Today's Tuesday's on the Run topic is running breaks. This is an interesting topic for me--mostly because I've put more mileage in this year than ever before and haven't really taken a full out "running break" in over a year.
I don't run everyday (well, except for right now as a part of the RW Running Streak) but I can't remember the last time I took more than 3 days off in a row. And usually by the time that third day rolls around, my legs are itching to move.
BUT that being said, I think taking running breaks can be a good thing, especially if you're feeling burnt out or no longer enjoy running. I don't ever want to get to the point where I wake up in the morning and dread going out for a run.
When I was younger, I was WAY into playing basketball. I LOVED it. It was all I wanted to do, all I thought about--heck, in first grade when you were asked what you wanted to be when you grew up, I was dead set on being the first woman in the NBA (ha!). As I got older, basketball no longer became a seasonal thing and I started playing year round with no breaks. At first, it was awesome. But then after a while, basketball became a chore. I dreaded going to practice, I dreaded weekend's away at tournaments... I dreaded it all. And you know what? By my senior year of high school, I was done. I didn't want to play anymore and for the first time in my life, I quit something. And instead, I focused more on the other sports I played.
I still regret quitting because I'm no quitter. But looking back and remembering how miserable I was, I know I needed to take a step back.
With running, I don't ever want to get to that point. I don't want to get to a place in my life where running is something I HAVE to do and not something I WANT to do. Running is my passion and I can't imagine my life without it. But I've learned my lesson with basketball and if I/when I get to the point where it's no longer enjoyable, I'll know that I need to take a step back and redevelop that passion.
If you're feeling burnt out from an activity, maybe it's time to take a week, a month or heck, a year off. You never know what you'll discover during your break. Heck, when I quit basketball, that's when I first started dabbling with the idea of running... and now look at me.
Or you may go back to whatever it is you're taking a break from with more fervor than ever before.
The main thing is--LISTEN to your body, your mind, and you're heart. If something's no longer enjoyable, take a step back and reevaluate. It could be exactly what you need.
Have you ever taken a break from running? Or something else in your life?
Sarah
I've taken 12 weeks off from running due to an injury. I was so frustrated at the time, but in hind sight I think it saved me from mentally burning out. I was so excited to start running again! I did completely burn out from swimming when I was in high school. I trained competitively at a National level and spent about 60 hours a week training. I felt like I missed out on a lot in high school and never found a sustainable balance. I ended up quitting before college, and although I miss it, I don't think I would have survived training at a college level. Learning balance between training and personal life is so important in preventing burn out.
ReplyDeleteBreaks definitely help--sometimes more mentally than physically. I know when I take a week off, I'm so ready to get back out there and am usually more motivated than ever!
DeleteBreaks from almost anything in life are so good for the body/mind :) helps me recharge and re-focus. So happy that you're halfway to your 2,015 miles!!
ReplyDeleteyep!! totally! they are definitely refreshing!! and thanks! I still have a long way to go but feel pretty good about my chances for getting there!! :)
DeleteI'm currently taking my first running break in years, and while I know it's a good thing (I just ran my first marathon two weekends ago and my feet were still sore until yesterday), I am worried about losing the fitness and speed I worked so hard for. But I'm hoping it will come back quickly once I get out there. I'm super impressed with your total yearly mileage so far!!
ReplyDeleteahh, i'm so excited to run my first marathon in November!! Congrats on yours! That's such a HUGE accomplishment! I definitely planning on taking a short break after my marathon--no doubt!
DeleteSo important to listen to your body! Breaks are not a bad thing! That's awesome that you've had such a high mileage so far this year, I don't think I've ever run that much in a year let alone 6 months, so kudos!
ReplyDeleteyep! listening to your body is KEY! and thank you!
DeleteI'm currently wrapping up a running break and I really needed it mentally. I was tired of having to run a specific number of miles on a specific day... Right now I'm just running however far and fast I feel like. And I'm enjoying that.
ReplyDelete