Give it a rest.

A rest day is recommended for people who exercise regularly, to give their bodies and their muscles a break - a rest.

Normally, I try to take Sundays "off" from working out.  This has more to do with my schedule, and it works out best for me, and my family. 

Is one day off of exercise enough?  Does a day of not exercising truly help a body to heal and recover?  How does one know when they are pushing themselves too hard - is there a way to tell before serious injury occurs?

"Life as I know it has changed."  I received this text over a week ago, from Fitness Guru, "I blew out my knee last night."
After a doctor's appointment, MRI, and a meeting with an orthopedic specialist, it turns out that Fitness Guru has a meniscus tear in her left knee.  Not good.  Luckily, no surgery required, but a serious wake-up call to take it easier on her body.
"When I see you next, we are talking about your workout schedule," she texted me after the news.

Hello Pot, I'm Kettle.   

What?  She wants to tell me about my workout/race schedule?  She is great about giving advice, including to take a rest day - perhaps she can model this for me.  One of the many things I respect about Fitness Guru is that - with working out - she walks the walk, not just talks the talk.  During class, she is spinning or lifting right along with us. 

Just like someone usually does better with exercise and fitness if they have a workout buddy - perhaps we need to implement a Rest Day Buddy?  It might help.

I have been pushing myself this month (I will elaborate in a different blog post).  This past weekend I had an amazing and challenging duathlon.  I had not been prepared for the trail running portions, and I am paying for it now.  My left foot has been sore since the race - I think I might have twisted it funny while leaping over mud pits and dodging rocks and roots.

Taking a page from Fitness Guru's current situation, I made myself NOT run today.  I had to plan for this starting yesterday.  Sad, but true.  What could I do in order to NOT run after work?  Normally, I start thinking about my after-work-run around 10am, when I need to eat my pre-run banana.  By noon, I am dressed and bolting out the door for a run around town, pound out the stress, think through problems, and re-energize before picking up the kids.

Sort of like hiding the cookie jar if you are dieting, I needed to keep my feet busy. . .
What to do?  What to do?

Ahhhh, a pedicure. 

I'm still missing my run terribly.  I find myself fantasizing about slipping on my running shoes and doing a quick jog around the neighborhood, but I look at my pretty toes, and remind myself that I need to take today off.   It's okay. . .Really.  Right?