Let's Call It A Recharge Week, Shall We?

Thank you all for the well wishes last week.  I had a horrible cold hit me like a ton a bricks and it really through me for a loop.  I had a fever for 6 days and sinus infection-like symptoms.  

at the zoo 

What a way to spend my last week of summer vacation.  Right?  I opted to just take an easy week in terms of running so I’d have some energy left for my kids.  Trust me, spending time with them and having summer fun was far more important than pushing my body.  Plus, I had immediate flash backs to the day when I thought it was smart to run a 10-mile road race with a temperature of 103F.  I didn’t want to end up in a vegetative state on the couch again.  

more zoo fun

I didn’t even feel too badly about taking the week off.  Really I didn’t!  

By Friday I felt good enough to try out a 4 mile run.  After not running since Sunday, my body was telling me to go fast.  I knew that wasn’t a good idea, so I brought Izzy along to keep my pace in check.  After the run, I felt fantastic!    Don’t you just love it when a run makes you feel better than you felt prior to the run?  I love endorphins.  

post 4 miler - sweat fest

I felt so awesome, I cranked out 7 miles on the treadmill on Saturday morning before my shift at the gym.  The pace felt great and I felt so happy.   I’m back!  

after my 7 miler!  

I did get in some planking/ push up/ and wall sits in.  But not on those days I felt so crummy.  I just couldn’t.  I did notice that after taking a few days off, my endurance increased drastically. I went from a 1:30 plank to a 2:00 plank and a 1:37 wall sit to a 2:03 wall sit.  My push ups increased but only by 1 (29 to 30).    

Sunday was supposed to be a biking day for the husband and I.  We had planned on taking the ferry out to a beautiful island and biking around.  But, the gorgeous weather told us that we should just scrap it and spend the day at the cottage on the water.  Another great choice - especially since today was my first day back to school!  I even planked and did my push ups at the cottage and then I completed my wall sit when I got home last night.  Results:  2:10 plank, 37 push ups, 2:30 wall sit.  

End result - taking a recharge week was exactly what I needed.  

Have you ever taken a recharge week?  

How’s your challenge progress going?  I've got to note that (unprovoked), Ward complimented me on my abs yesterday.  He said even through my shirt he could tell.  Now, that is what planking does for you!  Those few words gave me all of the motivation in the world to keep going.