Yup, I needed a day off.
After seven consecutive days of training, my body was done. Not totally, but enough. I really wanted to go off for a run, or a snow bike ride, but I just couldn't get myself motivated. I felt guilty, but then I reminded myself of the need for rest. Rest is just as, if not more important than the work. I'm embarrassed to admit that I'd let myself forget this simple fact. I almost fell into the beginner trap of over-training. So hit the couch like I did, get some rest and catch up on your latest guilty television pleasure.
Rest is essential to an effective training program. The body needs time off to recover and make gains from the work that has been put in.
See the following article from Runner's World: The Rest is Easy or this one from Bruce Holmes: Training and Tapering
You are not cheating yourself, you are preparing yourself. Chances are you'll feel better and see larger gains when you begin to actively include / schedule rest days into your training plan.
No comments:
Post a Comment