Want to get faster? Be lazy every so often… it worked for me

As a runner, rest can be a difficult word to accept. However, over the past year and half, my relationship with it has developed into one of respect.

Whether it’s adequate sleep, a day completely off, or cross-training as a break from running, rest is surprisingly beneficial. One of the keys in my running has been learning to trust that backing off at times would actually set me ahead. I’ve learned that sometimes sleeping past 6:30 a.m. is going to have a more positive impact on a training day, than waking at 5 a.m. Another lesson: one day off a week makes me better by giving my body and mind a chance to rejuvenate. And then there’s cross-training: who wants to be inside on a stationary bike for 90 minutes when it’s a beautiful summer day? Not me, but I do it because it’s a means to an end. All of these non-running aspects of training have proven to be not just beneficial, but critical to my training. It has taken time, but by focusing on the three big components, my training has gone much more smoothly.

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Sleep: Listening to your body is key. I have the tendency to wake up early during summer months. This isn’t a bad thing as long as I have fallen asleep early enough the night before to get that seven to seven and a half hours of sleep. So, I have to admit, to be fully energized for a day of training that means bed time happens before 10:00 p.m.

Cross training: Over the past couple of months, I had to resort to cross-training to develop strength, while keeping up aerobic fitness as I bounced back from a knee injury. Now I have a newly-found appreciation for it. Even at 100 per cent healthy, there are big gains to be made biking, swimming, or on the elliptical. A big bonus is that you will balance out strength by more intensely working muscles not used as frequently in running.

Rest day: I wouldn’t be the first to write about rest days and the struggles runners have with them. I’m no exception. However, I’ve learned to enjoy these days and take advantage of the extra time away from road. I find doing other activities, such as walking to the river, provides a nice break from the feet-on-the-ground work. There’s a lot to be gained by taking it down a notch and spending time with those close to me and with nature.

This is a snapshot of my experience with rest so far as I become a better runner. Part of what I find so fascinating about this sport is that there’s always something new to learn about the way my body and mind responds to the workouts I put myself through. With that, I learn how I can improve and there’s no doubt that rest has proven to be a critical part of getting the most out of myself.

RELATED: When I stayed consistent with my eating, my training changed for the better