A Passion for Running

Does that surprise you?

The impression I’ve been getting from people is that they think I will never rest and that I’m after some sort of “days in a row” running record. Not so.

As per the teachings of Lydiard, the plan Andrew’s got me one is one of consistent, ever increasing mileage. Lydiard did not believe in the scheduled rest day that many other programs advocate. Lydiard believed in rest when rest was necessary. Interpreting what the Coach has been telling me, rest can be accomplished by:

1. Reducing the speed/pace/intensity within a run. So, if you are feeling bagged, slow down.
2. Reducing the distance/time spent running. So, if you are feeling bagged, cut the run short.
3. Taking a day off.

The difference between a rest day Lydiard would approve of, and the rest day other programs advocate is that a Lydiard rest day is not scheduled and is used only out of necessity. For this to work, the runner has to assess how he/she is feeling on an ongoing basis (i.e. every day).

So, with that said, I was fatigued after Monday’s long run. Fatigue is fine but after Tuesday’s run I felt really bagged. I had a sore throat into the evening and went to bed really early. I also had a few twitchy muscles in my lower back and (strangely enough) in my eyelids. When I get twitchy like that I know something’s amiss (could be a vitamin deficiency).

This morning, I woke up still with a sore throat and I was pretty achey all over. I think I am fighting a cold.

I came to work thinking about the run and about my mental state. It was the first time in the last 13 days when I did not feel at all fresh and did not look forward to running. I was also a bit on the agitated side of things.

So, I strapped on my heart rate monitor and checked my resting heart rate – it was much too high. I tested it several times during the morning and it tested high each time.

Right up to the hour before the run I pondered but my body continued to ache so I decided to listen and opted to take the day off.

So, the streak is over. That’s fine because I am not after a running record. To keep running just to keep a streak going is not logical for what I am doing. I am in this for the long haul – to train for a marathon.

So, that’s how I use rest days – as a last resort based on careful assessment. Perhaps the number of days before I have to take another one will be greater. I hope so but I’m not going to bet the farm either way on that statement.

I’ll be back at it tomorrow.