Hi, I'm a Jr. College Freshman and I'm considering not taking any days off after the XC season and instead running a week of very easy mileage, say 4 or 5 miles for a few days. Then a 40 mile week the following week, and from there start building a base eventually getting up to 60's high and low 70's. Is there any reason why I should take a week completely off if I haven't experienced any injuries this season and am mentally ready to move forward into the base training phase?
Sounds REALLY dangerous to me.
Is running one week really worth the possibility of getting injured and missing six weeks or something like that? You'd be surprised how much your body can recover in a full seven days. If you think you absolutely HAVE to work out, try some cross training like cycling or swimming. I didn't take any time off in between track and summer training last season and I ended up missing almost the entire XC season. If I could do one thing, it would be to just go back to June and take a couple weeks off to recharge. In such a small amount of time you will lose practically no fitness. And if you lose any at all, you will regain it in probably two days.
I know of at least one very successful coach that advocates this.
Here's his ebook:
I read it and it makes sense to me. Seems like he's got good results with younger runners.
Key is to take it very easy in your two weeks respite. Nothing anaerobic.
Thanks for the advice guys
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