Tuesday, December 07, 2010

/Streak

After 20 consecutive days of running and 41 consecutive days of exercise, yesterday I took a day of rest.

/Streak.

I originally intended to get up early and hit the gym, but after waking up to 24+ hours of constant snowfall, the only logical thing to do (in my mind at 5am) was going back to bed. I figured I could squeeze in an evening workout.

After work I was off to see Dr. Pain Ron for some intense counselling/coaching/guidance physio. The original purpose of the appointment was my usual maintenance, but he ended up finding some good knots in my left calf and right hamstring. At times the treatment was excruciating, but Ron did a pretty good job of keeping me distracted as we chatted about all things running and non-running. But I have to admit, it can be a bit difficult to carry a conversation while someone has his elbow jammed into a "sweet spot" in my calf for an extended period of time several seconds. (I had brought cookies to soften him up - apparently it didn't work!)

After almost 90 minutes, I left with a spring in my step (it might have been more of a limp) and a smile on my face, as I thought about how fortunate hubs and I are to be working with Ron. He goes above and beyond the call of duty of a physiotherapist, making an effort to really get to know us and taking a real interest in our training and goals. The personal relationship takes the care and support to a new level - one that we do not take for granted.

I knew immediately that working out would not be smart after that session, so I called it a rest day... and tried really hard not to feel guilty or remorseful about that!

Today is Day 1 again ... where will it take me this time?


HBBC
Mon. Dec. 6 - zip zilch nada!

30 comments:

TMB @ RACING WITH BABES said...

20 days is total rock star material. i always deal with rest day guilt. have to find a way to get over that!

Anonymous said...

thats awesome that you found someone that understands your body and training and helps u!

Denise said...

you are a machine! you deserved and earned that rest day. i hope you enjoyed it!!

Unknown said...

That is a crazy-long streak! Congrats on getting that many days in!!! I need a doc like yours, you are definitely lucky to have him! :)

Jen Feeny said...

/Streak or not, you're still a rockstar and inspiration to us all! I hope the body feels pampered from all that rest! LOL!

J said...

What a great streak, so sad it had to come to an end but a good choice! You are lucky to have Dr. Pain! Hopefully this is the start of another great streak!

Unknown said...

Good job listening to your body. I'm not convinced that these trends of long 'streaking' are good for runners, but 20 days seems reasonable.

Tricia said...

youre amazing

Runners Fuel said...

Rest days can be amazing. I love them.

TNTcoach Ken said...

Don't worry, the guilt and remorse get easier to handle after a few more times......... HA

Running Ricig said...

I've been streaking lately too. I'm not sure what day I'm on right now, but I think it's been since September sometime (yeah, yikes). I'm really going to appreciate my rest days when they come. I just haven't decided when yet.

Anonymous said...

No room to feel guilt, you're a work-out machine!! You deserve some rest, and some hardcore Physio sessions ;)

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the long streak! :) And the rest day was most definitely deserved.

Emz said...

Amazing woman!!

EVEN GOD HIMSELF needed a "day of rest"! ;)

Glad you got it!!

chris mcpeake said...

got too love those occasional rest days!

Quinton J said...

Damn.
I read "streak" and thought this post was about something else.

Nevermind.

Aron said...

that is a lot of streaking!! nice job girl and good job on your rest day :)

Heidi said...

Are you sure that session doesn't count as a workout? Can't it be considered a form of yoga or something???

I hear you guys are getting blasted out there with snow. I think I heard some areas were getting/got over 100cm!! WOW, I could use some of that out west.

Nicole said...

HAHA to Arons comment! :)

You little workout freak! :) i like it though! woot!

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

Nice jobstreaking! As much smarter for taking the rest day once it goes so far it takes on a life of it's own.

I didn't mention those cookies from the last post but after my delivery today, it's all I am thinking about COOKIES!

Char said...

I'm sure you had a spring in your step leaving the physio office. It's called escaping!

RunToTheFinish said...

man I'm having troubles with this... I so want to just keep going and going, but I know that rest is important too!

Julie D. said...

My goodness, Marlene. Enjoy your rest! You rock. btw, love the new hair-do below!!

Katie A. said...

Be proud lady! 20 days is amazing! 3 weeks of straight working out is rockstar in my book.
I need to find me a good physio - but I have to go to my primary first, and she thinks I'm a moron for running so much. *sigh*
Have a great week buddy!

Jamie said...

smart move on taking a day of rest :) congrats on one heck of streak!

Johann said...

That is still an awesome streak! Winter is not the easiest time to go for a serious streak. Good luck with the next one!

Mark said...

Streaks are fun! You are amazing!!

Lindsay said...

excuses excuses... a little snow never hurt anyone ;)

jk. i totally woulda pulled the same card.

Laura said...

awesome streak...but I am glad you had some rest...it does us all good.

Amy said...

Wow! 20 DAYS! You definitely deserved the rest (and hopefully some cookies too!)