Ouch!

Those of you who survived the 80's probably remember the terms "feel the burn" and "work through the pain." Turns out that when you feel pain, your body is telling you it hurts and its time to give it a rest.

Any good trainer will tell you that in order to go faster, run longer and get better, you've not only got to work, but rest.

My training bible for my sprint triathlon is called "Your First Triathlon" by Joe Friel. For every six days of swimming, riding and running, there is one day of rest. He explains muscles and endurance builds during these times of rests.

And even though I've read this, and am even writing it here, that doesn't mean I live it. Because people aren't always smart. In this case the dumby is I.Here's what happened. While on vacation, racing with my kids at a highway rest stop, I fell and cut open my knee. I left urgent care with seven stitches, badly bruised knees and elbows, and one sore ego. I spent the next six days running around Disneyland and Southern California, ignoring my injury. When I returned home, I resumed my triathlon training. That is until my leg swelled up, the gash in my knee stopped healing and I collapsed in exhaustion and pain after work one day.

So this wasn't a training injury, it was an injury none the less. I just ignored my pain and exhaustion and ended up sidelined for almost a week.

Thankfully, I'm now on the mend, and my training is back on track.

The lesson to my painful tale (and tail) is: don't be like me. Give it a rest if you're in pain.

Your body will thank you.