It’s the day after my long run. And I’m happy that my thighs are not tight or aching.

That Legs Up on the Wall stretch really helps loosen the muscles. I’m still grateful that I found it.

But my IT Band is aching a little. Which worries me.

Maybe I won’t be doing any running this week. The Around the Bay is on Sunday and I don’t want to push my body too much more.

I’ll spend the rest of the week trying to loosen the tightness and doing stretches that focus on that problem.

I hope I haven’t pushed my body too far, too quickly.

Some people take aspirin before a long run. To help reduce the pain.

I don’t do that. I want to feel the pain. Because it will tell you when to stop.

It is normal to feel some pain during the long runs. You’re pushing your body out of its comfort zone. Far out of it.

And it’s normal to feel tight or aching muscles a day or two after, also. So, I’m not making any rash decisions yet.

I want to run on Sunday.

But I don’t want to be pig-headed about it either.

Stretching and resting will be my activity for the week.

And when Sunday comes? I’ll listen to what my body wants to do.