Day off in between

[Wingie]

Hey all,

I'm wondering about the importance of the day off in between run days. Is that just so we don't over do it? I am super early in so no sure I'll have it in me to lose the day off but just wondering in case I feel motivated! 💪

[Charlottefc87 Graduate]

I think the rest days are pretty important for your body to recover. missing them seems to lead to more injuries from what I gather, so I'd advise against it! How are you finding it so far?

[Wingie Graduate in reply to Charlottefc87]

I just finished run 2, week 3 so I know it's gonna get harder! I can't see me doing it again tomorrow but was just wondering 😊

[Charlottefc87 Graduate in reply to Wingie]

That's a great start, well done! The runs get longer, yes, but I still think those first couple of weeks & getting started is the hardest. Best of luck with the coming weeks, keep posting to let us know how your getting on!

[Wingie Graduate in reply to Charlottefc87]

Thank you! 😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Charlottefc87]

Essential.. not just important!

[sheps Graduate]

I think that rest days are the main unbreakable rule - a mentor will be along shortly, but as I understand it, they are the days that allow your muscles to recover from the run. Running on tired muscles causes the damage that the programme is designed to avoid. Fundamentally, you will make quicker progress by taking the rest days because you will not spend time on the injury couch.

Enjoy the running. Enjoy the rests.

[Hidden in reply to sheps]

Sheps is spot on... take the rest so you can run your best.

Not taking the day off means you can easily damage muscles and then your progress will take a lot longer than the 9 weeks.

And please don't get caught up in the 9 weeks have to be calendar. Most of us have taken longer than the 9, there's no hurry as every run builds up stamina and kms.

The plan is only the start of your running life hopefully, so don't let enthusiasm make you damage your bod...

I am saying this as one of the hypocrites that didn't take the rest early on, and looking back it was silly of me not to...👍

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to sheps]

Spot on!!!! All too easy to really injure yourself!

[DawnRun]

Try running two consecutive days if you aren't used to it and come on to this site and tell everyone how your legs feel :o) I speak from experience, and I don't recommend it.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to DawnRun]

Please don't

[DawnRun in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks, appreciate your well thought out comments!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to DawnRun]

The reply was for Wingie

[RebeccaSK Graduate]

Rest days are absolutely imperative - especially in the early days (and by early days I actually mean early months) as your body gets used to the running. You can still exercise on your rest days - swim, cycle, cross train, walk - but NO RUNNING! Old Floss will be along before long and she'll tell you!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to RebeccaSK]

Here I am Bad penny!

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

More like one of those beautiful shiny pennies that nobody wants to spend!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to RebeccaSK]

Thanks you! Trouble is.. over the years, we have seen so many folk stumble and lose heart...or end up really injured. When we have run for a longer time, consecutive runs may be a choice, but it has to be worked up to and carefully planned

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

I absolutely 100% agree. Perhaps the lightest, nimblest little runner could do it but I couldn't and my shins, back, knees and hips need looking after.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Never miss a rest day.. ever.

It is a sure and fast way to hit the IC... IannodaTruffe explains, wonderfully, how our muscles need those rest day...!

If you feel motivated, then do lots of other exercise on your rest days... walking, swimming, cycling, strength and flex.. whatever...it is so important to make sure we improve our strength and stamina too!

[Irish-John Graduate]

A week or two ago I was working on a make do scaffold three floors high. We are talking long ladders, plank, bit of rope job.

But I would NEVER run on a Rest Day.

[Wingie Graduate]

Ah thanks guys that's all really helpful!

If I happen to feel particularly motivated on a rest day I'll find something else energetic to do 😊 This is the third time I've attempted the couch to 5k and after today I'm officially the furthest I've ever been (the third week has always broken me after the first run!) I'm super motivated this time - And would hate to do something silly to put me off again! Xx