Running Daily?

treesaaaaap

Is it safe/normal to run a few miles daily, or at least 6 days a week? Or should you take a resting day in between like for lifting?

mbaker566

not when you are starting out.
rest days are vital.
you could try a structured program like something on the Runkeeper app or the c25k.

once you develop a base then you can run everyday. but in the beginning you need to give your body time to recover

(sorry, I'm assuming you're a beginner)

tincanonastring

I've been running for a few years. I find that I get burned out after a few weeks of running every day (well, 6 days and a rest). My knees, ankles, etc. all feel fine, but I lose my mojo somewhere in the 3rd or 4th week and by week 6 I tend to start skipping days.

ElJefeChief

Nothing wrong with running daily IMHO, but yes, you do have to work up to it or else you risk injury.

steph2strong

Nothing wrong with running everyday, most of my family members and myself have gone through periods where we run 6 days a week (mixing up speed work, long runs, hill work etc.). However most of us have found that mixing it up with other forms of cardio (and strength work) improves our running, as well as motivation and interest to work out. Personally I found running 3-4 times per week and doing something else (biking, rowing, elliptical) 2-3 times per week with about 3 strength sessions per week was ideal. I'm unfortunately out of commission running wise for the next 2-3 months so am solely relying on the other forms of cardio and strength work, I really miss my running!

treesaaaaap

Great. Thanks for the input everyone!

SaraJane112

I absolutely love running and would run everyday if I could, but you really need to be in tune with how your body is feeling. Some days I feel like I can fly and I speed past anyone else running in the park, and other days I know that really what my body needs is walking with slow jogging intervals. I go pretty much every other day. But I think you can build yourself up to go everyday.

eep223

I agree with @SaraJane112 . Run every day if you are feeling it, but if you're feeling sluggish take a day off. I mostly do every other day, but every body is different.

ThickMcRunFast

When starting out, its not a good idea. However, when you build up, it is not a problem. A lot of advanced marathon plans will have you running 6 days a week (though these workouts vary, some are easy, some are fast, some are hilly). Some people run every day just because they like it.

But this is after years of running. In the beginning, people do not have the musculature to support running that much, and injury risks increases.

fiddletime

When I was young and in good shape I ran 5-6 x per week for years. As I've gotten older I've cut back both on distance and on number of days. I listen to my body, as I don't want to get injured. A doctor told me when I was 18 to "stop running" as I had runner's knees. I'm still running 40 years later, but am very careful about listening to sore joints or muscles.

gdyment

Some guys run twice per day - totaling 8-9 runs a week. I still usually take 1 day off (old) but still will do something like 5x5 or a hard swim or something. But for sure you can't just jump into that - slow build, over months and years.