Last night I laid out my running gear…
for the 8km Re-Frigee-Eighter race!
My directions were printed…
I had my customary Japanese Sencha green tea:
Full with new tunes!
Despite all of my delicious eats in Toronto yesterday, I woke up with quite an appetite!
Pre-Race Oatmeal
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup oats
- 1 cup almond milk
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 t vanilla
- pinch of sea salt
Toppings:
- Sucanat
- Dark chocolate chips
- Cashew Butter
The Sucanat melts when it is warm and it acts like maple syrup!
Pure heaven!
Game Time Decision
Despite what my BRAIN was telling me to do (run that race!!!!!), the little voice inside of me (aka the gut instinct) told me NOT to run the race.
Here is what my brain was rationalizing to me:
- You need to run your first race of the year!
- The weather is beautiful
- You’ll feel great once you are running
- You will have something fun to blog about
- You need to prove to yourself that you can still race (??? lol…isn’t it weird what we tell ourselves sometimes?!)
And here is what my GUT INSTINCT was saying:
- Your body feels off today and it might not be a good idea to race
- Your hamstrings are still a bit sore from your strength workout on Thursday
- You don’t have that URGE to race today
- Don’t do it…there are plenty more races to run
At first, I tried to ignore my instinct. I thought I would be fine and there was no reason to doubt that I could race today. I packed up my stuff and prepared to leave.
But then I really started to think about it:
- My stomach felt nauseous (this is actually very atypical of me before a race)
- I was dreading the 1 hour drive to the race, sign up, drive home, etc.
- My legs felt weak
When I think back about all of the poor situations I have gotten myself into over the years, it happened usually because I IGNORED my gut instinct. When I listen to the instinct it never fails me- ever.
Today I decided to listen to that instinct and not run the race, despite really wanting to.
I actually caught myself thinking about what others might think if I skipped the race (maybe they won’t think I am dedicated or that I am lazy?). Then it hit me how crazy these thoughts were! I shouldn’t do things because I compare myself to what others are doing, I should do them for ME and my current situation.
I went in to tell the Sleeping Beauties (Eric and Sketchie) and Eric mumbled half asleep, ‘I’m so happy you are going to be home with me.’ and proceeded to pass out. It was so cute. :mrgreen: I love my boys.
As I grow and learn more about myself, I realize how crucial it is to listen to my instinct. I also refuse to let myself feel badly for doing what is right for my body. I don’t think it is a coincidence that I felt this way yesterday and I felt this way today. I think my body just wanted a complete break from everything this weekend.
Do you try to be in tune with that little voice inside your head? Are there any times when you listened to it and you think it saved you from a poor situation- or when you didn’t listen to it and you got yourself into some trouble?
The example that stands out the most for me is my pelvic injury last January 2009. I got up before work and had a 3 mile planned run. I started to run despite feeling an odd pain in my groin area. The little voice said to me, ‘This is not cool, you need to get off the treadmill.’ but I ignored it, stubbornly, and ran those 3 miles. When I got off the treadmill, I could barely walk and was consequently out of exercise entirely for a full 2 months.
I also listened to my gut when I left my job and started up Glo bakery.
Moral of the story– use your gut instinct to your advantage, it is there for a reason. I think society sort of ‘trains’ women to ignore it- do this, do that, not this, not that– but I am certainly my happiest when I listen to my instinct.
~~~
USA Vs. Canada Hockey Game tonight- you are watching RIGHT?!? :mrgreen:
good for you angela!
Don’t ever feel like you need to run on MY account or anyone else who reads your blog. You do what you need to do! That gut may save your life some day!
Great decision to listen to your gut instinct! I didn’t a few years ago and I am still dealing with my knee injuries. And unfortunately my injuries won’t ever improve that much so I made a terrible error in judgment!
Enjoy your Sunday off!!
Good for you! In time I have really learned to tune into my gut feeling. I have had two injuries this year (not exercise related) and have to really cut back on exercise and be careful. Listening to my gut has helped me prevent further injury and faster healing.
Please don’t ever feel like readers will think you are lazy. You are so busy and active in general. Always trust your gut, it has served you well these last few yrs.
Way to go Girl. I don’t know how you to it all. It is so important to listen to your body and instinct….it never leads you down the wrong path.
Enjoy your relaxing day!!! It really pays to be good to yourself.
Jane
Over time, I’ve learned that my gut instinct is ALWAYS right, and no one should tell or try to convince me otherwise. Unfortunately, I haven’t always listened to it, and that has made for some tough times — but you live you learn. Plus, I know that if I don’t listen to my own instincts my brother will be right there to TELL me exactly what my instincts are saying…especially in terms of guys I’ve dated…he’s always been right.
