Is it a bad idea to skip the rest day?

[Justdoit4u]

I’ve been itching to not take a day off for a few days now. I’m only up to w6 but I am feeling like I don’t need a rest day but I also don’t want to set back my progress. What if I can’t do my next run because I rushed into it?

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Please read the guide to the plan.Rest days are part of the training plan.

When you run, the impact creates microtears in your muscles, which repair and strengthen on your rest days, not while running. Without rest, repair and strengthening are compromised and injury risk increased.

If you want to be the best runner that you can be, then do non impact cross training on your rest days, which will be far more beneficial than running every day. It is not recommended for new runners to run on consecutive days until they have a minimum of six months regular running on their legs.

[Hidden]

Nooooooooo all sorts of alarms are ringing here, you DEFINITELY NEED A REST DAY! You'll risk injury that'll jeopardize your running.

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

Yes.

[Justdoit4u Graduate]

I go for a 1.5 hr walk everyday and have done so even before starting the plan - is this not advised also then because I’m not “resting” my legs and thus not allowing for muscles to repair?

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate in reply to Justdoit4u]

Walking is fine, walking and running use muscles in different ways.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Justdoit4u]

The most vivid description I have heard is to imagine an ice lolly stick with a jelly set on it. If you hit the stick on a hard surface, it shocks the jelly and will in time cause it to become detached.The stick is your leg bone. The jelly is your muscle.

Walking is not considered impact exercise and is a great way to build fitness on rest days.

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Yes it’s a bad idea. No consecutive days for at least 6 months.