Have you ever tried figuring out the difference between the words moist and damp? I have. How about often and frequent? Yep, had that conversation too. I have actually spent countless hours trying to answer these questions much to some of my friends' dismay. As a matter of fact, I had this conversation TWICE while running this past week.
Running is my therapy. I've said it before and I will say it again, going out for a run puts me at peace after particularly challenging days. I work hard, play hard and run hard. Sometimes when I get myself into living overload, meaning I am not taking time to relax, even running can seem less therapeutic, but a couple hours later? Well, that is when I find my peace, it just takes longer.
This week I was a fairly cranky runner. I would show up, run silently or tell stories or argue over a simple word for the sake or arguing. Someone told me that I sometimes say things just because I need to disagree not necessarily because I actually disagree. Who, me? If my mom is reading this, she is probably chuckling right now because she knows how true this statement can be...
I have read a lot about how you know you are overtraining. I can tell you for certain that I am not currently over training as I'm only averaging about 18 miles a week but I am starting to wonder if the signs of overtraining also apply to life in general. Some of the signs of overtraining include:
So why am I really writing about this? Well, the sole purpose of this post is to apologize to some of the friends I run with. I was cranky this week and because they are so kind and almost like family to me I sometimes forget that they aren't required to like me after I am cranky with them, like my mom is. But at the end of the day, they forgive me too.
Like acknowledging you are over training, it is also important to acknowledge when you need to apologize...
Running is my therapy. I've said it before and I will say it again, going out for a run puts me at peace after particularly challenging days. I work hard, play hard and run hard. Sometimes when I get myself into living overload, meaning I am not taking time to relax, even running can seem less therapeutic, but a couple hours later? Well, that is when I find my peace, it just takes longer.
This week I was a fairly cranky runner. I would show up, run silently or tell stories or argue over a simple word for the sake or arguing. Someone told me that I sometimes say things just because I need to disagree not necessarily because I actually disagree. Who, me? If my mom is reading this, she is probably chuckling right now because she knows how true this statement can be...
I have read a lot about how you know you are overtraining. I can tell you for certain that I am not currently over training as I'm only averaging about 18 miles a week but I am starting to wonder if the signs of overtraining also apply to life in general. Some of the signs of overtraining include:
- Heavy legs - Now this is one sign that can only be related to running but it manifests itself by making your legs feel like bricks.
- Chronic muscle aches - This manifests itself as, you guessed it, muscle aches that don't go away. I can relate this to life! I know when I am having sensory overload when I turn the radio off in the car. That is my sign to take a day off and go off the grid. I actually did this on Wednesday this past week. Aside from my run I didn't interact with people at all because I simply needed peace!
- Lack of enthusiasm or mood swings - When I am feeling overwhelmed with life I get road rage and am uncommunicative. I have heard that over training can lead to anger/crankiness and often can be identified through aggressive behavior, disinterest in running or being argumentative. Hmmm... I may have had a little of that in me this week.
- Change of sleeping pattern - When I have a lot going on I can find myself getting very little sleep and then crash when I finally have a moment free. As it is related to over training, sleeplessness is a sign of over training.
Relating this to every day life is enlightening. I guess it isn't only running that we sometimes need to step back from simply to get some rest. All of these signs have been present this past week ESPECIALLY the crankiness.
So why am I really writing about this? Well, the sole purpose of this post is to apologize to some of the friends I run with. I was cranky this week and because they are so kind and almost like family to me I sometimes forget that they aren't required to like me after I am cranky with them, like my mom is. But at the end of the day, they forgive me too.
Like acknowledging you are over training, it is also important to acknowledge when you need to apologize...
Very wise post.
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