Hello, my name is Allie and it had been five days since I last sweat. I was going through serious withdrawals. As you know, the dreaded stomach bug ravaged my household and halted any and all plans for my family for about a week. The week before Christmas. Luckily I’m so type A that most of my list had been crossed off, however, my fitness routine was wiped cleaner then my colon and I was not happy about it.
I knew I was starting to feel better when I even thought about putting my sneakers on. They were calling to me from their lonely spot by the back door, “Hey, what the hell? Are you dead in there?” My shoes have an attitude, are you surprised? I was willing my stomach to cooperate with the rest of my body so I could lace up and get out the door but alas, the nausea went on and on…until Saturday morning.
We’re waiting!
Like a lot of you with your workout routine, it becomes just that – a routine. As much as I love to run, I don’t give it much thought most days other then a training focus for whatever race is next. What’s that saying? Absence makes the heart grow fonder? This also applies to sweating for me. By day five I needed to get my sweat on, badly. For me, working up those endorphins is just as important as training those fast twitch muscles. I needed a mental release after all I had been though and my mind needed it’s meditation.
And on the fifth day – I went for a run.
The road to recovery…
I was giddy picking out my running gear like I was opening a gift. The weather Gods smiled upon me with a balmy 50 degree day! Although, as I commented on Facebook, I would have run in a hurricane. Luckily, all I needed were capris, a long sleeve and a hat and I was off! Another beautiful thing about running is that you need so very little. I left the watch at home but strapped on my iPod and basked in the tunes I felt like I was hearing for the first time, even though my “LongRunIII” playlist has been tapped no less then 156 times.
It’s moments like this, on that day after days of sickness, when I’m most thankful for my health. I say it often and think about it more but I’m truly thankful everyday I can lace up and run out my door. I spent my teenage years watching my mother literally die of cancer and I know, firsthand, how sickness can effect your entire life.
No matter how hard a run may feel, I’m happy to feel it. No matter how far I need to go, I’m happy for the journey. No matter how many hills I power up, I’m grateful for the climb. And no matter how many miles I run, I’m always glad to be home.
How can you see this from your bedroom?
As the Christmas week whips into a full frenzy, my wish for you is to enjoy your health as if it were an Xbox One or a trip to Hawaii. It’s so much more important or valuable then any tangible gift, and if you want to really get into the holiday spirit – get out there and give it a good sweat!
Merry Fitness.
What have you done for exercise lately? Is wrapping presents considered a workout?
This is an AWESOME post. For someone who is sitting here reading thinking about how much I have GOT to get back to exercise, you have motivated me. By reminding me why it is so important. Thank you Allie! And I am glad your family is back to feeling better! :)-Ashley
Perfect!! I’m so glad Ashley. Anytime you need a little motivation…you know where to find me 🙂
Merry Fitness and Merry Christmas to you! I’m so glad you feel better. Did all four of you wind up getting it? My husband got it last Christmas and went to his mom’s house, so the three of us were spared. Although he did put his mom and stepdad at risk but they didn’t get it.
I know how that feels – even if I have a cold, I get so set back that I really marvel in my good health and ability to go anywhere at anytime, should I need. And I know you said the stomach bug was worse for you than pregnancy AND labor AND the like, for me those seven WEEKS of nausea when I was pregnant with Des were a living hell. On the other hand, it ended by the second trimester and would have by birth, if not then. And that makes me lucky. I’ve watched people go through chemo…like you. Perspective. Anyway, sorry to write a book! Happy Holidays to you! Let’s meet in 2014!!
No need to apologize for writing – it’s never too much. Yes, my whole family ended up getting it, luckily, one at a time so we could manage it. I know those first two months plus of you being pregnant were horrible for you. I can’t think of the “proper” name but I know you have a very real feel of getting sick so I can understand. This bug would have put you over the edge. I so happy you are all well and celebrating health and holiday!!
