Learning to Listen

I received multiple comments and direct messages from people advising me to seek medical advice. Many of them had experienced similar symptoms, which in their cases turned out to be something more serious. Their advice stuck with me, so I decided it was time to visit the doctor and go from there.

After my initial assessment, the doctor referred me to the hospital for further tests, including blood work and a chest x-ray. I couldn’t shake the fear that something serious might be wrong. But when the results came back fine, I felt an incredible sense of relief. It was as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

Understanding Overtraining

Although the medical tests showed no major issues, I started to dig deeper into what could be causing my symptoms. That’s when I began reading about overtraining, and everything started to make sense. I checked all the boxes associated with overtraining. I had been pushing my body too hard for too long without giving it the recovery time it needed. The biggest mistake was trying to force fitness and ignoring the signs the body gave me, basically the body was not making any positive adaptations leading to stagnation and the inevitable loss of performance.

A New Approach to Running

Realizing this, I knew I needed a complete break from running. So, for a few weeks, I didn’t run at all. As the days passed, I started to feel more refreshed, both physically and mentally. After the break, I gradually eased back into running with just a couple of easy days a week, keeping the mileage very low. I didn’t even think about training or pace; my sole focus was on enjoying the run, with no distractions or goals. I wasn’t chasing numbers or looking at my watch—I was simply out there for the love of running, and that made all the difference.

Moving Forward

This experience has taught me a lot about the importance of listening to my body. Sometimes, we get so caught up in chasing goals that we forget the value of rest and recovery. Taking that break and shifting my mindset has not only helped me recover physically, but it’s also renewed my passion for running. Now, I’m looking forward to running with more balance, and hopefully, stronger and smarter than before.