A Week Away From Training
Here's what you might expect from a week off of running
I just wrapped up 8 days of zero running. I had planned this time off, and I’m glad I took the time to get away from running.
I didn’t take the time because I was injured, but because I felt I had done all I wanted to accomplish during the time I was running.
A hard reset (one where you choose the start and end date) with running is so important. If you never take that time off to reboot, you can never really hit that high peak that you’re after.
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Time off from running might sound a bit odd to you - why would I voluntarily take time away from running to make myself a better runner? It’s true, though. Everyone needs a break from time to time, and mine came after running a really good string of races.
Plus, it’s better to take time off when you’re healthy and done with your racing season, rather than be forced to take time off because you were burnt out or injured.
So, what did I do during my week away from training??
I slept in when I could.
I stayed up later than normal.
I spent time with my kids and my wife.
I did a bit of walking and played some sports with my son.
But I wasn’t thinking about running in the sense that I had to get a run done. Don’t get me wrong, I’m always thinking about running…
But not running for a week doesn’t make me not a runner anymore. In fact, the notion that I did take a week off affirms that I absolutely am a runner.
A lot of runners believe that if they aren’t training, their VO2 is dropping off a cliff. That’s just not true. It takes a much longer time for you to really get out of shape. A week off is just a blip, not a life sentence.
This week off isn’t going to erase the fact that my body just covered 1 mile in 4 minutes and 44 seconds. I’m not all of a sudden out. of. shape.
When I did finally lace up, I was sluggish, for sure. Some aches and creaks, but generally speaking, by day 2, I was back to normal. Refreshed. Fired up. Ready to get back into the grind.
Sometimes the best thing you can do for your running is take the time off when you need it and not when you’re forced to take it.
I know it’s not cool or clickbait worthy, but it’s what you need. No one wants to be reminded that a week off after your season is good for you. But it is.
Everyone wants to know the magic secret to training…
It’s rest. And recovery.
So if you’ve been thinking about taking time off after your racing season, absolutely do it.
Your fitness will be there.
Mine is going to come back, and so will yours.
Have you ever taken a full week off from running? Leave a comment and tell me what happened when you started back up.
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