It’s a new week. New goals. New attempts to manage my time and do more with the same minutes I had. But it seems like my body is telling me to rest. Last week, during both Monday a.m. spin and a Wednesday ride I had a difficult time getting my heart rate up. By now I know this is a sign that my body is tired and I need to give it a rest. Considering I had ridden 103 miles at a decent pace only a few days before and I was also feeling a cold coming on, I thought “okay, definitely a good time to take a break.”
Spring has sprung in Sonoma County!!
Begrudgingly, I made Thursday a rest day. Friday morning I still had a little bit of a sore throat but when I taught spin my HR was back to normal and I thought all was well again.
But I still took Saturday off and after yesterday morning’s 2 hr pain session on the bike I decided against swimming. Yet…I still have a sore throat and my nose is all stuffed up again and my voice is not too strong. ARRRRRRRRRGH!
This is positively frustrating! I’ve been trying to build momentum back each week but it seems like I just can’t quite get there. So what does REST truly mean? Take a few days off from everything and sleep? Do lighter workouts? Skip a workout? I know rest varies for each situation – if you’re REALLY sick then you stop working out. But what if you’re just battling two back-to-back colds? I seem to have recovered from last weekend’s century, but I’m still obviously battling whatever sickness has decided to manifest inside my respiratory system.
On another note, I did my first 20 minute run last week (after a several-week-long hiatus from running) and that was actually fairly nice. I think I should be ready for a 10K in a few weeks. Suddenly what used to be such a short distance seems so much longer. When Carmen and I were driving down to Solvang we were discussing running and I said “I guess I just hate how much it HURTS!” She said “that’s because you RACE it! Try just running at a gentler pace and you might enjoy it.”
What a concept. Hmmm. I think doing something like that would be difficult for me but perhaps good practice in throwing the ego out the door. Just enjoying it for the run itself. Yet even on the century ride I found myself wanting to chase people down (silly girl) KNOWING this was NOT a race and NOBODY cared if I caught them. It’s that competitiveness though. It’s what drives me forward in triathlons…from the very first one I ever did. We’ll see. One day at a time.
And now I’m off to swim (I know…rest…but swimming always makes me feel better when I have a cold).
10 comments:
Is that green I see in that photo?!! Colorado and California really are different!! I saw pics of people cruising Farmers Markets in Cali yesterday. I'm still months away! Bitter? Maybe.
i think you are doing the right thing. I don't think you need to totally shut it down unless it turns into a full on flu.
swimming always seems to clear out the sinuses... so i guess it's good for something.. haha. get better!
Hope you feel better. I think I don't like biking because it hurts. Then I start to ride and it gets easier, so I like it. Same with swimming.
Oh man - hang in there! I tend to be really really cautious when it comes to even feeling sick... I take a day or two off. Its really really hard - but I would rather miss a few days of training than get REALLY sick. Then again, sometimes I get really REALLY sick anyway - so who knows. The best thing is to listen to your body - if it feels "off" just don't do it. :) Sounds like you've got a pretty good gague, though! Just get lots of sleep (if you can) and rest up. If this second cold keeps nagging, you may want to give yourself a clear break for a bit - let it clear out and then hit the training. You've been SO CONSISTENT with everything, you'll bounce back stronger and with more fervor than before. I know it!
Good vibes your way!
Maybe you'd like to run with me sometime? I'm slower than you so you'd be forced to take it easy and enjoy it! :)
I think your friend Carmen has a good point about your running pace. With so many beautiful vineyards to run past it makes sense to slow down and enjoy the views every now and again. Save the "race" pace for the race (you know you're going to kick butt).
I hope you feel better.
Get well soon Sarah! You'll have this cold under control in no time ;).
Beautiful pic of Sonoma!! Man, can't WAIT to move up there now!!!
Beautiful scenery.
Ahhhhh, the rest will do you good.
My guess is that rest is different for everyone and it's a constant learning process what works for each of us in each circumstance. Listen to your body my friend. Be well soon.
As you know, I am a big fan of rest. My coach puts in 5 full days of rest every 8 - 10 weeks. In the end I think I am stonger for it. BTW - Are you doing the Human Race on May 9th? If so you can run with me and I'll give you all my tips on being non-competitive as we watch people run by.
Now go have a glass of wine and put your feet up.
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