picture from: http://s288.photobucket.com/albums/ll172/tonoxtekko/?action=view¤t=resting.jpg&newest=1
Sometimes rest days are like a toddler’s nap. The Child may insist they don’t want/need them – yet due to that nap they are MUCH better to be around. Like wise, as a runner, we may not WANT to take a rest day, but our performance is drastically improved (and injury avoided) due to taking that time off.
Now in my case, I had run Monday and Tuesday, and took Weds. off. Many runners would say you don’t need a break after 2 days, in fact, I know runners that only take one rest-day a week. There is nothing wrong with any of these options – I think the trick is to know your body and what it wants/needs – especially based on the level of fitness you are currently at, and the extent of the training done on the non-rest days. When I was training for my Marathon, I tried to go 6 days. I followed a pre-written plan. Last year, pre-hernia – I ran two days, with one day off and kept this up as a standard. I also avoided injury, felt good and it seemed to “Work” for me, so I am returning to what worked.
My idea was to get up at 5 am and go running in the dark. The dark is much more peaceful in the morning than at night – as no-one is up and out at that hour, while everyone is rushing to get home in the evening. Once again, a mostly-free evening beat out the loss of sleep, and the alarm got shut off. I’m sure that extra hour will make me run better tonight!
And Today’s Christmas Carol is also from the Parlor City Boy’s Chorus:
I run, because I am a runner. Having realized that I have always "been a runner" - even when I went years with out running, I am learning how it has integrated itself in all aspects of my life. When I started running in highschool, my perspective on life changed. Funny that I didn't realize how much it had affected it until just recently.
Once and Future Runner 
it’s so very true. you must be in my mind, lol. i was JUST looking at the running plan that smart coach spit out for me for my marathon training…and it needs work. we all run differently. im like you, i need a few days of rest, not just for my body, but for my mind so that i dont get so into ‘training mode’ that i forget to have fun with the running. take the break, and enjoy it. i think im going to do the same today and skip a 7 mile run and do some yoga instead. happy friday!
Aren’t friday’s grand!! And unlike rest days – I never resent them!!
I tried yoga, just couldnt’ get into it. May be i need to try it again.
Believe it or not, I have been doing the p90x yoga and so far, even though I am no where NEAR as flexible as the people on the dvd, I have to say that it has improved my posture and my times are improving along with it. I, too, didn’t think I would get into it, so give it a shot.