As I shared last week, I decided to make December my “off-season” from running. Well, then I started to get signs that it was time to back off of running anyway. My stroller broke. It snowed. I’ve been tired. Strength training left me SORE. So, this week was all about going with the flow and running when I felt like it. Sounds simple enough, right?
I think the real sign that it was time to back off of running was that I didn’t really care that these things were interfering with my runs! I was just like eh, I’ll do other workouts, sleep in more, etc. It’s so unlike me! But I’m trying to just relax and enjoy it because I ran ALOT (for me) this year.
Signs That It’s Time To Back Off Of Running
What are other signs you should look for to decide if you should back off of running?
- Pain, ongoing “niggles” that won’t go away, or other signs of impending injury
- Your runs have been significantly slower without an explanation
- Low motivation for more than a few days
- Feeling like you “have to” run but don’t want to
- You haven’t backed off of running in 6 months or longer
- You want to start training in the next month and your body and mind needs a break
There are many other reasons to back off of running. Here are 8 reasons to take a break from running!
Weekly Run Down
- Monday: 4.1 Treadmill Miles + Core/Glutes
- Tuesday: 3.1 Miles + Mobility
- Wednesday: Strength Training + 20 Minutes Spinning
- Thursday: Rest
- Friday: Strength Training + Mobility
- Saturday: 20 Minutes Spinning + Core/Mobility
- Sunday: 4 miles + Core/Glutes
Treadmill Running
Running on the treadmill still hasn’t felt great but I don’t mind doing short runs on there once in awhile. As long as I keep them interesting. On Monday there was supposed to be heavy rain so I did 4.1 miles with hills. It wasn’t too bad, but I was glad I didn’t run on there again the rest of the week.
Mid-Week Snow
On Wednesday we got a few inches of snow. It seemed like alot initially but when I woke up on Thursday it looked like it was maybe like 4 inches? But it had also sleeted and was freezing out, so alot of the snow was frozen over. I tried to take Grayson outside and it was hard to even walk it in because the snow was so hard.
Of course, even a little snow causes big issues when no one shovels their sidewalks. But even just a little bit of snow turns to ice making it treacherous for early morning runs when it’s freezing and dark out. So I didn’t run outside early the rest of the week.
Strength Training
I did some different exercises this week and I was really sore! I was glad I didn’t have a long run or hard workout coming up. Whenever I do leg curls after not doing them for awhile, my hamstrings are sore for days. I also used heavier weights on my chest presses and felt those for a few days as well. But one of my goals for this month was so focus more on strength, so a little soreness is a good thing!
Spinning
I got back on my spin bike this week! It was only for 20 minutes, but hey, ya gotta start somewhere. Honestly I’d just rather run, but I know it’s good to do different things. I’m not making any promises that I will continue with this but we will see.
Christmas Week
I can’t believe Christmas is on Friday! I am taking off the whole week expect Monday (and I have a quick call Tuesday morning) and I don’t go back to work until after the new year. It’s weird having that much time off and nothing exciting to do. I’m just hoping to relax and maybe get some things done around the house.
Koala Clip Giveaway!
Over on Instagram I’m giveaway away a $40 gift card for a Koala Clip purchase of your choice! Head over to this post to enter.
You may also like: The Countdown to Christmas Just Another Week in 2020 When In Doubt, Run It Out
How were your workouts last week?
Do you cross-train consistently?
Do you ever get signs that it’s time to back off of running?
Are you taking time off around the holidays?
I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down!
Sounds like you and the universe are definitely in sync with cutting back running! I always get a little nervous running outside after a snow storm because the city never does a great job with cleaning off the sidewalks here.
I run in mostly residential areas so most of the people didn’t shovel, probably because we didn’t get alot of snow. But there was enough snow for it to freeze and turn to ice!
I am right there with you on the treadmill. In a normal year it would be my only option for weekdays but with WFH and decent weather, I’ve been able to get outside more often than not.
Running has been solidly meh for a while, which I think is because I just did too much this fall. I’m still running, but it’s sluggish so I’m keeping my runs short. I always say that there are only two reasons to run, either because because someone is chasing you or because you want to. Hopefully no one is chasing us, so if we don’t want to run…there are so many other fitness options.
Haha I love that! You are so right, we should only be running if we want to. I am already getting antsy and will probably use the treadmill next week if its still icy out.
I think you hit on a key component to easing back…the fact that you felt no guilt in doing so. I kind of took a reprieve form strength training this week (and, in all honesty, have not been going “hard” at it recently anyways), and I have zero guilt in doing so LOL I tweaked a tendon (or something) in my right elbow awhile ago, and I’m trying to give that a chance to properly heal. You stay active enough that you won’t lose any of your fitness with a short ease-back cycle 😉
That’s smart to give your elbow some time to heal! It feels weird to back off so much but in the grand scheme of things its really nothing.
