Tag Archive: rest

Left out of the fuss

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Sat. May 14, 2011

All over Facebook and Twitter I’m seeing a lot of words of encouragement and excitement over tomorrow’s running events. Both the Goodlife Toronto Marathon and the Mississauga Marathon are happening taking place in the morning. I did the Toronto marathon last year, and I’ve done the half at Mississauga two years in a row.

I must say, I feel left out of all of the fuss. I really wish I was a part of it all. I know. I made the choice to take a running break. I don’t regret it. I needed time away. Still, there’s something about the act of preparation and the camaraderie that goes on in the running groups that’s just so very rewarding.

I know that I’ll be back at it soon enough. That’s a given. For now, the best I can do is cheer on all of the people I know that are participating in tomorrow’s events. May the wind be at all of their backs.

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Like a hermit

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Sun. July 4, 2010

I spent today just trying to get a good amount of alone time. My health has been improving slowly. The cough is still there, but it isn’t as bad as it’s been over the week. The dizziness still persists slightly, which tells me that whatever it is is bacterial, and that the bacteria is losing the war. Anyway, I spent the day at home just resting. Even though it was hot outside, I turned off the air conditioning, closed the blinds, opened the windows and just let the air in. Yeah, the inside of my place got really hot, reaching temps above 30°C, but I didn’t mind sweating it out. I figured that it would be better for battling the bacteria.

On a day like today, I should have gone out. I missed my run because I didn’t want to take any chances and lower my immunity while I’m fighting a war. I didn’t go to a planned day at the park because I didn’t want to spread illness to a young toddler. I didn’t go to church because being in close quarters with people and shaking hands is in poor taste when you’re ill. I could have spent the day cramming on Java and recovering the skills I picked up years ago in university, but in the grand scheme of things that was lower priority than letting my mind rest. No, I spent the day in the living room and bedroom, recovering as best I could. Something like this might have made me feel guilty, but not this time. I need to honour myself more often. Once in a while the needs of the world need to take a backseat to my well-being.

Tomorrow I return to the real world. After regrouping this weekend, I feel like I’m ready to face the week with a new sense of purpose. Maybe over the past months I feel like my fire has been dim, but right now I feel like my fire is ready to burn brightly. Perhaps all I needed was a bit of time to be a hermit and tend to the flame, know what I mean? It remains to be seen whether I’ll actually burn like I want to, but the intention is there. I’m ready.

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Taking a relaxed approach

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Wed. April 14, 2010

I still remember pretty clearly when I started training for the half marathon. Sure, it helps that I’ve been blogging about my running accomplishments for a long time. However, I remember that the catalyst was a long run that I did after finishing a 10K clinic. Somewhat foolishly I decided to tackle a 17K route because of the enthusiasm of some other people who, in retrospect, were so much more prepared to run such a distance than I was. I did my best to run the route but it was a big struggle for me. At that point in time the longest I had ever run was 14 kilometres, so tackling seventeen was insane. In the end though I made it through. Even though it was hard, I knew that with a bit of proper training, covering that same 17 would be easier, and the remaining 4K would be manageable. From there, that’s when I started working hard through the half marathon clinics. I’ve been going through training cycle after training cycle since May 2008. If I think about it, I really haven’t taken any extensive breaks from running throughout this whole period. It’s that dedication that got me where I am now. It’s the commitment that got me noticed and allowed me to become the instructor for two clinics. It’s amazing when I look back at all that’s happened.

So, since I’ve been continually training for so long, all of this has sort of become a habit for me. I run. It’s what I do. After teaching the half marathon clinic though, I really felt a need to sort of distance myself. For four months I was responsible for keeping a large group of people on track to meet their goals. That is a big responsibility. It was a large weight on my shoulders. Yes, it was one that I wanted to take on. I mean, I was so happy to see everyone reach their goals. Even though the clinic is north of the city, I dutifully made it up there three days a week to make it known that I care about it all. It’s a lot. As much as I loved it, by the end, after the clinic I felt such a sense of relief that it was all over. And so, this is why I felt a need to get away for a little bit. I have to separate my sense of responsibility in terms of being there from my love of the sport. For the longest time the two have been so intertwined that it’s easy to confuse one from another. No good can come of feeling forced to go. And so, even though I am acting as someone helping out the current coach, I’m taking a lot of breaks. Yes, part of me is a little bit uncomfortable with doing so, but I know that it’s necessary.

