Why take a rest day?

Last Saturday I went on a strenuous 60 mile bike ride. This ride as almost entirely uphill and I was struggling to keep my speed up after a long week of exercise each pedal felt like my legs were literally on fire. Instead of the top of the hill looking as if it was getting closer, every time I looked up it seemed the same distance away. But I kept on trying! I would think to myself right... left... right... left.... right, until I somehow got to the top of the hill, only to see another right in front of me. There was one thought on my mind that help me push harder through the workout - tomorrow is my rest day. 

 I am sure that all of you have had the same experience. But today I would like to explain the importance of taking a rest day. According to Russell Wynter a NASM certified master trainer and co-owner of Mad sweat, "working out, especially resistance training (like swimming, biking, or running), breaks your body tissues down. In fact, resistance training breaks down muscles causing microscopic tears. Rest days allow your muscles, nerves, bones, and connective tissue time to rebuild."  

In every aspect of life, there is rest involved. Computers need to be turned off or recharged from time to time. Cars need to be refueled and serviced from time to time. Every night we have to go to bed in order to be mentally alert for the next day. Below is a list of the reasons that medical officials have found for the importance of taking the rest day. 

In addition from taking a complete rest day it is important to structure your week so that you utilize different muscles on different days. It isn't healthy for you to have three days just on a bike and then three days of just running. Mix it up a little! In triathlon training you ave the opportunity to work so many different muscles, so make sure you have some variety day to day

Here is an example of a training week

Monday - Run 
Tuesday - Swim/ bike
Wednesday - Run
Thursday - Swim/ bike
Friday - Run
Saturday - Bike/ Run
Sunday - REST DAY

 So next time you plan your week, plan a rest day, and you will see the improvements in your health, time, and speed. Exercising is hard, you deserve the rest.