Technically I can run, but it would be in the best interest of my hamstring if I didn’t. I decided that there’s no time like the present to really use my head and just take a week off…from running.
That’s a total lie. My hammy has been bothering me ever since I sprinted to a finishing win, on wet grass, last Spring at the Glastonbury Ten Penny Ale Duathlon. Obviously it was totally worth it since I won an actual sword. But now, my race calendar has finally cleared and this is the best time for my ego to take a break from running.
I actually cannot remember the last time I took an entire week off from my most favorite pastime. I think it was when I was pregnant with the twins in 2008. Yikes. I may need to check into some kind of rehab. Luckily for me, one of my very best running friends is a physical therapist and I’ll be seeing her on Wednesday. What kind of rehab did you think I meant?
In the interest of my sanity and well-being of anyone who needs to interact with me, I’ve complied a list of all things that I can occupy my time with this week, until I can be reunited with my one true love:
1. Create Fake Facebook Posts: You know half of the shit out there is made up anyway…at least partially. If I put some time and effort into this, I think I can come up with some killer posts that will gain a lot of attention:
2. Mentally prepare for the holidays: Anyone who has to buy gifts, deal with children and/or relatives during the holidays can benefit from a little mental preparation. I like to take the advice of some people I refer to as the sages of Christmas:
“I don’t know what else to say but, it’s Christmas and we’re all in misery.” – Ellen, Christmas Vacation
“Now wait a minute, Susie. Just because every child can’t get his wish that doesn’t mean there isn’t a Santa Claus.” – Kris Kringle, Miracle on 34th Street
And this whole exchange from Planes, Trains and Automobiles:
Car Rental Agent: May I see your rental agreement? Neal: I threw it away. CRA: Oh boy. Neal: Oh boy, what?
CRA: You’re fucked!
If you mentally prepare, mostly by laying on the couch and binge-watching great Christmas movies, you will be prepared to take on anything! Ok, add several glasses of wine and mix well.
3. Shop: When I say ‘shop’ I mean online of course. After all, I’m supposed to be resting my hamstring. In case anyone reading this is shopping for me, here’s a list of my favorite things:
The Oiselle Katron Jacket. Ok, so I already have it but it’s a great gift to give:
TrailHeads Power Stretch Convertible Mittens. Fine, I already have these too and will be doing a blog review soon!
A Weimaraner dog. I do not have this and don’t want to get a dog just yet but if Santa decided to bring one, how could I refuse? I’ve already mapped the routes we will run together! And his name will be Jordy after Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers, wide receiver. Don’t judge me.
4. Swim: I’m assuming this will occupy most of my time (in addition to biking and strength training) so my gift to you is a pool workout. I pinned a bunch of great ones to my board that I cleverly titled “VITA Swims” so this is a sort of mash-up of all of them:
If I survive the week, I’ll see you back here on Friday. I will apologize in advance for any rants between now and then. And yes, the title of this post is 5 Things To Do When You Can’t Run, but I seriously exhausted myself just thinking up these four. Consider yourself robbed.
How do you spend your downtime?
What are your coping mechanisms for getting through the holidays?
Do you swim?
I’m glad you’re taking the rest if you think it’s needed. Isn’t it crazy how just one week can seem like forever? Swimming is definitely a great alternative, says the one who still isn’t getting to the pool. WTH? I love swimming!
So do you love those gloves? I need a new pair!
Just got back from PT and feel better already.
Get in the pool already!! I gave you a workout, what else do you want from me? 🙂
YES – the gloves are awesome!! Full review to come…
Christmas shopping and watching old Christmas movie reruns are sure to top my list, too right about now 😉
I wish I could stay home all day and just watch Christmas movies. *sigh*
I end up internet shopping a lot too. I love online shopping and it’s certainly a bad habit I have to reel in sometimes (especially when injured).
I do almost ALL my Christmas shopping online. It’s really weird when the UPS or FedEx guy just drives by my house, because they usually stop at least 3 times a week. Oops.
STUPID hamstrings….ggrrrr! I feel your pain, literally! But hopefully a week off will do you some good! Make sure you keep light stretching though and walk around, as hamstrings tend to tighten up and get worse if you give them complete rest…..but I have nothing to worry about with you 🙂
As for the trailheads gloves, I got them too! LOVE them!
Of course you have the gloves! They are awesome!!
I just got back from physical therapy and I will be stretching and doing all my eccentric exercises like a good little athlete. Thanks Tina! Hopefully we’re both healed and raring to go by January…
Is there going to be a Burdick doggy in the near future? I hear a rumor there may be!! I cant think of a better addition to your family…maybe a sweet little girl pup so your not so out-numbered? 🙂
Definitely a female dog, although I will still name her Jordy 🙂 I don’t think we can swing this until next year but, you know I like to plan well in advance!
Haha…. My Type A personality knows all about planning in advance 🙂
In my spare time I like to organize my house…yes, I am weird. I also like to find all kinds of fun ideas (most of which I never do) on Pinterest or read.
No swimming for me! I can swim, I just don’t like it…..I suppose if I got injured for a prolonged time then I might learn to like it.
I actually love the holidays :)….I just HATE the cold!
I love the holidays too – it’s just all the craziness that goes along with it.