YES my running shoes were very unhappy early this week when I had to back off due to a cold, they are kind of pushy right?! 🙂 hope we both feel way better this week
Yes they can be but that’s why we love them! I was able to run for an entire hour on the treadmill today – hooray!! Usually I die of boredom around 5 miles but today, I could have run forever. I hope you’re feeling better and up and running in no time 🙂
Beautiful, beautiful post! Merry fitness to you too!
Thank you so much!
I have been LOVING my runs along the Jersey Shore this week. I have a beach in North Carolina, but it’s not the dam beach as here. I love them both and I love them both for different reasons.
I also LOVE how in this incredible post, you remind us how lucky we are to have our health. And every time I go for a run, I am celebrating that. I am so glad you got out for a run after 5 days. 5 days! That’s an eternity! How did we all go those 6 weeks after having kids?
Happy holidays my friend! You always inspire me. xo
I’m so jealous of your beach runs Ilene! I only get to do those on vacation but it makes them extra special.
It seemed like an eternity once I could actually function!! As for the six weeks after kids? I was running after about 3 🙂 it was more of a slow jog but I was out there!!
I’ll never tire of hearing you say I inspire you. It always makes my day. Thank you!
I’m so glad you feel better. Those stomach bugs are a bitch. You must have been going completely bananas! All I’ve done this last week was a little running. Weather has been sucky so I had to bring it indoors on my treadmill. You have a Merry Fitness as well!
Big time! So glad to be done and have some perspective. I’m also compulsively washing my hands!!
I actually had to run on the treadmill today too and I was not bored for a minute! How’s THAT for perspective?
Thanks so much Kris!! Have a great holiday!
Nothing like a good ole stomach bug to make you SO appreciative of your health! I know what you must have been feeling by day 5! 50 degrees too, that couldn’t have been any more perfect. Also not surprised your kicks have attitude LOL!
Merry Christmas to you and yours Allie, so happy you have recovered!
Thanks so much Nellie!! It was tough but I made it. So happy to be back among the living 🙂
Merry Christmas!!
I’m so glad you’re feeling better and able to get out there and do what you love to do. Mental health is every bit as important as physical health.
Merry Christmas to you and your family. Wishing you a happy and healthy new year.
Mental health may be more important these days, ya know? I know you do! Thank you so much Karen. I can only imagine the feast you are serving for the holidays. Wish I was a fly on the wall for that!! Have a great one…
I know exactly how you felt…minus the colon-cleansing stomach bug. I was sidelined over the weekend with a humdinger of a cold. Normally I’ll just run through it, but the weather was awful (rain, rain, rain), and I felt so crumy that I just skipped my workouts and slept as much as possible. Today I was itching to do something. It was raining again, so I jumped on the dreadmill for a short run. Still felt pretty crummy, but it felt good to do something!
Merry Christmas, my friend! So glad we ‘met’ this year!
Oh honey that’s awful and the weather doesn’t help. I think you sent the rain north because it’s here to stay now. I know I was missing running b/c I did an hour on the treadmill today without an ounce of boredom! I’m pretty sure that will never happen again.
Hope you feel like yourself in time for Christmas with Monkey and Bean! SO glad to have met you this year and hope to MEET you in 2014!
Hooray!!! I’m so happy that you are well and back to running!!! (I hope the entire family is well again!)
I love the reminder that we need to enjoy and be thankful for our health!!! And, a good sweat always helps in the enjoyment!!!
Thanks Kim! Yes, we are all feeling better and just in time!
There is nothing like getting back to it after a break! And nothing worse than the stomach flu, either. Glad you are back in the saddle. Love the blue capris, btw.
Have a very Merry Christmas!
Thank you! I know you know the feeling. I picked up the blue capris at a Nike outlet in Massachusetts and I love them 🙂
Have a wonderful Christmas!
Congrats on getting your “sweat on” and amazing weather to boot. LOL at your giddy wardrobe preparations for a run. You are too funny. Your health is your wealth. You are definitely making the right investments. I still can’t get over the 156 times playing the long run playlist. Merry Christmas Allie! Sweat on, my friend…sweat on 🙂
I shall, Hope!! So glad you enjoyed it and you’re are so right about health being your wealth – for sure!
Merry Christmas!!