I’m currently signed up for the Mississauga Half Marathon in Mid-May. It’s coming quickly. I know that I probably should get more proper training in, but I’m actually pretty comfortable with my relaxed approach. This time around I want to ensure that I enjoy the race and not put so much pressure on myself to perform. Surely, these steps that I’m taking should help that.

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Tapering and self-inflicted pressure

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Wed. March 3, 2010

Today ended all of our training runs for this cycle. It’s our taper week, which means that we’re all supposed to be taking it easy. Our mileage should be cut back and we shouldn’t be doing anything to strain ourselves. All this allows our legs to be fully rested. Really, by the time race day comes around, we should be raring to go. According to schedule though, we’re supposed to be doing our two weekday runs at race pace. To me that just doesn’t make sense at all. By going at race pace, aren’t you just thoroughly wearing your legs out right before the race? I decided to turn that on its head for my group. I encouraged everyone to do tonight and last night’s run at a really relaxed pace. Frankly, even then I could feel that my legs were a little bit heavy. At the very least, there are still a few days until the race. I;m sure it’s enough time to allow my legs to recover.

Just a few days more.

I’m actually pretty nervous about this race. It’s not really the act of racing itself that’s causing me stress, but more the set of expectations that I’m placing on myself. Now that I’m lighter, and that I’ve successfully pushed myself harder, I just don’t want to come out of the race with a lack of improvement. I realize it’s not good to put such pressure on myself like that, but I need to do this. I’ve worked too hard and made too many sacrifices to just be complacent about it all. Nope. Complacency is just lame.

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Burning and recharging

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Tue. November 24, 2009

So, yesterday I left work a little bit early because I was feeling light headed. I put on a couple of layers before heading to bed in hopes that I could somehow burn off the sickness. Thing is, I guess you have to have an illness that raises your body temperature for that to work. So, no, that burning trick didn’t do anything. Since the onset isn’t sudden, and I’m not experiencing fatigue or anything severe I can rule out the flu. Heck, I don’t even think it’s a cold because I’m not coughing or clogged up at all. It’s just a headache.

Anyway, when I woke up this morning I was still feeling dizzy. So, I wisened up and just decided to call in sick. I then slept for an hour or two, then had breakfast, then slept again until 1 p.m. or so. I did some laundry, cooked some chicken and pork adobo, and overall had a good day just resting. It’s really quite amazing what even one day can do in terms of recharging your batteries, right? Some days you just need to be in a cocoon of sorts and do things for yourself.

I admit that right now I’m still not feeling 100%. Actually, I don’t think I’ve even made and progress on my recovery–I’m still feeling the same way I did on Monday. Again, we’ll see how I feel when morning comes around again. I doubt that I’ll end up taking another day off. I might not feel perfect, but I should be good enough after having a day all to myself.

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Intertwined with the rest

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Sun. October 4, 2009

My legs have long since recovered from last Sunday’s race. Even so, I decided to pass up this morning’s run for a bit of rest. I figured that reclaiming a Sunday morning once again after a long period of training would be good for the mind and body. Really, it kind of was. I mean, I was able to take the time to put together a ridiculous breakfast: pancakes, bacon, eggs, apple, grapes, coffee. Yeah, no kidding, eh? I went all out. When that was all done though, I was kind of stuck wondering “what now?” Another hour or two later, I was starting to regret my failure to head out: I actually kind of felt empty.

It makes me pause to think about just how intertwined the activity of running has become with my regular activities. I’m not a great runner; I’m not fast, or terribly strong, but my reputation for having a certain tenacity is well known in the club. I’m persistent and determined because this is an activity that I truly enjoy. If I’m ever frustrated or stressed, I know that there’s nothing like a good run to help get the happier chemicals flowing. My life is so much better for picked up this activity over two years ago. To put it plainly, I can’t go back. I don’t want to go back. Maybe it’s hard for a lot of people to understand. If you run though, you’ll get it. It’s hard to qualify, you know?

Anyway, this lapse is done, I guess. Soon enough I’ll be back on the road training, teaching, and possibly inspiring others (if it’s a good day). Time to move on.

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