Listen to your body

I feel under the weather.  My glands are swollen, I have a small fever and my body just aches.  I want nothing more then to curl up and rest.  I wanted to run tonight and kick up the distance just a bit after my return from injury.  I wanted to increase my pace tonight as well.  This is just not happening (enter pouty face and crossed arms). 

I have a 5K planned this weekend and I had to accept that it just may not be happening.  What I am slowly learning through this journey, is that it is important to gain health but it is equally important to listen to our bodies.  If I push through this and try to "sweat it out" I could end up sicker. 

I feel more like stomping my foot and blowing into a full blown temper tantrum that any toddler would be proud of.  Instead I will go home, take care of the family and curl up to take care of ME.  It is far more important to rest today so I can run further.  By pushing myself I may end up sicker, as mentioned before or with yet another injury. 

So fully against what I WANT to do and regretfully accepting I must relax, I am listening to my body. I hear it loud and clear.  Do you ever have trouble listening to your body when it is worn down?