What do people do on their rest days in terms of exercise? I'm beginning to feel like I don't just want to relax and can't wait for the next run so something to fill the gap would be good.
Rest days: What do people do on their rest days... - Couch to 5K
Rest days
sofiaOGraduate
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sofiaO
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OldflossAdministratorGraduate
Check out the post for Newbies..lots of advice there..but..in a nutshell..any none impact exercise..walk..swim..cycle.. climb.. yoga..Pilates..a day's housework or gardening..strength exercises..stamina work....the list goes on...and of course do have a day's rest sometimes too!😉
sofiaOGraduate
It's a stupid question really as I know all the options... I just want to find something else I can really get addicted to like running! I miss it on my days off!
With you there! In the better weather I plan to alternate running with cycling but can’t do that until windy weather eases - my balance isn’t good enough to resist a sudden sideways gust. I get out for a walk & do a few stretches, but haven’t found a real answer yet. ☹️ Will watch this thread in hope.... 😊
Try spin classes - almost as addictive as running for me!
I need to build my fitness/confidence more first but they do sound fun!
welsby1967Graduate
I know exactly what you mean I do lots of brisk walking and get my step count up across the day to achieve 8 miles so it’s little and often throughout the day
IrishprincessGraduate
Anything low impact, just keep moving. If you think that other exercise can complement and help your running then it's all still running related! What about weights? Or you could do worse than just focus on core strength and glutes exercises. These will really help your running.
I definately should do some strength exercises. When I do squats it kills my legs so bad for days I can't run!
Check your form on YouTube and build up gently. Alternatively, you can do clams and bridges for your glutes. For your core, to keep it straightforward, planks and side planks reap brilliant results.
Thanks, I'll keep at it. Just don't enjoy it much! Haha
Enjoy it?!?!! Hahaha you've taken a wrong turn then 😂 We're all addicted masochists and are always looking for new ways to torture our bodies. It's all part of the fun and joy of this running thing...... whoop whoop 💪💪
I have started to have weekly swimming lessons which I hope will lead on to aqua classes. I also walk everywhere( I don’t drive). I have s dog which helps but you could map out a walk that would take an hour. Having said don’t forget it is important to rest etc.
I've only just started to have rest days and I'm in Week 5. It's very difficult to restrain myself even though I know I should. Anyway, I go for walks and am planning to go back to my previous practice of learning the moves to Kate Bush's 'Wuthering Heights' dance on those days.
It’s very important to do rest days in your first year of running crstaltips42. Believe me, being on the injury couch is far worse than making yourself have a rest day. Enjoy your journey but stay safe.
BodgGraduate
I'm only on week six but have used the stretch and flexibility podcasts with Laura on alternate days and one day off.
I do Yoga with Adriene on YouTube - she has a new calendar every month which you can download - and access for free. I love her classes - they’re very non ‘woo-woo’ - and for me they complement the ‘impact on your joints’ nature of the run days with stretching (and sometimes core strengthening!) days in between...
I tried my first one of these today n really enjoyed it so thanks for the tip. I haven’t been able to get to my local class for a few months but I think this will be a great substitute. I liked that she takes everything quite slow so it’s not too intense but I definitely felt stretched and relaxed by the end. Cheers! 🧘🏻♀️
Ah! So glad you enjoyed it!! I also discovered on YouTube last week that Adriene has a couple of seven-minute ‘pre’ and ‘post’ run yoga videos... most excellent stretching, which I found sooo helpful for my achy joints - might also be worth a look! X
Ooh! Will definitely look those up. Thanks! X
Some of the moves can be a bit ‘super-stretchy’ - but I just modify those to something that feels good to me, and that I feel comfortable doing!! X
Just found them, will give them a try today. I don’t mind super-stretchy but will probably modify them too as I’ve not been doing any regular practice for a while. I found a couple of other useful ones too, will have a better look when I’ve got more time. Thanks again! X
mrrunGraduate
In terms of rest, l rest. Push-ups, squats and planks don’t qualify as hard work and l love doing them between the runs so you could also try them. If you still feel eager to fill up your time you can always attempt to master a musical instrument or at least learn another language. Your time would fly and, voila, there’s another run! 
Elfe5Graduate
I cycle, walk, garden & go to a weekly Pilates class. 😃
strollguyGraduate
Well done! I finished on Sunday and have now done two further 30 minute runs, getting to 4.5 km in the 30 mins of running. Next week I plan to do at least one 5k so I guess that will be another 4 minutes or so. My strategy is to continue slow but steady improvement like to original C25K - hope it works! Good luck with your next runs. 😊
I plan to cycle...I love doing that but was a bit unsure in case it conflicted with the muscle work that running involves but I believe it is OK......now the weather is a little more moderate will get to it...at the moment we walk a leggy hound so any ‘rest’ days are taken up with that...☺️☺️☺️
DiverIzzieGraduate
Spin classes and brisk walking along the river/canal for me. I always have one “lazy” day where, if I don’t feel like doing anything I don’t have to - it’s a guilt-assuage thing... will start on building muscle in March as I’ve lost weight and now have what hubby describes as Nora Batty legs - without needing the stockings - cheeky blighter!!!
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Morning all
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What a beautiful rest day! 🌞
