Happy Friday and welcome to the new Friday 5, where we share a quick Friday post that takes 5 or less minutes to read! So today, I’m going to be sharing the reasons why I am taking this week off of running. Last week I mentioned this as one way to “spring clean” you’re running, and I decided to give it a try! Luckily, I am not injured! But that’s not the only reason to take a week off of running. Let’s discuss.
5 Reasons I’m Taking This Week Off Of Running
1. The weather is not ideal for running
I’ve been complaining about the weather for months, so I figured now would be a good time to take a break before it warmed up. I am hoping I will really enjoy running outside once spring arrives! (However, after I decided to take the week off, I saw that the weather at the end of the week will be warm. I hope to get outside anyway!)
2. In a running rut
My run last Saturday was so “blah”. I have felt like my motivation just hasn’t been there lately so there’s no reason forcing a run if I’m just not feeling it.
3. Strength training
I figure this is a good time to focus on strength training as well as cross training and even yoga. It feels like there is never enough time to do everything I want to do!
4. Busy week outside of running
This has been a busy and somewhat stressful week so it’s nice to have a little more time on my hands. I’ve been getting into work a little earlier so it feels good to knock some things out early. I also feel like work stress + running stress = too much stress. Our bodies can’t differentiate between stress, so something has to give!
5. It’s been awhile since I took a week off of running!
I haven’t taken a break from running since I was injured last summer! I think I started running again in August which means the last time I took more than maybe 3-4 days off was 8 months ago. It’s time for a little break!
While I do miss it, it’s been kind of nice to focus on other things this week. I think I needed both a mental and physical break. Hopefully I can start up again on Monday feeling strong and refreshed!
Have you ever taken a week off of running for any of these reasons?
When was the last time you took a week off of running?
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you know I really liked taking 2 weeks off from running when I dropped the shampoo bottle on my foot lol. I needed that break and really enjoyed the focus on pure barre instead. nowadays, I much prefer running less so that basically every run feels fresh and great. and yeah, it warmed up for today and tomorrow here too!
I feel like this weather is such a tease for when it gets rainy and cold again in a few days!
Sounds like it’s a good time for you to take a break! I don’t normally take a break from running but I’ll cut way back on my miles and just run for fun. That always feels good.
Enjoy your time off!
Cutting back works well too!
Well, you probably remember my 3-month sabbatical last summer 😉 I was a little freaked out about it, but it was a great thing for me (in retrospect). As you mentioned, I think it does our bodies and minds good to take a break now and then. Most of us run consistently year-round, and we have strong running bases as a result. A little break will not affect our fitness significantly. I’m not a hardcore runner…I don’t do excessive mileage nor do I run everyday, and it did not take very long to get my groove back when my 3-month break ended.
I agree that it can be helpful to take a break once in awhile. I have noticed that now that I havent done a marathon in a few years that Im not taking time off like I used to do post-race.
I actually took last week off from running which was a little unintentional. My knee was acting up and I have a half marathon on Sunday so I decided it wasn’t worth pushing it and time off would be good.
I hope your week off helps you feel nice and refreshed!
Sounds like it was a smart idea for you to take the week off!
I think when running starts to feel blah, it’s time for a little break. I usually go to new class or go for a bike ride and that kind of clears my head. Our bodies need a break from it sometimes and that’s ok!
Yes, exactly! No point in pushing through if we’re just not feeling it.
It sounds like a great time for a break. I’m not sure if I ever took more than a few days off unless I was injured. Of course, now that this cold seems to have caught up with me, who knows?
I hope you don’t have to take unplanned time off! But a break can be kind of nice once in awhile.
Taking a break from running last year was the best thing I ever did for my running! I focused on walking, circuit workouts, and weight training to get stronger! Now my relationship with running is so much healthier!
That’s so great that it worked out so well for you!
I haven’t taken a break from running in so long and all of these are sounding very familiar to me. It might be time for me to take a break as well. Enjoy it
Thanks! It’s not a bad idea to take some time off once in awhile.
I’m a huge advocate for taking off time for running at least twice a year. For me, it’s a great time to reset, especially if I’m feeling burnt out. I hope that you break goes well and is beneficial!
Thanks- I am hoping it avoids any burnout that could have been on the horizon!
Oh man, it’s been awhile since I took a week off! I’m sure it would do me good, though. I take 2-3 days off running a week as it is though so maybe that’s why I don’t feel like I need a week right now.
I usually don’t feel like I need a break when Im not training. But recently I think between the weather and just being tired overall it made sense to take a little time off.
I hope you enjoyed your break! I like to take about a week off a couple times per year, usually after a major race. I took about half of December off after my marathon and then after my surgery and the break felt so refreshing.
Post-race is a really good time for a break. Since I haven’t run any marathons in awhile I haven’t been taking that time off post-race like I used to do!
I think you were so smart to take a break when feeling “blah.” I also think it’s important to take a break when feeling sick or the beginnings of an injury – I have tried to run through niggles before, and they turned into a much longer injury break than just a few days here or there.
You are so right! It’s always better to back off rather than risking making anything worse.
Taking time off always gets me excited to get back to running. I took some time off last year when I was training for a marathon in the summer and then decided not to do it. I ran here and there and then went into marathon training again. 🙂 In May I will be running more for pleasure and fun and then train again for the MCM.
It can be really refreshing to take some time off!
I think it’s not a bad idea to take some time off running to do other things or just relax. It’s also nice to take off when it’s your own call and not because you are injured.
Exactly! It’s alot easier to not be running by choice rather than because of injury.
I find extra rests are really good mentally. I always take a break after each major run. I feel fine physically, but it’s nice to do extra stuff, since you’re right, it’s hard to fit everything in while training.
It was definitely a nice mental break, and it always feels good to have a little extra time to do other things!