For as long as I have been doing endurance sports (and that’s a pretty long time now!) I have held Monday as my rest day. And while I know lots of you folks out there dread or avoid taking rest days, I do not. In fact, I love my rest days as much as my training days.
Why? So many reasons. Starting with the obvious, my body needs that day of rest. I don’t care what anyone thinks, we need rest to reap the benefits of the work we have put in. No one is exempt from this–just accept it. So I love giving my tired muscles a break.
Rest is just as important as training
The second reason I love my rest day is sleep. This is the one day out of every week that I allow myself to sleep as late as I can, within the confines of having kids that need to get off to school. That usually means sleeping until about 6:30. I try to get to bed by 9 p.m. on Sunday nights so that I am getting nine or so hours of sleep. It feels great to wake up feeling refreshed on Monday mornings. I love it.
Third–there’s the mental aspect of a rest day. Just taking a break from thinking about training and focusing the entire day on work and family is refreshing for me. It recharges my batteries so that I am ready to go again come Tuesday.
I don’t follow this rest day schedule 100 percent of the time, but I’d say about 95 percent of the time, it’s how I roll. I’ll occasionally throw in an easy swim or spin on my Monday if I feel up to it or maybe missed a session the week before. I’ll usually alter the day off after a race, as well. Otherwise, you’ll find me sleeping late and “slacking off” on a Monday. It might just be my favorite day of the week.
Do you take a regular rest day each week? Why or why not?
It looks like you have a really comfy couch for lounging some on your rest day! I enjoy the balance that rest days provide me.
Raquelita recently posted..Halloween Half Marathon Training Week 5 and Changing Plans
My rest day is on Saturday. I have a restday because I have read time and again how important it is to give your body a break, and reap the benefits of all my training. Resting is just as important as working out.
Mom’ s Home Run recently posted..Mom Power
Such a good reminder. I am trying to train my brain to see my rest day (which is also Mondays) as my true strength day, since that’s when so much muscle repair and building happens. It makes resting that much easier and sweeter
Glad you enjoy yours!
GreenGirlRunning recently posted..PRing with DEAN KARNAZES!!!
I’m a big fan of rest days too. And I like them so much that I take at least two every week.
Char recently posted..Toby’s First Swim
Rest days are great, but I still run on them… Monday was one such day, I had run the marathon on Sunday and so Monday was a rest day, being a public holiday I slept late and only headed out for an easy 10km in the afternoon… If I hadn’t run the marathon I would have spent 2-3 hours running on the mountain! So 45min without much climb was easy and a rest day!!!
Coach Dion recently posted..Cape Town Marathon 2012
the older I get the more rest my body demands too…
complete rest for this misfit
Miz recently posted..How atoning is kinda like fitness.
i LOVE rest days! kudos to you for listening to your body!
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean recently posted..Dietetic Internship: Weeks 4 & 5
Friday is my rest day. I’m toast by then so it gives me a chance to regroup for a long run over the weekend.
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..The Best Exercises for Triceps
I try for one day a week, recently changed it to Wednesday. Don’t always do it and even then I still walk 3-5 miles and work around the house.
Harold recently posted..Double Workout and Good Runs 9/24/12
I do just because the science is irrefutable, though I still sometimes feel like I should be doing something.
Kovas – Midwest Multisport Life recently posted..Monday Motivation: What’s Next?
I am a Monday rester as well. have been since the beginning of time…or when I started distance running anyway. : )
Teamarcia recently posted..RnR Denver Race Report
Mondays are not rest days, but Fridays always are. I work Fridays and not Mondays though so that works better for me.
Christy recently posted..An Important Question Answered and One Asked
I take two a week and enjoy them both. Well needed in my opinion.
Jeff recently posted..One month countdown
I love my rest days!!! Actually, I find that I run long better if I’ve had at least one solid rest day before it so I often have my Fridays as a long rest day
TGIF always!
Christina recently posted..Elevating, stretching, and avoiding half marathon injuries
I love my rest days as well. I usually do them on Saturday or Sunday.
Nicole recently posted..Freezer Meals To Make Life Easier!
I usually always take Sunday as a rest day. Sometimes, if I’m exhausted during the week, I’ll switch it with another day, though.
I love my one rest day, it’s when I have to take multiples that it kills me. For example, today and Thursday are rest days for taper and I might go a little crazy on those days!
