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I have a problem with feeling guilty for resting on rest days. I ran the past four days in a row and I know that if I don't run tomorow that I will be bugged with guilt for it. Knowing myself I will most likely run because I will feel itchy to do it. I know with my logical thinking mind that I need rest and it how my body gets stronger but breeding of guilt always creep in. Any advice?
I have a problem with feeling guilty for resting on rest days. I ran the past four days in a row and I know that if I don't run tomorow that I will be bugged with guilt for it. Knowing myself I will most likely run because I will feel itchy to do it. I know with my logical thinking mind that I need rest and it how my body gets stronger but breeding of guilt always creep in. Any advice?
You should feel good knowing your body is getting it's needed rest. Especially when it comes to running. Running is TERRIBLE on your body. Good cardiovascular wise, but terrible on the rest of you. Plenty of ways to get in good cardio and keep the ticker healthy without demolishing your joints!
Yes but would I them feel guilty about skipping my mental push-ups! Lol
Seriously though I get itchy feeling, restless when I don't run. Maybe I'm addicted to the endorphins. I really do need to think of a way to stop feeling I am doing something wrong by skipping a day or two a week.
One overuse injury will cure you of said guilt very quickly. I've had several in my life - shoulders, knees, tendonitis, back...you name it. I've learned that in order to gain you have to take days off every 3 to 4 days.
But if you are just running - no weightlifting.....I think you could sort of cure yourself with a 20-30 minute walk outdoors. That's typically what I do on my days off to make me feel better and get the blood moving a bit. And do it outdoors if you can, there is something to be said about sunshine and fresh air.
One overuse injury will cure you of said guilt very quickly. I've had several in my life - shoulders, knees, tendonitis, back...you name it. I've learned that in order to gain you have to take days off every 3 to 4 days.
But if you are just running - no weightlifting.....I think you could sort of cure yourself with a 20-30 minute walk outdoors. That's typically what I do on my days off to make me feel better and get the blood moving a bit. And do it outdoors if you can, there is something to be said about sunshine and fresh air.
Excellent advice ^^^. Yup, those injuries cure one VERY quickly! I have had several. I agree that walking might be good for the OP, IF it does NOT lead to running!
I have difficulty taking rest days also. Most times I'll go for 10 - 12 days straight before taking a rest day. When my body needs a break I'll do yoga, barre, cardio dance, and/or Pilates. Just to clarify, I do mix up my workouts each day.
Just saw this article today, which implies that steady-state cardio may have significant benefits to the brain, so keep on enjoying those runs.
The older I get, the more important rest days become. I've found that when I push myself and don't rest I tend to get injured. Then I really go crazy knowing that I can't do anything for the next month. One thing that stuck with me from my old bike racing days is the importance of rest and taking a break. I was friends with more than a few pro cyclists and almost all of them took one full day of rest off a week. Then had one other day of the week where they just soft pedaled around for an hour. At the end of the season, they took time to pursue other activities like hiking, running, skiing and hitting the gym.
Yes, the rest day guilt, or just stir crazy. I find myself going for 8-9 days, and once I'm in a stretch I just keep going. My mind is telling me, well I'll go a couple more days, and then take 2 days off in a row. Never happens.
I usually force myself to have a rest day, tuesday is my rest day. Once I get into the habit of it, it's natural.
One reason I think I have a problem with rest days is I'm addicted to the feeling, the endorphins. But also, I think somewhere in the deep recesses of my subconscious I feel that once I stop I may never start again.
Never will happen.
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Most times I'll go for 10 - 12 days straight before taking a rest day. When my body needs a break I'll do yoga, barre, cardio dance, and/or Pilates. Just to clarify, I do mix up my workouts each day.
