Rest day - do you really rest?

nycbone · Post by **nycbone** » December 17th, 2009, 6:54 pm

I've been trying out the Pete Plan as it fits my schedule and I like the variety of workouts. Pete recommends (as do others ) a rest day every week.

The trouble is I feel like I want to do something exercise-related during that day, but I don't want whatever I do to impact my 'training.'

What do you do during your rest day?

Citroen · Post by **Citroen** » December 17th, 2009, 8:44 pm

nycbone wrote:What do you do during your rest day?

Er, I REST! As in, doing nothing, sitting on my arse. No biking, no rowing, nowt, nothing, nada, zip.

Cyclist2 · Post by **Cyclist2** » December 18th, 2009, 12:06 am

I did my first hard half marathon yesterday (87:06.2) and it really took it out of me. Today was definitely a rest day! However, the Holiday Challenge requires I row or I'll be doing another half to catch back up

, so I did two 5K pieces at around a 2:20 pace , one this morning, one this evening. I doubt my heart rate even hit 120. "Active" rest, if you will. If I didn't have to keep my mileage up, I'd be sitting on my arse, like Citroen!

APM · Post by **APM** » December 18th, 2009, 4:44 am

I always like to have a day off every week, even if physically I feel I can row/run/cycle well, I think it is important mentally to take some time off the erg.

Byron Drachman · Post by **Byron Drachman** » December 18th, 2009, 10:14 am

If I feel tired I do a light workout, what some people might call junk meters, and have found that I feel better after the light workout, and also I will feel better the next day. In other words, at least for me, a light workout is more restful than complete rest.

eliotsmith · Post by **eliotsmith** » December 18th, 2009, 6:41 pm

nycbone wrote:The trouble is I feel like I want to do something exercise-related during that day, but I don't want whatever I do to impact my 'training.'

I wouldn't worry as long as you are not pushing yourself too hard and as long as you are not rowing. Almost anything else you do, exercise related, will be using somewhat different sets of muscles so you probably will not overwork yourself. If you start to see a decline in your rowing times over time ( a thing the Pete Plan reveals quite nicely), you are not getting enough rest or you are training too hard in your workouts. Listen to your body.

A long bike ride, light run, or long walk all seem to me to be appropriate for alleviating boredom or anxiety.

On the other hand, sitting on the "arse", as Citroen put it, is quite nice once you really get the hang of it. Beer helps.

chgoss · Post by **chgoss** » December 18th, 2009, 7:33 pm

my problem lately has been to many rest days!

nycbone · Post by **nycbone** » December 18th, 2009, 8:51 pm

Thanks for the input. I'll see how it feels week to week and take a fast walk or something on my rest day.

We're having a major snow storm in the NE this weekend, so my X-country skis are out and ready to go. Yes, I may be skiing on my erg rest day. Oh well... Someone's gotta do it.

bloomp · Post by **bloomp** » December 19th, 2009, 12:26 pm

chgoss wrote:my problem lately has been to many rest days!

it appears the same problem has stricken me...

rshort · Post by **rshort** » January 28th, 2010, 10:50 pm

For me it is the most difficult day, it's hard to do.
But, improves comes following some type recovery.
Cross training helps the mind and body. Easy cycling
is an excellent recovery activity.

laur · Post by **laur** » January 29th, 2010, 7:35 pm

Active recovery all the way! I find it to be very relaxing. I always erg or bike on my off day.

On the erg, I do 2k split+35 for 60 minutes at SR 16-18. I do not let my HR go above 140, usually I like it keep it around 130-135.

Nosmo · Post by **Nosmo** » January 29th, 2010, 7:44 pm

Micheal Phelps said he trained every day for five years. But swimming is much less stressful then rowing, and you have to be very careful about not over training if you do something like that.

JohnBove · Post by **JohnBove** » January 29th, 2010, 11:12 pm

rshort wrote:For me it is the most difficult day, it's hard to do.
But, improves comes following some type recovery.
Cross training helps the mind and body. Easy cycling
is an excellent recovery activity.

I years ago asked myself this and my response, which I've done ever since, was to do nothing but abdominals on the rest day. Lots and lots of sit-ups, crunches, etc. It doesn't stress the muscles that need rest, it doesn't take an inordinate amount of time and, when you're done, it's enough that you feel like you've accomplished something.

walterchaos · Post by **walterchaos** » January 29th, 2010, 11:54 pm

No matter how hard I train I always have one rest day each week.

I consider the rest day an insurance against overtraining. I hope that I am able to recover daily from my training but just in case there is a build up of training stress from which I haven't recovered...

On this day I rest. Completely. Barely get out of bed. I do not even think about training.

Every ying needs a yang.

rshort · Post by **rshort** » January 30th, 2010, 8:03 am

John Bove has an excellent point,
Cycling does not strengthen the
abdominal muscles or back.
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Rest day - do you really rest?

Rest day - do you really rest?

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