I'm going to guess, that like me, you competed for at least eight years, (High School & College) - if so, than you know that there were some people who could train at a higher intensity than others.

Right?

I'd think we'd also agree that after years of training, you and I can do things that beginners can't (or shouldn't be doing).

This is especially true with training, particularly with regards to intensity or rest.

I often go for 30-90 days without taking a break - because I can, it won't bother me, my body recovers when I'm sleeping, but I've built up to that.

For people who are asking advice on training, E.g. Beginners - doing something would result in burnout and injuries.


And like I said, even Navy Seals/Rangers/Special Ops folks in general, take a day off whilst going through their training routines and they're in better shape than most of us will ever be.

Look at this beginners marathon training program:

http://www.runnersworld.com/home/0,1300,1-51-56-633,00.html

Notice the rest days.

Another training program:

http://www.runnersworld.com/home/0,1300,1-51-55-638,00.html

This program is for more of an advanced 5k runner - but it includes rest days.

Granted, these programs are both rather easy, but they'll get the average person into excellent shape and they should easily avoid overtraining.

Because we are talking about beginners here.

Let's even look at some extreme Kenyan workouts:

http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/0387.htm

At various phases they have rest days, or very easy runs, which are mostly to help fight soreness than anything else - and the pace these guys train at, those easy runs of 30 minutes at an easy pace, are like taking two days off for other extremely fit people.

And the Kenyans do take 4-6 weeks off of no running at all, so it evens out.

The point is that you do need to push yourself to extremes to reach your maximum level of fitness, but you do need to rest, especially if you're a normal person who isn't trying to win the World Marathon Title.

I could dig up some training prgrams from my runner's world collection if you want to discuss this further, but practically everyone's training program has an "easy day" "rest day" "Cross-training day/pool day" - which means they may be excercising, but not running or training at such a low intensity that it's basically rest anyway.

E.g. I can see your point about pushing yourself past your limits, but you don't need to train 2x a day for 30 days straight to get there.

Effective training coupled by rest days is the way to go. Particularly when you consider that 1 rest day a month for middle distance guy XYZ, is roughly equivalent to one day off a week for the average person, when you factor in fitness level, ability to recover, etc.


Peace,






M2

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