"Sunday Rest Day"

Too often, we continually push ourselves again and again, dedicated to doing even better than before, as we strive for perfection (which will only be the result of always moving and going after goal, meaning no breaks). And while we are in this mode of “go go go”, we forget the importance of taking a break; especially in the world of fitness.

A very popular incident in which we observed this past January was that of the hospitalization of 13 University of Iowa football players who had been complaining of stiffness and soreness after a workout. Eventually, it was determined that their hospitalization was due to overexertion or rhabdomyolysis.

Untreated, rhabdo can lead to death. Rhabdomyolysis is the breakdown of muscle fibers, which are then released as myoglobin into the bloodstream and filtered out through the kidneys. When myoglobin is broken down, it breaks down into harmful component that can lead to kidney failure and consequently death.

Rhabdo is really quite unpredictable, even in its symptoms which range from little soreness to extreme soreness, feeling completely fine to feeling terribly ill, and include, nausea and vomiting, abdominal cramping and in severe case dark red urine. It also hits all ages, whether you are just a kid or an adult, and all levels of fitness. In CrossFit, identified cases of rhabdo have included very active college students, an avid tennis player in his late forties, a middle-aged fit SWAT guy, a female collegiate softball pitcher, and a special operations personnel.

However, at the first sign of soreness or sickness, do not rush to this conclusion, that you are suffering from rhabdomyolysis. “In real terms, the risk of serious rhabdo is genuine, but it is low.”

So, whether you’re a seasoned marathon runner, or a recreational soccer player, sometimes you need a break; take it. Don’t feel guilty about taking a day off. Even God observed the Sabbath, a day of rest.