Whenever I’m really into a training plan, I have learned to love days of rest. I think that’s a good thing, because often we don’t realize how important those days of rest can be. A lot of athletes (real athletes, though I’m not sure “real” is a good word for it because what does that make the rest of us? Fake athletes? No. We’ll work on this one) tend to skip the DOR altogether. Their bodies just don’t need it. They can take a light day and that’s recovery for them. Well, not me. I need a day off now and then, and I usually end up looking forward to them. I am thoroughly convinced my body was not built for endurance, even if my mind was. It’s a fun contradiction to live with, let me tell you.
The only thing I don’t look forward to is a forced day of rest. A forced DOR is the worst because, well, it’s out of your control. And real athlete or fake athlete, no one likes when their training is out of their control. Which is why as the day progressed yesterday and I felt worse and worse, I was also more and more irritated. It seems I have some kind of stomach virus possibly akin to Montezuma’s revenge except not that bad and not from traveling to Mexico, because the furthest I went was Nevada. Nonetheless, I’m not feeling that great along with a host of other symptoms I’d just as soon not discuss. You’re welcome. I feel as though I’ve already crossed a line anyway.
So, here I sit, on day three of my Don’t Get Lazy, Just Get Up plan (new name? Good? Bad?) unable to pretty much do anything but walk. Yesterday’s plan, day two, went well, though and I will be thankful for that. Five minute intervals are, dare I say, FUN. And maybe they were fun because it was too easy for me, but that’s okay. I also did ten push-ups in between each interval, so that was more fun than just walking an entire minute. Maybe that was my problem? Maybe push-ups are evil? Maybe that’s what brought me down.
Day three: forced DOR. Though, it is early…
Thanks to everyone who said they’re joining in or supporting me or going right along with me. That’s a pretty cool thing and, believe me, will get me through a lot of runs.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
OMg we are DEFINITELY in this together then, because my cold came back in time for day 3 and it’s sitting right in my chest. Cold in chest = day of rest.
So sorry about the stomach thing. There is little worse.
How about ’serious athletes’ ‘professional?’
Yeah, I don’t know either.
Get better soon.
jc
I hope you are feeling better soon! What I hate is that feeling of anxiety that comes when you cannot workout but when you are finally able to work out, all of a sudden you don’t feel like it. I think I should jump on the Don’t Get Lazy, Just Get Up plan.
I hate those forced days as well. Feel better soon!!
I bet you can do real push ups too, can’t you!
HOpe you feel better and keep up the great progress.
By the way I think you are a REAL athlete, but maybe nor a professional.
I have problems with DOR’s and especially forced DOR’s. I hurt my back last week and had several in a row. I felt like I gained 70 lbs and lost all conditioning. Now after a few days back in the swing of things I feel like I’m just getting back to where I was, but atleast my back doesn’t hurt.
I hope you feel better soon.
I have problems with DOR’s and especially forced DOR’s. I hurt my back last week and had several in a row. I felt like I gained 70 lbs and lost all conditioning. Now after a few days back in the swing of things I feel like I’m just getting back to where I was, but atleast my back doesn’t hurt.
I hope you feel better soon.
Kudos on push-ups! You rock. Feel better!
Forced DOR’s drive me nuts! I always want to be out there, active. I cycle and run, so my forced days of rest from one sport usually just put me into the other. I usually only take one day off a week, and that’s when I’m busy with other stuff.
OK….fun and push ups in the same sentence just ‘aint right!
Push ups are totally evil. I’m impressed that you still walked even though you weren’t feeling well!