ADMITTEDLY it’s been recently forced upon me – rest that is, but nonetheless it appears to be what I needed.
FOR various reasons, since last Saturday’s hike with fellow members of the Alpine Trail’s Association (ATA), I haven’t done any riding, or any strenuous activities for that matter.
SPEAKING of the ATA…Saturday, June 12th is the ATA’s Curtz Lake Trail Day event.
We’d love to see you there!
That Was My Quick Plug. Now Let’s Get Back To Rest
AS I was saying…er, writing, I’ve gotten three (3) full-on rest days since that walkabout (we were doing some fascinating recon – finding missing sections of an old YCC trail) near the Markleeville Airport, and that itself was somewhat restful. We did three (3) miles in the same amount of hours. A nice pace indeed and a nice break from “the usze.” Youze? Yooz?
WELL since then, and as I alluded to earlier, due to work, life, and such, I haven’t been able to put in any serious athletically-oriented time. The benefit? Real rest. And, real recovery.
NOW I realize that this isn’t the best way to gain fitness. On the contrary, my fitness, and the corresponding “scores” are declining. Not for long. But that’s not my point. My point is that I’m REALLY seeing the impact long-term rest is having on my performance. In my mind it’s validating that focus on rest and sleep is as important as focus on HIIT, TTs, endurance and tempo. See this earlier post for more on that if you’re so inclined.
HRV up.
RHR down.
THAT’S the long and short of this little missive.
I don’t share this data out of hubris, no; it’s just that since I’ve been in denial for most of the weekend-warrior part of my life I figured that you too might not be as steeped in those sleep and rest habits as you could be either.
KNOWING these little details has helped me better understand how my body reacts to stress, both chronic and acute, and so I can more easily know when things are off and more importantly, when things are on.
MY genuine desire is that what I’ve learned, and am continuing to learn, will help you in some way.
I’d love to know either way so do comment on this post, will ya?
IN the meantime let’s all relax, have a cerveza, and get ready for the Deathride!
FINGERS-CROSSED, my new, more restful outlook will help come July.
2 thoughts on “Rest – What a Concept!”