Pre-Training Day 2: Rest

Today is a rest day on my training schedule. I'm still trying to work out what a rest day means (no exercise, or just no running?) and what additional training I can/should do on non-rest days. The thing I'm most interested in is recovery so my training will be optimized for greatest success. Here is what google has helped me find. I am open to suggestions.

http://www.active.com/triathlon/Articles/Breaking_It_Down__Physiology__Running_and_Recovery.htm
http://www.active.com/running/Articles/A_fresh_perspective_on_recovery_runs.htm
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/sampleworkouts/a/After-Exercise.htm