Basic Instinct

This last Sunday, I went to the track to run some intervals.  On the very first run, something just didn't feel right.  My legs felt like cement and I was slower than usual. 

I was overcome with the feeling that I should just pack it in and skip the workout.  However, I was "scheduled" to run that day, so I proceeded and kept running.  I paid the price for this, feeling less-than-good over the next few days. 

My body was trying to tell me that it wasn't ready for that workout - but I chose not listen.  It's far too easy to fall into a robotic training program.  But the body isn't a machine; there are natural peaks and valleys, highs and lows in energy levels over the course of time. 

The idea of perioidization has been around for decades and has been shown to be more effective than consistent, high-level training.  Yet even scheduled periodization probably isn't as effective as listening to the body's natural instincts.  After all, the body is in charge - if you continually push it past its limits, it will rebel through injury, illness, or just general malaise.

In the future, I am going to try to listen to my body more and listen less to my "smart" ideas.

Comments

[Tammy]

I've had to pack it in before when I tried asking my body to do what it simply refuses to do. It's like trying to get a car engine to turn over when its just too dang cold.

Often times when that hits me, I try to see what my body is "willing" to do - maybe walk instead of run or do some weight machines... something.

Otherwise I have no other choice but to listen and know tomorrow it may work better than today.