Rest weeks during hm training? - Fun Beyond 10K & ...

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Rest weeks during hm training?

16 Replies

I am having a bad non run week in the early stages of my hm training plan. Monday I had family jobs/issues to sort so my run didn't happen. I worked Tuesday and Wednesday 12.5 hour days. Last night i was oncall as well being called in for an emergency from 2315 until 0330. I was too awake to sleep when I got home but finally drifted off until 0645 for getting the kids up and to school. I am shattered today so my planned 7 miles is not going to happen. Tomorrow is back to work for another 12.5 hour shift followed by family visiting for daughters birthday over the weekend. I am so frustrated with no run this week. I know sometimes life gets in the way. I have also heard of people taking a rest week every ?6 weeks. Do people take rest weeks during hm training? Is it wise or not a good idea. I guess I feel guilty at not running and wondered if it won't actually do me too much harm? Or am I deluding myself?

16 Replies
roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon

It's fine, don't beat yourself up about it. Try again next week and see how you get on - catch up with some sleep at the weekend as much as possible. Training plans tend to have a lighter week every three weeks; you will notice that on the MyAsics plan. The odd week off never hurt anyone. Can't remember if you mentioned it, but are you doing any strength training as part of your plan? You could maybe fit in a quick video workout, or a few sets of planks etc, whatever you like to do, this week, you only need a few minutes here and there. That would make you feel better about the missed runs, and perhaps help you relax and sleep...

in reply to roseabi

I hadn't noticed easier weeks on the my asics plan but I have printed it off now so will look! I will have a glutes/core strengthening session later and include some dreaded planks. I try to do squats a few times a week and ankle exercises too. I am beating myself up, it is obvious isn't it!?! But I feel like I have fallen off the wagon yet last week I had three good runs. I know the benefits I feel from running and it is such a good running day today which adds to my frustration. Instead I have had a nap on the sofa before the school run. Thank you roseabi for your advice 😊

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon in reply to

By easy weeks I think it basically means the long run is shorter, so that only really applies to the 'going further' portion I suppose :)

Glad to hear you got a nap in!

Don't worry :)

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathon

The naps, when you can snatch them, are a good idea. If you can’t run you can’t. Maybe you could a jog round the block instead of the planned run, on the basis that any run is better than none. Keep the legs ticking over 🙂

in reply to misswobble

I felt really light headed today, slightly drunk in terms of speed of responses etc so didn't want to push it. I think I will try to get a mini run in this Saturday if I can. I am due an 8.5 mile (13.6km) on monday to get back on track which feels like a long distance at the moment despite my recent 16km a few weeks back! I need to get my legs used to distance.

ancientrunner profile image
ancientrunnerHalf Marathon

Take the rest, just a nice gentle run to stretch your legs. Running too far when you're knackered won't get you anywhere. Hope things ease up a bit.

aliboo70 profile image
aliboo70Half Marathon

That's sounds like a busy schedule with those long shifts and the call out too,you must be so tired with kids to sort out too! Be kind to yourself, I dont tho I a rest week will do any harm and you don't want to ruin yourself x

Decker profile image
DeckerUltramarathon

It sounds like you have more than your share of life getting in the way this week! Hope you are able to get some rest in and give yourself a little time to get back into it. All the experienced runners here are thinking that a rest is ok for you so it must be ok 👌 🙂 Good luck with your short Sat run and your longer Monday run too.

in reply to Decker

As a newbie I worry about losing fitness if I don't get out! Legs need time and longer runs to get fitter and this is what I need rather than time out but it is what it is! Onwards and upwards, hopefully.

Decker profile image
DeckerUltramarathon in reply to

It is what it is as you say. Rest days stress me too. I’m only on my second rest day after pushing too hard earlier and its already making me nuts so I can sympathize 😊 But you don’t want to burn yourself out either. Maybe get in some lighter exercise where you can , like the other folks have suggested? It might help with the day to day stress too?

in reply to Decker

How is your hm asics plan going?

Decker profile image
DeckerUltramarathon in reply to

So far so good. The only hitch so far was an indoor track run I did but I pushed too hard and the track itself wasn’t so great with high banks and little give so my shins were quite sore the next day. I have a 14 K to do tomorrow though I am thinking about switching it up to 16.1 just to get the 10 mile mark over with🙂 it still sort of falls close to the 10% rule I think, as last week’s long run was 14.5 K. Of course it’s easier to say it before you actually do it 😊 We will see. No pressure

in reply to Decker

Sounds like you are progressing really well decker. Are you going to book a hm soon?

Decker profile image
DeckerUltramarathon in reply to

So far. Part of me needs to do the whole distance in training before I sign up. But I may just sign up anyway as it is so far away. The plan finishes in Jan and there is one race in March and another in May. The latter is the one I was leaning to as it starts 3 min from my home:). When is your race set for?

in reply to Decker

Mine is 22nd April and is a local marathon, hm and 10k event. Some of the hm route is covered on my normal runs but not the town sections which includes up and over a long bridge. I have agreed the charity place but have to complete the paperwork.

Decker profile image
DeckerUltramarathon in reply to

Ah well you’ll be familiar with some of the route which is great. My march race option is in Hamilton, where I did my 10k race, and the May race is here in Toronto, right down the main road through the city.

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