When the body is tired, is it a good idea to try to fit in regular running?
I ask myself this question a lot. Like today, for example. It’s Friday morning. I’ve been in tech rehearsals (for a play) since Monday. We have another rehearsal tonight that won’t let out until 9 pm, a dress rehearsal at 9 am tomorrow (Saturday) morning, and a cue-to-cue rehearsal Saturday afternoon at 4 pm. I haven’t been sleeping well, my kids have been farmed off to family and friends this week, and my eyes have that burning sensation from lack of sleep. It’s obvious to me that I need to attend to my body’s need for rest and balance, but my heart is pulling me in the direction of a run.
Kathy has organized a 10-miler, starting at Marshall Mesa, for tomorrow morning. I love this run and haven’t seen my friends all week. So, the big question is, do I get up early and run 10 miles, then trot over to the theatre for the rehearsals, or do I sleep in, try to rest, and do my long run on Sunday later in the morning, when I’m not rushed and rested? My brain knows that Sunday is a better choice, but my heart is not convinced.
What would YOU do?
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Partly Cloudy
I can completely identify with this conundrum. Often I choose to run through pain and fatigue, but I’m trying to do better at honoring my body and taking care of myself… I only get this one body! So if your body is screaming for rest, give it the rest it needs.
However… if you think spending time running with friends will do wonders for your mental health, then perhaps that will give your body the boost it needs physically as well.
Did I give you a completely wishy-washy answer that was of no help here?
You’re cracking me up, mostly because you just said exactly what I was talking about! How come it’s not cut-and-dried? Do we honestly overthink RUNNING that much??? Ah yes, the priviledge of being women. We can think as much as we want, about whatever we want!
this can be SO hard to know. am i just being lazy and pushing off my run or am i really tired and need the extra sleep? i have a hard time with it too! sometimes i just take the extra sleep and sometimes i push through it… i dont think there is a clean cut answer. good luck deciding!!
Yep, we can overthink running that much. And then when we realize it, we overthink overthinking!
I ended up COMPROMISING today; I slept in until 7, then went out on a short run before heading to my tech rehearsal. Compromise, what a word. That way it isn’t an either/or sort of thing. Me likey!