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Rest Days = Feel like cr*p?

KkauferKkaufer
in General Training Discussions

 So today is a rest day .

I don't know about you all, but I always feel a bit strange on rest days.  Getting 1-2 hours more sleep is definitely nice, but at some point late morning my body just begins to feel weird - like something's missing, yet also incredibly tired and 'blah'.  Sorry, I can't find a better word for it... Today hit me particularly hard.  I think part of it is switching to the EN method of training, i.e. short and intense vs long and lsow, but I'm a bit surprised at how 'blah' I'm feeling today.  

Any tips for how to make the most of your off-day?  

Comments

  • new2703new2703
    Enjoy the time off. Spend time with friends significant others , read a book, etc. Rest and sleep allow us to recover and get stronger. You have a long OS ahead enjoy the rest days.
  • MattAaronsonMattAaronson
    During the OS plan I never feel bad on rest days. I am confident that I'm "on the plan" and doing what I'm supposed to do.

    On "unscheduled" rest days -- i.e. on those days when I need to miss a workout due to travel or whatever -- I have irrational thoughts that I am losting fitness, gaining weight, etc.

    This is all psychological for me...not physiological at all.
  • John WithrowJohn Withrow
    Get an extra hour of sleep. Okay to use a foam roller and/or stretch. Eat healthy. Be confident in knowing that you get faster and stronger while your body is rebuilding itself and recovering, not during the actual workout.
  • RHolmesRHolmes
    Kate - I'm like you. I feel sluggish, unmotivated etc often on my rest days...like I'm missing the workout to get me in gear for the day. I just push through it...but it happens to me too!
  • CarlCarl
    • I would say for sure be sure you are getting at least 8 hours of sleep. Impossible for me but that is the recommendation.
    • Be sure you are staying hydrated
    • Be sure you are getting enough calories
    • Be sure you are following the plan and not adding a few extra's here and there cause it will jump on your back eventually and knock you into a hole you will trying to dig yourself out of the rest of the OS.
    • If you miss a wko don't make it up.
    • If you need an extra day off then take it.
    • Be sure you are not over doing your wko's.  meaning hit your numbers and don't go over.  You tested and earned your numbers and to ride or run over those you are again setting yourself up for a possible injury ecspecialky if your feeling blah on your scheduled off days!!
  • tim cronktim cronk
    That is your body rebuilding and recovering. I believe most people experience this at some level , I know I do. Lots of people also report it during the beginning/middle of the taper and then again feeling great again towards the end. I try to stick to the rest to maximize the recovery but occasionally will give the dog an extra walk , maybe spin on bike trainer at 50%, or an easy swim , are all good active recovery options!
  • steveperxsteveperx
    What is a rest day? image

    Seriously, though. Even on rest days I like to do something, whether it be an easy swim or easy spin (i don't run on rest days). It's ALWAYS zone 1 only.
  • Bruce ThompsonBruce Thompson

    On rest days, I rest very hard  during my 1 x hot tub 15' interval.  Then do a full stretching routine.  I really enjoy it while I see my non-EN tri friends digging a hole for themselves.  Take the rest even if you feel funny.  You'll be stronger in the long run. 

  • KkauferKkaufer
    Oh, don't get me wrong, I intend to take full advantage of rest days. I just think it's weird that I feel so weird when I'm supposed to be relaxing! Maybe I'll have to incorporate those 1x15mins hot tub sessions too!
  • ezellrhezellrh
    For me, the trick for the OS is to considered the rest day just like you would any other workout. Its an assignment, just like a long run or a FTP bike ride. Rest is the workout and should be logged/faithfully executed as such. If you have that mentality, it will make it easier.
  • robin sarnerrobin sarner

     Yes during rest days and tapering I think many of us feel off.    For me, try to sort out if normal coming off exercise blahs or overtrained syndrome or lack of sleep or illness starting or poor nutrition or life stress or a combo.    Important to sort which is occurring in the moment to determine the solution.

  • Brian Quarton [OLD]Brian Quarton [OLD]
    This quote is not completely applicable, but this is the time of year when I seem to get niggling injuries. "A lot of people make the mistake of running too fast on their recovery days. If you start going hard on your easy days, pretty soon you have mediocrity every day." -Alberto Salazar If you just have to go for a run on your rest day, I say do it. Then be honest with yourself after your next downline hard workout. You will probably find that you underperformed (and risk injury). In effect you sabatoge your own training. See for yourself. I've done it. I don't recommend it. Doing what's best is hard. This is what it takes to get fast. Rest. And remember, your brain lies.
  • cgres123cgres123
    In a way that is a good thing, feeling like crap on your rest day, I look at it as you are motivated to the point that taking a day off throws your whole system out. You could look at it as a training day cuz the day off is really about recovery.

    Without recovery days your body would not respond to the high intensity into your next workout. Take the opportunity to set yourself up for the next workout. Get into the Wiki here and learn stuff. Get into the forums and learn more stuff. You get real antsy go for a walk...
  • ebe4zippyebe4zippy
    I like to Rest like I train...HARD!!!
    I don't feel that great on rest days either, but I do it like its my job. I have one tomorrow and am not looking forward to losing the extra 500-600 calories in my Lose It calcs, but it has to be done. Never underestimate the power of recovery!
  • Al TruscottAl Truscott
    Posted By Steve Perkins on 26 Oct 2012 06:55 PM

    What is a rest day?



    Seriously, though. Even on rest days I like to do something, whether it be an easy swim or easy spin (i don't run on rest days). It's ALWAYS zone 1 only.



    Everyone has a unique athletic history and body. The key to it all is, as RnP have written, how you handle the downstream workouts. I'm one of those who only rarely takes a "rest day" as people are describing it here. I do indulge in taking up to 36 hours between workouts at times, and if I'm traveling all day, I probably won't workout. But generally, the number of days empty in my training log during a year can be counted on 2 hands.

    My point is: don't feel pressured to do nothing for 48 hours if that doesn't work for you, and vice versa, don't feel you have to do something every day cause cause some of us do. A big part of the journey is learning where that golden mean is in YOUR life.

  • William JenksWilliam Jenks
    I don't always feel like crap, but in the midst of a season, those are often the days that I feel like eating a horse. Or two. Or three. And I'm a vegetarian. :-)
  • Dino SartiDino Sarti
    For me, my body is missing the endorphin rush I get from a WKO, especially if I have been working out in the AM. Missing that rush is like facing the day without coffee, IMHO. On rest days last OS, I strength trained and that helped me with mood elevation and gave the feeling of accomplishment I thought I was missing.

    This year, I am not going to strength train and will instead look for something else to "cross train" or keep busy. Maybe yoga? Perhaps easy jog 1 mile while my daughter (5yrs) rides her bike with me? Go for a hike? Who knows. They key for me is that I will get up off the sofa and do a little something to keep from climbing the walls. There will be no fancy GPS device, no timer, no plan. Just a little, tiny something to taste the rush and feel active. But, as others have said, to be discontinued if any of the downstream EN workouts are effected.
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