When doc gave me the all clear on Friday arvo, you can guess what my first activity 'back' was. I went for my first glorious run (a short run, but a run, none the less) along the edge of West Lake, and wow did it feel good. Reassuringly enough it didn't feel different - I couldn't even tell I had had so much time off! Was this an anomaly? Perhaps my excitement and enthusiasm for being allowed to run/cycle/work again had given me a false sense of fitness security?
I tested it again early this morning though, and again it seems: all is well (and nothing has changed). Phew!!! This comes as somewhat of a relief, and I don't think the time off resting will have hurt my training for the upcoming Longbien Half Marathon next month, and then the Bangkok Marathon in November.
Of course, as I couldn't run, I focused on the most important part of the training process anyway: the food! I made sure my nutrition was on track and that my diet was full of a variety of healthy, healing, delicious foods. Find out why this is so important and key for your training program! Join me in my Eat To Win program that starts in just three short weeks - registration is open now, so go ahead and sign up (and bring a friend or two too) - in just a few short weeks you'll be so glad that you did - what are you waiting for?! http://lousweight.com.au/main/page_eat_to_win_challenge.html
Although it's still reassuring to note that if you have to rest due to an illness or injury, that if you take up to about 2 weeks off that you're progress / results / fitness won't be too badly affected. So, having a few days off to rest and recover will NOT hurt your results in the long run! So long as your sleep and nutrition is optimal, you can definitely stay on track....
Here's the word on the street (when I say street, I mean internet. Obsv):
https://runnersconnect.net/running-injury-prevention/losing-running-fitness/
http://running.competitor.com/2014/03/training/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-out-of-shape_70267
http://runhaven.com/2015/03/06/long-take-lose-running-fitness/
You know when certain people feel 'like home'? Well that's how I would describe this weekend. Having only spent the night with them has made me achingly miss living so close to them and seeing them regularly back in Oz.... Quality time (but way way too short for my liking) with my some of my favourite and most amazing people - this was definitely the highlight of the weekend (week/month/year?), with all my other 'faves' making an appearance too: i.e. running, travelling to a new place and hanging out in airports/hotels, and eating so many delicious things. Case in point: this delectable Japanese feast followed by matcha ice cream that (along with various plans and thoughts) kept me busy for at least an hour out of my transit time yesterday after I sadly said goodbye:
Aaand, just because I miss my amazing bestie so so much now (even more than if we hadn't had this short time together I think, weirdly enough - maybe because the time was ridiculously short - literally fly in / fly out kind of timeframe) - here's a group shot of these excellent humans - thanks for having me stay for the night, and I'm thinking of you all and wishing you the best rest of your holiday! Love you all and miss your faces. Thanks for the fun times and I hope to see you soon! xxxx