General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Rest Days? Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2010-01-01 12:59 PM

User image

Veteran
195
100252525
San Francisco
Subject: Rest Days?
Happy New Year!  I have a question about rest days.  I'm coming in from a running background where rest days were mandatory for the legs.  Now that I'm getting into triathlon, I'm wondering how mandatory a complete 100% rest day is each week.  Right now, I'm just thinking after a hard running day I used to take a recovery day, but now can I swim the next day instead.  Thus, working out nearly everyday.

Getting into multisport is great!  I'm enjoying resting some muscles while working others, while still training.  This wasn't possible with running only.  So my question is, do any of you have a mandatory complete rest day each week?  If so, is it planned or or do you take it as you feel or work/family schedule demands? 


2010-01-01 1:18 PM
in reply to: #2587855

User image

Expert
721
500100100
Chenequa WI
Subject: RE: Rest Days?
I don't think you need to completely rest on your rest days.  In fact, I thought I read somewhere that some activity promoted recovery. 

I personally build in a rest day a week because of my family and work schedules. Otherwise, I wouldn't.
2010-01-01 1:29 PM
in reply to: #2587855

User image

Champion
7233
5000200010010025
Subject: RE: Rest Days?
personally i have found for me that my training/racing goes best with a rest day every 10-18 days or so. your mileage may vary.
2010-01-01 1:44 PM
in reply to: #2587907

User image

Champion
6503
50001000500
NOVA - Ironic for an Endurance Athlete
Subject: RE: Rest Days?
I plan on taking a full day off each week in preparation for my HIM.  For sanity's sake as much as for my body.
2010-01-01 2:10 PM
in reply to: #2587855

User image

Expert
961
5001001001001002525
Illinois _ Chicago area
Subject: RE: Rest Days?
I take one rest day per week.  I have found that my body needs it. 
2010-01-01 3:09 PM
in reply to: #2587855

User image

Elite
3315
20001000100100100
Miami
Subject: RE: Rest Days?
depends on background but i have found after 10 days i need a full rest day.  what works best though is 1 day per week. 

its one day i can completely relax without going to BT and checking out the planned workout.


2010-01-01 3:59 PM
in reply to: #2587924

User image

Master
1675
1000500100252525
Suwanee, Ga.
Subject: RE: Rest Days?
pga_mike - 2010-01-01 2:44 PM I plan on taking a full day off each week in preparation for my HIM.  For sanity's sake as much as for my body.


x2....exactly as I have found.

Steve
2010-01-01 4:38 PM
in reply to: #2587855

User image

Champion
19812
50005000500020002000500100100100
MA
Subject: RE: Rest Days?
It depends..

I took a rest day every week for 5 years then this last year didn't take one on a scheduled system and actually worked better. I probably took a rest day every few weeks but mostly due to life/travel or the like or after a race.  I do better with consistency rather than building volume then dropping it down on rest weeks in a 3/1 or 2/1 manner.

Listen to your body and adapt based on what you hear your body telling you.

For me a swim after hard workout day is nice and makes my body feel better. Often after hard bike or run, I feel better after the next time I do same sport.
2010-01-01 8:40 PM
in reply to: #2587855

User image

Fishers, IN
Subject: RE: Rest Days?
I came into this from a running background as well.  The good and the bad of the tri training is that there is always a sport you can train.  Unlike running, the other two sports are virtually limitless with respect to the amount of time you can put in without beating yourself up too much.  How much you train kind of boils down to your goals and how much time you can commit.  I personally take rest days when I need em.  I don't schedule them, but there are times when I can tell I have overstressed my aerobic system - workout quality deteriorates so I will take a day or even two off.  I also take them when my "real life" schedule conflicts with my workout schedule.  Example, I travel fairly often and try to ramp up my volume so that when I am out of town it coincides with my needing the rest. 

On the other hand, you just have to find what works best for you.  I do know many who do take a day a week off.

Welcome to BT nad the crazy world of triathlon.
2010-01-01 10:11 PM
in reply to: #2587855

User image

Master
1222
1000100100
Lafayette, IN
Subject: RE: Rest Days?
My 26 week IM plan has 5 scheduled rest days which I like.  I don't want rest days in my training plan, because like RC said, life, work, travel gets in the way at times and I am "forced" to take a rest day.  If I had a rest day in my plan, say, once per week, I would end up losing other days on top of that one and have too many rest days.

I do like the cutback weeks though.  It helps with my mental attitude.

Plus, you could do some core work, foam rolling, yoga, etc on a rest day and still be working on yourself.
2010-01-02 7:45 AM
in reply to: #2587924

User image

Champion
6503
50001000500
NOVA - Ironic for an Endurance Athlete
Subject: RE: Rest Days?
pga_mike - 2010-01-01 1:44 PM I plan on taking a full day off each week in preparation for my HIM.  For sanity's sake as much as for my body.


I should clarify...for training days, I only include S, B, R & Strength.  If I do yoga or play Wii Fit with my kids, I don't count that. 