Kari @ Running Ricig recently posted..dancing negates rest days
I’m a Monday rest-er as well. I truly think you need it to give your body/mind something back. If not…something has to give…
Laura recently posted..Race Report – Oakville Half Marathon
My rest day is Saturday! And by “rest”, I usually mean 2 swim practices and 4 soccer games. Taking a break from training helps me get it all done and be at the kids events. Sunday … my day … long run.
Mara @Big Happy Family recently posted..Animal Kingdom
I love my rest days, which sound much like yours…a day focused only on my family, ie: no social media, blog stuff or training. After school, my kids come home and we go to the park, swim or watch a movie together. It’s their rest day too.. they have activities all week long, they need it as much as we do. Have a fabulous week! xoxo
LisaM@RunWiki recently posted..In an instant my Dream becomes a Reality
I love my rest day too. I think that it is weird when people don’t take them because they really are so important to our training. They are just as important as the actual workout! It drives me crazy to read blogs about people “feeling guilty” for taking a rest day. Seriously?!
Tasha @ Healthy Diva recently posted..22:35
I definitely look forward to my rest day. Not just physically but mentally. I think you need that break and rest is as important as all that work we do.
Heather (Where’s the Beach) recently posted..Running Expectations
mmmm rest days
I’ve taken like a rest summer lol It got pretty hot around here so I took a break from most things. My full marathon training starts Oct. 15 so I’m sure I’ll be looking forward to those precious rest days too. It’s healthy and delicious to recharge your body. Way to go for listening to your body and doing what is right for it.
Lynda @ Hit The Road Jane recently posted..See What Unfolds
love the rest day! it has taken me some years to learn to love it, but it’s nice not having to coordinate run/shower/food/real life stuff for one day of the week. one less day to wash and style my hair!
on a serious note, it’s what has kept me from the brink of disaster this year!
Britt @ Chicago Runner Girl recently posted..My favorite, yet most difficult, client
I am totally on the same page. In fact, I usually have Monday as my rest day as well. However, sometimes life gets in the way, and some weeks if I do my long run on Saturday instead of Sunday, I rest more on Sunday and then get back out there on Monday. Last week I made a boo boo and tried to do four long runs instead of 6 shorter ones and I had to cram them in on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and I NEEDED my rest on Monday!
Travel Spot recently posted..Change of Pace
Yes! I’m definitely a fan of the rest day as well!
abbi recently posted..Weekend Multitasking
Lovely! And your couch looks like the perfect spot.
My total rest day is usually Friday and it’s great not to stress how I’m going to squeeze in a workout. I wish I could stay home and do nothing all day but I’m usually just as wiped out on Fridays from all the running around (work, house) that needs to happen before 2:50 kid pick up time. I’m always shocked how fast the day goes, but I get a lot done.
Fueled by Spite recently posted..Change of Scene
I AM ON REST DAY NUMBER 2!! LOVE!
Krysten Siba Bishop (@darwinianfail) recently posted..Boobie Tuesday – Hey Cancer
Mondays are my rest days too! I don’t mind them either, I love giving my body a chance to recoup!
Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie recently posted..DIY Save the Dates
Ha, I am jumping through hoops that it is the off season now
Scott recently posted..Weekly Ramblings
I do this the same as you and make Mondays my rest day. I always take the rest and work on a 6 day a week training plan. Unless there is some special event I always rest Mondays.
Johann recently posted..Big Plans and Busy Schedules
I love my rest day! For the last year or so, I’ve taken it on Friday. I agree that the mental break from thinking about training is just as refreshing as the physical. And it feels so indulgent to wake up without an alarm clock, even it’s only an extra half hour or so.
Laura recently posted..Fitbloggin Recap part two + Drink Chia sampling
Rest days are so important! I take one (definitely) or two a week! Let’s me recharge and get going again
Kierston recently posted..It’s My FUreakin’ Birthday!
I love rest days too. I think my husband does to because he gets a non-smelly wife for a day.
shelly recently posted..Running in Circles
YES YES YES!! Rest days are good for the body – and mind!! I have found that a rest day before a long run (usually Saturday) works best for me…with an easy recovery run on Sunday…I love Friday mornings b/c I’m usually exhausted from the week so an extra few hours of sleep is A-Mazing!
Michele @ Nycrunningmama recently posted..Meet the Newest Addition to Our Family: Ryan Thomas
I love my rest day – it makes me work harder the rest of the week!
Jenny @ simply be me recently posted..10 things I know about the number on the scale
I take 2 rest days a week and I love them! I am super anxious the next day to work out, but I love my lazy time on the couch. 6:30 AM is sleeping in?! I wake up later on work days! WOW! You impress me.
