Know When to Fold Em'

So for me, working out is a way of life. I'm not one of these people who dreads a workout. I never could understand why someone would continue to do something that they clearly did not enjoy. I love swimming, biking, and running. Sure there are days and certain workouts that I whine and complain but overall I'm in this because I really enjoy doing it. In many ways it is my medicine. I do not feel well when I take a day away. I feel sluggish and hungover and completely lacking energy. In an ideal world I would wake up every morning, drink two cups of starbucks, and get right to some kind of work out. The point to all of this...rest does not come easy to me. If I could get away with it I would never ever take a day off. Today my body is telling me I need rest. And I need to listen-I know what can happen when you come to this fork in the road and choose to carry on when your body is screaming for a break. I've had a couple of big weeks and on top of a high mileage week I worked over 48 hours and got very little sleep. Saturday was my 6th night in a row working-I came home and slept for three hours, then ran for 3 hours, then went back to work for my final 4 hour shift at work. It was a cluster of a week-I never work that much but with the kids on break this week and Matt in Boston next week I had to put in some extra time. In two weeks I will be running the New Jersey Marathon and today I struggled with a 6 mile run at an 8:30 pace-not good. The heart rate was low but the quads are not cooperating. So, I bagged the bike this afternoon-despite wanting more than anything to get out and enjoy the sunshine. I will rest if I must and I must. Sigh...jc