Runners Need Rest; It's Part of Training
Rest is part of training, but we rarely listen to that part of training.
When in doubt, rest is best.
Why is rest best? Because none of us reading this are professional runners, and if we’re ever questioning why we feel the way we do, then this is your sign that you need a rest day.
This isn’t just for when you’re hobbling around because of a running (or non-running) injury.
It’s also for when you’re just feeling blah and you could certainly push through a run if you had to (because it’s on your training calendar), or you can rest now and come back stronger the following day.
As a reminder to everyone reading: a day off will not disrupt the universe or set you back. Rest is a very key ingredient to training. Without rest, there is no progress.
Rest might look different for someone who runs 80 miles a week compared to someone who runs 15, but rest is rest. And when your body is requiring rest, you should listen.
You may need one of these bonus rest days once a month, or once a training cycle. If you’re using an extra unplanned day off every week, you need to have a talk with a running coach to figure out why you’re so run down and require extra rest days.
The same goes for after a season.
Post-Season Rest Days
Everyone’s season looks different now that we’re adults. Some of us train for marathons over the course of 4-5 months, while others train for shorter races. It doesn’t matter what race distance your goal race is; rest is the unlock key to better, more consistent training in future months.
After that last race of the season, time off is key to continually improving season after season.
What’s so important about time off?
- Total recovery
- Time to be a non-runner
- Allows body, mind, and spirit a chance to recover
- You’ll regain your fitness in a matter of days or weeks upon returning to training
- Rebuilding a training peak (this time higher, bigger, and/or stronger)
- A mental & physical reset
As many of us are wrapping up a training cycle soon, the most important training you can include post-race is REST. How much you take is up to you, but what’s important is that you recover from the grueling training you just did.
This might be 4-5 days if you’re a low-mileage runner with softer goals. It might be a week if you’ve been at it a while and just need some time away. It might also look like 2+ weeks if you’ve been injured or got injured as a result of the races you did.
During this break, do something you wouldn’t normally do. It’s your chance to get away and not think about running. I promise you, the time away is good for you!
Time off is crucial to long-term success. Take the time. Recovery is part of training, so make sure you are doing all the training you’re supposed to do.
Not sure what time off might look like for you? Ask. Leave a comment or reply like it’s an email.
Do you have questions or want to talk about your training? Send me a message. Seriously. You can send me the most basic question, like “What shoes do I train in right now?” No question is too small.
Follow me on Instagram at TrainwithMarc.Run
Thanks for reading until the end!
