Easy day or day off?

Forums

Forum guidelines BT super discount

Updated posts

My threads
No new posts

My favorite threads

General Discussion

Triathlon Talk » Easy day or day off?

Rss Feed

Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller

KatieLimb

2012-04-23 9:46 AM

Member

560

Utah

Subject: Easy day or day off?

After my half marathon on Saturday, I am so freakin sore, I can barely get up and out of chairs. The race had a pretty good downhill that beat the hell out of my quads, and I am paying for it big time. Normally today would be a run with speed work, but the thought alone is painful at this point. Should I take it as a rest day, or just do an easy run to get the blood flowing?

Nipper

2012-04-23 9:51 AM

in reply to: #4166865

Master

2010

Falls Church, VA

Subject: RE: Easy day or day off?

I find an easy run is better for soreness and stiffness than a day off.

A nice swim is also good for soreness.

My Race Log

ecozenmama

2012-04-23 9:53 AM

in reply to: #4166865

Expert

1566

Prattville Insane Asylum San Antonio

Subject: RE: Easy day or day off?

Ditto on the swim. It would be a nice way to work your legs out and not be pounding them. I would say if you want to run, an easy one would be better.

obohlman

2012-04-23 9:53 AM

in reply to: #4166865

Veteran

247

Irvine

Subject: RE: Easy day or day off?

I always do something, even if just a mile or two walk. Ideally, I will do a light, easy jog for 20 minutes. If you have access to a pool, a little swim is great. As another alternative, go for a little bike ride. If I do nothing, I find my recovery takes longer. Once you get moving, you'll start feeling better pretty quickly.

My Race Log

Ershk

2012-04-23 10:11 AM

in reply to: #4166865

Expert

1121

Chicago

Subject: RE: Easy day or day off?

Agree with what was said above . . . I would definitely NOT do the speedwork.

My Race Log

dtoce

2012-04-23 10:12 AM

in reply to: #4166865

Veteran

945

South Windsor, CT

Subject: RE: Easy day or day off?

recovery comes in lots of different forms-active or passive; impact or non/partial impact

passive would be doing nothing and just letting your muscles rest while active includes doing some type of activity but at a pace below training pace

after extreme racing efforts or even very hard training days recovery/rest is needed so you can build again and progress

depending on the exercise/event, active-low impact seems to allow for the quickest recovery, but everyone is different and you need to find what works best for you and your body--and don't forget the benefits of massage...

swimming/biking is better than running, IMO as you do not need race specific training for recovery, just using your muscles and helping to clear toxins, help with edema/injury etc

swimming may be best, if able and have access to a pool

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Good luck in figuring out what works best for you! And congratulations on you 1/2 marathon!

Edited by dtoce 2012-04-23 10:13 AM

My Training Log My Race Log

natethomas2000

2012-04-23 10:15 AM

in reply to: #4166865

Master

1770

Bedford, MA

Subject: RE: Easy day or day off?

Even a nice long walk can be good. I did a marathon a week ago, and did hour long walks for the next two days. It was a bit painful to move, but I've found it's a good way to get the blood flowing and on my way to recovery. A week later, and my legs seem back to 100%.

My Race Log

tuwood

2012-04-23 10:22 AM

in reply to: #4166865