Rest days

[RunningNewbie78]

Hello everyone. I’m new here so apologies for another post so soon. I did my second run on week 1 today. I’m keen to do the third tomorrow but realise the importance of rest and how my body needs time to adapt. I just wonder what other forms of exercise people do instead of jogging? I want to get our every day so I’m thinking I’ll just go for a walk tomorrow instead. Is that safe to do or will that hinder my progress?

[Millertime83 Graduate]

I do the exercise bike every day for 30 mins and I go for two walks a day, one was 3.5 miles and the other 4. I am moving onto week 5 run 1 tomorrow and it hasn’t hindered me at all, in fact I think it helps

[RunningNewbie78 in reply to Millertime83]

Thank you, so you don’t do any jogging or running on rest days? Sorry I’m still learning!

[Millertime83 Graduate in reply to RunningNewbie78]

No, do non impact stuff like exercise bike or walking, this will help strengthen the muscles. My legs feel great so must be doing me some good! Been walking miles every day for about a year so that has also helped me ease into running 😊

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Please read the guide to the plan, it answers most new runner's questions.

[RunningNewbie78 in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Yes I’ve read it but was just curious on what people do on rest days. Sorry just learning still

[almostarunner Graduate]

I'm NO expert either but I've recently graduated and am currently on my consolidation runs. I have found that my daily yoga practice has really supported my running - both in terms of strength (vinyasa or strengthening hatha practices on rest days) but also very importantly flexibility (yin or restorative on run days). I found running really impacted on my flexibility at first (even with post-run stretching etc.) so even 30-40 mins a day of yoga really helped. Also, walking. Lots and lots of walking with ALL the vitamin D ... (I suppose even on grey days - something must be getting through the clouds or it would be deepest night always?!? lol) ... happy running!

[Rowers Graduate]

I usually go for a walk but occasionally I don't do anything at all!

[Fionamags Graduate]

You've got some good suggestions there so I won't add to them. But I just wanted to pick up on your apology for posting 'again' so soon! This is what the forum is here for - don't hold back! I shamelessly posted after nearly every run. It just reinforced the sense of achievement and the support was wonderful. It also keeps you motivated when you start getting to know others at the same stage.

Good luck and keep running and posting!

[Running_Giraffe Graduate]

I do alot of walking mostly because I have a dog so I don't have much choice. I like to do strength training between runs however it can take a while to build up a good tolerance and routine due to DOMS and when I done couch to 5k the first time last year it meant I waited longer between runs sometimes.

If you have a look on YouTube there's some exercises runners recommend for strengthening their legs.

[RunningNewbie78]

Thank you everyone for taking your time to reply x

[2bon Graduate]

Hi Running Newbie. My husband and I are still newbies as well as we’ve just finished week 2. I had similar thoughts about what to do on the rest days. As others have noted, walking is always good - it’s really just normal for my husband & I to walk daily - even before we considered the C25K program. As Almost Runner said, yoga is wonderful- flexibility yoga right after a run and strength yoga in the rest days. Just check you tube for those. If you’ve done yoga before, you’ll find something easily. If you’re a beginner at yoga, include that in your search: ie: “beginner yoga for flexibility”. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!

[RunningNewbie78 in reply to 2bon]

Thank you 2bon!!! I walked lots today on my rest day and feel so much better for it rather then not doin my anything!