Like, when you eat too much cheesecake and then you don't want to even look at it for months, or maybe even years. Ok, maybe cheesecake is a bad example. I think maybe it's vodka that has that effect.
Well, we can all agree that it is pretty sad when you over-do something that you really like, and then you can't do it at all. Right now, I can't go running. I really shouldn't even jog to my car from the gym where I've been spending nearly everyday taking Cycling or Weight-Lifting classes.
I miss it.
I ran my first Half-Marathon in 2010. That was roughly one year after I started running races again after many years of laying around eating ice cream and watching soap operas. Just kidding. I had 2 kids, which meant many years of doing piles of laundry (and watching a few soap operas during nap time). What can I say, the plot line of All My Children was pretty addicting back then.
After that first Half-Marathon, I said that I thought my body could only possibly do TWO half-marathons a year (in addition to the 5 or so 10Ks that I run). "JUST SAY 'NO' TO MARATHONS!!" was my motto. Thanks, Nancy Reagan. I didn't think my body could do more without the risk of injury. If I got injured, then I couldn't do what I love. No bueno, right? I think I was supremely wise at that exact moment in time. Hello? LISTEN TO YOUR BODY.
Fast forward 3 years. I love running, so why not run MORE?? No serious injuries in 4 straight years of running. What could go wrong? It turns out that my body could do more running...for a little while, at least. Everyone has a breaking point. I hit mine. The last 12 months have added up to 14 Races: Seven 10Ks, two Half-Marathons, two Marathons, a 25K, and let's not forget that I lost my mind and also ran a 50K. Oh, and a 5K on Thanksgiving, too...gobble. Too much of a good thing spells problems.
A couple of things happened. I gave up the 2-3 times a week of Cycling classes I was doing in order to fit in more running. And, I was only lifting weights 1-2 times a week, instead of 3 times. Cross training is important, friends. Really important.
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| My wonderful family after my 50K. Notice that I'm not standing on my left leg. |
Yes, good ole tear in the right arch of the foot (similar to Plantar Fascitis, dammit that's hard to spell), and a pretty unforgiving left calf strain, made me realize me how important cross training has been and that running too much without all that can lead to serious injury.
During a long ice bath this summer, I had to decide whether or not to do the 50K, for which I had already been training for 15 weeks. I decided to "JUST DO IT" (thanks Nike) and then stop running.
It's only been 2 weeks.
I miss it.
This Saturday and last Saturday, I spent 2 hours at the gym. First, I took Body Pump (aka lifting weights) for 50 minutes, then I climbed onto a Spin bike for 60 minutes of hard cycling.
During that spin class, I don't think the fan was on, because sweat was coming out of every part of by body. At the time, I thought there might have been some blood, too, but it's so dark in the Cycle Room that I wasn't sure. Don't worry, I checked the floor when I was cleaning my bike after class, and it was just sweat, and maybe a few tears...possibly some snot, but I can neither confirm nor deny that.
Don't get me wrong, I like cycling. I'm kind of a big chicken about riding my bike on the road. I have trust issues with cars running me over. It's just a different experience to spend 2 hours being "instructed" in exercise by a 30-something woman saying, "Come-on. Turn up that gear and push it!" I swear these classes always remind me of being in labor, minus the baby coming out and the addition of all the Katy Perry and Maroon 5 songs, of course.
It's just not at all the same for me as running alone for 2 hours with only my thoughts, music or podcasts to keep me company. Cycling and weights are the best cross-training for my body, but they are exactly that, for me: cross-training. They simply don't do the same thing that running does for my mental, emotional or even spiritual well-being.
During a long ice bath this summer, I had to decide whether or not to do the 50K, for which I had already been training for 15 weeks. I decided to "JUST DO IT" (thanks Nike) and then stop running.
It's only been 2 weeks.
I miss it.
This Saturday and last Saturday, I spent 2 hours at the gym. First, I took Body Pump (aka lifting weights) for 50 minutes, then I climbed onto a Spin bike for 60 minutes of hard cycling.
During that spin class, I don't think the fan was on, because sweat was coming out of every part of by body. At the time, I thought there might have been some blood, too, but it's so dark in the Cycle Room that I wasn't sure. Don't worry, I checked the floor when I was cleaning my bike after class, and it was just sweat, and maybe a few tears...possibly some snot, but I can neither confirm nor deny that.
Don't get me wrong, I like cycling. I'm kind of a big chicken about riding my bike on the road. I have trust issues with cars running me over. It's just a different experience to spend 2 hours being "instructed" in exercise by a 30-something woman saying, "Come-on. Turn up that gear and push it!" I swear these classes always remind me of being in labor, minus the baby coming out and the addition of all the Katy Perry and Maroon 5 songs, of course.
It's just not at all the same for me as running alone for 2 hours with only my thoughts, music or podcasts to keep me company. Cycling and weights are the best cross-training for my body, but they are exactly that, for me: cross-training. They simply don't do the same thing that running does for my mental, emotional or even spiritual well-being.
I can't wait for the day when I can get back out there and enjoy all that running has been for the last 4, almost 5 years. This time, I know I won't lose sight of what is really important: staying healthy by listening to my body.