Muscles ache after a long run that the body is not used to. My muscles ached for three days after running the half marathon. By Wednesday, I was ready to go and run but the weather put me off, and well, it was much more pleasant to stay under a warm blanket instead of heading out in the rain.
I’m taking it easy this week. Maybe a little bit too easy but I don’t want to push myself too hard. Yesterday, I did some stretching and I think I’ll get back into the running by the end of the week and back to a more regular and active routine next week. Some studies suggest that we should take a week off for every 10km we race. I can’t imagine not running for two weeks just to recover, sure there are other ways to stay fit and active, but unless I really can’t run due to illness or injury I prefer only to take three or four days off.
It’s Thursday and I can’t get motivated to do any exercise. I know that I should but there are so many other things to get done. There’s still time of course and I might be able to talk myself into thirty minutes of physical activity but I don’t want it to be forced. What do I do when this happens? I get dressed in my workout clothes and give myself a few options. I don’t have to go for a run, nor do I have to lift weights or throw a few punches at the boxing bag. There’s always Pilates, yoga and stretching that can be done in the warm comfort of home. I know that I will feel much better if I do something, anything, but I’ll regret it if I miss a complete day off exercise and my body won’t function as well as it should or could. That’s why there’s no time limit either. Ten minutes, fifteen or an hour. I go with how I feel as long as it’s something.
My muscles no longer ache and I’m itching to go for a run. I’m a little bit lazy but maybe that’s exactly what my body needs right now.
