Obstacle Mud Runner - issue 08

During our weekly training plan, we should try to pencil in some rest periods but why do we give ourselves a hard time when we have these “days off”? If, like me your rest days are still active then where’s the harm? I’m not suggesting you tie yourself to the sofa for 24 hours twice a week but it’s really important to understand that your body needs this down time to heal and repair. Let’s talk DOMS just briefly. Those microscopic tears in your muscles where very little can be done to speed up the healing process other than give it time . Necking your protein shake post workout may assist slightly as will upping your protein intake in general but it still has limited magical healing powers. REST however, is the Harry Potter of the fitness world. Increase that to a much larger scale and you’ll realise that your entire body, mind and soul needs to heal and rest in order to get back to doing whatever it is you love most and if you aim to be just that little bit better than before, you’ll need to learn the art of this training/rest cycle. If you are constantly pushing your body to its limit, eventually, it will grind to a halt. How many times have you read or heard of someone who’s had time out, only to return to what they love and hit a PB? It’s true… All the greatest athletes taper before a big race, as should you. Our bodies can only cope with so much before it screams enough is enough. The fact is, rest periods are just as important as your training days and the two should go hand in hand. Without either, your body wouldn’t progress or perform to its optimum ability. Some need it more than others, but a reset is vital nonetheless. Training twice a day, 7 days a week for a long period of time might sound heroic BUT is it sustainable? If anything, it is more detrimental to your fitness journey and will make your body prone to illness and possibly injury. So next time you feel guilty about having a “rest”……….. DON’T. Just embrace the fact that even REST days ARE training days. By not doing your thing, your body can do its thing. Remember – rest IS training. DO BOTH. Rest IS training We all know rest days are important so why do we feel guilty if we’re not pounding the trails daily or smashing our goals in the gym? 01732 452404 15 ForEliteAtheletes to FunRunners RACE : TRAINING