As runners you know we tend to turn a deaf ear-blind sight when something tries to sideline us from running. We tend not to listen to our bodies because we “assume” that if we do not run that makes us less than a runner. We will pretend that something is “not that bad” or “I'm just a little tired” and we refuse to pull up and take note of what is going on. Yes, I AM GUILTY. I have been saddled with a sinus infection for the past two weeks and still have a persisting cough. Now it started out when a friend of mine died suddenly two weeks ago, only 48 years old, and left a wife and three children. That was very overwhelming to me and then another friend’s Mother died of cancer and the services were back to back. I handle stress pretty good but when you throw in grief that is just a hard pill to swallow. My throat was on fire but I still was running, coughing horrifically but still running, see the pattern. Went to the doctor (who is a runner) and she said NO RUNNING, and I was like a deer in headlights, just starring at her, really, seriously? Not even just a little bit (I’m begging at this point-LOL). As a runner I would feel that if running can’t cure what ails me then nothing can, WRONG. My body knew better for I had a fever, loss of appetite, and no strength, achy joints, and just overall not feeling good. Once again, my body was asking me to just stop and let it heal, let the medication do what it was supposed to do. Well, I felt somewhat better on about day five and decided that I just had to get my 10mile run in, got a race coming up (not like I’m Meb or Shalane-lol). I became creative, I ran 5 in the morning and 5 in the afternoon with a twist got caught in a downpour, so not good. Hence, I had no choice but to surrender to my body for I had to take off from work because I could not get out of bed. Fast forward I began to get better slowly but surely. The medication finally began to work but I was still a bit weak, and had to gain my strength back. Now mind you I am two weeks down from running desire barely there, disgusted with how I really feel, and just sat down and wondered should I really try to get back to where I was. Well fast forward I ran the half on 5/2, it was brutal but I finished. What I’ve learned it that the body will do what it has to do if the mind lets it. The body will also shut down if it needs to heal whether we like it or not for its job is to fight off stuff. I have also leaned that it is ok to take days off it one needs to heal, rest, or just plug in and rejuvenate. With me being down for two weeks it gave me the opportunity to really evaluate my running, get a plan, and decide on what to do. It amazes me how we take care of others, recharge cell phones, take care of our vehicles, but sometimes lose sight of self. We are the most important; the engine that pulls everything, with that being said, we need to “treat” ourselves accordingly. Eat well, live well, rest well, and in return the body will love us back. I’m going to run and rejuvenate the body. Start practicing what I preach to others and be grateful that I can do these things in order to move forward!
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AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
June 2016
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