Trust Your Gut – Oh She Glows

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:

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Chelsea @ (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun)

15 years ago

This was a great post, and I commend you for giving into your gut. The internal compass knows more than the over-analytical mind could ever hope to. Way to be in tune with your body!

Also, those oats look divine.

Heather (Where's the Beach)

I try really hard to listen to what my body is telling me. I know there are those inner demons that make you feel guilty or lazy for not doing something, but there are times when you really and truly must listen to your body. It’s so important to be in tune with yourself.

Brooke

I am my own worst enemy and really struggle to ‘go with my gut.’ I am so driven and my mind is always ready for a challenge. However, many times I push myself even when my body is signaling me (sometimes quite obviously) to take it easy. I always have to learn the hard way including ignoring persistant pain for weeks last Spring and ending up with a stress fracture in the femoral neck of my hip. An injury that had me out of work and on bedrest for 12 weeks. So, thank-you for this post! It is a poignant reminder that it is more than ‘ok’ to “just say no.”

Megan @ Healthy Hoggin

I think it’s awesome that you listened to you gut! It knows best! There are still plenty of races you can run this year! ;)

I can totally relate to those thoughts of “what will others think” though! I think there’s even more pressure when you’re a blogger! But it’s good to squash down those thoughts. The only person who really matters when you make those decisions is you!

P.S. your breakfast looks divine!!

Shannon

Good for you for listening to your gut. No doubt it was the right decision. And I’m sure you had a lovely day at home with your boys :)

Kelli

I’m definitely a big believer in listening to my gut–glad I’m not the only one! You definitely made a good decision, and I doubt anyone would think differently :) Hope you had a lovely day with your boys at home!

Susan

LOVE this post Angela!! I injured my hip doing a 5k because I was stubborn and didn’t want to back out. I’d been overtraining leading up to it and that race was the breaking point for me. Even just a few months ago, I had a minor hip relapse by pushing it too hard, again, because I was stubborn and didn’t want to feel weak. Now I know better. Today I was actually in bed with an allergic reaction. Even after it passed, I knew I couldn’t do my planned gym workout. My body was talking to me and it needed to REST!

Chelsea

Hey Angela, My husband and I were oogling your oatmeal, he suggested a heaping scoop of Nutella next time. As a Pro Cyclist, you’d think he would want to keep his blood sugar low, but Nutella is his pre-race, pre-training meal everytime! By the way, first time commenter lov you and your blog!!

Heather

glad you decided to listen to your instinct! Who knows what could have happened?

Britt @ Runnerbelle

Not every race/workout is meant to be. Glad you listened to your instinct and stayed home.

Paige @ Running Around Normal

Sometimes you just have to listen to yourself! I always have to remind myself that our bodies are smart things…so I should listen to mine!
Hope you had a great day at home with Eric and Sketch :)

Lauren @ A Fit Foodie

It’s definitely important to listen to your body. Sometimes it’s telling us things our hearts and brain won’t.

Tracey @ TropicalHappiness

Great post…. I think it is SO important to listen to your gut, in all aspects of life. :) In the long run, this will be so much better for your body & to keep your healthy… much healthier than one run or one race would be!

Staceyhttp://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/

Your oatmeal this morning looks so good and comforting on a Sunday morning.

Heidi

You are so smart to go with your gut Angela. Glad you’re taking care of yourself and very in tune with your body. There will be many races to come, but you only have one body!

Still loving your blog as always!!!!
Heidi

Lauren

I listen to my gut most of the times, and I probably wouldn’t have done those three miles on the treadmill if it was hurting me. But I have serious type-A issues and would not have been able to let myself back out on a race like that. Maybe in time I will learn how to be more in tune with my gut like you.

Vanessa

You’ll be happy to know that I still find you completely fantastic ;). Even more so for being able to listen to your body and have confidence that you know what is best for yourself. Love this post!

You are wise to have listened to your instinct to stay home. You’ll never know what you saved yourself from!

Sorry about your team :(

Kelly

I am only recently learning to listen to my gut instinct when it comes to running. Unfortunately, like you, it has taken injuries to get me to that point! Now thanks to pushing through the pain I find myself having to basically start my running over from scratch after taking several months off.