What's in a Rest Day?

Why rest days? It's simple really (or is it?). Rest days are your body's chance to recover from all the training you've put it through. It's the chance to realise all the hard work you've been putting in. The day you can look back and see where you've come from and what you've accomplished then plan ahead. Physiologically it gives your body and mind time to repair from the rigors of training. All those miles take a toll on the body both physically and mentally. That soreness you feel in those quads are little microtears in the muscle that take time to rebuild. Given the chance they adapt to that stress and build back stronger. Not given the chance well you get subpar healing. Mentally a rest day gives you the chance to let the last workout or race go that may have been tough, disappointing, etc. Refocus on that rest day and get back in the game. I will schedule at least one rest day per week. Always nice to feel those fresh legs after a good day off.