Through previous successive intense workout days, if you become very tired, would you opt for a recovery run or choose to rest on that day? Why?
If you opt for a recovery run on that day, how do you ensure that you don't get more tired from the recovery run?
I would like to hear about your real experiences.
if legs are very heavy then I prefer an easy cycle or swim. gets the blood circulating without making the legs feel any worse or risking injury.
This is probably going to vary quite a bit on an individual level. My experience has been that I feel better after a short, super easy (and I mean really easy-2-3 minutes/mile slower than MP) run than I do taking a complete rest or cross training. The exception to that is longer races that really take a toll on the body, like the marathon. After a marathon I will take a couple of days of just 30 minutes or so on the bike to get things loosened up, but won't do anything beyond that.