Applying the training of the super elites to everyday hobby joggers can really be misleading. Those athletes weren't super elite because they ran 365 days a year. They were elite athletes that ran 365 days a year. Big difference.
Breaks and down time are as important mentally as they are physically. Staying focused on any kind of goal for months at a time expends a lot of mental energy, and those rest periods allow you to regain your desire to re-focus and re-commit to a goal. It's good to be itching to restart at the end of the break.
Applying the training of the super elites to everyday hobby joggers can really be misleading. Those athletes weren't super elite because they ran 365 days a year. They were elite athletes that ran 365 days a year. Big difference.
And so many elite athletes and runners take two weeks off. Rudashia, Nick Symmonds and Bernard Laget sometimes even took more then two weeks. If Olympic Champions, USA champions, and international stars are doing it there has to be some science besides just “I needed a mental break from running”
If you rest 2 weeks and do nothing, you lose a ton of mitochondria. You would need at least the same amount of time to come back to the level you were before, maybe even more time. So you lose at least 2+2 weeks, one month+ for the fun of 2 weeks completely rest. Not the best strategy.
Applying the training of the super elites to everyday hobby joggers can really be misleading. Those athletes weren't super elite because they ran 365 days a year. They were elite athletes that ran 365 days a year. Big difference.
And so many elite athletes and runners take two weeks off. Rudashia, Nick Symmonds and Bernard Laget sometimes even took more then two weeks. If Olympic Champions, USA champions, and international stars are doing it there has to be some science besides just “I needed a mental break from running”
Of the high level elite runners I have met and gotten to know, I don't know of one of them that was a "streaker".
That kinda stuff is usually taken up by obsessive joggers. (yes I know that Hill never missed a day, but he's the exception, not the rule.)
I think a nice break away from running keeps you fresh, makes you appreciate it when you get back to it.
If you rest 2 weeks and do nothing, you lose a ton of mitochondria. You would need at least the same amount of time to come back to the level you were before, maybe even more time. So you lose at least 2+2 weeks, one month+ for the fun of 2 weeks completely rest. Not the best strategy.
If you rest 2 weeks and do nothing, you lose a ton of mitochondria. You would need at least the same amount of time to come back to the level you were before, maybe even more time. So you lose at least 2+2 weeks, one month+ for the fun of 2 weeks completely rest. Not the best strategy.
That's not true lexel! The ratio 3 to 1 coming back to same shape applies to when you are sick laying mostly in bed inactive.Lost of shape goes slower than you say here.
And so many elite athletes and runners take two weeks off. Rudashia, Nick Symmonds and Bernard Laget sometimes even took more then two weeks. If Olympic Champions, USA champions, and international stars are doing it there has to be some science besides just “I needed a mental break from running”
Of the high level elite runners I have met and gotten to know, I don't know of one of them that was a "streaker".
That kinda stuff is usually taken up by obsessive joggers. (yes I know that Hill never missed a day, but he's the exception, not the rule.)
I think a nice break away from running keeps you fresh, makes you appreciate it when you get back to it.
They wouldn’t have been called “streakers” during the 70s.
science or no science.. everybody is an experiment of one. The OP's body is telling them they need a break every 6 or 7 months so take one!!! 5 days- 1 week-10 days- 2 weeks it can probably vary.... just take one and listen to your body.
1. The mental reset is the main thing. It separates the seasons and doesn’t feel like an infinite training block which has subconscious effects on how you feel and how hard your body will let you push yourself.
2. Brings fat percentages up to a healthy level, which is essential for overall health and wellness. Low fat percentages are great for peak racing but not good for overall health.
I think these are two of the main reasons why breaks are good.
Does there need to be science to back up needing a break? You wanna find some kid that refuses to leave grad school so he/she can do trivial research? I hope my tax dollars aren’t going to NSF grants that waste money on WHY people take a break from running every now and then.
I haven't seen any science but I would guess it has something to do with the amount of time it takes your body to rebuild itself after training.
Most people can't consistently get that 14+ hours of sleep and perfect nutrition needed to do hard efforts year round.
It would take a lot of Ambien to sleep 14+ hours day and there would be a risk of bed sores.
Not with 120+ mile weeks and 2-3 days weight lifting/core. 12 hours plus a 2-3 hour nap after your morning run. I know people that sleep 12 hours easily and they don't do anything.