Under the Weather

A lot of die-hard runners and endurance athletes struggle with taking days off when their bodies really need to. It's so hard to miss a crucial training day. I understand. Right now I'm so far from fit that my crucial training days are in the distant future. But I'm here to tell you now that if you're feeling under the weather, you'll be doing more good than harm by taking a rest day - let your body catch up with itself. Training is brutal on your body - that's the whole point of it. While runners are typically healthier than non-runners, it does actually dampen your immune system. Don't push through it. It's more than OK to take a day or two - or sometimes a whole week - depends on how sick you are - to recover.

Today I am feeling very under the weather. I am not sick, and I am also not in denial. I just don't feel well. I know what I need to do to get over it and so I'm working toward it. Today, though, I won't be exercising. I felt the need to write about it because I figured I could also jump on the opportunity to debunk the myth of missing a training day...

But please, I'm curious.. tell me what it is that you did today to get some exercise. Didn't do anything? It's not too late. Walk up and down your stairs for 10 minutes. That will get the heart pumping. Ten minutes is better than nothing. That is, unless you are validly under the weather.