Morning 
Isn’t it weird that it’s morning to me, but all my east coast peeps are eating lunch?!
Anyways, I had 5 miles on the agenda today, but my legs are super tired. I considered taking a class at the gym, but there were no good ones this morning so I took the run easy. 
Ever since I got IT Band Syndrome 1 1/2 years ago my left knee feels weak and irritated when I do a lot of running or hilly running. When that happens I take it easy and skip a run, cut back or walk. It works for me and is 1000x better than getting hurt again. When my body says I need a break – I take it 
I’ll give you 1 guess as to what this pancake fiend had for breakfast…
I sprinkle chia seeds on the pancakes after I pour them into the pan. I’ve noticed this helps keep them from falling apart (I use a lot).
I’m on my second cup of iced coffee because my belly wants more food and I’m trying to let my pancakes get down there to tell it to shut up.
Question: Do you change up your planned workout when your body is tired or sore?
I’ve become more flexible and have started to listen to my body more in regards to workouts. Since playing competitive sports all my life, I’m used to playing through the pain but now that it’s no longer a competition, I’m less rigid and trying new routines, totes fun! I’m also trying to incorporate more yoga and pilates but haven’t had much success- womp, womp, womp…
Totally! I’ve just started having issues with my left IT band and I am trying to be very nice to it! I have pushed injuries too far in the past so I am trying to avoid the same mistakes!
Absolutely! Like you, I’ve struggled with ITBS. I found (the hard way!) that for myself, running every other day, averaging 3-4 days a week, keeps my IT band happy. Being in excruciating pain is not worth the extra training days. Do you foam roll too? I think that and the ice bath are responsible for keeping the problems away.
My husband calls them dippy eggs too!!! I had never heard that before we met, and he is DEFINITELY not a blogger. He swears he had never heard it before he started calling them that when he was super little.
Yes…though less due to soreness and more do to knee and ankle pain. I’ve had knee issues since I was 8 or so, so I don’t really remember a time without either knee pain or having to baby them.
And my ankles collapse inwards, which then forces my knees out and I look bowlegged. I’m my physiotherapist’s most loved patient. Thank God for health insurance.
I had to calm down my runs last week and added about 45 seconds to my average pace. I feel so much better and was able to kill my 4 miles today and drop the avg pace by almost 15 seconds.
I try to listen to my body, although I have to admit that in the past I haven’t always been as kind. Beating my body into submission never worked out though, so definitely not a good thing!
I really need to get some chia seeds… they are supposedly great in thickening up the texture for overnight oats as well!
When my legs are sore from running I try to go on a long walk… I walk for errands vs driving even if it a few miles. Or I work on my core!
My boyfriend has this great make-shift medicine ball (made out of a volley ball) that I love to use when my left leg can’t take me for a run.
Most of the time when I feel sore or tired I just skip my workout. Of course, that doesn’t really help with my soreness so ideally I would go for a short run to shake my legs out. But usually I’m too lazy. 😉
I listen to my body a lot more lately than I used to. My knee has been flaring up during squats, lunges and running lately so I’ve majorly cut back. I’m annoyed because I miss running but I’m trying to remind myself that it will be worth it to cut back on running for now. And I’m finally enjoying lifting weights.
I always try and listen to my body, and be flexible – if the legs don’t want to run I might do a shorter run or cross training instead or if the body is still sore from a weights workout, yoga might happen instead.
I have a weekly plan but always like to be flexible. If my body says rest or take it easy, I will change up the plan. I think it’s important to do that.
I’m learning to actually listen to my body and respond before it really starts shouting for a rest day.
Cross training helps it from getting too fatigued, but I tend to push way to hard sometimes.
Definitely! I think it is imperative to listen to your body and what it needs…I find it all works out in the long run, because sometimes my body needs a lighter workout, but then other days I am almost done and I think, you know what? I can do another set of these kettlebell reps, or I can throw in another mile, i’m feeling good!
Definitely. It’s so important to rest when we need to! I used to never give my body adequate rest and ended up with a ton of injuries on top of each other. Not fun!
I try to force myself to skip a run or take it easy if I’m sensing a new or re-emerging injury. I also usually ice the heck out of it (“it” usually being my left knee too). Better safe than sorry!
Good thinking with the chia seeds on pancakes! I sprinkle lots of chia over my stir fry meals and also add it to my smoothies.
Love your blog posts! To answer your questions, Yes. I absolutely change my plan based on what my body is telling me. perfect example..just getting over a really awful respiratory infection. Although I feel much better, Im still having a little trouble catching my breath. My plan was 3 mile run, my change was 40 minutes of intervals.
I try to change it to avoid a potential injury that could keep me out of the game longer! Those pesky IT injuries can be really problematic! Good for you for being flexible! I love the chia seed topping for pancakes! The texture they add is so good!!
I totally switch things up according to how I am feeling – otherwise I start to dread workouts.
In theory if my body was tired and sore, I’d take a break or do something other than running. However, the point of 50 mile training is to get your body tired and sore and then keep running, so yeah….I just keep running. Around mile 35 on race day, this all better pay off. 🙂
Usually, when my body is really sore my workout ends up being nothing. 🙁 But sometimes I will do non-workoutish cardio, like taking a walk, hike, or bike ride.