I’m glad to hear that you and your family are feeling better. Your enthusiasm for running is really motivating. I’m not able to run yet but you make me want to try harder to get there. Walking is my only form of exercise at the moment. We’ll see what other activities 2014 has in store.
Congrats on getting back to doing what you love! Merry Christmas…Wishing you well in the coming year.
Thank you so much! Keep up the walking – it can only make you stronger!!
So glad you are feeling better! Merry Fitness and Christmas to you too!
Thanks Leah!!
Glad you are feeling better! When I take time off or can’t work out, I do feel the same way. I miss it too. Merry Christmas Allie, to you and your family!
I know you do! Thanks so much Michelle. Have a wonderful holiday with your family. I sincerely hope we can get together in person in 2014!
Glad you’re feeling better and that you got your sweat.
I’m not as fit as you and I have asthma, but generally, I’m pretty healthy and for that, I am grateful. Eating better sure helped!
Merry Christmas!
Yes it does! So glad you have your clean eating in check and you’re enjoying it.
Merry Christmas my friend!!
You made me want to run out side so bad! But I just checked the weather and it’s only getting to 30…so sad! I just don’t have the gear to go outside when it’s this cold. Tomorrow is hopeful though and today I’ll just get some miles on the treadmill.
I love your attitude about fitness! I’m glad you were able to get your sweat on!
We need to get you some cold weather gear ASAP! Happy to know your logging some mileage on the treadmill. Thanks so much Carla and have a very merry christmas!!
OH HECK YES ABSENCE MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER!!!!! I am not in a relationship except with my exercise, so I know for a FACT that this is true for exercise, LOL!!!! 😉
I am THRILLED to hear you are better!!! Nothing is WORSE than stomach problems, believe me, I UNDERSTAND!!! But now you’re BACK and more raring to go than EVER! Woo Woo!! XOXO Merry XMAS!
I know you understand GiGi!! Thank you for always being a voice of reason 🙂
Very timely post based off your event last week! Glad you got a run in! Merry Fitness, YES and More YES! I love that! I was so excited to have so many people in class this morning on Christmas Even when they could have been out doing last minute shopping or whatever everyone is up to today! It was BODYCOMBAT as usual for me this Tuesday but I tried to add some extra spice as an appreciation for them attending! Glad you are feeling better. Thanks for the reminder to celebrate and be thankful for our health and love for fitness this season.!
Merry Fitness to you too!
I’m so glad to hear that Joi! I also taught a spin class on Christmas Eve morning and it was FULL! Nothing makes me happier…
I’m late to the party, but I finally read this and wanted to tell you that I’m glad you are feeling better! Have a wonderful Christmas with your family, Allie!
You’re never late Dana! Thank you so much. Thank God another Christmas day is behind us and I survived 🙂
I got a pair of Yaxtraks for Christmas and was happy to test them out on the hilly mountain roads in Vermont on Christmas day. Yesterday, I skied all day with the littles…more of a workout than I thought because the 5 year old can’t get on or off the lift herself. Lots of lifting, hoisting, and schlepping!
Yaxtraks are awesome!! Sounds like you had a great time. I can’t wait to get up to Vermont with my family in Feb. Chasing, lifting and schlepping the kids definitely brings a whole new meaning to cross training out on the slopes!
I had my own unplanned lay off from sweat in November. By day 7 I was like a caged animal ready to rip someone’s head off if I didn’t get a decent sweat on. A good sweat cures all in my mind!
Oh I know you know this ALL too well my friend! May 2014 bring you buckets of sweat 🙂
So glad you’re better and I hope that your holiday was a fabulous one. Strep hit my house and having two parents down for the count at the same time isn’t fun. My exercising hasn’t been great but I’m looking forward to a fabulous 2014 and wishing you and yours the same my friend!
I’m so sorry to hear that!! Glad you’re on the mend and looking forward to starting 2014 off right. Can’t wait to get back to my regular routine 🙂
Glad you are feeling better and up to exercising again! Thanks for joining LOBS this weekend!
Me too! I love to link up to LOBS whenever I can 🙂