The Guilt of Rest

Walkers and runners who are committed to an organized and consistent exercise routine seldom like to take rest or recovery days. We feel that rest will inhibit our training, making us unfit almost immediately. We feel guilty if we take two days off to rest. I like to call this the "the guilt of rest."

We feel guilty as if we have cheated our bodies of something essential. This is so untrue and we should not think or feel this way. In fact, we really need to think about taking rest every week. Perhaps up to 2-3 days off per week wouldn't do us any harm at all.

If you are one of those who prefers not to take a lot of rest days during the week and you feel that taking time off will hurt you physically, then mentally you need to play a game of rest. This is how the rest game goes.

Day 1
You will exercise in the morning on the day 1, then do nothing in the evening.

Day 2
On day 2 you will do nothing in the morning, but will workout in the evening.

So now you have trained on day 1 and day 2. By playing this game, mentally you feel like you took no rest days as you worked out on both days, but physically your body has rested for up to 36 hours which included one nights sleep which is essential for recovery.

Try this game and let us know what you think.

By Speedy Sneakers Walking and Running Clubs for Women

Run 4 Kids 5k Marysville Ohio

Speedy Sneakers members ran in the Run-4-Kids 5k in Marysville, Ohio. What a beautiful day it was to run as you can see from some of the pictures.

I think everyone had a great time and we some good running. This was the first race we have been to as a group since the Komen Race for a Cure 5k in Columbus and so it was fun to get the ladies back together to run in a fast 5k race.

This was also a good time for everyone to support some of our Marysville members who are always coming down to Columbus to run races.

Thanks to everyone who showed up.

Speedy Sneakers Womens Walking and Running Club

www.SpeedySneakers.com

Increase your Speed

If you have ever trained for awhile and found yourself in a rut, where no matter how hard you train it just seemed that you could not go any faster. What is the problem?

The problem may be you are training like a tortoise and wanting to run like the hare. Here are some tips for increasing your speed.

Run Intervals
Warm-up by jogging for 5 minutes slowly, then sprint for 30 seconds, jog 1 minute, sprint for 30 seconds, and jog another minute. The intensity and length of the intervals will depend on how fit you are. For starters try just a few repetitions, increasing them as you get fitter and stronger.

Run Hills
Warm-up for 5 minutes, find a small hill, run hard up the hill, and jog down. Repeat this until your heart rate is above 120 beats per minute, then jog back home slowly.

Run Strides
Warm-up for 5 minutes, find a smooth and flat piece of road, bike path, country road or grass field that is approximately 100 meters in length. Run the 100 meters fast, but in control. Think of yourself as an Olympic sprinter, smooth, strong and powerful.

Make sure that you are well rested to perform these “sprint” drills, incorporate some slow, long distance running, walking or jogging between these workouts to ensure adequate recovery.

by SpeedySneakers.com a Walking and Running Club for women.
Dedicated to promoting health and fitness through walking and running programs.