Rest Is A Workout
Why is it so hard to take a day off? This subject is deep, very complicated and the training ideas from the experts vary. I'm not going to pretend to have all the answers here. But knowing the human body the way I do (I own one personally), I've learned the hard way to rest.
Rest is a workout. Why is it so hard to take a day off? It's a complicated topic, and the training ideas from the experts vary. I'm not going to pretend to have all the answers, but knowing the human body the way I do (and owning one personally), I've learned the hard way to rest.
We've all felt the need to take a day off, or take a slower, less intensive day. Your body is telling you to rest, and there are many signs. Some are easy to manage, and others can become a greater problem. But this article is not about overtraining, it's about the day itself. A rest day. I tell my athletes that rest is a workout. This day requires as much effort as other training days. It's not a day to step back from all your work. Rest with purpose. Have a plan.
If you have extra time because it's a rest day, use it wisely- why not check out the race you're training for, and get to know the course and its terrain? Take inventory of your bike or other equipment. What needs a tune-up, repair or replacing? Plan new menu items for your diet, work out your training and racing nutrition plan, or simply get more rest and relaxation. Sleep in, get a massage, or take a sauna. On my rest days, I like to look at past results and compare to my training times. This helps me and my coach plan to reach more realistic goals.
The point here is to make the day relevant. All of these items are just as important as the training itself. It's about being prepared for training and racing. Don't feel guilty about taking a rest day- your body has to heal after being broken down, and this allows that process to happen. If you really want to see results, then add this workout to your training: Rest day! - Coach Gary
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