After four training days on the trot and a 24km long run yesterday, today is rest day.
I have a real love-hate relationship with rest days. Yes, a part of me was glad not to head out into the freezing fog, especially after I let the chill get into my fingers yesterday. Yes, lingering over my morning coffee instead of dashing out the door was especially delectable. Yes, I can feel my dodgy knee and my tender toes thanking me.
However… I also find myself bubbling over with energy, desperately wanting to run! My Strava friends are all at “track Tuesday” and I feel like I’m missing out! What if some unforeseen impediment stops me from running tomorrow, then I’ll wish I’d run today!
As you can see, I’m not very good at relaxing on rest day (on any day, some might say…) If you’re anything like this, then repeat after me:
- rest is good
- it’s normal to be super hungry
- it’s okay to eat loads EVEN THOUGH you’re not running
- OF COURSE you’re going to end the day with a lower step count
- you do not have to ride your bike or go for a swim
- tomorrow’s run will be better because of today’s break
- your RACE will be better because of today’s break
- running too much just leads to injury
- running does not control me
Okay, that last one might be wishful thinking 😆 but on a serious note, we all know that proper rest is an essential part of training; that it’s on the rest days that your body adapts and reacts to the training load to get faster and stronger.
So I will try to listen to my own advice and relish the rest!
[Edit: I did not entirely succeed – the pic is me out on a 6km walk – but I will get there!]
