I have to get this off my chest :D
This was amazing!!!!!!!
Recipe coming soon!
When To Push and When To Pull Back
Today on Twitter, I made a plea for help. I was not feeling motivated for my run at all. I felt tired and had a lot of tax stuff left to do and I was in a good swing of things.
My friends on Twitter came to the rescue as always with these awesome replies:
How is that for motivation? :D
So I laced up my shoes, put on my gear, and headed out the door with an optimistic outlook.
However, the run was another story.
I felt tired and my legs felt like lead. It was also very hot out. My head and body just weren’t in the game today!
And that got me thinking.
I started to wonder if sometimes not wanting to workout is actually our body trying to tell us something. I think we often associate wanting to skip a workout with laziness, boredom, and/or lack of discipline, but sometimes it may be none of those things! Sometimes there is a valid reason to skip the workout.
I think my body was trying to tell me that it needed another day of rest. I think the long runs I am doing now require more down time. It makes sense because when my long runs used to be 5 or 6 miles, I needed 1-2 days, so why would I expect my body to bounce back with oodles of energy after 10 miles (full of hills to boot)?
So how do we know how to trust our bodies? How do we know when to push and when to pull back?
On Wednesday, I ‘pushed’ because I didn’t want to do 10 miles but I knew it was just laziness on my part seeing as I hadn’t been for a run in several days. Once I got out there I felt great.
Today felt different.
Instead of pushing, I decided to pull back. I reduced my speed and I ran a couple miles and change instead of my planned 6 miles.
The run:
Distance: 2.91 miles
Duration: 29:29
Pace: 10:09 min/mile
Avg HR: 149 bpm
Max HR: 169 bpm
Today I pulled back and listened to my body. The next time I am feeling like I really want to skip a workout (especially after an intense workout) I am going to consider the possibility that maybe my body is trying to tell me some useful information and it isn’t just a motivation problem.
Today’s question:
How do you know when to push and when to pull back? Do you find it is hard to tell the difference?
Do you want a chance to win a big bag of chia seeds? Well, next week we have two exciting chia seed giveaways coming up on OSG! Stay tuned :)
Oh goodness that waffle!! Great run. Even though it wasn’t what you planned, it’s what your body wanted and needed! I’m so happy mine (and all of our tweets!) helped you out :-) I don’t think I’ve done that great of a job listening to my body in the past, but I did yesterday. My run was awful, and I pushed myself a little farther rather than give up after only 1 mile, but I still cut it short. Our bodies are unique things and they have voices too!
I am not very good at listening my body. For example, yesterday I was tired and hungry all the time, my leg was hurting like hell, and I forced myself to do some cardio exercise. Well, at least it was only for 20 minutes…
glad the twitter motivation helped you :) BUT good job on listening to your body and knowing when to pull back. its a really hard thing to learn, but sounds like you did the right thing. i know sometimes i have a really hard time distinguishing between the 2, but sometimes your legs will just TELL you the answer :)
I think if you REALLY do not want to it probably is. But sometimes I am just being lazy and would rather be catching up on twitter instead. hahaha. But you definitely have a point!!
It is a tough balancing act to know when to push and when to pull back for sure. I have a bad habit of just pushing and pushing until I wind up injured. Good for you for trying to run but then deciding it wasn’t the right thing to do. Cheers!
Since I’ve started training for a half marathon, I’ve definitely given myself permission to slack on my other workouts. For me- maintaining a habit is very important so I still do something at least 4 days a week, but I’ve done a lot fewer weight workouts and a lot more Hatha yoga. Plus, if all I’m up for is 30 minutes on the elliptical machine (my “cheat” workout b/c it’s easy and lets me watch TV) then that’s just fine considering how much running I’m doing otherwise. I’m trying to be very mindful of not wearing myself out. Overtraining will get me no where.
love this- very wise!
