27 February 2008
Spasms, a lapse, and starting again
Posted by Nick Katsarelas under: Nick Katsarelas .
In an earlier post, I wrote about my plan to run or do some kind of core work on a daily basis. At the time, I was at 21 consecutive days. And it was going well — I was logging more miles every week and was diligent about my regimen of strengthening and stretching exercises.
On Wednesday, Feb. 13, I reached 60 days in a row. But that whole week, I was under enormous stress (self-induced) because I was leaving on business in Hawaii for eight days, and wanted to tie up loose ends at work and get some personal tasks out of the way.
The following day, the back spasms started. (My stress usually manifests itself that way.) The spasms got worse throughout the day. They continued on Friday, and my doctor prescribed some pain medication so I could be more comfortable during my 10-hour plane ride.
Just as painful, however, was the fact that my streak had come to an end. Funny thing, though: About this time, I was in a funk about running. I’m sure I didn’t will the spasms, but they sure came at an opportune time. I was losing interest. Running was become something I had to do, not what I wanted to do. This was my schedule:
Sunday: Run with RWs at Reeds Lake.
Monday: Rest.
Tuesday: Run with RWs and Run Gazelle.
Wednesday: Three-mile run on my own.
Thursday: Run with RWs and RG.
Friday: Rest.
Saturday: Run with RWs and RG.
And it was like this. Week after week.
Once I got to Hawaii, the spasms stopped. Nevertheless, I gave running a rest for a few more days. But when I realized I was losing a glorious opportunity to run along the Pacific coastline without gloves, layers, snow caps, or YakTrax, I rose with the sun on my last four days. It felt good. Again.
I think I was putting too much pressure on myself to exercise every day. I just think I needed a rest. If I go seven days a week, that’s great. If it’s four of seven, I’m gonna be fine with that. But right now, my focus is on May 10. I’ll get my miles in. I’ll run when I can with the RWs and RG.
But the perfect streak is over. Which is perfectly fine with me.