Why does my rest day feel like I'm being lazy

[Jimbob74]

Why does my rest day feel like I'm being lazy, I want to get on with my next run lol, only completed wk 1 4 runs but m body feeling better already

[happierswimming Graduate]

Glad to know you are taking your rest days! You will soon find them very important! You could always do something which helps your running, like taking a walk to find a new route, swim or cycle. It's great to be enthusiastic and lovely to hear you feel better already. Running is certainly a mood-lifter!

[Jimbob74 Graduate]

Problem is its pouring down yet again. Anyway there is nowhere flat where I live. Every possible route starts downhill and then it's a hard run back home !!

[Jimbob74 Graduate]

Problem is its pouring down yet again. Anyway there is nowhere flat where I live. Every possible route starts downhill and then it's a hard run back home !!

[Minx1969]

I feel like that too. I did my last run of week 5 today and always feel lazy on rest days too

[Oldgirl Graduate]

On days when I'm not running I swim, do aqua gym and walk so not being lazy as such just using different muscles. It is important not to run on our rest day though to give your leg muscles chance to recover. Good luck with the programme.

[sfb350 Graduate]

I do yoga once a week (would do more it there were classes on suitable days), resistance training at the gym and I'm hoping to introduce some 8mile each way cycle rides to and from work once or maybe twice a week - wish the rain would stop though. There are plenty of activities you can do on rest days.

[Alaiyo Graduate]

If you are feeling antsy on the rest days, by all means go do some other low/non-impact activity. That is terrific, and chances are good that you will naturally start to do other active-lifestyle type things as you get through the program and start to really enjoy the feeling you get from exercise. So have fun! Just keep it low impact.

On the other hand, if you "feel lazy" because it seems like you should be more active in your pursuit of running or health, here is something to make that easier: your muscles only get stronger when you REST them after exertion. The time you spend running stresses them, but doesn't directly make them stronger, it is when your body goes in to heal them while you rest that makes them stronger, they overcompensate a bit each time to prepare your body for similar challenges in the future. So if you want to do something really good every day for your running, try sleeping 8 hours a night, and eating healthy foods. Then you don't have to feel guilty at all about those rest days.