Takin' it Easy

I stayed home from work today for the first time in well over a year.  Something has been off with me lately.  I started noticing it about a week ago.  My body and I are sort of pals, we tell each other everything.  I say sort of pals, because she tells me things and I often turn around and ignore her.  
I am a bad friend that way.


Lately, my body has been telling me it is completely and utterly exhausted.  This has transferred over to my attitude and I have been irritable and just not quite myself.   I have been craving foods full of fat and sugar, and have given in to many of those cravings this week.  I have also continued to push myself on my runs, even though my body is yelling "cut me some slack already!"  


Last night, I went to the gym to do a tempo run on the treadmill.  I was overwhelmingly fatigued so I decided to recline my seat and close my eyes for just a moment before I went inside.  A minute went by, then 10, then 30!  I fell asleep in my car, parked in the parking garage.  Is this normal?  I think, NOT.  This should have been enough indication that today was just not my day, but being the stubborn Taurus I am I walked my butt into the gym and grabbed ahold of the first treadmill I could find.


I started running and it felt like I was at mile 25 of a marathon (not that I know what that feels like yet).  I tried and I tried to muster up the energy to complete my tempo run, but I had to cut it short.  I was drenched in sweat, which is pretty uncommon for me, and I felt nauseous.  If you're wondering if I was dehydrated the answer is NO.  I was a good girl and drank a lot of fluids that day.  I called it quits and headed back to my car.  

Of course I was frustrated, because hello, I am training for a marathon... this can't happen!  Hopefully today's rest was enough to get me back on track.  I haven't been taking my iron supplement, and I think that may be part of the problem.  I have iron deficiency anemia, but with a supplement I am usually fine.  


While I was home today Frida (my fur baby) was a cuddly ball of love.  I think she sensed that I wasn't well because she was on her best behavior all day, cuddling with me and softly pushing her paws on my tummy.  


Today served as a little reminder:   When our body needs rest, we must fulfill its wishes!  If we keep pushing and pushing our engine will eventually blow out.  Be a good friend to your body and listen to what it says.