Skipping a rest day....

[louisegill55]

Hi all. I missed my run on Tuesday, but ran my Week 8 Run 1 last night. I'd really like to complete Week 8 on Sunday to stay on track. Is it still important to take a rest day now I've been running 8 weeks or could I squeeze run 2 in tonight?? Thank you 😊

[Hidden]

Sharp intake of breath. You have just opened Pandora's box with that question......good luck!

Seriously though, you will need the rest days for many many months to come. It's really only very fit and experienced runners who can run consecutive days.

Please don't risk it🏃

[louisegill55 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! I'd much rather be a few days behind target than be injured. 👍

[RunForestR Graduate]

It's a bitter pill but take the rest day, better a single day delay rather than a week or so if you pull something unmentionable. Also if you run Saturday (w8r2), you can run Monday(w8r3), Wednesday(w9r1) and Friday(w9r2) and then finish with a Flourish on Sunday(w9r3) - just in time to have a celebratory Sunday Lunch/Dinner! as long as you have one day rest no reason you can't do 5 runs across 9 days.

[louisegill55 Graduate in reply to RunForestR]

I have no time on a Monday unfortunately. I'll definitely take my rest day though 😊

[mrrun Graduate]

Hey Louise, this really is simple - you simply cannot slip the rest day, no option. Rest day is part of your training, your recovery day.

This is coming from a 'no rest day, l feel good, l can do it' guy. No rest in my case meant plenty of rest in the end. When my knee went 'pop' l rested not for a day but for over three months.

Rest is best!

[louisegill55 Graduate in reply to mrrun]

Thank you. I will rest. I promise. May even have a cheeky glass of wine too 😉

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to louisegill55]

Brilliant...!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to mrrun]

Great reply...the IC is a lonely place

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Take your rest days 👍🏼

[AdamB Graduate]

If you are feeling good, I would be tempted to run again tonight as well. Just don't make a habit of it. Once probably won't hurt once you are at this stage, but doing it repeatedly might.

Have you thought of skipping your run tonight and going to parkrun instead tomorrow morning? You could do your week 8 run at parkrun and then just continue to walk the rest of the 5K once your time is up. I know it kind of blows your schedule for week 9, but it does set you up for going to parkrun in future (parkrun is a great way to keep you motivated). If you've reached week 8, you can handle a parkrun.

[Polly2810 Graduate]

Rest!! Wine sounds good or some cocktails 🍹

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Nope.. you cannot squeeze a run in...especially with these longer runs...! And yes, it is most important to take a rest day!

I have read in your reply that you are going to take the rest day, so I won't go any further... just know that you are saving yourself a load of problems.. and that you are going to to reach the podium injury free... yeay.. I can polish the badge and get the champagne ordered

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

When you run you create micro tears in your muscles which repair and strengthen on your rest days, not while running. No rest, no repair, no strengthening and so increased injury risk.

It is often said you should run regularly for a year before considering consecutive days running. You are still a very, very new runner. It is not worth the risk in my opinion.