We runners are often known for our “run at all costs” mentality. You know what I’m talking about right? “No pain, no gain” or “Just push through the pain” are things we tell ourselves when we struggle through one of those sub-par runs. Sometimes pushing through is the right thing to do and mentally we come away stronger for having done so. 

Sometimes however, getting that training run in when you feel like crap, is probably the worst decision you could make at that moment in time. But how do you know if you are just being a wimp or if you really need to take the day off? More than likely you didn’t take the day off from work or tell your family they will have to fend for themselves today. No, instead your pushed through all your other obligations as well.

When we really get focussed on our training, it sometimes is hard to step back and see the big picture. Whether you are training for a marathon or you are training to peak for a series of smaller races, you tend to feel like every workout is essential for your success. It can be especially tough when race day has arrived and you feel way less than 100%. What do you do? You have put in so much work!

When faced with this decision, the question I always come back to is this, “If I choose to run today, how will this effect my running in the future…one week from now…one month from now…6 months from now…or even 5 years from now?”  Then I step back and really listen to what my body is telling me.  My normal pace for easy runs are between an 8:45- 9:45 pace, so if I can barely muster a 10:45 pace, I should take note that something isn’t right.

Recently I found myself here, yet again. A few weeks ago I got totally transparent with you and shared my month long battle with diarrhea. Despite having this condition, I continued to train and to race. Since I didn’t really feel bad, I scaled back my training and revised by race goals. However, as May rolled around I noticed that my training runs felt sluggish so I cut out speed work first and eventually put a stop to all running and went to see my doctor. 

As I await my appointment with the gastroenterologist, I am continuing to listen to cues from my body as to what might be triggering the diarrhea to flare up so frequently. What I have learned and what I suspected, is that it is triggered by more than just food and beverages. 

My three target races are now 4-6 weeks away. I have made peace with the fact that even if I get to run in them, I will not be at my peak. Since I’m really competitive, that was actually easy for me to do. I really never have like racing when I knew I couldn’t win or reach my goal time. What’s not easy, is knowing I’m not getting any younger and that I had put in so much work in my base training and that there are not an abundance of races at the one mile and two mile distances that I could shoot for later in the year. 

Confirmation came yesterday when I got my mail yesterday. I received my deck of Crazy Sexy Love Notes by Kris Carr. I mixed up the cards real good, closed my eyes and randomly pick the card pictured above! Thank you God for the sweet reminder!

Now it’s your turn. Share in the comments below either about a time when you listened to your body or a time when you wished you would have listened.