Interval days!

[Tryinghard2016]

Hello every one.... seriously do all of you take the rest days? Because the temptation to run is tremendous ;)....and how should one best utilize the rest days? Would be grateful for tips from the veterans.

[lightweightkate Graduate]

Hi there - I'm no veteran - only on W6 but.......I have used rest days always - sometimes 2 sometimes 3 and at times 4! I get off a run and immediately want to go again because I feel so good :-0 but I know that my body can't do that. I think it's an individual thing although I would say that almost everyone here recommends at least a day and I'll leave it to the experts to say why! Happy running!

[McFitty Graduate]

Please don't miss your rest days! The days you are resting are when your muscles are repairing and strengthening. Add in extra rest days if you need them. Without the rest days it will take longer to build the stamina and endurance that your muscles need (says the non veteran) But this is what I have been advised over and over again... and I have gone from nearly collapsing with a purple face after 60 seconds running, a few weeks ago, to running for 30 minutes non stop. Two things I couldn't have achieved it without... The delightful Laura and the amazing, inspirational, supportive people on this forum. There are far more qualified people on here who will advise you of the whys and whereforeso. If you follow the programme, you'll get there

[Tryinghard2016 Graduate]

Thank you. I am suitably chastised. Will take a rest day tomorrow! 😀

[90ldfinch Graduate]

Definitely have rest days between runs, but on your days off, you can do all sorts of exercises that work other muscle groups.

Walking, swimming, callisthenics, cycling, etc- plenty to do if you need a fitness fix

[Tryinghard2016 Graduate]

I know! I hope to .... sometimes though I can be so lazy that rest days stretch to rest months!

[BoltonGnome Graduate]

Not sure I'm a veteran yet but I ALWAYS followed the advice re rest days. I know what you mean - the sun is shining (not today in the Dales but ...) and you can't wait to get out there. I was so scared of injury it put me off risking it but I walk as much as I can on rest days. I convince myself that this keeps my stamina levels up. In the early days I found I ached a lot on rest days. Guess my muscles were moaning at the effort.

[Tryinghard2016 Graduate]

Walking yes I can do that! I shall walk on my rest days and try not measure distance n time.

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

I am a veteran, both in running years and age and I have always adhered to my rest days. I suppose some young limbs might get away with it but I would not take the risk whilst working through the programme.

You might be frustrated taking rest days - although as others have pointed out, there is much you could be doing which would support your running - but, believe me, you would be a darn sight more fed up if you had to take to the injury couch!

The programme has worked for thousands of us - trust it.

[OldPossum]

I have found walking and cycling really good on rest days. Am also trying yoga. Don't miss those rest days though, after a difficult run I have found 2 rest days better than 1.

[Tryinghard2016 Graduate]

Thank you all for the advice I'm very grateful. I have an early morning yoga class close to home but can't push myself out of bed pre7 am 😥

[Hidden]

I always have taken at least one rest day. I need it. My muscles usually ache and recover over the day. I also need the time for other things and look forward to my next run.

[Sammully Graduate]

Always have the rest days. I sometimes take 2 days in between runs and find that works well for my recovery time. I had an injury after week 4 so I am much more careful now. Always listen to your body and take your time to build up strength x