Thanks! It’s working pretty well so far. :)
I completely agree. It’s important to listen to our bodies and not overtrain. There are times when I’ll run more miles than I planned and times when I run less. I figure it all evens out :)
Hi Angela. Such a timely post. If you check out my blog I did a post last week (I think) called “Overtraining? Moi?” Check it out. I definitely think that as exercise enthusiasts, we can pop in and out of the overtraining camp. Have a read and let me know what you think. BTW, I think you’re right about pulling back- we need to listen to our bodies when they talk to us. :-)
It’s so important to listen to your body! But I am glad the twitter motivation helped :)
Maybe your body was saying “I’d really like to do 3 miles today Angela. Not 6!”
Can’t wait for the waffle recipe!
I can usually tell when my body wants me to take it easy … or when it is just my brain telling me I’d rather do something else. I listen to my body, and tell my brain to shut up sometimes :-)
If i feel like I can’t make a planned run, I try to cross-train instead, or go for a walk. Then I can’t be “mad” at myself for not going, because I was active, and I usually feel better. I’ve definitely had those dead legs awful feeling days.
i love to run, so when i don’t feel like it, its usually me being truly tired, not laziness. that being said, sometimes it is hard to tell when you need a break. i just finished a five hour waitressing shift, and i’m trying to decide whether i feel like going on my run today. also, i bike to work, so that’s even more exercise. i think i might try a 3 miler…more for mental health than exercise :)
p.s. that waffle looks fantastic!!
It’s taken me a while,but I have learned to forgive myself if I do a smaller workout or don’t work out at all.I know that sounds weird.For a long time,I made myself do it whether I felt like it or not.As a result,I would A) hurt myself or B) not get any quality in my workout and feel like it was a wasted effort.If my body isn’t feeling it,I just don’t push anymore.If my mind is saying,”but I don’t want to!”I will push my inner brat a little and do something.Most of the time,I get going and do an entire ( worthwhile) workout.Sometimes it takes a few minutes to determine if it’s just mind or body.A few pep talks to myself don’t hurt either.hehe…cc
I totally felt like I wasn’t benefiting from my run today. My body was dragging, which is why I turned home!
I couldn’t agree more, which is why I haven’t worked out once this week. I just knew I needed a break between flying, starting back at work, organizing things, etc. It’s nice to have a break once in a while!
I totally agree…I think it is really normal to have cycles of training. Its actually cool to think about!
Angela, this was my exact run today. I decided to take it easy right in the middle of doing 1 mile repeats. Listening to our bodies is so important, even though sometimes its hard to interpret.
Yummy looking waffle:) I’m just trying to get back into working out after too long of a hiatus. Worked out 10 minutes and realized I was starving and had no energy – although before the workout I wasn’t hungry since I’m such a snacker. A bummer of a start but better to listen sometimes and next time will be better… or the next? :)
Yummy looking waffle. I haven’t made waffles in years and you are giving me the idea it might be worth it to make some yummy fresh waffles this weekend:)
I do the same thing…I push myself to run even when I’m not feeling it. I always think once I get started it will be good. But, I’ve had those runs when I struggle to make it. I did find that doing the 10:1 when I’m tired really helps me pull back some. I have even started out running and ended up walking the last mile because my legs feel like lead! I guess my theory has always been something is always better than nothing. Maybe when you are not feeling it, start out walking and see how it feels. Then if its working start running??? Just a thought!
Yummy waffles.
I love working out and running a lot so when I don’t feel up to it, I know I am not being lazy. Yesterday, I just was not feeling it ( running)my body felt tired, and my motivation was weaning and giveing myself a pep talk was not working. So I did an hour of Pilates instead. I felt great after and no longer tired, but still decided to pass on the cardio. Best decision, today’s run was great and a lot faster than I normally run.
Glad the motivation helped, but I’m even more happy that you listened to what your body was telling you! Yes, it does take a keen discipline to know when it’s being lazy, or needing time off. I know for me, it’s mostly just being lazy!
When a workout starts out super tough I always give it about 15 minutes to “warmup” and if I don’t I lower the intensity or head in. Don’t let pride and good intentions lead to an injury or overtraining!
Courtney
adventures in tri-ing