… well the answer is... No you don't …not, All the time.
This is your programme and your running and you take it at your own pace and as the weather for many of us, is cold, wet or icy... we sometimes have to take a step back!
I am so, so sorry that the Corner is late opening today... yet another appointment with MR OF kept me very busy until now. But, the cushions are plumped up, the fire is bright and the snacks and warm drinks are plentiful! Sit down and rest awhile.
Okay...I have been thinking... the Corner has not been so full lately and I do know that many folk have had illness, injury or both and that life has got in the way of our runs, quite a few times; so this seems like a good time to remind ourselves in the first week, of what may for many of us, be a very busy and hectic time, just how important being KIND is...
...to OURSELVES.
I have just replied to a post on Bridge to 10K, answering someone who felt that self care was distinctly lacking from their routine and I realised also, that maybe, I am not being quite as kind to myself as I should be!
I have said this many, many times before and it bears repeating.
I realise from your posts that many of us, have had a heck of a November and some of you have had a lot to cope with. But, as always, despite all that life threw at you, you got out there and you ran or walked, or exercised in some way.
You are all absolutely inspirational!
But sometimes, just sometimes, we do need to just accept that we need to rest. It is just as important as the running and the exercises.
Taking time out to sit back, relax and breathe. Do something, maybe just one thing that gives you time to do something for you. Some TLC for your mind and your body.
We all know the benefits of proper rest, Proper rest is essential to a healthy regime, allowing muscles time to recover and rebuild. The mind too, really, really needs that rest time.
Rest helps us feel stronger, avoid injury, hopefully, and maybe further our progress, by helping us to get into the right mind set for supportive S and F work... A great habit to build into our running routines?
If you are on the C25K programme, it is so tempting to really push yourself, even if you feel ill or the weather is against you...but the runs do wait... they really do, and they will be all the sweeter when you get out there. Fitness will not be lost because you took an extra rest day or two,,,
In other words, the rest we need, and the rest we take, even slightly prolonged rest can help make us into better runners.
So...what am I going to do to show myself some kindness? Well, I am really wanting to re-graduate from C25K again... I have two runs left to do... appointments and bad weather have kept me from running. I could, if the ice permits run tomorrow, but I have had a long, microtonal and physically tiring day today so... I am going to wait.
I am going to wait and finish my water-colour baubles! And do some work on another painting too... I will be kind to ME . Those runs will wait.
Your turn now...we would love to know the one thing or things you might do this week that shows you are being KIND...
Grab a cushion, grab a snack and share...everyone is welcome here.
Oldfloss x
PS
White Rabbits, everyone!
x
