About this episode

The episode explores the psychological reasons runners dislike rest days and how to reframe them as essential for high performance.

For many runners, rest days don’t feel like recovery. They feel like falling behind. And there are very real neuroscientific reasons this happens. So how did recovery become the hardest workout of the week.for so many runners? Let’s find out. On today’s episode, you’ll learn: why productivity can become psychologically addictive, why many runners feel unsafe or uncomfortable when they rest, and how to reframe rest as an essential part of high performance instead of a sign of weakness. As a high-achieving go-getter myself, this episode really hits home for me and you’ll see how this topic isn’t just about your running, but how you run your life. Welcome to the Planted Runner. I’m Coach Claire Bartholic and my mission is to help you improve your running, your mindset, and your life with science-backed training and plant-based nutrition. If you need more help, you can order my book The Planted Runner: Running Your Best With Plant-Based Nutrition wherever you get books or request a copy from your local library. Don’t forget to stay tuned all the way to the end of the episode for another Mental Strength Minute. Fortify your mind in 60 seconds or less. LINKS: If you’d like help…

People in this episode

Host: Claire Bartholic

Topics covered

• rest days
• recovery
• neuroscience
• psychology
• high performance
• mindset

Keywords

• rest days
• recovery
• neuroscience
• psychological addiction
• high performance
• running
• mindset

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Planted Runner: Running Your Best With Plant-Based Nutrition

More episodes of The Planted Runner

• Marathon Era Over? Here's The Big Thing No One Tells You · May 28, 2026 · 16 min
• This is Why Silly-Looking Skips Are Really Powerful for Runners · May 21, 2026 · 14 min
• BONUS: 5-Minute Guided Warm Up for Long Runs · May 15, 2026 · 6 min

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