Thursday, November 29, 2012

A Different World: Taking A Week Off From Running

I run practically every day. The only time I take a day off is during a day or two taper before a race. This week, I am taking an entire week off from running  and it is quite a lifestyle change. I liken withdrawing from running as waking up in completely different world. Everything seems different. Maybe it has to do with slowly diminishing amounts endorphins, adreneline, strength or endurance. Or maybe it is because my high-energy outlet is shut off. But the world seems different and I can't exactly put my finger on it.



Anyway, I took the week off because:

  1. I started feeling tightness in my right tibialis anterior (the outside of the shin). No real pain, but long runs were starting to be uncomfortable. Probably happened because I was increasing speed and mileage at the same time. A big no-no! Anyway, better to not aggravate it for no good reason.
  2. My 18-week Boston Marathon training plan starts next week and I'd like to be at least 90% healthy going into training.
  3. I need a break, and what better time than BEFORE I am going full-throttle in an 18-week training cycle!

To better put my finger on why the world seems different, I have compiled a list of things that I have observed about myself since I stopped running four days ago:
  1. Phantom Pains - these are the pains usually associated with tapering. I stopped running because my right leg had some soreness, and now my left leg seems to have joined the soreness party for no apparent reason. Ouch! What's that? My ankle is now sore....
  2. Diet - I eat worse and am hungrier. Another three cookies for dessert? Who cares? I'm not training for anything! For some reason, I seem to be hungrier now than when I am running. This is also seems to be a classic taper syndrome.
  3. Sleepy - I can now sleep 8+ hours easily, where when I am training, I am lucky if I can sleep for 6 to 7 hours.
  4. No Goals - I no longer pore over my upcoming marathon training, which I would plan out and tweak over-and-over. It has been completely ignored. I could be doing light cross-training, yet I haven't even been to the pool at all this week. I usually go once or twice.
  5. Reading - Only a few days ago, I would frequently read running articles on Runners World, check out race-time equivalents for my fitness-level, and read about marathon training. Now, I don't want to read about running or training. If I can't do it, I don't want to read about it!
Anyway, all of these things will pass soon enough. The world and I will be likely back to normal when I set out running again next week*!  Hopefully I won't have an extended period off from running for another 19 weeks!

Do you feel like the world becomes a slightly a different place when you don't run for an extended period of time? What are some of the things you observe about yourself when you stop running?

* If you see me on the trail this weekend, I guess I couldn't wait a whole week!

14 comments:

  1. I agree with you - things just seem a bit "off" if I'm not running for a while. It was SO hard on me mentally when I was injured for 5/6 months!

    I just looked at your marathon times - WOW!

    And yep, the horse and buggy. It's great!! The place it's at is not right downtown Toronto though (it's where my parents live) but still, a bit city!

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    1. Agree. Sorry to hear you were injured for so long!

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  2. Sometimes you just need some rest. And you go with your bad self...

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  3. The minute you mentioned training next week I knew it had to be for Boston! Enjoy your lull before the storm! I'm not 'training' now but I like to trick myself into thinking I'm not running, but I can't help but sneak in a weekly mile or 20. :) All the best with your upcoming training cycle!

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    1. Thanks. Yes, it's funny how sometimes when we want to take it easy we end up running lots of miles anyway!

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  4. I am the SAME way! I am doing an april marathon (not boston, haha) but my training starts the week of christmas. During my recovery break I have been sleeping non stop, and i am so hungry all the time that people are concerned. Not running is hard! Luckily i am easing back into it from now until Christmas!

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    1. Yes, agree that not running is hard. I think I gained 5 pounds in one week from all of the eating and sleeping!

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  5. I completely relate. I have done so little runner ever since the Chicago Marathon and I feel like an entirely different person. I describe it as extended taper madness. =( I wish you a speedy recovery with your shin!!!

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    1. Yes, "extended taper madeness" is what it's like. Thanks. Shin seems to be good now (knock on wood!)

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  6. Time off is good, but makes one crazy. I hope your week off was good and now you are 91% healed going into Beantown training. I don't know what do do with my extra time or appetite. Well after 2 months of pretty much nothing, I've gained weight and feel less productive overall than when I'm in the middle of marathon training.

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    1. Thanks. My week off was good and I am confident I am at least 91% going into Beantown training!

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  7. I'm definitely hungrier when I take time off of running (even on my off-days when I'm training). I figure it has something to do with my body recovering. Don't fight it, you most likely need to before training for Boston!

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  8. Ah yes! A week off of running! I usually supplement it with cross-training but sometimes I slack on that too (like when I take 1 week off ... or 2...after running a marathon). Not really in a hurry to workout! But I can also completely understand taking the week off before the marathon training starts! Hope you real pains and phantom pains feel better!

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