In endurance sports, it is time taken to dial back, rest and allow our muscles, mind and bodies to reap the benefits of our hard effort. The recovery process should not only allow the muscles and connective tissue to repair but actually improve your level of fitness. The workouts, speed sessions, races etc. break us down and we need periods of recovery to repair and mend the damage done. I tell my athletes all the time, it is during recovery that we actually get stronger.
So...what about in life? I had a conversation today, albeit brief, with a dear friend who told me I needed a little more time to recover. Being stubborn and proud of course I said, well...maybe not so much recover but rebuild. We were talking specifically about life events and the proverbial horse one sometime gets knocked off of, but it got me thinking in more global terms. I preach recovery in athletics but guess I need to be honest about my opinions of recovery in life. You see....I somehow think its weak...to need it and certainly don't want anyone to point out that I need it. I believe one, specifically me, should be able to power through it. Where did I get that idea? And when, did I become such a arrogant hypocrit? ;-) I know on many levels the power and necessity of recovery. Time for some application of the theory!
So when do you know when you have recovered? When are you ready to tackle the next workout? I guess that's where I, as a coach, come in. There are a variety of metrics: heart rate, energy level, mental readiness, etc. that make the judgement call easier but what are the metrics in life? And can I really "coach" myself on this one? Many have offered a prescribed period of time: 6 weeks, 6 months, 2 years? I truly believe its different for everyone. There is no set answer and there is no EASY button. The most important metric being your intuition. Your gut. One day, you're just ready. As in sports, that doesn't necessarily mean you don't have some residual aches or mild pain, but you're ready to get at it again. You're ready for the next session. The recovery has been completed and now time to rebuild.
To rebuild or add onto what was already good ...only now its actually stronger. Stronger from the stress, exertion, pain and effort. Stronger because the time has been taken to allow for the repair to take place that you can handle the next load. Progressively building......progressively strengthening....continuous evolution.....continuous improvement.
Life really is nothing more than one, long endurance training event......its really pretty simple when you look at it. So why do we make it so hard? Experience, recover, rebuild. Lather, rinse, repeat. Going to get my legos now..... wonder what I'll build next.
