On running and not running

After the big move on March 1st, I came down with a cold. This - on top of not sleeping very well in an unfamiliar apartment - made me worry I'd been pushing my body too hard. I decided to go seven days without running to give my body the chance to recover and adjust to the new routine. Some things I learned about myself after going seven days without running:

• Appetite: I had virtually no appetite. This was definitely compounded by being sick, but usually I can't go more than a couple of hours without eating, and often enjoy large portions at lunch and dinner (something's gotta fuel the kilometers!) But as soon as I stopped running, I stopped craving food. I had to remind myself that I wasn't exercising, and thus didn't need as many calories, to stop from eating out of sheer habit.
• As a result of this, my energy levels were way down. Yes, this was probably also a result of sleeping poorly and being sick, but I found I was exhausted at the end of the day, without having done very much. This was a good reminder for me: running really does energize and revitalize the mind and body. Tired? Run. You won't be tired much longer.
• If you don't use it, you loose it. BUT seven days isn't long enough to really throw off a training plan. I tied up my runner shoes this weekend and ran 20 kilometers, total. My muscles were relaxed, there was no second day cramping, and I found my pace easily. It's important to know I can take days off and give my body the rest it needs without impacting my training plan in the long run.

Big news: I've officially decided to run the Toronto Half-Marathon in early May, which gives me exactly eight weeks between now and then to step up my training, tackle some decent kilometers, and find a comfortable pace.

Some shots from my first run back (the Spring weather helped!):