taking a break

mrak

This is to do with distance running and road racing in particular. Do people take time off at any stage during the year..? If so, how long for and what do you do during this break (easy runs to keep ticking over or total vegging)..?

Also what to do when the break is over.. back to base work I guess but how long before you start adding in quality?

deadlybuzz

Hi mrak,
I typically take a complete break from running once a year, usually around May. I won't run for about 2 weeks, and then I slowly get back into it, through light jogging for 2 / 3 weeks. So it's like a break of a month from proper training. Quality training would resume after that. I've found through experience that too much continuous running and racing was leading to injury or various stresses and strains. The break would usually coincide with aftermath of marathon or other goal race.

Abhainn

Hi mrak,

Usually take up to 2 weeks off after every marathon. Then ease back into it for two weeks with 3/4 easy runs or subsitute one run with a bike before I start any of the hard stuff.

It's surprising how quickly you can loose your fitness during a break

Stupid_Private

Generally I take a few weeks during the year. I'd say last year there were around 3 in total I did no running on. Then there's the odd weekend I'd take as well if I'm feeling sluggish.

At the end of track season I took a week off before starting into work for cross country. I also took one right before I started into track - that was coincidence really as I booked a last minute holiday and didn't want to do any running on it.

This year will be the same - week or two off in a couple of weeks before starting into track work, probably a week off when that finishes.

The week off is exactly that, no running, plenty of late nights drinking and dancing till all hours and lots of eating crap. Pretty much weeks where I don't even think about running.

mrak

Thanks lads, last year I ran pretty much 7 days a week for 2008: 50-80 miles p/w all year round - had a great year, but feeling steadily more flogged since xmas with lots of minor injuries and aches in the places that aren't injured! Took 2 weeks off in March, but willpower cracked and ended up going for sneaky 6 milers a few times during them. Still plugging away at 20 miles per week and hoping to pick it up when things just come right as they sometimes tend to, but perhaps total vegging is the way to go.

Moral is I think I should have taken a complete break after the marathon last October - I was back doing 20 milers within a fortnight. Was just curious to see what others do.

TheRoadRunner

Hey mrak

Wow 20 milers a couple of weeks after the marathon. I just wouldn't be able to do that, physically or mentally. I normally take a week off completely after a marathon and then get back into it very slowly for 2-3 weeks then reintroduce sessions etc.

Years without marathons I still tend to take a couple of weeks breaks. Some of these are unplanned and are the result of colds etc (I usually get hit with a bad chest at least once a year). I find it hard not to run sometimes but through trial and error I find I race better when I have taken a good break.

You seem to be made of sterner stuff than me though, having said that a week off could do you the power of good.

Good luck