Kate @ Run with Kate recently posted..A Trip to the Sequoias
hooray for rest days!! I’m getting better at enjoying them, honoring them and not beating myself up for taking them. They are so beneficial mentally and physically.
Jen recently posted..I’m featured in Health Magazine! Exciting!
I WANT that couch!!!!!
Jill recently posted..Now it’s the other foot’s turn
hehe that’s a comfy looking couch! Truth be told, when runners talk about their enforced “rest days” during the week, I feel like a huge slacker because I take rest days as I please as often as I please. I only run 3-5 days a week, so the days I’m not running feel less like “rest days” and more like “slacker days”
Efo recently posted..Race Recap: 2012 Equinox Half Marathon
I take TWO rest days a week and love them! They also allow me to catch up on other things I like: baking, hiking, etc…
Karen recently posted..Wrecked Travel Day
I have no “set” rest day usually. I just listen to my body =)
Heidi @BananaBuzzbomb recently posted..Buzz: My Crazy Idea – Venturing Into Trail Running
I think you might be the only person that has Monday down as their fav day! But I do love rest days too! My rest day is usually Wednesday but my sleep in day is Sunday. Oh I love sundays!
Taylor @ Lifting Revolution recently posted..October Fit Challenge & Lululemon Giveaway
I love love rest days..to bad I have away to many of them
Lately I’ve been struggling to keep rest day(s) from turning into rest week(s). Ugh. Maybe I need to focus on active recovery so that I can build some kind of motivation momentum.
TriMOEngr (Christina) recently posted..Finding my Happy Place?
Mondaybis my rest day too. My highest volume training days are Saturdays and Sunday mornings. This way, I have Sunday afternoon and all day Monday to recover. And you’re right – its. It just the physical rest. It’s nice to have the free time to catch up on errands, have dinner with friends or simply just “be”!
That Pink Girl recently posted..It’s the Autumn Equinox, Y’all! My 5K Attempt
Rest day party! Love em…. and they are always well deserved.
I do have one critique: YOU NEED A SNUGGIE!
Pavement Runner recently posted..Thanks for the Motivation
I love rest days. Mine is generally Friday.
I completely agree! I take my rest days on Monday as well, I like the transition from weekend to work week with starting it easy
Christine recently posted..Marathon Training: Week 17
I love my rest days! If my legs are feeling good then I’ll make it an active rest day and fit in a walk to the grocery store or a short bike ride for ice cream but normally, I just enjoy having a lazy day.
elle | nutritionella recently posted..wanted: your most delicious veggie burger recipes
I so agree with you. Sunday is my rest day. I sleep in, go to church with my family, go to work, MAYBE take a walk at work if I feel like it but often there’s too much work but I don’t sweat it. I like how you plan your early bedtime ahead of your rest day to make it even more restful–I’m going to try to do that too!
Terzah recently posted..Still Resting…..
Oh my gosh, I love that picture! Rest days are super important for me, as much for the mental break and the physical break. Both need a little downtime every week!
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..September – Embracing new challenges and being active
I LOVE my rest day!!!! I usually have it on Sunday so I can sleep in until 7 and then spend the day with church/family activities.
Tina @ Best Body Fitness recently posted..What Does the 80/20 Rule Really Look Like?
I love my rest days!!! So much so, that I took an extra one this week
And I’m totally OK with it and know when I need one or more.
Lisa recently posted..A Training PR!
I love rest days! One reason to love them is I get to skip washing my hair
If it falls on a weekend, I also love being able to cook a big breakfast or go out to breakfast…which is one of my fav things!
Beth @ RUNNING around my kitchen recently posted..Blogger meet-up & Nashville half marathon
Monday is my rest day too! My favorite day of the week
This summer, while training for my marathons, I got a little more sleep and took an extra day off per week. It was amazing! My entire attitude was different. My body didn’t hurt and I didn’t burn out. Rest days are SO important.
Joanne recently posted..FOFF Pasta with Ricotta
I don’t take the same day every week. I kind of adjust my schedule to accommodate how my body feels.
However, this I know; I HAVE to train on Mondays! If I don’t start off the week strong my whole week of training will SUCK! Kudos to you for taking Mondays, that’s the day I feel I really should take off, but the price to pay is too steep.
Jonathan Aluzas recently posted..Fitness Realities: The Myth of Motivation