Marathon Journey Week 4

This week was very different. During my run on Tuesday, I realized I was dealing with shin splints. I decided right then that I needed to listen to my body and take a rest day on Wednesday.

At first, I thought about doing something low-impact, like the rowing machine, to keep moving. But after sitting with the thought all day, I realized what I actually needed was a total break. When Wednesday night came around, I tried a very light run to see if the pain had subsided, but it was still there. So, I took another day.

Then came Thursday. I ended up with a flat tire, which took away any time I might have had to work out. Instead of letting that stress me out, I used the time to write for my blog. I realized that while my feet couldn’t do the work, my hands could.

Rest is Not a Reset

I decided to take Friday through Sunday off as well to make sure I feel truly ready to run again on Monday. Sometimes, there’s a fear that taking too much time off means you’re "starting all over." I know now that isn't true. I’ll get back to where I was soon enough, and I’m going to ease into it.

This is exactly why I gave myself so much time to train. I don’t have to rush this process. The best part of this journey is that it’s forcing me to be patient. It’s showing me that I can love myself enough to take the rest I need and still move forward. I’ve made so many improvements over the last few weeks—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally, too.

Hand-Work vs. Foot-Work

Lately, instead of my feet doing the work, I’ve been putting my hands to work. Crocheting has become a huge part of my life, and I have a few projects in progress that I plan on selling soon. Stay tuned for those!

Both running and crocheting are forms of meditation for me. I love being able to do both, but I’ve learned that sometimes my body needs a full rest from everything. There is nothing wrong with that. I am not being lazy; I am caring for my body. Giving myself rest is crucial so that I have the energy to run, crochet, and do everything else I love. I was taught to always be "productive," but I’ve learned the hard way that constant grinding leads to burnout and physical pain.

The Comparison Trap

Listen to your body and follow through on what it tells you. Don't compare yourself to others. If you want to see improvement, compare "you" to "you." You are not like anyone else. You may find similarities with others, but your path is your own. Love yourself enough to know your body and honor its pace.

I’m excited to get back to it on Monday. I’m going to start slow with a walk and see how I feel.

Weekly Log: 3/8/26 – 3/14/26

• Monday: 4.21-mile run. (Great pace and felt strong!).

• Tuesday: 20-minute walk/run intervals. 4 min walk (3.0 mph) / 1 min jog (4.8 mph). Ended with a 2-minute jog. Distance: 1.39 total miles.

• Wednesday – Sunday: Rest & Recovery. (Icing shins and focusing on stretching).

Remember: Always seek professional guidance when changing your diet or starting a new workout routine. I want you to be safe!

I love you.

This is Love