Training signals

Resting Heart Rate: When a Few Extra Beats Mean Cut the Week

October 8, 2026 · 7 min read

A resting heart rate that stays a few beats above normal is a reason to ease the week, not a reason to add a workout.

Resting heart rate is the pulse before you get out of bed, or the overnight low on a watch. Yours has a usual band. A single high morning is easy to explain. A rate that stays a few beats up for several days is the signal.

What a higher rate usually means

Heat, a poor night, a drink, or the day after a long run can lift it. So can the start of a cold. If it is still high after an easy day, the week is asking for less, not more.

What to change

Drop the quality day. Keep one or two short easy runs if the legs feel normal. Do not add miles to 'make the week count.' A resting rate that will not come down is also a reason to read the shin and stress-fracture guides if pain showed up with it.

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