My standards for dating now include: going with my gut AND listening to my brother 150% … he’s always been right about them. Like…exactly. haha
P.S. Those oats look and sound amaaaaaazing!! :)
good for you for listening to your body! I actually hate racing. I raced for 4 years in high school and found that I felt a million times better if I can without the stress of competition. Have a good day snuggling with your boys!!
I definitely listen to my gut instinct – it is always right!
That seems like a lot of liquid in your oats … do you normally put that much in? How do you cook them?
For a half cup of oats I always use 1.5-2 cup liquids…I like them very voluminous! I cook in a very basic way- throw everything into a pot and cook over medium heat. nothing fancy!
Angela, you have such awesome questions! I definitely listen to my gut. Isn’t it funny how our minds are so powerful, but our “guts” are the “smart” ones?? :) I feel so strong mentally when I listen to myself. I’d rather other people think what they want about me instead of me doing something I really don’t want to do. :)
great way of putting it:
‘Isn’t it funny how our minds are so powerful, but our “guts” are the “smart” ones??’ love that
I try really hard to listen to my gut. I’ve learned most of the time its right. I’ve actually made a last minute to skip a race too just because I was so run down that day and stressed out. I think you made the right decision!
I’ll definitely be watching hockey tonight! : )
thats a great story. In college I played volleyball and I always had to push through the pain regardless if my gut was telling me to sit out or not…. ididn’t have a choice b/c I was getting paid to play EVERYDAY. However, now that I’m done playing I still workout on days that my gut is telling me to rest because its all i’ve known my whole life. This is a great post and i’m really going to work on listening to my gut as well!!
Great post, Angela! While losing weight, I sometimes pushed myself too hard because I feared going backwards. I realize now that it is sooo important to listen to your body and your instincts, but I still need little reminders (like this post!) to do it. Hope you savor your day off and give your body what it needs, rest.
Excellent post! It takes a lot to actually listen to your gut instinct and to comply with it. So many times we are not in tune with that little voice inside or at least how we feel. Thank you for the reminder to listen to our bodies!
Over a year ago I had something weird going on with the underside of my foot. It was extremely tight and even stretching wasn’t helping. I had signed up for a 5K and got up the morning of the event with the continued discomfort. But I was as stubborn as the next person and got dressed, walked out the door and down the street to the subway . . . I got halfway there before the little voice shouted at me that none of this felt good. So reluctantly I turned around and went home. It turned out that I had just bruised my foot on a tree root (the trees a taking revenge on the brick footpath in our neighbourhood! :)), but even if it was just that, doing that race would have probably made it a lot worse. Same thing with my first 1/2 last year. My ankle was definitely not right and I made the decision with my trainer to opt out (bye bye $60!). As she put it – are you in this for the long haul? Then it makes no sense to put other races at risk just b/c you stubbornly want to do this one. I only wish I could hear that voice more in all areas of my life. I live with a lot of fear and I know it prevents me from truly living out my dreams and making bigger more positive choices for myself. Sounds like you made the right call on this one – but yummy oats, so not a total loss of the early start! :)
love this quote ‘are you in this for the long haul?’
I know!!! Seriously! She’s one of my inspirations . . she has 3 kids under 6 and runs her own training business and a fit mama’s exercise studio and somehow competes in regular races! But what she said made me think and having some time off has been probably better for me than I realise now – though the challenge has really getting back into the swing of things! :)
This post really resonated with me today as I’m coming off of an injury and feeling a little under the weather. I have an 18km on the training calendar for today as part of my half marathon training. The stubborn person in me was all ready to just do it anyways, but my gut instinct was telling me to take another rest day. So that’s what I’m doing! Now I can have a pajama day with my kids and gear up for the hockey game. GO CANADA!!!
Well done you: I imagine it probably took more effort and willpower NOT to race than it would have to go ahead and race (I know it would have for me!). I will also be listening to my gut and starting my own business later this year (I have to stay and work at my crappy job for a few months longer to save up money). Yay for guts!
I used to force myself to go to the gym and run my usual 5 miles over the lunch hour 5 times a week because (for some reason) I thought that I *had* to. I could pretty much guarantee that on the days I ran that I wasn’t feeling it I would have a really upset stomach for the rest of the day. I finally did an overhaul on my attitdue towards working out and now only run when I feel like it. Other days I will hop on the elliptical or not hit the gym at all. With no guilt. It’s weird to say, but it’s so liberating!
Love your inspiring posts!
I am learning to listen to my gut more. It’s a difficult thing to get used to.
Yes, I will be watching the game. I love the Olympics more than almost anything. Can’t wait for tonight!
I agree with you! You must follow your gut as it is your compass for life! It tells you what is good and bad…..I listen to mine all the time.
I get some STRONG gut or intuition feelings!
I am glad you stayed true to yourself today. Your body will thank you ;)
XXOO
Kudos to you for listening to your gut :-) That takes, well…guts!! There will be many more races in the future!