Any seasoned runners awake? Should I skip rest day?

[Journeyintomelody]

Hi!

I've started running again after having DD. I took a year off so am back to square 1. I started off with a two days on, one day off schedule. The last couple of weeks that's moved to:

M- rest
T- run
W- run
Thu- run
F- rest
Sat- run
Sun - run

Although it's supposed to be a rest day, I feel like I want to work out. My brain is telling me to rest but body is saying go for it!

Last time I felt like this 2 weeks ago I ran a 8k PB.
BUT, I went hard this weekend (8km on Saturday with 5km PB and then 11km yesterday with a 10km PB).

I'm surprised at how fast I'm progressing but very conscious that I am in injury territory. What would you do?

YABU - rest, you blithering idiot
YANBU - go for it, but slow down

very conscious that I am in injury territory.

Yes, yes you are!

I think with those kind of distances you’ll be fine. It’s not far and you can always go slowly.

go - you never regret a run! Just make today an easy day. If you’ve done pbs over the weekend you should be tired anyway (even if you don’t feel it, your legs will!) so have an easy jog just to shake it out.

as long as you have at least 2 easy days a week and a rest day, you should be fine. And don’t increase mileage too quickly! 10% max per week (& not week after week!) Also one week in 4 have a lower mileage week ideally (or one in 3 if you’re over 40 or injury prone!)

have fun!

2 months back PP and I ran 45k last week from 0km 2 months ago, so while these are fairly short distances to what I am used to, it is a big leap. Also nearly every run is an accidental PB at the moment. Even when I feel like I'm taking it easy. I'm so confused 🤔

@Misfitkickedoutonthestreet thanks, that's v.helpful. I have run consistently for the last 10 years apart from pregnancy and when recovering from a broken pelvis 🙄 I think I have a good base fitness/muscle memory so am progressing faster than I probably should do. I don't want to ruin it by getting injured though and I have a history of overtraining to the extreme 😅 maybe I'll do a 30 minute shake off run when it stops raining!

Are you doing anything else? I think just running without something like resistance based training or flexibility is asking for trouble. The two times I've got injured is when I've just run. Can you add in something else other than a run?

Good point! Honestly, no I'm not. I was doing some weights but find it really hard to motivate myself in the living room! I do not stretch anywhere near enough and deserve all the injuries I get! You have guilt tripped me into stretching now. Thank you!

Working on your glutes and core would be a good idea. Even if you can't get to a gym you can do squats (maybe with some weights) and plank.

You've been running 10 years and are hitting pbs in training? Well done that's great progress in short period.

I might be slightly concerned your putting in to much effort or externing your self too far on training runs. I know not everyone races, but a lot of training should be easy paced runs, much slower than race pace and a only few quicker sessions.
If you are enjoying it and want to improve more, I'd look into a training plan to follow loosely, a free online one could help a bit of structure for rest days and adding in strength etc.

@muzEqy ah well they are 'new PBs!' I find it so disheartening to compare my new runs to old ones (I was running a 39min 10k 2 years ago). I recently started using Strava so it tells me when I have a season best but calls it a PB and it makes me feel a lot better! So yes, not that impressive, but keeps me motivated. I effectively scrubbed all my old times from my memory and started again 😂

Im planning on starting a half marathon training plan soon. I would like to race again, but am still a way off. I am nearly 10kg heavier than before having my DD and am feeling it! For a long time I was struggling to scrape a few seconds off each run, now I go out and I'm just randomly 2 mins faster. I know it's probably fake progress.

Definitely will be incorporating some resistance and stretching into my routine. I love running and hate reps so it's always a struggle to stay consistent