I shared on Friday that I had taken the week off of running. Luckily I’m not injured, but I felt like I needed a break. While I did miss running, it was nice to do some other things. I’m feeling refreshed and ready to get back to it this week!
Here’s what I did instead of running this week:
Monday: 45 Minute Spin Bike
On a day that I would usually run it was kind of weird to get on the bike instead. I still felt like I got in a decent workout but it was nice to do something different.
Tuesday: 30 minute yoga and stability exercises
For some reason I was in the mood for yoga this week. I haven’t been consistent about yoga in years, but every once in a while I feel like pulling out my mat. I was going to try a free trial of Bulldog Yoga but I couldn’t get it to work. So instead I just went with a free video on YouTube.
Wednesday: Strength Training and 15 minute spin bike
This was week 3 of my strength training plan so the exercises are becoming more comfortable. Just in time for the reps to increase!
Thursday: Rest
In the morning I had blood work my annual physical and needed to fast. So I skipped a morning workout so I wasn’t any more hungry that I would already be. I tried to sleep in a bit but was still up around 5.
Friday: Strength training
I had to get in my second strength training session so this was the day. I think the second day of exercises in this plan is harder than the first for me- it includes those single leg hamstring curls which never seem to get easier!
Saturday: 1 hour walk
Finally, some warm weather! I debated running but knew another day or two off would be good. I don’t think I would have wanted to walk outside if it was colder out, so I figured I would take advantage the opportunity. Slowing down was weird, but kind of nice.
Sunday: Rest
It was dreary and rainy all day and I was happy to do pretty much nothing!
Now that I think about it, I really should have done this a few weeks ago. I didn’t realize how much I needed a break until I took one. I still felt like I had an active week, but I didn’t feel as rushed in the mornings and my legs got a rest for the first time in a while. As this is going live on Monday morning I am 99% sure I will be back to running again (but probably on the treadmill since there is supposed to be heavy rain this morning.)
[Tweet “My week of not running (by choice) @milebymilerun #weeklywrap #workouts”]
In case you missed any posts from last week:
It May Be April But It Feels Like January 95th
Recent Running Favorites
5 Reasons I’m Taking a Week Off Of Running
How were your workouts last week?
When was the last time you voluntarily took a week off of running?
What’s your favorite type of workout to do when you’re not running?
I think taking a break from running sometimes is good! You actually get back a bit stronger, both physically and mentally! And well done on getting all those other workouts done instead. Those are so often neglected.
Thanks! It was nice to have more time to do other things.
I think the break definitely helped you to feel refreshed and ready to run again. I wish the weather would have stayed warm and nice like it was friday and Saturday – it’s horrible now! ugh, I’ve had enough.
I know, part of me feels like I should have just run on Saturday and taken more time off this week! I’m just not in the mood to run outside when it’s still so chilly out.
I love how you listened to your body and took a break! I think that is really hard to do as there is always pressure to do more and go further/faster. I usually take time off running after big races, such as a marathon. When I’m not running, my favorite thing to do is bike and swim.
It was a good time to take off since I’m not training for anything right now!
I hope your runbattical gave you the rest your body wanted. You were still plenty active! I don’t often give myself a total break from running like that. Probably only after a big race. That said, my running last week was minimal and there was no long run.
I do feel refreshed, I just wish that the weather would cooperate now!
It sounds like the week off did you good Lisa! The warm weather was amazing over the weekend (minus Sunday) so a walk was an awesome way to enjoy it.
It was really nice to get outside! I wish that weather would have stuck around.
You had a great week of workouts even without running! I can definitely relate to preferring one day’s strength training plan over another (currently experiencing that myself). Glad you got to recharge your running-batteries; I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes when you’re back at it!
Thanks! It definitely felt nice to run today after a week off.
You are smart to listen to your body and take a week off! I don’t usually take that much time off but what I do is cut back on my miles. Like you, I’d be keeping busy doing other things!
Cutting back is great too. I felt like mentally it was helpful to check out from running for a week. I think I would be even more excited to be back at it if the weather was nicer.
It was rainy and yucky here as well on Sunday so opted to just walk on the treadmill, I could have run too but walking was nice while watching a movie. How many weeks does your strength training plans go and what do you do when it is over? When I took that time off from running last week I found myself doing more strength training.
Each “phase” is 6 weeks. So I follow the plan for 6 weeks or as long as it takes me and then I get a new phase created and sent to me.
Good for you! I used to have such a hard time taking time off of running when my body really needed it. You still had quite the active week though 🙂
It was easier to take time off running knowing that I could do other workouts!
I don’t hesitate taking a week off from time to time… I feel like it keeps me ‘in love’ with running. I enjoy a variety in my workouts so when I’m running more than anything else, I tend to get burned out. Smart lady …glad you enjoyed your mini break!
Thanks! I do think that it will help me to continue enjoying it by backing off for a bit.
Sometimes we just need a little break from running, it sounds like it was just what you needed! I can’t wait to be done with the marathon so I can have a bit more rest!
When I’m not running, I tend to do a lot more yoga. I look forward to getting back to that and barre more frequently!
I really enjoyed doing some yoga when I wasn’t running! I hope to add it into my routine even though I’m running again.
Great job on staying true to your week off (was there a tiny bit of temptation to just run anyways? ). I usually substitute speed walking for running…it has a comparable calorie burn, but less impact. I am always amazed hoe sore my body feels after a long power walk!
There was definitely a temptation on Saturday when it was so nice out! But walking was a nice change. I don’t think Ive ever done power walking but it sounds like a great alternative to running!
I love that you took a week off running *just because*. … I think this is really important mentally to take a break every once in a while.
It was a nice break for sure!
It sounds like you had a great reset week. That’s so important to do! I have a hard time taking breaks because I’m naturally lazy so the more time off I take the harder it is to get back into it. Sounds like you were able to keep active though so more power to you!
Sometimes a little running break is just what’s needed to feel nice a refreshed! Hope you got back to it this week. 🙂
It was a nice break but it did feel good to run again this week!