do you train every day?

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2012-01-30 4:18 PM

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Subject: do you train every day?

I just finished up a full marathon and am now transitioning into triathlon training.  Right now I'm focusing on building a base in biking and swimming while maintaining my run base.  Ideally, I'd like to get in 3x workouts in each sport per week.  Right now I can keep the following schedule without too much difficulty:

Monday:  morning swim, evening bike (trainer)
Tuesday:  morning run
Wednesday:  morning swim, evening bike (trainer)
Thursday:  morning run
Friday:  morning swim
Saturday:  long bike (trainer right now, outside when weather picks up)
Sunday:  long run

Should I be concerned that I'm training every day?  Mental fatigue isn't a problem since I'm jumping from sport to sport.  If I ran every single day I would mentally have difficulty.  Physically, few of these sessions is intense.  I'm focusing on base so I'm taking it fairly easy.

2012-01-30 4:25 PM
in reply to: #4019345

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Subject: RE: do you train every day?
I'm sure there will be lots of different answers to your question.  I was training 7 days a week (4-5 of those were double workout days), and I began to feel fatigued.  I decided to add in 1 rest day a week, even though it makes the other days of the week tougher.  It's working really well for me, and I will continue to do this for good. 
2012-01-30 4:27 PM
in reply to: #4019345

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Champion
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Subject: RE: do you train every day?

"Rest" can (and should) be part of training, whatever form that takes for you. If it means a day off, then it's training, even if you're "not doing anything".

Remember -- we don't get stronger from working hard, we get stronger by recovering from working hard.

2012-01-30 4:37 PM
in reply to: #4019345

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Pro
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Subject: RE: do you train every day?
I've struggled a bit with this over the last year.  I seem to do best with frequency over duration and intensity.  Being a little older and hating to stretch I tend to tighten up and run worse after days off.  Even if I just do an easy 30 minute run I seem to do better long term.  I also view a light swim day as active recovery so even though that adds to my streak of days in a row training I feel it is like a day off.
2012-01-30 4:40 PM
in reply to: #4019345

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Elite
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Subject: RE: do you train every day?
I try to take one rest day a week (Tues/Thurs is my choice).  I find if I don't I cannot train as hard as I would like.  It does mean that I have to double up a couple of workouts by taking a day off, but I think the pro's far outweigh the cons.
2012-01-30 4:42 PM
in reply to: #4019345

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Master
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Subject: RE: do you train every day?
As already pointed out, recovery is a key component of training. But that can mean different things in different situations, and at different levels of fitness. I run every day, and most days I also do one other sport as part of the same workout. For a long time I was only doing steady running, getting comfortable with the volume and frequency, so that I could recover quickly from daily runs. With that base, I have recently started to introduce some more intense runs. I now find that I can recover from the pounding of those faster runs better, thanks to the frequent steady runs. I would find it mentally difficult to do an intense workout every day, but a mix of easier and harder days is mentally much more enjoyable. I prefer it over days when I don't train at all, as I simply enjoy the release of getting outside and forgetting about work etc.

2012-01-30 5:05 PM
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Elite
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Subject: RE: do you train every day?
My Myotherapist recommended a 'recovery' day rather than a rest day (knowing how I hate resting!) .  A recovery can be one of the sports you do anyway - cycling, swimming, running just take it easy and enjoy it.  He told me to go splash around in the pool, do some breaststroke, no lap counting no timing - jump in the spa/sauna after.  Yoga is a nice way to recover too - just remember to use it as recovery not a workout!  Hard to do (I know!)
2012-01-30 5:11 PM
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Regular
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Subject: RE: do you train every day?

You know your body better than anyone else. No one can tell you exactly what you need to do. Last summer I trained every day for around 4 months during peak tri season. I'm doing 5-6 days a week now. I've found that I recover very well with light workouts but an occasional off day definitely helps.

2012-01-30 5:23 PM
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Elite
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Subject: RE: do you train every day?

No, not really. On the rare occasion I get a full day off work (I actually work four jobs) I sometimes don't train at all.

That said, some degree of "training" is built into my life. In other words, I don't own a car, so if I want to go somewhere I am on the bike. Also, then I do have a day off and I want to do something fun it is usually a trail run or a hike- so that is kind of training too...

When training is built into your life you do it like inhaling and exhaling. You don't think about it anymore.

2012-01-30 5:51 PM
in reply to: #4019345

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Master
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Westlake Village , Ca.
Subject: RE: do you train every day?
michael_runs - 2012-01-30 2:18 PM

Should I be concerned that I'm training every day? 

In and of itself, no.

As it applies to you: It Depends.

You'll know real fast if it's too much. Don't ignore the signs.

2012-01-30 6:46 PM
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Payson, AZ
Subject: RE: do you train every day?
I train every day that life allows me to.  Sometimes it forces me to take a day off.  I have tried taking the day off and I find that I prefer the extra day of no double workouts.  One of your days is a swim only.  If that swim is an easy swim and not your speed swim then it could be considered an active recovery.  But only your body will tell you the proper answer to your question.  Listen to it. 

2012-01-30 6:52 PM
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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: do you train every day?
What can your body take? I do something every day unless life gets in the way. If your legs need a break, take advantage to get an extra swim or a strength/core workout in. A total day off is good, too, but personally, I always try to do something, even if it's minor.
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