Stephen and I have an ongoing debate in our relationship. He swears up and down that I am the stubborn one. I am certain that he is the stubborn one. While I shall never conceed that I am stubborn in general (I’m just not!), I can admit that I am stubborn when it comes to running. If I get it in my head that I want to run, then I’m going to run.
That’s what happened on Friday. I had already decided fo’ sho’ that I was going to run 2 miles. Pre-run I was busting out some push-ups in an attempt to pump up my little t-rex arms. Only 3 push-ups in I was already straining, grunting, and sweating. Pushing with all my might, I couldn’t quite get out that 3rd push-up, but I did manage to pull a muscle in my neck. Owie, owie, owie. Pain in the neck. Literally.
Any sane person would take that crick in the neck and nurse it, be lazy, recover. But I’m not sane, I’m stubborn. So I went on my 2 mile run anyway.
The face of a stubborn woman, running when she shouldn’t be.
Mistake. I felt find on the run, but afterwards, I was in a world of hurt.
As a result, I spent all day Saturday and all day Sunday taking it easy. No running, no push-ups, no crazy parties, and no turning my head to the right. I also had Stephen dab a hearty helping of Tiger Balm (like Icy Hot, but with bits of real tiger) right on the problem area.
All that rest and Tiger Balm did the trick. Monday I was back to my old self. I could even turn right again. Naturally, that meant time for another run.
This time I faired much better. No neck pain! Huzzah! The best part of this run: Geronimo and I went 4 miles (another new GDR for him!) and explored some new running trails.
Never been running here before. Pretty nice view.
I’m kicking myself for running with the neck pain on Friday. (Foolish! I’m not even training for anything! Why the need to do that to myself!) But I’m also focusing on the positive. I’m feeling better, my neck is better, and I just got in an awesome run. All’s well that ends well.
Are you stubborn? Have you been known to workout when you know you probably shouldn’t?*
I’d say I’m not stubborn… but then I’d be lying! Ha, ha! Both my hubby and I are extremely stubborn!!!
I am stubborn, stubborn, stubborn. ESPECIALLY when it comes to working out. There are so many days when I should rest or take it easy on a sore spot, but I don’t. I’m a fairly level headed person, usually, but when it comes to exercise, I refuse to let anything get in my way. I’m really going to regret that one day…..
Haha. All the time. I am notorious for working out when I shouldn’t. It usually bites me in the butt, and you think someday I would learn… but so far, nope!
Glad your neck ended up being okay. That is the worst spot to strain a muscle!
I’m totally stubborn, but I’ve tried to be better about listening to my body when it comes to stuff like that. Admittedly, I don’t always succeed!
Listening to our bodies is key! I’m good at that in some ways (pacing) and bad in other ways (rest days). Great reminder!*
Hi, redhead here. It’s like genetically coded into me to be ultra-stubborn. Not so much when it comes to exercise but in most other areas, heck yeah.
I’m curious if Professional Push-upper Stephen made fun of you for hurting your neck doing three push-ups or if he was sweet and took care of you. It is quite likely that if I tried, the same thing would happen to me and my boyfriend would not hesitate to laugh at me! That’s love haha
He got a good laugh out of it! And then he babied me, which is good because I was acting like a big baby!*
Geez! Smart move on taking it easy though Saturday and Sunday! You get credit for that! I think we both have had our share of stubborn moments…
I’m still learning to not run when I shouldn’t.
Next time the pushups get that hard though, modify! Be stubborn about your form, not how many you do
Glad you’re feeling better and enjoying the running scenery!
Modify- great advice! I will fo sho do that the next time I work up the motivation to bust out some push-ups.*
Experience has shown me that most everyone on the Furey side of the family could be considered stubborn (I know it’s where I get my stubbornness from). If that’s the case, perhaps you should stop being stubborn and embrace that you come from a long line of stubborn people.
I was going to blame the stubborness on your Dad, but apparently it comes from my side of the family according to Ben. I like his idea of embracing it – consider it ‘perserverance’ not stubbornness!
Perserverance sounds so much nicer than stubborn!*
I am incredibly stubborn in all facets of life except for working out- I’ll totally jump on the “let it rest so it can properly heal” bandwagon any day (except when it comes to my crazy ankle- it will never feel better). There’s nothing wrong with being stubborn- it’s just persistence on steroids.
I do stuff like that a lot. And if I do manage to change my plans, I feel guilty and second guess for the rest of the day. Ridiculous.
Allright, that’s why it’s called Tiger Balm