Most of the time, running is a highly enjoyable activity. That’s why we have no problem lacing up our shoes, running for distances that might seem crazy to a regular person, and logging those daily miles. However, there are situations in our lives where we need a break from running.
In this article, we will discuss the signs that you need to slow down, how to take a break from running, and the benefits of doing so.
Signs It’s Time to Take a Break from Running
In this section, we will look at the signs that point to the fact that you need a break from running.
High Heart Rate
Heart rate is tracked by many athletes and runners, which can be especially helpful if you’re monitoring your overall health. If your heart rate increases during an easy run, this is a sign that to complete an easy effort, your body is working harder than usual. Likewise, if you track your heart rate during resting days and notice that it’s at a higher rate, it is also a sign that your body has not recovered properly yet.
No Pain Improvement
If you’re feeling pain for days and even weeks, it may be a sign that you need a break from running for your body to heal. Even though feeling a bit sore after running is pretty normal, localized pain can be a symptom of an upcoming injury.
Make sure that you pay attention to the moments when your body is telling you to slow down. If you take a day or two to rest, the pain will typically heal quickly. However, if you decide to run while you’re still in pain, you might find yourself in a situation where you’ll need to take a break from running for an extended period of time.
Feeling Tired
If you’ve been feeling tired and fatigued every day, then it’s surely something you should keep in mind. If your physical activity remains the same, but your energy levels are decreasing, this might be a sign that you need to take a break. Both burnout and overtraining can result in overall fatigue and low energy levels. Your mind and body will start to wear down if you’ve been running for an extended period of time without a break.
Running Isn’t Fun Anymore
As a runner, you’re used to pushing through low motivation, pain, and struggle. Runners always find time to run, even when life gets hectic and busy. However, it might be time to take a break from pushing through excuses if running starts to feel like a burden. No matter how much runners love the sport, burnout is something that can affect anyone.
If you’re feeling like running isn’t fun anymore, taking a break is necessary and healthy for your body. Taking a few days or even weeks to rest might be just what you need to get back that feeling of excitement and adrenaline about running.
Trouble Sleeping
One of the greatest benefits of having an active lifestyle and being a runner is less trouble sleeping at night. Being physically active during the day leaves your body feeling tired and wanting to go to bed every night. However, if you’re having issues with falling asleep or staying asleep for a few days, this could be a sign that you need a break.
How to Take a Break From Running
How long you take a break will be determined by your motivation, personality type, long-term goals, and the reason you’re taking a break. Below, we will look at several ways to take a break from running.
Longer break – If you’re experiencing fatigue or injuries and your body is begging you to take a break, make sure that the break lasts a long time. As we previously mentioned, if you’re feeling pain and you decide to run anyway, you might experience even worse consequences than you would initially. Instead of giving yourself a deadline and counting the days, resume training once you feel completely rested. Your mind and body will be thankful.
7 to 10 days off – This type of break is short enough, so your aerobic fitness will only decrease a few percentage points that can be made up in a week and long enough for your body to do some much-needed repairs. A 7 to 10 days off break will help you stay motivated and healthy at the same time.
Every other day – If you don’t feel like sitting on the couch and resting, another option is running every other day during a two-week period. This will be extremely efficient if you want to get the thrill and satisfaction of running a couple of times a week. Even though you’ll still be running, the workload will be reduced significantly, and your body will be allowed to heal.
Benefits of Taking a Break From Running
By allowing yourself to take a break from running, you will see a lot more progress in the long run. Taking a break will prevent injuries, help you increase muscle mass, prevent burnout and overtraining, and allow you to evaluate your running and areas that can be improved.
Final Thoughts
If you’re unsure about how to take a break from running, simply try one of the methods mentioned above until you find one that fits your schedule. Taking a break from running can be hard for some people, especially when running has been a part of their daily life for many years. However, it is crucial to remember that taking a few days or weeks to rest can benefit you greatly.
Make sure that you make the most of your time when you decide to take a break from running. Remember not to feel guilty for taking time off.
