A Break for the Body and Soul

I took the advice and it came after another disappointing run.

I arrived at Athletic Training to go for my scheduled pre-practice evaluation. Got both of my arches all taped up and basically kept in one piece. I have to say, it hurt like hell.

Finished the stretches which with every jump I had to do I could feel my arches hurt. Every step. I switched shoes like they told me, no more Kinvara's unfortunately. New shoes feel so heavy. I miss minimalism.

I began the warm up. Every step hurt again but I was able to make it. Did the second set of stretches but they were all done crappy. I have to skip the workout. No tempo for me unfortunately. I watch as they all look like they have a great workout and I cheer them on. Not used to being on this side of things.

They finish and I head out for the cool down. I only get 2 miles done with them when I have to stop. It still hurts and I have to get driven back to school. I am left with another day under 5 miles. Sucks.

What goes through my mind is something that I have never thought would cross my mind during regular season. Take some time off. I sit there in a pensive state on the way back to campus, debating whether to ask the question or not. I take the wrap off of my legs and it peels the skin off of the top of my foot. That's it.

I ask coach, "Coach should I take some time off?" Coach responds to me with a joking smile, "Yes. I've been telling you this." I stand there waiting for him to say something to the effect of when shall I return to practice. "Tuesday." I get 5 days to try and heal up.

It's a needed rest. Both mentally and physically. My body has been in pain and mentally I am wreck due to my body not being able to be in sync with what I know I can do. I need this. I need to take some time and evaluate myself. I will be taking care of my body in any way possible so I can be back and hopefully be able to do at least one steeple race.

I'm not going to lie. I'm really bummed about this. I'm no longer frustrated though. I can't be. I'm doing what I can to get better now. I am being mature about this. It's what I do from here that will determine whether I will stay healthy this season or crash and burn so I must take advantage at what I have before me, my teammates, coach, and the athletic trainers that are there to help us.

I will get better and be where I know I should be. I'll take these couple days to let myself reach that point where I am again in sync.