A Week Off Helps Even A Non-Athlete Gain Improvements

A couple of weeks ago, I enjoyed a week work training trip to Corpus Christi. I had been biking every day and was doing ok, feeling less tired by the end of the week! Nervous about losing my habit, I made arrangements to have Brett haul my bike down there… As things work out sometimes, we missed our connection and I arrived in beautiful Corpus, bike-less.

The hotel was right on the bay with sidewalks for miles of walking…and the ‘gym’ had both dry and steam saunas. Both classes and conference were really informative. All the varied cuisine was a heavenly treat! I savoured every unusual bite, knowing that once back home, I would be lucky to find a gyro.

Time would have been scarce for biking anyway. Two mornings I went boogie boarding on a friend’s borrowed board, A couple of evenings I walked along the bay. A warning sign said ‘no using the dry, steam sauna, alone’ kept me out the first day, but really who wants to sit in a small sauna with a perfect stranger! My home really needs a dry sauna!

Monday, incarcerated back in College Station, I hopped on The Beast and pedaled off. I was nervous it would be a hard ride. It was Beautiful! 32 minutes later I was in my office! That is 8 minutes off my average! With No extra effort!! My entire next week of pedaling was smooth and easy!

I am not even an athlete. I ride 4-5 days a week, 16 miles per day, usually averaging 40 minutes for my 8 mile commute. Yet even my performance improved after a rest week.

Moral of the story: No matter what level of ‘training’ you are doing, taking a rest week after 4-8 weeks of steady activity will gain you faster time and improved performance ease.