Why Taking a Break Isn't the End

I thought I'd take a break from food today to share a continuation on a freelance article I wrote this week about Getting Back Into Running After Sickness. A part II, if you will. Though, if you'd like a basic how to start back again on the path to normal training, you should definitely check out the other piece.

So, in short -- I was really sick and didn't run for twelve days. As in, almost two weeks. I've written before about the DOs and DON'Ts of running while sick, and since this cold resided in my chest with a low-grade fever, I knew I shouldn't even try to get in my nomal miles. What a bummer.

When I headed out on one of my return-to-running runs yesterday, it struck me that my attitude toward this topic has changed dramatically over the course of my time with the sport. When I was a newbie, I was devastated whenever I was sick. Time off my feet meant getting off schedule and getting off schedule was catastrophic. I'd try desperately to sneak in any distance at any pace just to maintain some semblance of continuity.

Otherwise, I felt DOOMED.

I distinctly remember one cold February afternoon in college when I slugged along to run my 4 miles on the treadmill, "sweating out" a fever. I'm sure that did me no good at all -- not for my sickness, not for my race plan. It wasn't an isolated incident either. Now -- years, many illnesses, injuries, and a pregnancy + postpartum period later, I'm faster than I have ever been and have had multiple lapses in my training ranging from days to months.

Yes. There have been times when I haven't gone for a run in months.
And yet, here I am.
Still alive.
Still breaking personal records.
Cool, huh?

Each and every time something happens that takes me away, I've learned something. Over time, that accumulation of knowledge has enlightened me to the fact that -- yeah, I might not be performing at optimal levels at all times, but ultimately, it doesn't matter much. Our bodies, if we otherwise maintain some consistency with running, rebound. It's like riding a bike in that respect.

Getting back into it is difficult, but the muscle memory is there.
The cardiovascular system catches up, lagging only slightly.

If you are sick or discouraged in the wake of some unplanned hiatus, I hope this is encouraging news to hear. It can be one of the hardest messages to deliver to ourselves. I mean, during the height of sickness . . . it can feel like you're a tragically frail character in a Victorian romance novel . . . but you'll heal and be back running (as it nothing ever happened) before you know it.

But I hope you're all well!
What's on your training plan today?
 
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No Workout is Too Short or Slow

What has me smiling outside my cozy home in the dark on a Friday night? My workout, that's what! And it's all thanks to my new philosophy: No workout is too short or slow. After running the marathon, I got into this mode where if I couldn't run a 35 to 45 mile week (which isn't a terribly easy schedule, let me tell you), what's the point of running at all? I didn't let it impact my workouts TOO much in the past couple months (and I certainly haven't been running more than 25 miles a week), but psychologically, it did some damage. Where I used to set out on short jaunts around the neighborhood -- maybe 3 miles -- now, unless I could run over 5 or 6, I felt like I was not doing myself any good.

What a weird, messed-up way of thinking! So, I called myself out on it Friday night. It was a warm 36 degrees, and I got off from work on time for once. However, I wasn't exactly in the running mood (if you read my earlier post, I was more in a pizza-monster mood). Stephen suggested I just do two miles to get outside for a while. Psssh... Two miles. That's for babies . . . I'm a MARATHONER forgodssake! (I don't really mean that, but you get the point.) With enough encouragement, I decided to get my butt off the couch and into some sweatpants. Strap on my new Garmin watch. And return 18 or so minutes later.

The first five minutes of the run were kind of blah. But then something happened. Being outside after a long day at my desk felt AMAZING. The weather was absolutely perfect. And breathing in the crisp air made me feel invincible. I ended up taking a detour that added one point two miles to my originally decided upon distance. I would have kept going, but felt content doing less for once.

What's my point? Do I just feel like bragging? Did I just want to show the world what a fashion disaster I was that night? No. If anything at all, I'd like to share with you the new wisdom I'm employing in my every day life. No run (or bike ride, walk, etc.) is too short or slow. Even if you don't feel like it. Get outside and try something small. You may end up grumbling and still being sour about the whole experience. But I almost guarantee you won't. So whether it's half a mile, a mile, two, or more . . . you're still doing yourself good both physically and mentally.

Just something to consider the next time you find yourself grumpy and no-so enthused about working out.

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