I took 3 days off in a row this past weekend (overtrained...needed a break). Is it ok to skip my rest day this week? It's my peak week right now and I don't have much energy to run tonight as I just had my longest swim ever and my body is tired. I also have an opportunity to have a nice dinner w/ hubby tonight, which is rare. Waddayathink?
Life is much more important than triathlons. If you have an opportunity to do something fun with your SO, do it. Conversely, if you want to train on a rest day, do it. You don't have to take one rest day a week, you just have to have rest days. Mine float, but I'm not hammering every single workout.
However, if you are a Gear Goddess, none of the above applies. Ride!
still go for easy runs or go for an easy swim. If you rest for one week it usually takes about 2 weeks to regain what you had before. but you sill need about 2 full rest days a week if you are in your peak week.
Check the last issue of Inside Triathlon magazine and on the advanced training schedules there are often 10 - 14 training days in a row without rest. These training plans assume you have a certain level of fitness before you use them, but if you feel you can, go for it.
I would look at your days off due to overtraining as a indicator that woudl tip the needle to no, you shouldn't skip your rest day.