Time for a rest?

[The Moose]

Is it time you took a break from running?

Many of us runners train all year, jumping from one event to the next, never taking time off to relax.  We train hard to meet our goals, and we never want to lose our fitness level, but are we doing ourselves any favours?

I usually train from late December to early November (the next year), and I'm completely wiped by the end.  So this year I switched sports after Fat Ass, and I'd only run once until Sunday January 14.  Yup, took 2 whole months off.  Didn't run a step.  You know what?
I feel great.  I now remember why I run.  I ran my first 10k in zone 1 (75% of max for me), then kicked it up to just below race pace for the 6.5k run home.  Wow!  The feel of the wind in your face, the rush of pavement beneath your feet, all those things I had started to become used to were new again.  Not to mention those nagging aches had disappeared.  I was a new runner again, and loving it.  This is what running is about.

So, my next run is a fast 8k, not hurt yourself fast, but fast.  You know what happened on that run, don't you?
You guessed it, I flew.  No, I didn't set any world records, I didn't even set a personal best, but I was faster than this time last year.  So, 2 months of no running (yes, I am still staying fit) and now I've got fresh enthusiasm, a higher starting point, and the desire to keep going.

Is it time for you to take a rest?

Mike

[ShoppinShannon]

I agree with you Mike.  I truly believe at some point, us runners need to take some "time off" to fall in love with running again.  Last year after my surgury, I wasn't allowed to run for 6 weeks.  Drove me nuts.  Mind you, I did loose some muscle and gained a few pounds, but I managed after that 6 weeks off.  When the doc gave me the green light.  I felt like I was a new runner again.  I remembered why I loved it so so much before and appreciated it so much more.  Ya, sure, a few runs were a little hard, but before long I was in full swing of running and shortly after I completed the "Run for the Toad", feeling pretty darn good.
So, is a break good every now and then.
I believe it!

[Jane]

Does it depend on how often you run, and at what intensity?  Because I have been averaging about three times a week and also if I do more than three runs then some of those runs are pretty slow.  I've been running for 8-1/2 years and I don't think I have had a longer break than a couple of weeks, usually after a LONG event.  I've never felt like I needed a longer break and I have never really felt like I was bored with running or that my body needed to recover from running either.  Maybe I'm not training as hard as you are though Mike.  Sometimes my training can be pretty relaxed.   

[patti]

I have done that before.  I took off a couple of months after a race, and in my case a couple of months turned into several months and a  few pounds.  I'm not a speedy runner, and I pick my races based on the great people I have the honour to run with.  I find it easier to set my goals based on races, and train accordingly.  To me that is how I maintain my physical fitness. Last year I picked 4 races. Miss 1/2, PEC 1/2, Fat Ass 17.5, and then did Goofy at the beginning of January. I have never felt so good about my fitness as I have in the last year.
Good to hear from you Moose, wondered where you were....
patti

[Janet]

Hmmm,
 Can't say that I have ever really felt the need to take an extended "vacation" from running. Now I will say that I am glad to be done my "Goofy" training, and can now get up and run long on Sunday because I want to, not because I have to.  I am definately a social runner, not a speedy runner, and during the summertime I try to cross train with triathlons.  That must keep me varied enough that I haven't ever gotten bored with it. 
 You made a lot of good points Mike (and Shannon too!), so that let's others know that just because you need to take a break because of an injury or just mentally, the runner is still there deep inside .  Glad to hear that you're enjoying running again Mike!

Janet

[The Moose]

Might be an intensity thing...  I know I seldom come home from a run without some kind of ache, or something swollen that needs to be iced.  I can't tell you if it's a frequency thing or not as I seldom run more than 5 days a week, usually 4.  Don't forget, I only train so that I can race faster.  If I could get better by only racing, I would.

Mike

[Jane]

   Moose, we train to try and get faster too, but it's only so we can get to the Tim's after our LSD before they stop serving the breakfast sandwiches!  And if we took a break from running, then we wouldn't be able to justify having those high fat/high calorie things!

[The Moose]

Sorry, I didn't mean you guys (gals) don't try and get faster, I meant that the actual race is the only reason I run in between.

Mike

[Jane]

Don't apologize - you didn't hurt my feelings!  I see what you mean now by what you said though -- that you really only want to race but in order to do that you have to train.  Where for us, the training is as much fun (sometimes  ) as the event we are training for.

[Cathy]

And there is a plus to the training.  We got to eat probably more than we would on a race.   

[ShoppinShannon]

Oh ya!!!  It's all about the food!  Love the pre-carb before race day!!!

[Cathy]

I love that chip guy Shannon and the chips, but don't tell anyone that.  K

[sweetsue]

You have to have a goal to get you through the run.  Breakfast sandwich!!!!