Its not weird at all to organize. I do it all the time and I’m constantly trying to find more efficient ways to store and access things around here! It’s an on-going process.
ahh the moments when we can’t or shouldn’t run, once I stop crying I agree with organizing!!! I also find myself doing all that strength training I neglected
I’ve been pretty good so far. No crying yet, but that’s probably because I know my next race isn’t until the end of February. If I’m still injured by then I will cry buckets!
Good luck with those hamstrings. Still not sure what my excuse is. Just not feeling the pull of running right now. I’ll get it back. In the meantime, I’m going to be joining a gym soon that has a pool. I’m pretty excited. But I’m a pretty weak swimmer. What do you think…just get out there do it (and get stronger with practice) or get lessons?
I would just get out there and do it. There’s usually one resident triathlon God or old swimming coach hanging around the pool, who will be more then happy to give you some beginner advice and/or tips. Make sure you have a good pair of goggles and just go for it!
I’m glad you are getting the rehab on your hamstring like you need. I swear by my McDavid Thigh Compression Sleeve. I wore it around the house for days and even into work after I tweaked my quad. Highly recommended! I love Weimaraners. I would like to swim. I will have to work around the pool’s stupid hours to manage it. Good luck!
I’m going to Google that sleeve right now! More online shopping… 🙂 Thanks Kris!
Well, at least you won a sword right? Having a hurt hamstring is painful though. Hope it does not become a nagging issue! Pinned your pool workout! Looks like a good one!
The sword was completely and totally worth it.
I’m so excited you pinned my pool workout. Let me know how it goes!
You and I have opposite problems, you can’t stop running and I can’t stand doing it to begin with hahaha
I love the name Jordy for a dog – DO IT! Well, not until you’re ready because puppies are adorable big pains in the butt 🙂
Also, I don’t go on FB much anymore because of all the craziness that comes up on my newsfeed. People waste a lot of time posting some nutty stuff on there, don’t they?? I’d delete half of my FB friends if I felt like spending time doing it!
I know, that is very funny!! And I plan on adopting a semi-grown dog. I definitely do not need the hassle of managing a puppy on top of the twins! Plus, I would love to rescue another dog.
FB can be a total nightmare. I love my VITA page but some of my personal feed gets a little nutty. 🙂
I am CRACKING up at your fake Facebook posts…HA HA HA HA! And God, I love Planes, Trains, and Automobiles so damn much! I really need to watch this movie again soon! Am so sorry about your hamstring! :(-Ashley
I’m in need of lots of things to do while not running right now!!
I hope that a short break and some physical therapy is all you need to get your hamstring back to 100%!!
Me too!!! Hang in there Kim and hopefully we’ll both be back to it very soon.
I really only online shop this time of year! Otherwise I go crazy. And it’s really fun.
I don’t swim.. well.. sadly.
I get through the holidays pretty ok but I really don’t get through winter with a lot of grace.
I get though the winter just fine…until February 1st. *sigh*
Shop. I always shop when I can’t run…for running clothes of course.
I may just hit up the “Run Far Girl” shop!! I want those sweats but last time I looked, smalls were sold out… 🙂
I wish I swam. I have never learned how to. I can do the doggy paddle and could save myself if needed but there is no form or strokes..I need to change that. And I NEED to know about those mittens. I’m on the hunt for a pair and my North Face ones suck and don’t keep me warm! Tell me more!
Get the TrailHead mittens!!!! They are fantastic. Warm when they need to be, but you can peel back a layer. I’ll be posting more on them but seriously, they are fantastic.
You should definitely try to learn how to swim if you have access to a good pool. It’s perfect cross-training for runners!
Nope. I don’t swim. I would blame it on the city life but I spent most of my summers growing up in Jamaica with my family and usually on a beach somewhere. Just not swimming. There was a lot of floating and flipping but no swimming. Smh. One day I will get it together!!
I would think it’s pretty hard to find access to a pool that doesn’t cost a mortgage payment in the city!! But I seriously cannot believe you didn’t swim in Jamaica???? What??? That is just wrong! 🙂
Oh, your poor hamstring.
I love online shopping!
I’m an online shopping pro! Amazon Prime and I know each real well 🙂
Coping mechanisms for getting through the holidays…I think I need that. I really don’t like to shop unless it’s online or a few of my favorite stores (trekking through the mall is overwhelming to me). I do like it when I come up with the perfect gift for someone though!!
I have those TrailHeads gloves and I can tell you I love them! They are my go-to gloves for runs, for when I am taking pictures of my kids games in the cold, and for whenever I leave the house. I need another pair. I would be devastated if I ever misplaced them, that is how attached I am to them. No other glove /mitten comes close. They are the perfect gift.
And by the way, you need a running dog! They are the BEST! Even if you want to skip your workout ever, your dog will not let you because they will be waiting by the door. Anytime I put on running shoes no matter where I am going, my dogs go crazy! They think running shoes always mean running!
That’s why I love ’em and can’t wait to get one. I need some alone time with someone who can’t talk back and enjoys running as much as I do!
Agreed! On all points really and I am absolutely loving my gloves.
I don’t swim, but I pinned for the man, that’s his thing! I hadn’t a clue there was all that structure to it. Enjoy the break. I spend my down time reading and I love a good TV show, but not too much reality…more Good Wife and Scandal!
I never knew swimming was so complicated either! Enjoy some good TV watching 🙂
I’m totally with you on shopping online only. I try to do as much as I possibly can on there so that I don’t have to brave any stores.
Plus, you can get it done so much farther in advance since you don’t have to wait for a weekend. We’re geniuses 🙂