Snap! Crackle! Pop!
Nope, that’s not my breakfast cereal this morning, but that’s my knees and ankles announcing every time I get up from sitting or lying down. When I was under the doctor’s care back in the summer for my broken toe, he actually told me that a little cracking every now and then is fine, even expected from your joints and limbs when you are a runner. Well, even though a doctor said its ok, somehow sounding like a “clap-on, clap-off” machine everytime you move just doesn’t seem right.
I ran 14.5 miles yesterday (yes, 14.5!) with it being a little windy and cold outside. Even though those are some high miles, I’ve done it a time or two before with no problems. I do think the cold had A LOT to do with my sound this morning. I’m going to ice my knees later and keep Ibuprofen going so that no new pains or aches settle in. I don’t hurt so much this morning, but those high-mile runs do tend to make me a little sore and stiff and move around a little slower than usual.
So everything that I’ve read and have been told says that you need to rest the day after having long runs. Give the body time to adjust and bounce back from the pounding that it just took. I’m cool with that, I guess, but I’m not taking it easy today, as in doing nothing. I am going to go to the gym later and do some weight training. I’m making sure that I stick to my workout plan by doing something every day.
When you’re new to exercising, or you’re re-starting a routine after a long hiatus, it is best to take it easy and let your body settle in to exercising at a comfortable pace. Doing too much too soon can have a negative impact on your body and actually cause you to favor injuries, doing more harm than good. But if you’re like me and just HAVE to do something, that’s fine too; just take it in moderation and don’t push yourself too far to cause any problems.
Also, be sure to drink PLENTY of water to stay well-hydrated and those cells and tissues in a constant state of repair. If you exercise on any level from beginner’s to athletes, you should always drink more water than average to replenish the lost fluids you expend while you are exercising.
So glad it’s Monday, my weight-training day, since the weekends are full of long training runs, a day like this almost feels like I’m doing nothing at all.
Well, almost…
Have an awesome day today, and be sure to do something good for your body…like exercising!!!
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