually improve over the years. ”
Can even a sick break have a positive effect? Hopefully the answer is yes.
Do you take breaks from running/working out?
It is funny that two days off in a row is a big deal for you, I regularly do that. That said, it is rare for me to take THREE off in succession, but I do it immediately following tough races a couple times a year.
Glad you are on the mend Marcia:) Yes, I take breaks and usually feel much better when I get back to running. I feel refreshed:) It can be hard though and the breaks are not usually planned (sickness/travel/holiday)
…she asks after I took last week ENTIRELY off running. 🙂 So yes! I think breaks are important both physically and mentally, not to mention the effect it has on your significant other to NOT have to negotiate runs in all over the weekend.
Oh, wait, that’s just MY significant other 🙂
Glad you are feeling better..so that you could enjoy that balmy 27 degrees! Perspective.
Huge believer in rest here. I really took it easy post marathon this year for five whole weeks. I ran, but nothing longer than about 10 and it was all easy paced. Best mental/physical break ever!
Breaks must make sense, because all of the elites seem to plan them! Happy you got to break your break (LOL) though, with a surprisingly nice 8 🙂
i have been trying to teach myself that rest is ok and doesn’t mean i’m being lazy. it’s definitely hard for me to fight the urge to work out when sick. even when i make it to the gym tho i don’t have the best workouts. whenever i just do yoga or nothing at all when i’m sick, the next day i do tend to come back 200%!
Glad you’re feeling better!! I generally only take breaks from running when I’m injured. I will, however, procrastinate like it’s my job every once in a while and bribe myself with the treadmill to get a run in.
NO – I hate to take days off ever!! Even when I’m injured I still work-out. One December I was sick forever and took over 2 weeks off – it was awful in every way!
Glad you were able to get some rest and get back out there. Hope you are fully recovered!
I definitely think that rest is so crucial. I took two complete days off earlier this week when I got sick as well. Sometimes I think my body just has no other way to get me to slow down. 🙂 Glad you’re feeling better!
I’ve been so sick on and off for the last 5 months! it’s been brutal to say the least and my training hasn’t been consistent. Though I haven’t gained any speed over the last few months my running hasn’t been too impacted. I’m just trying to make up for lost time now. I think breaks are good!
PS: GREAT 8!!!!! especially on trails …in an ice storm!
It’s a fine line for me. If I don’t workout, I get really grumpy. So I will usually change it up. I will go to more yoga classes or throw a spin class into the mix. It usually helps.
Breaks are part of the process, whether voluntary or involuntary. And they’re great for comeback runs! I’m in the midst of changing up my workouts. I haven’t done my traditional strength workout in a few weeks now. Instead, I’ve implemented yoga and pilates instead . . . something I’ve been wanting to do for awhile. My running is down to 2-3 times a week right now, other runs replaced by some elliptical. When it’s time to train for my next race, I will change it up again. I like the different changes I’m seeing in my body. Mix things up and keep yourself challenged! Glad you’re on the mend . . . I’m starting to feel a bit under the weather but hopefully it’s just sinus. I can’t get sick!
I just came off a 2 week break from having the sniffles and not well – running would have made it worse I am sure, so I didn’t.
But was really glad to get out on Sunday, even in the rain!
I’m about to go run after a week long break. I’ve had nagging ankle plus a sick daughter. I’m terrified of how horrible I’m going to run!
It sounds like the rest was just what you needed to get to feeling better!
I’m so sorry you’re sick. Those forced breaks have always been good for me too. Hang in there love! xoxo
I don’t take many breaks, but we do always have an off day on Monday. When we aren’t training we sometimes let things slide a little bit more, it is good for you!
Nothing wrong with taking a break for a couple days (or more). Hope your back to full strength soon.
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