Rest Days...

[mum_of_3]

Is it really bad not to have a rest day in between? I ran yesterday morning first thing, and I'm really tempted to run after work this evening - will that cause trouble do you think?

[Steve_L Graduate]

The rest days are really important, especially in the early weeks of your running career. It's on the rest days that your body is actually getting fitter, repairing itself and responding to the new level of exercise. If you interrupt that rest period, you'll interfere with the improvement of your fitness.

It's up to you, but I'd be patient and leave it a day.

[Rignold]

Definitely agree - early in the programme you are better off not running on rest days.

Although that need not stop you from doing some other form of exercise for crosstraining - spinning or swimming or cycling or resistace training.

[hopelessCause in reply to Rignold]

I don't really understand how doing another form of exercise on a rest day allows the muscles to repair/build? Especially if you're using the same muscles, as in cycling and swimming...

[goonkeepgoing Graduate in reply to hopelessCause]

I think the view is that you use different muscles or the same muscles but in a different way. The activities mentioned are certainly less high impact than running. I think the fitter you get the more appropriate this becomes but in the early days I'd opt for the rest ( or gentle movement only) options.

[Rignold in reply to hopelessCause]

If you are using the same muscles in the same way to walk, swim and cycle, you are almost certainly doing at least two of those activities incorrectly.

[hopelessCause in reply to Rignold]

HAHAHAHA! Brilliant!

[mum_of_3 Graduate]

Thanks all - I'll catch the bus this evening and run tomorrow instead.

[Steve_L Graduate in reply to mum_of_3]

Enjoy your run tomorrow!

[BoPeep9009 Graduate in reply to mum_of_3]

Good girl! No point disagreeing with these pros!!!

[Tomas Graduate]

That's an easy one to answer. If you need to ask the question, then yes it is really bad. Don't do it.

[Rignold]

But do do your squats. Every day with the squats, Moriarty!

[poppypug Graduate in reply to Rignold]

But try not to split your shorts in the process !

Sorry Rig xxx

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

The more frequently you run, especially when you are pushing the bounds of what your body is used to, the more likely you are to get injured. Being unable to run because of injury is demotivating and incredibly frustrating. Your enthusiasm is admirable and the sure sign of latent addiction, but taking your rest days, as outlined above, is the safe route.

Keep running, keep smiling.

[nhs2015 Graduate]

I was like you, wanting to run everyday but I followed this forum advice and always took a rest day. I am thankful for the advice. It really works. Always have a rest day!