Whether or not we like to admit it, there is an ebb and flow of exercise. Everyone goes through exercise lulls and cheat streaks. Heck!—Even professional athletes have an off-season. Last year, I wrote about instinctive exercise and why it isn’t instinctive for us to be physically fit. At the time, I’m sure I wished I were a natural-born runner, like a Tarahumaran. But lately, I’ve wondered if it is healthier to let your body have a nice long rest.
After dedicating an entire year to my health and fitness, I fell off the bandwagon. Six months ago, nothing kept me from going for a run or heading to the gym. But the last time I truly broke a sweat was February 28, when I competed in the Publix Distance Classic Gasparilla Half Marathon.
While I spent months preparing myself for the physical demands of the race, I hadn’t expected to face the emotional and mental demands. After the race,
This article appears in Jun 3-9, 2010.