0 "Rest" Days? (Read 943 times)

Does anyone not take rest days on a regular basis--particularly if you cross-train? I'm seriously considering a workout plan come warmer, Spring weather that will include 5 days of running with 2 days of weight training--and rare "rest" days. I don't think I would ever run 7 days/week...could moderate strength training days qualify as "rest" days? Is this a wise or unwise approach? k

Does anyone not take rest days on a regular basis--particularly if you cross-train? I'm seriously considering a workout plan come warmer, Spring weather that will include 5 days of running with 2 days of weight training--and rare "rest" days. I don't think I would ever run 7 days/week...could moderate strength training days qualify as "rest" days? Is this a wise or unwise approach? k

ME ME ME ME lol. I don't know about you rs kirsten but in my house mom's never get rests lol. I run 5 days a week and w/o 4 times a week. Even when I was running 4 days a week there never was a day that I either didn't run or W/O. I think it totally depends on each individual.

I run every day unless life forces me to miss a day. One or two runs per week are just really easy jogs for recovery.

I think your plan sounds fine. You'll know if you're getting tired and you can take a real 'rest day' when you need one.

That's kind of what I'm thinking, too. And I'm sure there will be events and weather and such that will force rest days upon me, anyhow. Right now I'm thinking I'd like to be running 30-35 miles/week most of those weeks, so not super high miles by any stretch of the imagination. k

As Scout7 has said intensity of effort seems to be the key. And listening to your body. After running for close on 10 months now I am finding that I can run every day at my low intensity 70% HR for 7-8 miles very comfortably. However after my last long run (which currently stands at 12.5 miles) I felt OK to go out next day but on getting out there I realised my legs were more tired than I had thought. I took the next day off to recover and all was OK again. The ground that I run on is quite muddy/heavy at the moment so that might explain it. At the moment I am planning to run 6 days @ 7-8 miles then day 7 will be a long-run after which I will take a day off (these paper plans are easier said than done when you work shifts as I do). However, all being well this week should be my first 50 mile week - YIPPEE!! Soon I will introduce a faster workout day in the middle (maybe 80% HR) and then I will have to see if I require a break or recovery run after that. Maybe I will be stronger by then and not need it - I will just have to see and obey my body. This plan seems to be right for me at this stage in my development. We are all different (and at different stages in our running) and so what works for me is not necessarily going to work for anyone else so a little experimentation is required to hit that sweet spot between training, improving and still enjoying. I'm still learning.

Rest days are for ninnies.

That's why I take rest weeks! Sometimes, even rest months! Lynn B

In his book for older runners "Running Unti You're 100", Galloway uses the phrase: "Stress + Rest = Improvement". I think this probably makes sense for runners of all ages, where the "Rest" part depends on the individual, and how fast you recover. Also, from George Sheehan's web site: "Keep a record of your morning pulse. Lie in bed for a few minutes after you awaken and then take your pulse. As your training progresses, it will gradually become slower and after three months or so plateau out. From then on, if you awaken and find a rate of 10 or more beats higher, you have not recovered from your previous day's runs, races or stresses. Take the day or more off until the pulse returns to normal."

What I wonder is if my body will think that weight workouts are a "rest" from running, since they are such different types of exercise.

So long as you're not trying to do a whole lot of leg work after a hard or intense run, you should be fine. Otherwise, how would a triathlete possibly get all the training in necessary to complete a 2 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride, and a full marathon?