For the first time in a very long time, I'm not training for a race.
There is no pink training schedule taped to the inside of my pantry. No goal race driving me to accomplish a workout. The other day as I lay in bed exhausted, wondering, "What do I have on the schedule for tonight?" The answer? Nothing. Nothing but rest.
I'm enjoying this week of rest; my body certainly needs it. But I'm not sure what next week should look like. Or the next.
I'm keeping my promise to rest my legs and really focus on getting faster. NO distance running! My triathlon schedule is starting to get full but all sprints. Speed, speed, speed. Since I've only done one sprint (and two total!), a new PR shouldn't be too difficult, right?
Prolly should run a 5K to see where I'm at with that. Last summer my 5K PR was 24:01. I'm going to lay down and cry if I see a big number in front of my 5K time. Ugh. But it is what it is. I can always get faster with some hard work.
I've sat down a few times to write out a training plan but unsure of what I really need, I just stop around Thursday. As in Week 1. Here is what I know; I want to have fun. I want to run because I love it. I want to giggle as I snap on my pink sheep suit. I want to enjoy every workout and feel like I'm investing in me, not just paying the man to make it alive on race day. Cycling is going to be a big part of my training and I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday morning than riding all over creation with friends, all while cramming Oreos in my face. I mean seriously, does it get better than that?
I read your posts on Daily Mile. I see your tweets about your track workouts, long runs and intervals in the pool. And part of me is excited to get back to basics, to sweat again.
But a bigger part of me is happy parked right here on the sofa, cuddling a fat kitty. I'm still resting. As in doing pretty much nothing resting. And I'm okay with that. Training for Galveston wore me out. And while I'm eager to jump back in to the hurt box, that can wait a few days more. A few more days of naps and just hanging out on the back porch. A few more days of sleeping in and watching Netflix instead of swimming. A few more days of mental recovery. I'll be ready in my own time.
Promise.
But for now I'm enjoying this part of my training plan; do nothing.
At least until Saturday.
Have you ever taken an extended break? Did it make you nervous or rejuvenated?
Awesome!!! Have fun taking in the air of rest!!! I think you will come out strong because of it!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your recovery. I've taken a couple of extended breaks. They were a little scary, but so worth it.
ReplyDeleteExtended rest does a little bit of everything for me. I love it because I love being lazy. But then I get that guilty kinda feeling and feel like I should be doing something. So I love it and hate it. When it is well deserved I do my best to push those guilty feelings aside and remind myself that I earned it...and then have a few more treats. :o)
ReplyDeleteHave a fun off-season! Always take a month or two off after a big training season just to relax and get excited for what's next. Enjoy!!
ReplyDeleteYou totally deserve this rest! Enjoy it! :)
ReplyDeleteI took nearly 3 weeks off unexpectedly but enjoyed myself and didn't feel guilty about it. You probably need a bit of a break and it's nice to just workout because you like to and not because you feel like you have to for a race. Enjoy yourself.
ReplyDeleteMental recovery is just as important as physical. When training for my first half mary I never allowed myself to break from the training schedule and it burned me out. As a result after the race I didn't do anything for almost 5 months.
ReplyDeleteI got way out of shape and fat. This time around I'm having fun. Not as worried about training results or improving times every session. I've got a friend I'm training with and we aren't afraid to take a day off if we're not feeling it.
Enjoy your rest, soak it all in. Just don't let it linger...hahaha.
I love taking time off. It's rejuvenating, definitely -- mentally and physically.
ReplyDeleteI have to be careful, or it suddenly ends up being more than a week or two. I have to have races on the schedule every couple of months to scare me into getting myself out there for my runs.
I will be taking a 1-2 week break after my marathon in May. Very much looking forward to it! Relish in the break now because you'll be back on a training plan before you know it!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your break!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness I am TERRIBLE at resting! I have been trying so hard to give my body physical rest since the race, but my mood is just not good when I don't get my exercise in! I do enjoy not being tied to my training schedule, but still can't shake the feeling that I am "missing out" on something when I sleep in:)
ReplyDeleteA break makes me feel antsy... But girl, I think you NEEEED a break. You are go, go, go, go all the time. Sit on your sofa, paint your toenails pink!
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