I didn’t intend to take a rest day yesterday. Really, I didn’t. But when my alarm sounded at 5:00, I turned it off and went back to sleep.
“I’ll run later,” I told myself.
But later came and there was still no running. I had to wait for the oven repairman. Again. For the third time. There was no way I was going to miss him.
Yes, I know what you are thinking: I could have run on the treadmill. But I had done 20 miles on it on Friday while waiting for the missing repairman, and a girl can only take so much.
So, I took a nap.
All morning.
And then the repairman called and said he was on his way, so I got up. By the time he was done, it was lunchtime, and I was hungry. No lunch run for me.
After I ate a delicious roast beef with cherry chutney and horseradish aioli sandwich, a bowl of cream of broccoli soup, and a nutmeg doughnut, I was too full to run. And I was sleepy.
So, I went home and napped again.
All afternoon.
Finally, at 5;00, I dragged myself out of bed and went downstairs to put chicken in the (newly-repaired) oven for dinner. I was tempted to lie on the couch while I waited until it was time to pick up the kids, but I resisted. I was afraid I wouldn’t wake up.
My work day was over. I hadn’t run a step, written a word (other than uploading a blog post), or edited any pages. I had done nothing but sleep – all day
And it felt glorious.
How often do you take a rest day?
Happy Running!
Mom, ultrarunner, four-time US 24 Hour National Team member, adventure athlete, food writer. Graduate of the Pro Cooking Program at the New School of Cooking, Los Angeles. Will run for food.
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I take one rest a day a week which is typically Sunday. Lately however I’ve been feeling the need to take 2 rest days a week as I’m just not bouncing back from my long runs on Saturday the way I would like. As my weekly mileage has increased slightly cause of 3-4 hour runs on Sat. I REALLY struggle on Mondays after work to get the legs moving again. The mind says go (after all you HAD a rest day!), but the body doesn’t always co-operate.
I’m having a rest milennium. I’ll be refreshed come 3012!
And we really need it from time to time. And I can only dream about it right now:)
I forget until I collapse – but then it’s the best day ever! 🙂
Nice – I did that for a couple of years and it was sweet!
Yes, Kent, that does tend to happen when we up our mileage or our intensity. Listen to your body 🙂
Sounds like that was a much needed rest! Funny you should write about this. My run never happened today either.
Sometimes a woman just has to say, enough 🙂
That sounds like the ultimate recovery day. Good on you.
Thanks, Char – it was nice 🙂
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