Monday, September 29, 2014

Rest: It's Part of the Program

I knew this past week was going to be busy but I figured I'd probably be able to get a swim and a weight workout in towards the end of the week.  What I didn't count on was getting hit with a cold.  Nothing like getting sick on day one of a 4 day location shoot.  Ugh.  Any plans I had for working out went out the window.  Which is probably just as well because I put quite a beatdown on my legs in last week's half marathon and honestly think my body needed the rest.  I made it through the week thanks to Benalyn Cold & Flu.  I was still blowing my nose and sneezing on the weekend but I felt much better energy wise.  Even so, I opted to take the full week off.  Yup, you read that right.  I did NOTHING.  Nada.  Despite the fabulous summer like weather.  I can honestly say I didn't even FEEL like doing anything.   I actually enjoyed lazing around.  I even went clothes shopping in a real store (not online!).  It was a lovely weekend and I didn't really miss the fact that I didn't do anything physical.   

Clearly I'm in need of a bit of a break. I think all this uncertainty with my knees has really done a number on my head and my mojo.  I've opted not to run for the next several weeks to just let my knees settle down.  I'm still going to swim and lift weights.  Cycling is a maybe, it will depend on my knees.  I'm also going to go to a few yoga classes and finally get some pilates in my life.  So it's not like I'm going to be doing nothing.  That would not be a good thing.  I need some form of movement in my life.

I will also have time to actually cook real food.  I need to undo the damage done from the last two weeks.  All of my days had a lot of this (not always a bad thing):





Some of this (unfortunately for my waistline)



And there was a little bit of this later on in the week.  Again, not really great for the waistline but whatevs.  Everything in moderation, right?





I made it back to the pool this morning and surprisingly, I didn't die.  I actually felt pretty good, maybe because we were using fins.  We'll see how I do on Wednesday!

How was your week of workouts?  
Do you take time off a certain sport in your off season?  
How much time do you take off?





6 comments:

Krysten Siba Bishop said...

Rest is definitely part of the program. I am still training but I have SLOWED down a ton over the last couple of months and it has been so nice!!

Heidi Nicole said...

I am in full blown recovery mode -- barely moving, eating everything that looks remotely tasty and sleeping more hours than I knew I could.

It feels funny, after months of miles + miles, but I think my body is kind of loving it! Rest is surprisingly important...!

Elise said...

Well ya know my story...:) it's good for you physically and mentally. U had a great season.....time to rejuvenate and heal.

Courtney@The TriGirl Chronicles said...

I haven't swam since Iron Girl the first weekend in August. Oops! Sometimes we all need a big rest week. Enjoy the time =)

Kathee said...

I seem to take forced rest weeks. Almost 3 weeks off with some funky leg pain that is a mystery to all. I ran Sunday and it felt OK but I sure felt slow and sloppy.

Abby said...

So sorry about your knees. Hope the rest does them good.