Purposeful Downtime

Today I had grand plans to complete all my athletes’ training schedules for next week, but that went out the window.

Audra, with some encouragement from momma, told me it was a “beautiful day for the beach, daddy!”

So much for productivity :)

Of course, it was the right place to be. The best place to be. The only place I’d want to be on a day like today.

It was a beautiful day at the beach! We laughed, splashed and I got to watch firsthand as Audra became more water-confident right before my eyes. She even dunked her face in the ocean water…unprompted!

These days happen in training sometimes too. Sometimes literally. Whether it’s suddenly feeling ill, or someone texts to tell us they’re in town for one day only, we’ve all received signs that today might be a day to cut a workout short or to abandon it altogether.

How do you decide what to do?

Just as I can still write schedules tomorrow with little consequence, an athlete can cut a workout short or skip it if life sends them a sign it’s for the best to do so.

Here’s a quick checklist that helps me decide when those situations arise if I should train through the moment:

• Am I feeling ill or am I experiencing what might be a new or lingering injury?

• Will I regret missing this workout or skimping on it?

• Can I swap my schedule without compromising the coach’s plan?

• Is this workout essential during a pre-race build phase?

• How far into the workout am I (if I’ve started)?

Once I’ve assessed these questions in my head, I ask myself if I just need a break. That’s because most of the time I really WANT to train. So if I don’t or am distracted, there might be a good reason.

Sometimes, purposeful downtime can be the best medicine for our minds and our bodies.

Just make sure you’re able to listen to what the universe (and your inner Good Wolf) is telling you.