I think any runner (or athlete or remotely active person) will testify to the fact that after you've taken even a few days off from your normal routine, you will wake up the morning after your first day back and get out of bed at the pace of a dead turtle. You will hobble to your feet wincing and whispering "ow, ow, ow" to yourself while awkwardly swinging your noodle-like arms to maintain your balance. You'll slowly raise your arms to your head to put the shampoo in your hair as your eyes widen with pain, and you'll hoist your knees up to your chest while brushing your teeth trying to temporarily relieve the soreness in your quads.
I can paint this scenario so clearly because it's happened to me just about every day this week. Not only did I start training again, (and much harder than I've ever trained before, might I add) the dance studio I teach at returned from holiday break on Wednesday. My body went from Christmas cookies and pajama pants to weights and compression gear faster than it knew how to handle.
But I must say, if I didn't wake up every morning this week hobbling around and straining to reach for my toothbrush - I'd have been quite disappointed in myself. My goal was to bust into 2013 stronger and more motivated than ever, and my sore muscles nearly five days in a row are a testament that I'm on the right track. So to anyone who has spent these first few weeks of January 2013 feeling the effects of their harder, better, faster, stronger training - here's to us. There's nothing better than dedicating yourself to yourself because really - what could be more important than that?
Live healthy, train hard and as always -
Keep Running,
Kelli
