Rest Days

Never underestimate the importance of a good rest day. Our bodies are amazing things, but they do require rest and repair. If you legs feel overly tired, rest them for a little. If you are having pain in your knees, take some time off to see if it heals, and if not, go to the doc.

A lot of times during training we neglect the signals and warnings are bodies are telling us, and then it is too late because we worked out on it anyway. Today was an example of cutting back for me. For anyone who knows me well, that is not an easy thing. I was going to cross-train and bike, but my legs were very tired and my hamstrings were very tight. I decided it was a great day outside, so instead of biking and putting a lot of strain on my legs, I decided to go for a walk outside and read. It was great! It loosened up my hamstrings, my legs feel more energetic now, and I did not expose myself to greater injury.

Moral of the story, no pain, no gain is not true! If it hurts and you push it, you expose yourself to greater pain, and no more gain as you are put up for a while...