rest days
39
Member
1496 days
pace_john posted 3 years ago.
Karie34,
I am pretty new to the sport also. Here is what I have found. If I work out every single day for a week or longer, my workouts get pretty crummy. I have no bounce when I run, I get bored on the bike, etc. I have been using Hal Higdon's Novice Marathon training schedule for about 10 weeks now in preparation for a marathon on Feb 26 and 1/2 IM on April 3. It has 2 rest days each week, one on Monday and one on Friday. According to the plan, I run on Tues-Thur and do long runs on Sunday afternoon. I ride my bike on Tues, Thurs, and Saturday (usually on the trainer right now due to cold weather). I swim on Monday and Wednesday at lunch for an hour. This gives me almost a full day off on Monday and helps me recover from the Sunday long run and gives me a full day off on Friday. I have found that having the days off really, really helps. By Tuesday and Saturday, after taking Monday and Friday off, I am chomping at the bit to get out and run or ride. I typically have my fastest times on those days. My personal opinion is that unless you are used to working out hard everyday, you should have at least 1 full day off, and preferably 1 1/2-2 days off per week. At first it will seem like you are being lazy, but from everything I have read, it does wonders for your body to take the time off. I can tell you that it makes me feel better. You really have to see what your body is capable of. Hope that helps.
John
“A man who says it can’t be done is generally interrupted by someone doing it.”
37
Member
1432 days
karie34 posted 3 years ago.
thanks for the advice. I like your idea of training. I know that i need at least one rest day and i usually take sundays but for the past few weeks i've been doing a long ride on that day and i haven't had any rest days and i think its catching up with me. Do you weight train also? If so when do you fit that in? I found a tri coach in my area and i meet with her on thursday so hopefully she will guide me in the right direction. The problem with me is that feel so good, and i love working out so i can overkill it big time and not give my body a rest. Thanks for the advice again.
39
Member
1496 days
pace_john posted 3 years ago.
I do a little bit of weight training, just upper body right now. I do 2 days on, 1 day off, same routine every time. I have only been weight training for about 1 month now, so I am trying to develop at least a little bit of a base. I use a couple of dumb bells to work arms, shoulders, and pecs. I also do a lot of crunches. The whole routine only takes about 30 minutes to go through 2 times. I usually do it during the evening just before bed while watching "Everybody Loves Raymond" or talking to my wife. I have not done any lower body weight training mainly because I am afraid I will get sore from the weight training and not be able run and will throw off my training schedule.
Your tri coach will be able to give you much better info than I can. Best of luck on working in all of the training. It really is somewhat overwhelming to think about training for 3 different sports, plus weight training and transitions, and still being able to balance family, work, mowing the grass, etc.
John
“A man who says it can’t be done is generally interrupted by someone doing it.”
I am new to triathlon training and don't want to overtrain and was wondering how many rest days i should incorporate in my routine. Its hard to balance riding, running, swimming, and strength training and have a full day to rest.