All the hard work you put into training is wasted if you do not allow the body proper time to recover.
News flash: I have a big ego. So much so that I will do dangerous and nonsensical things in order to feed my large ego. Actually, that's just what I have been told by those close to me that try to make sense of why I do the outlandish and sometimes daring things I do. I believe 95% of my choices are made based on my need to feed my adrenaline addiction. If this addiction is not being satisfied, then I feel I am becoming a lesser version of myself.
I have not written since May because I have not ran since May. After marathon #2, I was advised by my sports medicine doctor to cease exercise altogether except for light swimming every other day for the month of June. Running two marathons in two weeks after training for only 4 months previous had caused me to develop a stress fracture on my right tibia as well as overtrain my muscles entirely. Over training is a physical, behavioral, and emotional condition that occurs when the volume and intensity of an individuals exercise exceeds their recovery capacity. They cease making progress, and can even begin to lose strength and fitness.Some signs of over training are; muscle soreness, constant fatigue, and irritability.
Needless to say I was devastated.
Not being able to do what I was so passionate about led me to question why I had begun this new journey in the first place. Why God would lead me down this path only to take it away. The answer: He wanted me to become the best version of myself that I could possibly be. Instead of sulking, I used the extra time that I would normally spend on training focusing on various experiences as well as relationships that I had been putting on the back burner. He opened my eyes and helped me see that my life does not need to revolve around training and racing. These are meant to enhance the person that I am becoming, they do not define me.
I began running again in July and I'll tell you what - it was quite an ego check when I could barely run a mile without feeling absolutely winded. I have built up my endurance more every week and have drastically improved my swim technique...which has led me to attempt my first triathlon TOMORROW. I am not out to win this one, I am out to feed my addiction and try something new. I have made some amazing friends on this new journey and met so many new people that have generously given their time to help me train. I am confident that I will be at the fitness level that I was a few months ago, but I am also grounded and willing to accept whatever setback is thrown my way and learn the lesson that He is placing before me.
