I’ve been on a running hiatus to repair, rejuvenate, and relax. It’s been nice, and I’ve been enjoying the much-needed downtime!
Last week was my fourth week of doing a whole bunch of nothing. I’ve been taking this “off season” idea to a whole new level. Some might even call it laziness. I call it a brief running hiatus.
I’ve run only a handful of times since running the Marine Corps Marathon. Not because I don’t want to, but because I’ve been listening to my body. I gave myself ample down time to recover, managed a 5K PR last weekend, and then of course caught the family cold right after. But not to worry! I’ve been keeping busy doing other things like full body workouts and training clients.
I’ve Been on a Running Hiatus
Tuesday — 1 mile + strength work
As much as I wanted to run on Tuesday, I just didn’t have the drive to do it. But when Trixie gave me that look, I couldn’t let her down! We went out for a quick one-miler and then I came home and created a crazy awesome workout for my clients. This was also the day I took all the pictures for my IT band workout I posted last week. All in all, I worked out for about an hour or so. Not too shabby! (read = exhausting)
Wednesday — 5 miles
It’s only partly true that I haven’t run much because I’ve been listening to my body. The other part of it is that it’s been cold and overcast for weeks. I also haven’t been able to make solid plans with anyone to run together. When it’s cold and uninviting outside, I have a really hard time motivating myself if I’m solo.
I finally met up with my friend and training partner, Ben, for some miles on Wednesday morning. It was like a weight had been lifted having an early morning running buddy again. We logged five miles — the most since my race! — and finished up with a stop at the bagel shop. We plan on making our weekly run a “thing” going forward.
Remember that killer workout I created on Tuesday? The DOMS came for me with a vengeance on Wednesday afternoon and early evening. I was sore in places I didn’t know I could be sore. I closed out Wednesday with a hot bath.
Friday — 5 miles
When Friday morning rolled around, early morning run plans were botched. The ladies I planned to meet (and I!) couldn’t get our acts together and it didn’t happen. I also didn’t feel great on Friday and it was, yet again, overcast and cold. Until I started training one of my clients in the afternoon, I had completely written off a run. But the sun had begun peaking out about an hour earlier and I didn’t want to completely waste the day. While I was training her I got so amped up I decided I needed to run.
I’m not quite an afternoon runner, plus I was still sick, so I had a feeling this would be an interesting run. I met my friend, Carole, and her pup for a few easy trail miles. Except her dog set the pace and the pace didn’t end up being so easy for me! Of course at the end of the run my stomach was rocked, as I knew it would be, but I was so grateful to have run with my dear friend and spend some quality miles together.
Sunday — 5 miles
Hoping to avoid the treadmill until the days of snow and ice, I finally caved and ran on the ‘mill. I run much, much slower on the treadmill than outside. It’s no big deal but it takes longer. The upside? Shorts, a tank, and a movie. Five miles = check!
I’m torn about my running hiatus. On the one hand, I so obviously need downtime. Otherwise I wouldn’t be hemming and hawing every time I even think about running. But on the other hand, I’m getting soft and feeling lazy. My full body workouts are great and I do love them, but I miss running for an hour or two at a time. Granted I’m not on a full running hiatus, but it’s enough that I’m noticing a difference.
What do I really need? Sunshine and scheduled runs with friends. I can deal with the cold but I can’t deal with gloom. If I have people counting on me for miles, I’ll make it happen. But really, the sunshine goes a long way. Hopefully we’ll get some soon!
xo
Let’s talk!
Have you ever taken a running hiatus?
Do you run on the treadmill if it’s cloudy out?
Linking up with HoHo Runs and MissSippi Piddlin’ for the Weekly Wrap, and My No-Guilt Life, Marcia’s Healthy Slice, and MCM Mama Runs for Tuesdays on the Run.
