Down week. Recovery week. Deload week. Whatever you call it, I’m in one and the timing is wonderful.
I managed pretty well with our long dark days when they arrived again, but the snow/rain mix that showed up on Monday on top of the dark? Nope. Not happening. Straight to my couch to eat and cuddle with a cat after work. Good thing there’s a bit more flexibility to make up for my weather snobbery this week.
I used to be adverse to recovery weeks, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve come to really appreciate them. The body definitely needs the break, but so does my mind. Apparently being a fully self-sufficient adult can be stressful sometimes and putting too much pressure on the things that are supposed to de-stress us, like running, can be a bit problematic when it comes to one’s overall mental well-being. Who knew?
While enjoying my chill(er) week, I decided to have a quick look at the website for the half that’s usually on my radar. I’m honestly not sure what I was expecting to find given that everything has been cancelled and no one’s really talking about 2021, but I came to find this: “RACE DAY: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2021”. Uh… what? Suddenly my down week has become an overthinking week! Do I continue my original plan to take things pretty easy and just work on a solid aerobic foundation? Do I break into some more serious training to try to hit a PR at that race? Will the race even happen or will it convert to virtual? Do I have it in me to do PR training anymore? Should I just revert back to my life of pizza & kitty snuggles from earlier this year and hang up the shoes altogether? (the last one is just my first loves of laziness and pizza talking)
Boy I’m glad my body is getting a break because my mind certainly isn’t anymore.
Right now I’m leaning away from an early February race. My legs aren’t where I think they should be just yet to really give it a go, but even more so I don’t think my mind is ready to commit to what it will take. I’m a little worried my mental game has deteriorated and the competitive athlete in me may have retired, but sometimes a down week, combined with some super fun female hormones, can play tricks on me so I’m giving myself another week or so to decide. After all, there’s still just over 12 weeks to February 7th…