First full marathon

MSeel1984

So I've been following one of Hal Higdon's marathon training schedules (Novice 1) and had a quick question for those of you who have run full marathons before. I have two rest days scheduled in and wondered if you take those days as FULL rest days (do absolutely no physical activity) or if it's ok to use those as strength training days (Pilates) or to do light activity (walking the dogs), etc?

cheshirecatastrophe

I just asked about this in the distance runners group! Spoiler alert: there is absolutely no consensus. The answers ranged from "nothing at all" to "anything but running." So helpful, right?

I generally walk or swim easy on my rest day. I'm in between race training cycles right now and thinking of swapping for a (leg) strength training day. Except my dog will always have to be walked.

MSeel1984

Well if I had membership to a gym/fitness center that had a pool, I'd totally do that, but I don't. Walking lately has been nagging at my knee a bit, so I'm leaning towards Pilates and deep stretching on my rest days...but I feel like I want to stay active and mobile...I know the week of my race I'll be taking complete rest days.

Samstan101

After 6 HM's in 2014 I'm training for my 1st marathon in April. My rest days depending on how I feel. If I have a few niggles then I sometimes have a complete rest day, if I feel ok then I'll either do weights/ stretches/ body weight exercises or if I fancy cardio go for a swim or bike ride. I try to avoid leg impact stuff if you know what I mean (so I don't go for a walk or gentle jog).

_runnerbean_

I found that as I got further along in the training I was getting very tired (to the point of nearly falling asleep at work) so I only did the running part with no exercise on day off apart from walking around the shops etc. I would minimise leg based activities on rest days but a gentle swim or Pilates/yoga should be ok if it doesn't tire you out too much. Good luck with the training.

MSeel1984

Thanks for the advice! I think some deep stretching and Pilates in the morning should do just fine. Abs, arms and stretching.

heftybelson

Just remember that these 'plans' are more like guidelines, listen as your body will tell you what you need, feel a bit stiff, yup need to stretch more. Tired need to rest/sleep etc. remember you don't improve while you exercise, you improve while you recover from exercise!

MSeel1984

heftybelson wrote: »

Just remember that these 'plans' are more like guidelines, listen as your body will tell you what you need, feel a bit stiff, yup need to stretch more. Tired need to rest/sleep etc. remember you don't improve while you exercise, you improve while you recover from exercise!

Excellent point...I'm going to be sure I at the very least take the rest days that are scheduled for me.