Forums >Racing>running streak vs. 1/2 marathon training
Not an earth shattering question, but.....
I started my running streak on Thanksgiving 2014 and have run at least 1-2 miles daily since then. Last year I hit over 2000 miles.
After not participating in any official races for the past couple of years, I recently signed up for an online training program for a half marathon in May. There are rest days planned into the program.
Am I going to screw up my training if I squeeze in a mile or two of ( low intensity) running on my "rest days"
I'm running on 54 yr old legs - so I don't have youth on my side.
If I want to "race" the half in May am I best off following the plan and adhering to my official Rest Days?
I know the answer I want to hear
Thanks.
an amazing likeness
No. Of course not. A light jog on your plan's rest day may actually help with recovery -- and most plans do want you to do something on rest days (core, elliptical, walk, swim, etc). "Rest day" doesn't mean bed rest. (g)
Now, if you're injured...it's a different story.
Acceptable at a dance, invaluable in a shipwreck.
what milktruck said KEEP THAT STREAK ALIVE!!
I am an older runner (51) and have been streaking over 4 years now. I have run races from distances of a 5k - 100 miles. Choose the distance for your rest day and stick to it. Remember you only need to run 1 mile to keep it alive. You also might consider running 1 mile the day after to rest your legs.
Good luck!
Sara
MM #2929
not bad for mile 25
Yep, anything 4 miles or less is a rest day for me.
#RunEveryDay
I find running easier when I am running every day. My Mondays and Fridays that used to be rest days when I wasn't streaking are now 2 mile days, even when I'm training. I make sure they are easy days. It works for me. Like everything else with running, listen to your body.
Half Fanatic #9292.
Game Admin for RA Running Game 2023.
Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it!
Feeling the growl again
1-2 miles on an "off" day to keep a streak alive?
Meh.
Back when I was actually a runner, and consistently 100-120 mpw, I forced myself to take every third Monday off. Seriously, if I had jogged 1-2 miles on that day would it have had any impact on my training? No. It was more mental than anything. But planning in a complete rest day with time to catch up on non-running stuff was refreshing to me.
I doubt you are running 100-120mpw. Take your day to run 1-2 miles as "off" and carry on.
"If you want to be a bad a$s, then do what a bad a$s does. There's your pep talk for today. Go Run." -- Slo_Hand
I am spaniel - Crusher of Treadmills
It's Tuesday every day
What milktruck and skyedog said.
A streak is a powerful thing. If you want the best of both worlds, follow the plan and run only one mile on the plan's rest days. Behold: streak maintained *and* almost perfect plan compliance. Good luck!
If keeping a streak going comes down to health vs. overtraining, injury, or lowered immunity,
choose the streak.
Funky kicks 2019
I am an older runner (51) and have been streaking over 4 years now.
In my book (running log) the streak always comes first. As several have already mentioned one mile keeps the streak alive.