Break? Anyone?

[mrrun]

Many folks complain about pain, niggles and discomfort in hips, knees and ankles. And that’s the ones with gait analysis and proper shoes, imagine the ones without.

Have you ever considered taking a break? A week off with just non impact exercises? Put it this way, you won’t lose any stamina but most of your engine parts will benefit and you may come back stronger.

Most, especially in the beginning, tend to go full steam ahead and think that breaks would ‘endanger’ the progress, only to pick up injuries as a result.

Have a think.

Since December I’ve covered lots of mileage because marathon training puts you through a lot and often, 4-5 times every week. Last Sunday l stopped mid practice at 13K rather than 18K, feeling a strain in hamstring and top of ankle. After a week off I’m fully recharged and ready to go again.

Listen to your body and sometimes reward it with a break even when times are good. You’ll get even better.

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Great suggestion MrR.

I am a more mature runner, because of that every five or six weeks I take a planned five day rest from running. It works for me, and no guilt because it is a scheduled break.

[mrrun Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

Runners equivalent of ‘dry January’

[F4TMAN]

Good advice, thanks!

Once I've completed c25k my goal is to run a weekly 5k, probably parkrun. Would this require additional running during the week to stay in shape or would once a week suffice?

[mrrun Graduate in reply to F4TMAN]

I’d go three times per week for 30 minutes regardless of mileage covered. Your cardio would appreciate it. Once per week, especially short distances, doesn’t really do much.

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

Good post mrrun. I’m serious about my running, so planning a week’s break in August. Instead? Lots of walking (in Edinburgh) and swimming, and yoga. Lovely. Then a glorious return to running on fresh legs. 😁

[mrrun Graduate in reply to Sadie-runs]

Absolutely! Unless you go military and swim butterfly upstream in a local river. That does wonders to one’s torso and thighs!

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to mrrun]

Erm no, I don’t see that happening. At all. 😂

[Equi-geek Graduate in reply to Sadie-runs]

🤣

[Equi-geek Graduate]

Oh goody! I just graduated and planned to take this week off before consolidating - just to make sure any aches and pains can heal. Think I may feel fresher 😁👍

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Equi-geek]

👏👏👏 Very good idea. Your legs will thank you for it. 😁 I always have lovely runs after a wee time off.

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Equi-geek]

PS congratulations on your graduation, Equi-geek! 🏅🍾💪

[Equi-geek Graduate in reply to Sadie-runs]

Cheers Sadie! 🤗

[ccarter100]

This is just the post I needed to read today! Thanks so much. I am finishing up week seven.

In the beginning, I took two or three days between my runs to let my 56-year-old legs and back recover. It worked out very well and I had very good success with the program.

This week, I ran on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. They were all good runs, and they included a section of trail with a good incline. This is a new addition to my program. I was very proud of myself, but my knees hate it! They have been giving me back chat ever since.

I was planning to run today, but woke up with achy bits all over. It was also quite warm (82° at 8 o’clock in the morning). In my youth, I would’ve stuck to my appointed schedule and said “shake it off.” Instead, the wisdom of experience and years said, “no running today.” Don’t make a small problem into an injury.

I was still feeling a little bit guilty until I read your post. Of course this is the right thing to do. Of course I need to give my body time it needs to recover. And of course, my next run will still be there when I’m ready.

Thanks to you, mrrun, and all the others on this thread for your good advice and support. #SnailsRUs x

[Dexy5 Graduate]

Thanks for that mrrun. I have noticed that 2 days off is sometimes better than one.

[Ripcurlrana71]

Thought provoking post. I felt after my first 10km’s that my body needed 2 days before being ran again. I sometimes panick if I don’t run within 2 days! Like I’ll forget to run...😬

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Most of my PBs have come after a break of a week or so..............a rest is definitely good for you.