Do I need a rest day?
Tuesday night I had a 4.5 mile run and then last night I had a 40 minute tempo run. I felt pretty good for most of it, but my right knee had this funny sore feeling. Its got me worried because it had a similar sore/weak feeling just before my ITB issues appeared. I cannot have this come back now.
This has been a big month for mileage for me so far. I think I’m over 65 miles so far and should get close to 80 before its over, which is the most ever for me. This week will hit 28 miles which is another high one for me. I think I may be feeling the effects of it now. Too much too soon? Maybe. When I first decided to use the intermediate half program, I said that if things got too much for my body to take, I’d back down to the Novice program.
So, maybe today will be a rest day instead of the 3 mile easy run. I have a 5 mile pace run on Saturday and we’ll see how that goes then. If that nasty feeling in my knee continues, I may have to back off entirely on the intermediate program.
I’ve been really tired too. While my son was getting his teeth brushed at about 9 last night, my wife and I both fell asleep on the sofa. The funny thing is that she’s a night owl and just about that time she’s usually waking up. No sleep for anybody I guess.
Do you miss not training sometimes? I do. I miss just having regular food for dinner and not worrying if it will make me have cramps when I go run. I’m a little tired of eating easily digestible food in the morning so I can run without problems. All the creaking and groaning from my joints and muscles in the morning is a little annoying. I don’t ever want to be unhealthy like I used to be, but sometimes I miss being lazy about my diet and exercise routines. Sure I slip (often!) and eat junk, but there are some fond memories of just eating whatever I want without care.
Ofcourse, waking up in a hosptial bed with electrodes on my chest and trying to ask what happened and finding I don’t know how to talk might make me want to trade in all those blissful days of carefree eating. Sigh.
To end on a nice note, my fun package comes in the mail today. :)
March 24th, 2005 10:56
Jon,, I know exactly what you mean,, tho I have not been in this for as long as you, nor run as far as you.. but I wonder what I am getting myself into when I feel the aches,, and I have been told the more you exercise,, your going to have to do more and more and more,, kinda scary ..my humble opinion is let yourself have the rest and when you do go run,, have it feel good and free,, not stiff and forced….
Heather
March 24th, 2005 10:57
Cant wait to hear whats in the fun package!!!!!
Heather
March 24th, 2005 11:08
Jon, do you have a foam roller to do ITB self-massage? I swear that has made on the difference for me.
March 24th, 2005 11:08
Ahh, the balance between working through the obstacles: injury or growing/developing pains. Maybe this is my womynhood Jon, but I would have to say, go to a quiet place with a cup of tea and think gently…then listen to your instincts! They will give you the answer. May sound like a dramatic approach for a potentially small problem but then small problems can get ugly sometimes. Take care.
March 24th, 2005 11:15
Take the rest. If you think you “might” need it, you probably DO! You will not lose fitness by taking one, two or three days off. Enjoy!
March 24th, 2005 11:43
I run in the morning because then I’m have a fast all night and after my run I can eat chocoate for every meal..uh yeah.
March 24th, 2005 12:12
Be a couch potato and eat chocolate for a couple of days, it’ll do you good.
Can’t wait to hear about the package contents - is it chocolate?
March 24th, 2005 12:17
rest or not, a little preventive maintenance will go a long way. do a little icing on the knees, and some light massaging of the it band and muscle. good luck, jon!
March 24th, 2005 13:06
I can’t seem to work in a fifth day of running each week - like the intermediate plans call for…there’s something about having three non-running days that just works for me…but I know I won’t get any faster/stronger if I don’t shake things up. Frustrating, isn’t it?
And during the summer months, when training is in full swing…it’s hard to say no to burgers and beers on a Friday night. Sigh. I can totally sympathize.
March 24th, 2005 13:22
Listen to your body. When it says If you need a day off to prevent an injury, you need a day off. One or two days won’t hurt you.
March 24th, 2005 16:34
Listen the voices in your head…no no I mean listen to your wife, chances are she knows better than you do…no no I mean listen to your inner child…ahh forget it.
March 24th, 2005 16:35
p.s. I’d like a foam roller for some “SELF MASSAGE” wink wink nudge nudge.
huh? eh? are you with me?
March 24th, 2005 18:44
I can’t say it better than everyone else. Take it easy:) Sometimes I think your head can burn out before your body. And I’m all for Dianna’s burgers and beer on Fridays.
March 24th, 2005 19:08
Yep, if I were in your shoes I’d take a break BEFORE your body MAKES you take one! Have a good easter and “no worries” EH!
March 24th, 2005 19:58
Always good to listen to your body. And about the package, is it something for Chocolate Friday: The Easter Edition??? :)
March 25th, 2005 05:24
I find it’s important to set aside a day every week or two and eat what your head is telling you you’re missing. For me it’s usually sweets, chocolate, cake, chocolate cake! No binging though, just controlled lustful eating. As far as training you have to listen to your body and try to figure out if it’s the lazy gene telling you to stay home, or if there is really something serious on the horzion.