Taking a Total Rest Day
It feels like forever since I talked training, eh? Well, it's still happening. Last week I ran a little over 26 miles!
I was thinking last week about how I really needed a complete rest day after several days of exhausted feeling runs. I can't put my finger on one reason I felt so wiped during most of my runs, but I'm going to chalk it up to some shorter nights of sleep, a few warmer afternoon runs with H in the stroller and also working on strengthening my right hamstring (leaving it sore).
As the weekend approached, I knew I needed to do my long run on Saturday or Sunday, so I decided the other day would be a total rest day. Midweek if I take a rest day from running, I often do a hike with Henry or something that doesn't really afford for much rest.
So, Saturday morning when it was pouring and grey outside, I welcomed my rest day with open arms and yoga pants. Ahhh... My biggest activity that day was walking around the grocery store for 30 minutes. That's how you do rest days, friends.
And Sunday, my body felt just a bit more ready to tackle 9+ miles with hills thrown in.
In exercise routines and life, there are clear advantages for taking a step back and just relaxing for a day. Most days, Henry and I are running an errand or two and walking or hiking, so an entire day or afternoon at home feels almost luxurious.
But last week amidst a busy calendar and just feeling burnt out, I could tell we needed a life rest day as well. I nixed my plans for the afternoon and soaked up a few extra hours of playtime at home with the little man.
It was just a good reminder that the things I need or want to do often can wait. Henry is at a really fun age where he's starting to laugh at things out of the blue, plays independently and can even follow instructions if I ask him to bring me something, so it's not like staying at home is a bummer. Plus, he's working on his walking skills so time spent at home is just extra practice time for him.
I probably sound like a broken record talking about rest days again, but I don't think enough of us really give ourselves appropriate recovery time from whatever it may be - work or workouts or life in general.
Do you have a regular rest or recovery day on your calendar? What do you typically do that day as part of your recovery?
I was thinking last week about how I really needed a complete rest day after several days of exhausted feeling runs. I can't put my finger on one reason I felt so wiped during most of my runs, but I'm going to chalk it up to some shorter nights of sleep, a few warmer afternoon runs with H in the stroller and also working on strengthening my right hamstring (leaving it sore).
As the weekend approached, I knew I needed to do my long run on Saturday or Sunday, so I decided the other day would be a total rest day. Midweek if I take a rest day from running, I often do a hike with Henry or something that doesn't really afford for much rest.
And Sunday, my body felt just a bit more ready to tackle 9+ miles with hills thrown in.
In exercise routines and life, there are clear advantages for taking a step back and just relaxing for a day. Most days, Henry and I are running an errand or two and walking or hiking, so an entire day or afternoon at home feels almost luxurious.
But last week amidst a busy calendar and just feeling burnt out, I could tell we needed a life rest day as well. I nixed my plans for the afternoon and soaked up a few extra hours of playtime at home with the little man.
He loves having anything in his mouth, especially this plastic bug.
It was just a good reminder that the things I need or want to do often can wait. Henry is at a really fun age where he's starting to laugh at things out of the blue, plays independently and can even follow instructions if I ask him to bring me something, so it's not like staying at home is a bummer. Plus, he's working on his walking skills so time spent at home is just extra practice time for him.
I probably sound like a broken record talking about rest days again, but I don't think enough of us really give ourselves appropriate recovery time from whatever it may be - work or workouts or life in general.
Do you have a regular rest or recovery day on your calendar? What do you typically do that day as part of your recovery?
Comments
Now pretty much every day is like a rest day for me as even my 'workouts' (biking with no resistance for 20 minutes and using the arm bike before and after biking for as long as I can last) feel like active rest days. But I guess I have to take what I can get while I'm rehabbing.
Henry is so cute! Crazy that he will be one soon (or maybe he turned one already? I can't remember the date of his birthday!). It sounds like he is at such a fun age! All of the ages are great but I love it when you can interact with them a bit more!!
I think rest days are critical, as your muscles (and brain) need to rest and relax and rejuvenate so that they can be stronger the next time.