13/09/2026
☺️ Rest days are part of your training too - and an important one! 🏃♀️
It can be very easy, particularly with running, to think that if we're not doing something then we're not making progress. Personally, if I have an event booked I typically start to worry about volume/time on feet, how much elevation I've done and if it's 'enough'.
We equate...
Another run = Good.
A longer run = Even better.
Another hard session = Surely that's dedication that's going to pay off! 😂
But actually, recovery is where a lot of the work happens.
Your body needs time to adapt to the training you've given it, as your muscles recover and heal from each workout they are getting stronger - and if they don't have time to do that before you go again, we can increase the risk of injury 😬
So sometimes the best thing you can do is give yourself a quieter day. That doesn't mean sitting on the sofa all day - a walk, some mobility work (Pilates!) or an easy bit of movement can be exactly what you need, depending on how you're feeling.
What works for me sometimes is...
🤔 Thinking differently. When I actually DO the event, I'll have tapered, I won't have another workout soon after so I'll have more energy available to tackle it! (And also the adrenaline buzz from the excitement of the event itself)
🥪 I'd also sometimes swap a longer run for a 'sandwich' - run to Pilates or Bootcamp, then run home, which might be a 90-120 minute 'session' rather than long midweek run. Or I'd split my run in two, half in the morning and half later on!
🙏 And I've got better at ALWAYS listening to my body and learning from experience. Am I sluggish (and will feel much better 10 mins into my run), or am I tired (and am likely to feel worse). Much better to bounce back stronger for the next workout than push on regardless.
Sometimes doing less is actually doing more! Worth remembering when you're tempted to feel guilty for having a quieter day (note to self 😉).
*Pics from a few of my definitely-not-training summer runs*