(Note: The only exception is when I shoveled snow for 5+ hours.  I gave myself 2 hours of strength for that!)


2010-01-02 7:52 AM
in reply to: #2588891

User image

Master
1222
1000100100
Lafayette, IN
Subject: RE: Rest Days?
pga_mike - 2010-01-02 7:45 AM
pga_mike - 2010-01-01 1:44 PM I plan on taking a full day off each week in preparation for my HIM.  For sanity's sake as much as for my body.


I should clarify...for training days, I only include S, B, R & Strength.  If I do yoga or play Wii Fit with my kids, I don't count that. 

(Note: The only exception is when I shoveled snow for 5+ hours.  I gave myself 2 hours of strength for that!)


5 hours in Virginia!  I lived in Va when the 35+ incher went up the eastern seaboard.  Won't forget that one!  I would count it too! 
2010-01-02 8:32 AM
in reply to: #2587855

Veteran
549
50025
Subject: RE: Rest Days?
I usually take a scheduled day off each week, usually after a day in which I did three disciplines. It helps me physically and mentally.
2010-01-02 8:42 AM
in reply to: #2588952

User image

Member
52
2525
Bettendorf, Iowa
Subject: RE: Rest Days?
kdlsch111 - 2010-01-02 8:32 AM I usually take a scheduled day off each week, usually after a day in which I did three disciplines. It helps me physically and mentally.


X2
2010-01-02 8:47 AM
in reply to: #2587855

User image

Master
2073
20002525
The Redlands, FL
Subject: RE: Rest Days?

I always say: "Everybody is different"....

I take religiously 1 day off per Week...work for me....and...I really need it...

2010-01-02 11:50 AM
in reply to: #2587855

User image

Master
1927
100050010010010010025
Guilford, CT
Subject: RE: Rest Days?
I take a day off when I feel like I need to. Usually every couple weeks or so. I find I don't need one every week. I will throw some lower intensity stuff in here and there and follow my instincts. Now that you mention it, it's been a little over 2 weeks so I'll probably take one some time this week maybe.

Edited by acumenjay 2010-01-02 11:51 AM


2010-01-02 8:30 PM
in reply to: #2587855

Veteran
546
50025
Subject: RE: Rest Days?
Much the same as other..only been at this for a couple of months and seem to be happy to just take a day every 10-12 days. For example..planned to go for a ride this morning..got up at 4:30am..my eyes wouldn't open and it was raining so rest day just happened. A friend wanted to go for a swim and I declined..decided 100% rest day today!
2010-01-02 8:36 PM
in reply to: #2587855

User image

Expert
1046
100025
Fountain Hills, AZ
Subject: RE: Rest Days?
January through March, sort of ... I take rest days when work or work travel wipes out my training plan. Otherwise I am trying to plan something nearly every day, especialy now that I am working in 1-2X strength training per week.

During race season, April - September, I usually rest on Monday ... but I usually walk nine after after work on Monday once Daylight Savings Time kicks in.

errrr 9 holes, not miles. Some of you tri-savages probably walk 9 miles on your rest days.

OP, your blog is pretty dadgum upbeat. Props.

Edited by jsselle 2010-01-02 8:41 PM
2010-01-08 1:12 PM
in reply to: #2587855

User image

Regular
93
252525
The Netherlands
Subject: RE: Rest Days?
Do you have that to that you feel guilty when you're not training? At present we have terrible weather in Europe, running means running the risk to break your legs slipping on ice. So rest days come more often than I wish they would. Yet, I decided not to worry too much about it, it's training it's not a diet! So, I train when I can, and when I don't I build stamina for when I will be able to. So, I'd say listen to your body, keep to your training program, and rest when you feel like it, and enjoy it as much as you can. H.
2010-01-08 1:21 PM
in reply to: #2587855

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.
2010-01-08 1:21 PM
in reply to: #2587855

Iron Donkey
38643
50005000500050005000500050002000100050010025
, Wisconsin
Subject: RE: Rest Days?

Rest is crucial.  That is how one recovers and repairs their body.  1 or 2 days per week is good, depending on plan and other factors.



2010-01-08 1:24 PM
in reply to: #2587855

Subject: RE: Rest Days?
Most of the plans I've seen have one day a week of nothing. They also say that can be shifted around if necessary.
What I end up doing is shifting swimming around a bit so it's only M, W, F and I end up with a swim-only day rather than a full day off. That works well for me as a "rest day"
2010-01-09 4:34 PM
in reply to: #2587855

Expert
697
500100252525
Northern CA
Subject: RE: Rest Days?
I think you need rest days for lots of reasons including not getting burned out.

Personally, I take two because I'm old and creaky and I need that many. Laughing I also subscribe to a training philosophy of 3 days on, 1 day off where you workout HARD for three days and take the 4th day off entirely. Well, modified for the fact that weeks have 7 days ... so I take Monday and Friday off, do 4-5 workouts on Tues-Thurs. and 3-4 on Sat.-Sun.
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Rest Days? Rss Feed