How important is it to rest during high mileage weeks leading up to a race? The answer is, yes you've guessed it, VERY important!
In fact, it could be argued that it is just as important as making sure you are getting 7+ hours of sleep every day to be able to get up and work/train/perform the next day. Recovery is the key to performing. It is sometimes abused and often not taken seriously enough. No matter what level and ability you are, recovering needs to be just as important as training.
Us runners can be a stubborn bunch. For me personally my one day a week rest day couldn’t come soon enough, however, once it’s here I’m itching to get out the door and run. But I know how important it is that I rest. I feel recharged, happier and stronger when running again. Recovery isn’t just resting from running, it’s giving your brain a break from training and giving your body a chance to refuel and absorb the vital nutrients your muscles need to recover and prepare for another hard week of training.
Be smart and refuel cleverly. Taking on vital ingredients at times that matter will make a huge impact on your training. Protein as we all know has a huge benefit to recovering. Protein shakes, bars, and meals will repair your muscles after training and help rebuild damaged muscle tissue. HIGH5 uses the very highest quality of whey protein isolate for optimal recovery.
Post-exercise nutrition can improve the quality and rate of recovery after exercise. This is vital for reaching and maintaining a high level of fitness. Less muscle damage and better recovery can result in stronger more resilient muscle, lower risk of injury, and more rapid fitness gains from your training. HIGH5 offers a range products that will compliment your recovery. You might also want to add a twist to your recovery drink - you can find some great ideas here.
HIGH5 Running Nutrition Guides have been designed to help you run faster and to finish a challenge, like a marathon, feeling strong and with a smile on your face. HIGH5 work exceptionally hard to ensure that you can perform at your best. HIGH5 Sports Nutrition undergoes rigorous testing in both the lab and with athletes in the real world. It won’t let you down when it matters most.
Enjoy your rest days, embrace them as they will make us runners faster and fitter. Without rest days we would run ourselves into the ground through over-training and increasing our risk of picking up an injury. Look after yourself, fuel yourself with the correct nutrition that will help you to replenish the vitamins and minerals that we lose through training… and lastly, inspire others! There is always someone working harder than you out there but there is also always someone wishing they could be doing just as much as you!
Be clever – train smart!
Your team from RunningWithUs
HIGH5 Recovery Drink
A delicious tasting shake for use after exercise. Recovery Drink contains 18g of whey isolate, a top quality source of protein which contributes towards muscle growth and maintenance. Get yours here.