Based on the last post, you could probably guess that these legs have not been having a certified Good Time™.
I still don’t really know what was wrong, but I decided to take a few weeks off in hopes of healing completely before my 50k on April 23.
I started running again last week pain-free (or as pain-free as any runner can be lol), and I think I’m back in the groove!
However, I learned several things about myself in my 3-4 weeks not running.
I only have a schedule because I run.
I realized I only get out of bed early in the morning to run or start work so I can run later. No running meant no incentive to start earlier than I needed so fell victim to the nasty Scroll in Bed syndrome.
I only shower because I run.
This sounds gross, I know, but hear me out! I run almost every day, and so I just shower right after. Without running, my brain had no routine cue to be like “oh now we shower.” Figuring out a normal person shower schedule was unexpectedly difficult. (I promise I still showered.)
I only sleep because I run.
This is another big one. I fall asleep so quickly and stay asleep so well on days I run. I know sleep is the body’s biggest recovery tool, and so I try to give it at least 8 hours a night. With no running, my body just was not ready for bed at a normal time. I even had to invent a new game called “Name 3 Countries for Each Letter of the Alphabet” to fall asleep. (It’s a great game though. L is the farthest I’ve gotten.)
I handle stress because I run
My not-running weeks were pretty stressful emotionally for different reasons, one of which was another homicide trial. I realized how much I used running to process my emotions, stress and second-hand trauma from my job. Last week, I had another homicide trial, but I also ran, and I felt so much better.
I get exercise because I run
I have no motivation to do a normal workout. Cross-training would probably help my body in several ways, but like I just don’t want to haha (I may try swimming at the local rec, but we’ll see lol)
Anyway, I’m back at it and trying to figure out how to get back in shape fast while not overtraining. The hotel is booked, and my four chauffeurs/finish line cheer team members are ready. April 23 is a go!