Non-Optional Rest/Recovery Periods
Hey guys,
There's been talk in other threads in the forum about being forced to take time off of running, etc., due to injuries, and some frustration shared about how guys feel they'll fall behind if they don't just "push through it."
I figured this would be a timely discussion because of that. Yesterday, I was sore, muscle/joint ache, fever and generally fatigued. I figured I'd picked up a virus, so I took yesterday off training. Today, I woke up early in the morning with extreme muscle/joint pain spreading through my legs as a whole. Got myself to the doctor, and guess what? Lyme's Disease!!!
Fortunately for me, the treatment is just a couple weeks of antibiotics, and since I caught it right away there's no chance of permanent problems. And most likely, I'll feel normal within 24-48 hours (usually how antibiotics go). Unfortunately for me, that means another day, possibly two, of no training. a) the muscle pain would inhibit my lifting and running, b) nausea's another symptom, and if I puke during a workout, I'd be puking up my expensive meds, and c) I might just plain need to rest my body to let my immune system and the meds fight this infection off.
Long story made short: much as I want to keep "training through" it- to do so would be counter-productive and actually hurt my performance gains. The best solution is to rest and then when the symptoms are gone jump back into training harder.
For those of you who are frustrated when an injury or sickness might require rest, just evaluate: realistically, is my body going to be helped or harmed by "training through"? If it's just a cold or something stupid like that, I can probably train through and benefit. If it's just muscle soreness from previous workouts, I can damn well train through and benefit. If I've got an actual injury (shin splints, a tear, etc) I would NOT benefit from training, and the most beneficial thing is rest. If I've got a sickness that needs to be gotten rid of quickly (i.e., flu, lyme's, stomach virus, etc.) then I should realistically realize the best thing is to rest.
In any case where mandatory rest/recovery is dumped on you, it will be frustrating. That is a good sign- it means you are motivated and not a lazy ass. Let yourself be frustrated- then, as soon as you're ready to start training again, use the frustration to jump back in and train even harder. You'll very quickly recover any ground loss, and probably even make gains, since your body will not be at a plateau at that point.
As always, remember the FF Creed- "Challenge is my greatest ally!"
There's been talk in other threads in the forum about being forced to take time off of running, etc., due to injuries, and some frustration shared about how guys feel they'll fall behind if they don't just "push through it."
I figured this would be a timely discussion because of that. Yesterday, I was sore, muscle/joint ache, fever and generally fatigued. I figured I'd picked up a virus, so I took yesterday off training. Today, I woke up early in the morning with extreme muscle/joint pain spreading through my legs as a whole. Got myself to the doctor, and guess what? Lyme's Disease!!!
Fortunately for me, the treatment is just a couple weeks of antibiotics, and since I caught it right away there's no chance of permanent problems. And most likely, I'll feel normal within 24-48 hours (usually how antibiotics go). Unfortunately for me, that means another day, possibly two, of no training. a) the muscle pain would inhibit my lifting and running, b) nausea's another symptom, and if I puke during a workout, I'd be puking up my expensive meds, and c) I might just plain need to rest my body to let my immune system and the meds fight this infection off.
Long story made short: much as I want to keep "training through" it- to do so would be counter-productive and actually hurt my performance gains. The best solution is to rest and then when the symptoms are gone jump back into training harder.
For those of you who are frustrated when an injury or sickness might require rest, just evaluate: realistically, is my body going to be helped or harmed by "training through"? If it's just a cold or something stupid like that, I can probably train through and benefit. If it's just muscle soreness from previous workouts, I can damn well train through and benefit. If I've got an actual injury (shin splints, a tear, etc) I would NOT benefit from training, and the most beneficial thing is rest. If I've got a sickness that needs to be gotten rid of quickly (i.e., flu, lyme's, stomach virus, etc.) then I should realistically realize the best thing is to rest.
In any case where mandatory rest/recovery is dumped on you, it will be frustrating. That is a good sign- it means you are motivated and not a lazy ass. Let yourself be frustrated- then, as soon as you're ready to start training again, use the frustration to jump back in and train even harder. You'll very quickly recover any ground loss, and probably even make gains, since your body will not be at a plateau at that point.
As always, remember the FF Creed- "Challenge is my greatest ally!"
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by James A. on -
Glad your gonna be okay man!
It's funny you put this up today, I just rolled my ankle. I slipped down the stairs and heard a pop. It's swollen as all get out, can't put pressure on it, its elevated and iced. Not sure how severe it is just yet.
My concern is my PAST test. The one I took to get my contract is null and void bc the person who conducted it was an e-6 and apparently you've gotta be an e-7. A m.sgt combat controller is coming up to conduct it in 2 weeks and I'm freaking out that I won't be able to do it or won't be up to par. Will they scrap my contract and make me start from scratch?
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Permalink Reply by James A. on
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Spoke to my recruiter today and got my xrays done. Mild-mid ankle sprain, out for 4weeks give or take.. PAST test to be taken next Friday, I may be getting a cortizone shot the day of the test. My recruiter said if I don't pass this test then I won't get PJ and may even be forced out of the delayed entrance program(which is beyond me why they'd do that). So I'm taking the test and will just be icing and elevating it, biofreeze will be used often and ankle exercises and I'll stay in the pool. I can walk normal today so thats good, so hopefully I'll be ready.
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Permalink Reply by Joseph Gonzales on -
When the day comes don't force it unless your ready... you may pass but if the cost is another four weeks off, well it might be just as bad. If you can't take it next friday they may scrap your current contract but you can always re negotiate...
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Permalink Reply by James A. on
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She said they'd force me out of the DEP program which is basically my USAF enlistment all together. I asked if I could go through the process again and she said no. What the hell is up with that?
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Permalink Reply by Joseph Gonzales on
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Call another recruiting station and ask them about that. I think she's bullshitting you.
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Permalink Reply by James A. on
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I called Lackland AFB, and spoke with a recruiter there. They said that they do force me out of the DEP program BUT I can reprocess immidiately if I want. So I'd probably be a month behind, but the guy said I should probably run it anyways, just to see. Idk, we'll see. I'm hitting the pool this afternoon.
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Permalink Reply by Joseph Gonzales on
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Good luck
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