…if you are listening to your body or just giving up?
I think of all the difficult things in running, the hardest to figure out is when to push yourself and when to say it is ok to take a break. Let’s face it, there is a big difference between your body needing a break and your brain deciding it’s just not worth the effort. The problem is they both sort of feel the same. Obviously if your body is screaming in pain you know where the message is coming from and what your reaction should be. But what about when you just feel tired? How do you know if that is a mental thing or a physical thing?
Unfortunately today was one of those days when I lost the battle with the voice that said I was too tired. I got myself out the door, I guess that can count as an accomplishment. Everything was in place to have a good run; sunny skies, no wind, a temperature well into the negatives but comfortable nonetheless. The only thing not up for a perfect run – ME. When you feel the need to walk at the 2k mark you know it is not going to be an epic run. In fact, after a mere 3.5 km, my run dwindled to a walk. All kinds of negative talk went through my head. If you have had bad runs you know that dialogue all too well. Everything from “I’m too old for this $&@!” to “I have no natural athletic skills whatsoever and I should just be sitting on a couch eating potato chips,” went through my mind.
When I stopped running and went for a 3k walk instead, was I quitting or was I respecting what my body was able to do on a particular day at a particular moment? I wish I had the answer. Unfortunately I can’t shake the feeling that today I simply stopped trying.
Cue more internal dialogue in an attempt to convince myself that all is well, an off day is nothing to worry about, tomorrow is another day, there will be better runs, blah, blah, blah, blah. 🙁
Oh gosh, I’ve been there so many times. Sometimes it’s so hard to tell. Here’s what I’ve been doing lately when I have that I just want to quit feeling. I take a walk break, I get some water, and then I get back into the workout. Usually, that does the trick to get me through. But if it doesn’t and I still just can’t, I’ll throw in the towel. Sometimes you just have to go easy on yourself. Methinks you’re no quitter. So don’t worry about being one. And why is it that potato chips taste especially delicious while sitting on a couch?!
Thanks Karla. Yep, when I tried one brief walk break and still felt awful when I started running again I definitely threw in the towel. Can you guess what I did in the evening? After taking my boys to their running club (no throwing in the towel on their parts) I came home, made myself comfy and ate potato chips:)
Call me crazy but I fail to see how someone who has run full marathons after only taking up running a couple of years ago could have no natural athletic ability. You are inspiring, Kristi. It was such a beautiful day that a bit of walking allowed you to better soak up and savour some winter sunshine.
Thanks Cathy and I admit I did enjoy the walking part 🙂 I took today off from running so that hopefully I will make it through my long run tomorrow.
Hang in there Kristi. We’ve ALL had bad runs. Remember even world record holder Paula Radcliffe had that epic crash in the 2004 Olympic marathon.
Go easy on yourself. You know when it’s time to push and when it’s time to rest. It’s not necessarily quantifiable. You just know. Sounds to me like you made the right decision 🙂
Thanks Rod. I’m just heading out for a long slow run, hopefully it will be a nice one. I’m not going to look at pace, I’ll just try to relax and get done what I can.