Rest and Recovery for a Reformed Runner

Funny thing.  If you would have asked me to talk about "rest and recovery" a couple years ago, my response would have been a world of difference compared to my current mindset.  Not that many years ago, rest/recovery was an evil thing I pretended to squeeze in - but did so half heartedly - more to satisfy my family schedule (by talking a day off) versus thinking about how rest/recovery could benefit my running.  Or I did it when I was finally so darn tired I knew I couldn't physically do whatever it was I needed to do.  I was driven to run to train for races and compete with myself.  And I liked it.  And I am so glad I did it.   

But time, aging, and a few more years of running brings perspective.  In my current space, I see rest and recovery as an important part of my running.  Instead of running and training for the next race, I find myself with a new attitude.   

I run.  I rest and recovery.  I repeat.   And I do so in order to make sure I can still run well when I am a half a century old.  And then again when I am 75 and hopefully, God willing, when I hit the big 100.   I am no longer planning my running solely on the basis of upcoming races this year. 

I rest and recover in order to keep running until I am 118.  I will rest and recover to make sure I am capable of running a marathon when my kids find the joy of running that far. That's my plan.

For me this means more spontaneous runs and rest/recoveries.  I change my training plan more freely.  I have learned to adapt my plans based on my body is telling me instead of just the chart on the wall.  I have found that learning to listen to my body is a much better barometer than only listening to the I plan laid out months prior.  Sometimes it means I run shorter, or slower, or switch out running for another activity.  Sometimes it means I take a break.  If I listen close enough, my body knows what to do and what it can take.

It took me 13 years of running, but finally all those lessons I learned the hard way are sinking in.

Comments

[Ben]

Amy, That picture of you in the middle of this post is very flattering. Was it taken recently? ;-)

Seriously, thanks for the good advice. When you are 118, I hope I'll be right there alongside you.

[Lisa]

I completely agree. I find that quality recovery almost trumps a quality workout on the same day I should be resting.

Everyone will get to a point when quality really is more important than quantity when it comes to running.

[Heather]

Amy - great post and great advice! I've been fighting a bit of a bug the last few days and have extremely low-energy. According to my training plan I was supposed to run long and hard yesterday. Instead, I took the night off. I felt so guilty, but reading this post made me realize that I shouldn't feel bad when I listen to my body. Thanks again.

[Leah]

Ah, yes. Rest and recovery are key workouts in our weeks. Or at least they should be. They are just as important as the days that say: run. In order to RUN well, we must REST and RECOVER well.

[Leah]

This is such a great topic! As a relatively new runner, I never thought twice about resting or recovery. My mindset (up until now) has always been longer & faster is better and "No pain-No gain". I will no longer feel guily about my slow & short runs; at least I'll *try* to.

[Felice]

Great post! I also hope to be running until I'm 118 -- maybe we'll go head-to-head for the 100+ age group in a few decades!