Rest Doesn't Mean Retirement

We admit it. Summers are crazy. You take a week to go on vacation, but that doesn't stop the work - it just means you have to get it done before you leave! (And you still return to new stacks of papers on your desk!) Plus, there's that whole "what happens on vacation, stays on vacation" philosophy of eating whatever you want and as much as you want. "Hey, I'm on vacation." (You know you've said it at some point!) Plus, there are 4th of July parties, backyard barbeque's, ice cream runs on extra hot days...you get the picture. Family comes to visit while things are "slowing down," and it seems like there's a wedding (or wedding shower) every weekend. And did we mention the heat? It just seems to make us extra tired, so that motivation we need to go out there and run is zapped by three digit temperatures. And heaven forbid you and your training partner don't go on vacation during the same week. You have to hit the gym by yourself for a whole week? We get it. It's not easy being a runner in the summer.

Gsbrielle is right. Rest is important. But did you notice that she didn't say it was okay to rest every day? :) Many runners allow themselves to be overwhelmed by their busy schedules and the heat, and they stop their regular training routine. Coming back after vacation is just too hard. That first day back in the gym after a week off feels like you've never worked out in your life.

Here's the bottom line: When exercise ends, de-training begins. But will you let that discourage you, or will you let it motivate you to be stronger?

It's true. Runner's World magazine reports:
* After just seven days of not training, blood volume drops sharply, which affects your body's ability to be able to function aerobically.
* With just three to six weeks of inactivity, your fitness can drop to PRE-TRAINING levels. All of your hard work was wasted.

Here are three great ideas to back off on your training during the summer without sacrificing any of your athletic ability. (And hey, if you can keep up your normal routine, DO IT! You rock.)

1) Maintain at least 50% of your mileage.
If you normally get in 30 miles for week, don't leave the gym on Saturday night until you've gotten at least 15 miles logged for the week. Try to run at least 3 days per week, skipping days inbetween - that's just 5 miles on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Much more manageable!

2) Mix in some speedwork.
Since you're running less, pick up the pace a notch. This will work your VO2 max and challenge your body in a different way. Adding speed burns more calories. If you work hard enough, you might actually work off just as many calories as you would doing a longer run.

3) Schedule yourself for two races early in the Fall.
Racing season is right around the corner. Go ahead and hit up www.active.com to schedule your first two races. Having something on the calendar to work towards will serve as constant motivation...plus, you'll get the early bird discount!

Usually, I try and give an equivalent parallel of running and your spiritual walk. That's not the case today. Backing off in your relationship with Christ is not an option. You have to stay consistent in your walk with Christ. Just as you are in your best shape physically on race day after strict training and exercise, you are in your best shape spiritually when you are spending consistent time each day in God's Word and prayer.

Gabrielle mentioned in her last post how empowered she felt after completing a hard week of training without compromise in any area. That's similar to the "spiritual high" we experience after a mission trip or incredible Christian conference. Minus the hours we spend sleeping, these trips are all about the Lord - serving Him, worshipping Him, learning about Him, telling others about Him, etc. We spend all of our time with him, resulting in a closeness with God that is unmatchable to any other relationship.

But what happens when we return home? We fall back into our normal routines. Instead of God's agenda being the top priority of our day, he takes second, third, maybe even ninth or tenth place.

I am not asking you to quit your job, sell your house, and preach on the streets downtown fifteen hours a day. (It's God's job to ask people to do that.) But do you have consistent time with Christ? Are you contintually spending time with Him so you don't lose your passion?

1 John 2:6 says, "Whoever says he lives in Christ must walk as Jesus did." It doesn't add the phrases unless you are on vacation, unless you are tired, or whenever you feel like it. You must walk as Jesus did PERIOD. At all times. No matter what storms in life pops up, no matter how high the hill is to climb, no matter if you feel like you are the only one still walking.

Over the next few posts, Gab and I are going to share some of the ways that we find God...while running. :)