It does sound like it’s a good time to take a break from running — or at least cut back. We didn’t get enough snow to stick the week, but I hear you on people not clearing their sidewalks. It’s so frustrating, even if I’m just trying to walk Scooby it’s dangerous. I hope you enjoy your week mostly off!
I think alot of people didnt clear their sidewalks because it wasn’t that much snow, but even that small amount managed to stick around and freeze all week because it was so cold and overcast!
Your backing off is similar to my normal.
I guess just running short runs for fun doesn’t make be need to back off. I run 10 on the weekend but slowly and I will less if it ever feels like too much. So far so good.
I suck at cross-training. If I have time, I go for a run.
Things are pretty slow around here for the holidays so it’ll be the same old same old.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
I really don’t like cross-training either! But some days if I can’t run, it feels good to move in whatever way I can. Merry Christmas to you too!
This whole year has been about going with the flow, hasn’t it!? So fun that Grayson got to enjoy a snow day. I am also so not a fan of treadmill and mine has dust on it. Have a great week ahead and merry Christmas to you all
I definitely go through phases with the treadmill, and lately I just haven’t been feeling it! Not good timing considering its winter now!
I’m off from the 24th through the 1st, which feels really weird as I was also off from 18 -30 November. Definitely going to be a weird transition back a full month.
I feel like our bodies do talk if we listne. Hope the stroller fix isn’t a hard one. GRayson is getting so big!
January is definitely going to be a tough month! But I think we will be going into the new year with some hope for a much better year ahead!
I’d say enjoy that time off, but I know it’s still hard with a toddler! Hope you get a little me-time; sounds like you need it.
This week was tiring with all the shoveling, but ice is the worst — we were lucky it was just fluffy snow. But 2 ft of it, LOL!
Hope you can get the running stroller fixed soon — and that you’re feeling more like yourself with some time off, too!
Thank you! We had to send Thule a video of what was wrong with the stroller, and now we’re just waiting to hear back on next steps. No idea how long it will take to get fixed!
Good for you for heeding the signs and backing off of running for a bit. That will pay off. I’m pretty sure I cross train more than I actually run. Ha! Even at the peak of marathon training my running mileage is relatively low. I am working more than ever right now, although the kids have a break, which is nice.
I keep reminding myself it will pay off in a few weeks to take time off now! I think that’s helped me to feel better about backing off so much now.
You did run a lot this year! I’m so close to my goal and once I hit that, I’m going to back off as well. My body is asking for it. I hear you on being sore–the day after last week’s strength session I was in so much pain, I was having trouble walking. Lol
You know you had a good workout when it’s hard to walk! That’s how I felt yesterday, I could tell you each muscle that I worked in my strength session the day before!
I am off for two weeks and am very excited! I don’t cross train at all but know I need to and will need to figure something out for next year. Happy Holidays!!
Enjoy your time off!!
I don’t cross-train nearly as much as I should. I find if it’s not running I struggle to get that motivation. Have thought about getting a spinning bike as that might be a good way to get it done and the fact it doesn’t come cheap might keep me using it!
The spin bike is good to have. I got it a few years ago (2016?) when I was injured and I think it was around $200. So at this point I’ve probably gotten my money’s worth but it’s easy to convince myself to get on it once in awhile when I’m not running.
Enjoy your time off from work! My client load has been cut back so much due to Covid that I’m not taking any additional time off…
Merry Christmas, Lisa!
Hopefully a lighter client load means a little more time to yourself to relax! Hope you have a good Christmas!
Perfectly timed break from running, and nice that you have other option to get in your movement. Ice is no good! Be careful out there.
Ice makes me so nervous! Luckily its finally almost all melted. I should be able to run outside later this week.
Ack! Look at that ice!
It definitely sounds like you are ready for a bit of a break. No harm there – it sounds like you are filling in with lots of other great workout.
Enjoy your time off! Mr PugRunner has a couple of calls tomorrow and then he’s done for the year (or so he says – he always finds something to do).
What’s nice is that after Wednesday everyone I work with is off until the new year, so hopefully there won’t be any E-mails coming through!
Definitely sounds like you have dialed back on running at a good time. While I love the cooler temps of winter running, icy conditions always make me nervous.
Enjoy your downtime!
Exactly! I hope we don’t have a very snowy winter this year, otherwise I think I am going to be on the treadmill quite a bit.