Most of the training plans I’ve done have at least one rest day and often a day that can be rest or cross training. In the past, rest day meant I did nothing to intentionally get my heart pumping. I might walk to the kids’ school or kick a soccer ball around the yard with them or go up and down my stairs a billion times doing laundry, but if that didn’t happen, I didn’t care.
Since I started the 30by60 challenge, I’ve had exactly one day where I didn’t take 30 minutes and purposefully get my heart beating. On that day I went for an easy one mile each way walk to the bookstore and back. So, even then, I moved a bit more than my standard normal movement day.
I was a little worried at the start that my body would not handle this challenge well. I was wrong. I’ve found that as long as I throw in days where the workout is less intense, my body seems to actually recover better.
This morning I woke up sore and a bit stiff after yesterday’s hilly 9 miles. My hips just ached from the workout. I hit the local gym for an easy 30 minutes on the elliptical. And you know what? My legs are still tired, but I feel much looser and the ache in my hips is gone. Hmmm….
So, what’s a rest day for you? Is it a lighter workout or no workout at all?
Friday is typically my only rest day (no running or lifting), although I usually stretch, do some foam rolling and other stuff to keep loose prior to Saturday's long run.
Friday is typically my only rest day (no running or lifting), although I usually stretch, do some foam rolling and other stuff to keep loose prior to Saturday's long run.
I go back and forth… I have gone long periods without a true rest day and seem to do okay if I am careful about incorporating true recovery workouts… but then sometimes I need a complete day of rest, more for mental/emotional reasons.
I go back and forth… I have gone long periods without a true rest day and seem to do okay if I am careful about incorporating true recovery workouts… but then sometimes I need a complete day of rest, more for mental/emotional reasons.
thom makes fun of me ALL THE TIME because i'll say, "today is a rest day, i just lifted and went to yoga and that's it." 😀
thom makes fun of me ALL THE TIME because i'll say, "today is a rest day, i just lifted and went to yoga and that's it." 😀
I found that most of the time I feel better if a recovery day is some really easy miles. I usually will do a 4-6 mile run with no Garmin and just keep it nice and easy. I seem to feel much better after that than I do with no run at all. But, I think this is one of those things that is different for everyone 🙂
I found that most of the time I feel better if a recovery day is some really easy miles. I usually will do a 4-6 mile run with no Garmin and just keep it nice and easy. I seem to feel much better after that than I do with no run at all. But, I think this is one of those things that is different for everyone 🙂
I havent been taking rest days persay. I might have a day where I will do the elliptical for 30 min and the stationary bike for 30 min. I find for me being consistent is the key for me during the winter months. If I take one day off it could possibly turn into 2 or 3 days off. It doesnt take much for me to get lazy in the winter. Way to go on that 30by60 challenge. Your doing awesome
I havent been taking rest days persay. I might have a day where I will do the elliptical for 30 min and the stationary bike for 30 min. I find for me being consistent is the key for me during the winter months. If I take one day off it could possibly turn into 2 or 3 days off. It doesnt take much for me to get lazy in the winter. Way to go on that 30by60 challenge. Your doing awesome
I usually try to take at least one complete rest day a week, but I think it would be interesting to experiment with a light workout instead on my "rest" day.
I usually try to take at least one complete rest day a week, but I think it would be interesting to experiment with a light workout instead on my "rest" day.
On most of my non-running days I do some cross training, although I don't necessarily call it a rest day. I tend to take a FULL rest day once or twice a month (or anytime I feel like I really need it, which isn't too often luckily). I always take a complete rest day on the day before a marathon or key race. (A complete rest day could still include casual walking or biking, for fun and not strenuously.)
On most of my non-running days I do some cross training, although I don't necessarily call it a rest day. I tend to take a FULL rest day once or twice a month (or anytime I feel like I really need it, which isn't too often luckily). I always take a complete rest day on the day before a marathon or key race. (A complete rest day could still include casual walking or biking, for fun and not strenuously.)
For me it's no workout at all. I must admit I look forward to these days. I do stretch pretty much every day though.
For me it's no workout at all. I must admit I look forward to these days. I do stretch pretty much every day though.
My rest day is most often abs and 60 minutes stretching with P90X and that is usually on Sun.
My rest day is most often abs and 60 minutes stretching with P90X and that is usually on Sun.
For me is doing nothing at all. I love my rest days, they make me go all eager for the non-rest days.
For me is doing nothing at all. I love my rest days, they make me go all eager for the non-rest days.
I have to have at least one day off a week for recovery. But for the past two months (apart from my week where I was sick) I've ONLY had one day off each week and my body seems to be coping pretty well. My trick was to just stick to four days running and add a pretty intense strength workout. And my body is thanking me for it.
I have to have at least one day off a week for recovery. But for the past two months (apart from my week where I was sick) I've ONLY had one day off each week and my body seems to be coping pretty well. My trick was to just stick to four days running and add a pretty intense strength workout. And my body is thanking me for it.
I end up taking a "rest" day when life gets too busy for me to get a workout in. I wouldn't call it all that restful either 😉
I end up taking a "rest" day when life gets too busy for me to get a workout in. I wouldn't call it all that restful either 😉
Usually I rest when my work schedule gets too hectic which is about twice a week. I don't mind it though. :-)Thank you so much for my fun treats!! I loved my give it was really exciting to get it. I am about to go make a post about it right now.Thanks!! Have a great holiday!!Izabel @ See.Kate.Run
Usually I rest when my work schedule gets too hectic which is about twice a week. I don't mind it though. :-)Thank you so much for my fun treats!! I loved my give it was really exciting to get it. I am about to go make a post about it right now.Thanks!! Have a great holiday!!Izabel @ See.Kate.Run
it depends. right now, i am in between training for a major race, so i am taking it easy. on rest days, i am resting. in fact, the last couple of days i haven't done anything…my foot has been bothering me, and i had to get a cortisone shot. normally, however, a rest day means light running or cross training.
it depends. right now, i am in between training for a major race, so i am taking it easy. on rest days, i am resting. in fact, the last couple of days i haven't done anything…my foot has been bothering me, and i had to get a cortisone shot. normally, however, a rest day means light running or cross training.