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Embracing Time Off

Last week, I didn't run one step. It was fantastic.

Actually, since the Houston race 11 days ago, I've only run three times, all this week. Like I said, it's been amazing.

Usually runners are pretty obsessive-compulsive, Type-A personalities. We'll do anything to get in the prescribed mileage for the day, including getting up crazy early or running late at night. Sometimes we even plan our day around the run...or two, if it's a double.

And then, when we're injured, days off make us neurotic and paranoid. I can't run which means...I must be losing fitness. I'm getting out shape. I've gotta find something to do. Yoga. Swimming. Walking. Something. Anything...

 Being forced not to run is worse than the actual grind of daily training.

But every once in a while we need to take a step away from running. More importantly, we need to take a step away from training.

Going into Houston, I was starting to feel worn-down during my runs. Worse, I was starting to feel mentally burnt out on training. I was struggling to find the motivation to run every day, and each run felt more a little challenging than the previous one. Considering it had been over a year since my last voluntary break, no wonder I was feeling over the edge.

Taking a step away to recharge is an underrated aspect of training, and it's hugely important in getting the motivation back after a long, hard season. Even the best in the world take a week or two completely off at the end of their competitive year.

So last week I didn't run a single step. I ate whatever I wanted, when I wanted. I didn't set an alarm on the weekend. I stayed up late and drank beer and didn't worry about how it would affect my run the next day. I was supremely lazy.

I highly recommend it. But only on occasion, of course.
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