It’s Tuesday afternoon, a hair past the 4 o’clock hour. I’m not stripping off my jeans, turning up my tunes, and rushing to the gym for a typical Running Tuesday workout [run]. No… I’m snuggled under my orange comforter, my room softly lit by the late afternoon sunlight peeping through the closed blinds, and there is a subtly sweet scent of Tazo Calm Tea in the air from the steaming cup of hot water beside me.
I made the decision yesterday that today would be a “rest day”. I’ve exercised the past 9 days in a row, all of them being solid workouts. And well, according to my plan, I’m supposed to have one rest day a week. As I sat on my usual bike at the gym last night, pushing the pedals round and round with my beefy quad muscles, I noticed a decline in motivation to “push it”.
I did not solely schedule in one rest day per week to prevent injury and allow my body to recuperate from any strenuous exercise… I did it equally so to recharge my mind.
Fortunately, I am one of those people that is excited about exercise/physical activity; it doesn’t take much bribing at all to get me moving. Though, training for an endurance event requires a lot of drive and mental energy week in and week out. My favorite quote couldn’t say it better:
“Running is a mental exercise with physical benefits.”
With that, I’m going to utilize the remainder of my day off [from vigorous exercise]… perhaps, literally, with a nap.
Happy February, friends!
Hillary
Of Possible Interest:
- The Power of Running via Whole Living Magazine
- Spring 2011 Running Shoe Guide via Runner’s World
- The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans are OUT! [official document via the Self Magazine blog, Eat Like Me] – because I’m the Nutrition Nut!
How regularly do you take a rest day? My rest days are sporadic. Occasionally life will get in the way of my workout regimen, but most of the time they arise from me being very in tune with my body’s requests. That said, I get antsy after 2 days sans a workout.
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
I have my best runs after two consecutive days off. I can’t help but think my body appreciates the rest and rewards me :)
Rest days are so important. I never used to take rest days and my body totally shut down. Now I usually take two a week to make sure I am treating my body right.
I usually take 2-3 days off a week because I need to recharge my body…too many injuries can occur if you don’t. Plus, life is just too busy to workout everyday even if it was good for you!
Oh my goodness, I JUST posted about a similar subject! I guess it’s on everyone’s brain these days :) The strive to be “perfect” often defers us from remembering to give our bodies rest. Hope you had a good nap, girl! Mine was bueno :)
Rest days are the best thing about working out! :-)
Hope you had a good, refreshing nap!
Rest days are soooo important! I used to never take days off, and now I know my body needs at least 2 per week in order to benefit fully from my runs.
Hope you had a relaxing rest day!
I typically take two days a week for “active” rest. I might still do some yoga stretches or pilates moves at home on those day, but nothing strenuous or longer than 20 minutes. I’ve also noticed that I stronger, both mentally and physically, after a rest day.
Enjoy the day off…you deserve it!!
I love that quote and couldn’t agree more! My sister and I were just talking about this the other day since we’re training together to run a half marathon. Those long runs take a lot of mental exercise and I think it’s character building! :) Good for you for taking some rest. It’s crucial. xo
Atta Girl. Next time, don’t “schedule” your rest day…just take it!
Running is a mental exercise with physical benefits! I like that! Hope you had a great rested day!
Rest days are a must! I’m glad you took one. Sounds perfect.
I embrace my “rest” days, though sometimes it’s hard to take it easy! It really is just as important as your workouts, though… your muscles will thank you. :)
I take one day completely off every week. I really think this rest day has helped keep me (nearly) injury-free. It is also good rest for me mentally. But after that one rest day, I’m ready to go again. . . two days and I start to go crazy!
yes! rest days are so crucial… otherwise we BURN OUT!
Nine days in a row!? Go you! I used to feel really guilty on rest days, but I think they’re so important!
Good job taking the rest day when you needed it!
I use to feel guilty (sometimes I still do) when I take days off, but now I realize that they are super important! Sometimes my body just needs a break!
My rest days are really sporadic too — some weeks I’ll go a few days without working out, whereas others I’ll work out every day except for one. It all depends on how I feel. :)
i love running! and eating healthy. but i recently ran a half-marathon and i ran ten miles the sunday after and close to nine miles the saturday after that. my legs have still not recovered because i play soccer in between so i rarely have free time to just run.