SHOULD YOU TAKE A WEEK OFF FROM RUNNING?

[@ScrappyCoCo0]

Why is the audio only coming from the left?

[@its_Matt_B_]

@@ScrappyCoCo0 Ugh! Sorry. I think perhaps my mic receiver came partially unplugged. I had another recent video where this happened.

[@kuraimakumbe3762]

🥐 we take breaks after a goal race, that’s when I take a break from running but some sort of a movement is required whether it’s cycling or walking.

[@its_Matt_B_]

@@kuraimakumbe3762 I’m with you on this. A break doesn’t mean doing nothing.

[@karlbratby4349]

Your video has prompted me to take a few days, a fair few niggles meant cut back a little but on London training block so hard to justify but need to stop beating myself up. Realising that when almost 54 we need more recovery and when sleep pretty bad it all adds up. 4 days off running but still doing morning mobility routine. Thanks Matt for the nudge ❤

[@its_Matt_B_]

@@karlbratby4349 Good decision to take a break. A couple days rest won’t hurt your performance, but a couple days running through niggles definitely can.

[@Deadbuck73]

Love this and the timing is perfect!

[@its_Matt_B_]

@@Deadbuck73 I love it when things work out like that!

[@Deadbuck73]

My last break was realistically from last spring until December and then I walked for a bit. I was running but not getting good consistent training. I’ve got hurdles to get over but I’m getting back now… going to lose some weight and get to Boylston st to cheer on the amazing people who get over the line and then look out Maine! I’m coming for the marathon in June!

[@its_Matt_B_]

@@Deadbuck73 I’m so glad you’re getting back to it. Watch out Maine! See you in April!

[@Deadbuck73]

@@its_Matt_B_ can wait for both! See you soon!

[@bcockton]

Important to remember that taking a break is also part of training… just like intervals or long run. Maybe spend a few days in the gym, yoga, sauna, etc…. Your mind also needs to refocus on other things. The first run back feels so good.

[@its_Matt_B_]

@@bcockton Yep, resting is a huge part of training and you’re 100% right about coming back after a short break feeling so good! It’s worth taking a break just to feel what it’s like to come back!

[@gregruns]

As an older runner, I have no problem taking breaks, I come back more motivated and refreshed.

[@its_Matt_B_]

@@gregruns Good to hear! Those breaks keep you both physically and mentally healthy! 💪🏽

[@jimoconnor8597]

I love my breaks! Usually do 10 full days after a marathon race and then a random break in the summer. I get to focus on my other hobby, fishing!!! Friends ask "How can you just not run?" For me, its easy with something else to do that I love. Mentally, it probably takes more strength to just relax and take a break than just keeping going. Already looking forward to some FL kayak fishing after Boston!!!!

[@its_Matt_B_]

@@jimoconnor8597 I look forward to that post-race break, and I usually plan to not run as much when on vacation…or I should say I plan to not run with any structure on vacation. It’s good to have another hobby outside running. Unfortunately my other hobby is very closely tied to running. 🤣

[@jimoconnor8597]

@@its_Matt_B_ I actually like to fish more than I like to run. When I retire, my days will be filled with snook, redfish and trout, not Adidas, Nike and New Balance. 😂

[@its_Matt_B_]

@ Nice! Sounds like a nice retirement!

[@colinking5742]

I had the flu this winter and took a full 8 days away from running - I’m in the thick of a spring marathon build. My research showed there’s pretty much no de-conditioning of notable fitness until about 20 days. I’m successfully back on track after only one week of re-entry to the sport. I feel so much better after accepting the rest and I am feeling strong in my winter workouts so I would suggest anyone to just shut it down if all signs are saying to. I was also dealing with some patellar pain (runners knee) prior to my week off. I did continue my band work and PT during my rest and I feel like everything has improved.

[@its_Matt_B_]

@@colinking5742 This is great news! I’m so glad to hear that your rest from running had the intended result! Which Spring marathon are you running this year?

[@colinking5742]

@ Pittsburgh! Cross the pond! We have room! Been enjoying the content Matt. Best of luck to you.

[@its_Matt_B_]

@@colinking5742 Oh nice! I’ve got some friends in Pittsburgh and have thought about running it sometime. Good luck with your build!

[@iceicebaby6980]

just started running yesterday. one week off sounds good. Pizza time.

[@its_Matt_B_]

@@iceicebaby6980 🤣 I’m down for pizza time!

[@sethgau]

Is this why there has been nothing on ur strava this past week?

[@its_Matt_B_]

@@sethgau Damn! Called out! I was actually wondering if anyone noticed. I’ve been on a cruise this past week and have only been running on the track and treadmill. I didn’t make those events public. I also took the last three days off because I’ve had some ankle pain. I’m hoping to be back at it tomorrow. 👊🏽

[@TolunayOrkun]

🥐 well, I took 2 weeks of very light running after Houston Marathon. I needed that as after CIM I had not fully recovered nor trained well and it was a limbo state. I needed a more serious recovery period. Instead I walked more during this time. Last weekend, I visited Ft. Worth rodeo and stock show. Despite being in Texas for such a long time, this was my first Rodeo show. It was quite interesting. The announcers told the audience how the cowboys ranked in various events so it was very useful for a person like me. I am starting new training block next week. There are a couple of 10K races in the beginning of April and beginning of May.

[@its_Matt_B_]

@@TolunayOrkun I’m glad to hear you listened to what you needed and took those two weeks off from proper training! I know I feel better when I only run easy for a few weeks after a big race. I’ve never been to a rodeo, but it seems like it would be a fun event to watch!

[@largeeddie]

No.🥐

[@its_Matt_B_]

@@largeeddie That was easy. Perhaps I should have posed a more open-ended question! 👊🏽 for the 🥐

[@largeeddie]

@@its_Matt_B_ 😁First they're all like, "The best exercise for you is one that you want to do." So I'm, "Great, I'll run because I like running." Then they're, "Oh, but as a runner you also have to ride a bike, swim, lift weights, stretch, do yoga, and sit in a sauna." And now as I runner I have to not run. I'm just not that into Puritanical self-denial.

[@largeeddie]

@@its_Matt_B_ Also, Betteridge's Law of Headlines: "Any headline that ends in a question mark can be answered by the word no."

[@its_Matt_B_]

@@largeeddie This comment is everything.

[@its_Matt_B_]

@@largeeddie Don’t spread that rule around. I depend on the sensationalism of posting obvious questions. 😄