running breaks

demorelli

I've been running almost every day lately. How often should I give my body days off to recoup? Can I do other cardio on rest days? (I was looking into kettlebell workouts for off days and they're cardio and strength combined)

painauxraisin

I run every other day. You need to rest those leg muscles! I swim a couple of times a week which isn't so hard on your body but is still a workout.

scottb81

How often you need to take a day off depends on many factors including genetics, age, fitness level, recent training intensity, sleep, nutrition, etc.

Signs you may need to take a day off:
If you feel tired during your runs for more than 2 days in a row.
If a higher heart rate is needed to maintain the same pace several days in a row.
If your morning resting heart rate is elevated more than 10%.
If your sleep is disturbed several days in a row.
If muscle aches won't go away.
Etc.

Each person needs to find their own personal optimal maximum training level through trial and error and adjust it upwards or downwards as conditions change.