Should I Run or Should I Rest?

Is this a question you’ve ever asked yourself? Most runners in their time will probably have asked themselves this very question… SHOULD I RUN or SHOULD I REST?

How do you decide if you should run or not or even see a medical professional? The answer is not that simple unfortunately, as we are all different but it follows on from our previous blog - [How to get your Running Back on Track].

So in this blog I want to discuss the various questions to ask yourself the next time the issue of Running or Resting comes up. Ask yourself these 6 questions:

Am I in pain?
Not all pains are serious, that doesn't mean I am giving you permission to run through all pains (which could make things worse!) Ache pains tend not to be too serious compared to a sharp/stabbing pain which is not what you should be feeling. The same goes for pains the disappear after few minutes of running and don’t return, whereas pains that stay and are unremitting may indicate something more serious.
Does the pain stop me from moving normally?
What is the phrase - DON’T RUN BEFORE YOU CAN WALK!! Basically there’s no point doing exercise if day-to-day life is becoming a real struggle. Seek help if you can’t move properly from a qualified Physio or Doctor!
Am I listening to my body?
Pain may not come on straight away after a run, so you should be vigilant during, straight after & up to 48hrs later following strenuous exercise. (Tendons are notorious for only hurting the day after a run!) Listen to how your body responds to exercise, it will show/tell you if its struggling via pain, swelling, soreness, redness etc.
How much have I done in the last Week /& Month?
Are you keeping track of your running millage per week /per month? If not, you should. Its easier to spot if your under or over-doing exercise when you keep a log of your fitness activities & running millage per week/month, (Based on research work from Dr Tim Gabbett). Here are a few signs that you may be overdoing it with your fitness/running. E.g. heavy legs, fatigue, constant muscle ache, no desire to run, reduced running performance (slower speeds than normal), low mood/irritability, poor sleep and increased susceptibility to illness (keep catching coughs/colds too easily).
Whats coming up on the horizon / is there anything better I could do?
Have you got a whole host of events you’ve entered this Spring, Summer & Autumn and want to be fresh/fit for them all. Its not always worth pushing too hard too soon, as chances are you’ll fall at the first hurdle. The best approach would be to ask yourself - is there something better I could be doing with my time right now instead (and thats not always running). It could be a Gym session, Sports Massage, Pilates, Meditation, Yoga, swimming or cycling etc?
Would Rest be more beneficial
Actually a lot of our body’s adaptations/improvements actually occur when you rest/sleep following strenuous exercise/activity. Serious runners seem to dread the word ‘REST’, but it is an essential part of what we do and how we survive as humans! A carefully selected rest day in a runners programme can make all the difference (particularly after a big run). Don’t be afraid to schedule in a couple of days per week. (Please note* too much rest has almost the opposite effect, and you will decondition and deteriorate the other way - so find a happy balance).