The RP Effort Scale

Making sense of an intangible

Everyone knows that following a period of inactivity, it’s wise to return to activities slowly. No need for speed or heavy miles during this phase of the rehabilitation process. Easy does it, right? Of course, everyone who has ever come back from an injury knows keeping things easy is, well, easier said than done. 

The conflict lies in the definition of the word, easy. How easy are we talking here? The answer tends to be, really easy. Easier than you want it to be, so easy, in fact, that it can feel like you’re taking things too easy. 

Inevitably, you pick up the pace or extend the run longer than you should because what you're doing feels remarkably easy! That’s the trap many runners fall into when they're coming back from an injury. The line between smart and stupid can be incredibly thin even in the best of times, let alone after you’ve been hurt. 

To navigate this tricky transitional period between complete rest and full send, it’s crucial to understand your effort level. This is also easier said than done.