Runners - How many days a week do you run?

I am halfway through the C210K program. It recommends only three days a week - taking a day off in between. I know the body has to recover, but I want to run more! Does anybody run 5 days a week? ... or at least run days back to back?

Replies

KEShikes

I generally run 6 days a week, but I vary the length and intensity a lot - some days are really easy, some are quite hard. I never do two hard days back to back.

If you're new at it, though, you should go a little easier. Last summer I did the C25K to get back into running after a LONG break. I did it 4 days a week to start and found that quite manageable.

I would say that if your body is telling you it's ready to run more, then it is!

tigerbluefly

I run 5 days a week but I'm following a training plan for a full marathon. Before that I only ran 3 days. When I first started running last year I ran 5 days right away because I felt great and then hurt my knee. I couldn't run for 2 months due to doing too much too soon.

3 days is perfect for you as your body gets used to it. The general rule is to increase your distance by no more than 10% a week, so do that with one of your runs or throw it in as a 4th run as you go, then eventually a 5th.
It's about weekly mileage, not days, but I also found that my knees needed the break too sometimes.

Go by how you feel but you do not want to hurt yourself, trust me. Be patient and do it the right way.

barbiex3

I run about 32 miles a week on average. I usually will run 7 days a week. Per month I'll probably take 2 or 3 rest days, but I will cross train on those days. I also have light days of 2 miles..

Panda_Jack

When I first started running I was running 3x a week.
I currently run 5 days a week, swim 5 days a week and cycle 3 days a week. Ironman California here I come!!

SmartFunGorgeous

Granted, I just finished week 6 of the C25K, so I'm the very definition of newbie, but I am sticking with the plan until I finish the program. At 270 pounds, I think my knees respect me more for limiting my running to 3x a week.

I run Mon, Wed, and Sat; I walk and do weight resistance training on Tues, Thurs, and Fri, and Sunday is complete rest. I've found that my best times are Monday and Saturday.

In case no one caught that, I weigh 270 pounds and just ran 25 minutes without stopping today!

Sorta proud. :blushing:

RunningAddict

5-6 days a week for me.

linnea213

I usually run 4 miles, 4 days a week. Just ran my 1st 5k since my weight loss and training and finished in 33:45. I was happy with that number. Just picked up running again about 6 weeks ago. I'm 30lbs lighter than the last 5k...what a difference!

hockeymom180

Every other day. I started the C25K program in July and run every other day. So some weeks it's four and some it's three. On my off days I do yoga or weights. I take a break one day a week and usually just walk or do some very gentle yoga that's really just a bunch of stretching.

hockeymom180

Delete, dupe.

NotGoddess

I'm on c25k, week 5. I plan on running 3x a week, walking leisurely on other days and do weights opposite the running. I've done 2 days in a row and felt great-even ran 2x in one day. Other times I'll have the rest day then go to run and it turns into a brisk walk instead. I usually let me body tell me when to run-I get this antsy, distracted 'go go go' sense on the days I do really well running, so I've been listening for that.

Funny thing is that I still don't -like- running, but I'm starting to love it, if that makes any sense.

CyclingDiva

I generally always, always, always, give myself a day of rest in between each run. I will often walk on my days off, but mostly always at a leisure pace. Sometimes I play around with my run days and will not take a full rest day during the week... so run Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, then take that Sunday off. I usually do that leading up to a race, though.

WAY to go on accomplishing your 5k goal...YEAH!!!!!

valeriebpdx

Just two, now. I am busy and enjoying other types of exercise, too. The most I was ever running was 5 during an intense marathon training period. I'm not going to lie, it's hard on the body (well, running long AND fast AND often is hard on the body ... I know lots of people who do regular casual running almost every day). I think 3 is pretty good for a person. It gives you the rest you need to try harder stuff (intervals, speedwork, long runs, etc.) and the days off to cross-train, which is good for both the body and the soul. I got out of whack and gained some lifelong (so far) niggling injuries when all I was ever trying to do was move the lower body, forward, ever faster, almost every day.

jessicamckay13

Tues easy run, Wed sometimes weights, Thurs faster run, Fri sometimes weights, Sat easy run, Sun long run, Mon OFF.

If I'm not feeling it, I take a day off. If I have way too much energy I add in another workout.

duqtape

I run 3 days, do plyometrics one day and strength one day and two days of rest.
Make sure you are resting, especially after your long run (the 6.1, 7.1, 8.1 etc of the C210K program) and after heavy weights.

There is a big movement in only running 3 days. Several of the Runner's World coaches push it and recommend another form of exercise the other 2-3 days. Many high performance athletes swear their times have improved greatly by running less miles.
You can read more, if you care, on Runner's World dot com or I read the Brain Training for Runners book. A different kind of running book. He only recommends 3 days for everyone.

But ... to each his own...

duqtape

I run about 32 miles a week on average. I usually will run 7 days a week. Per month I'll probably take 2 or 3 rest days, but I will cross train on those days. I also have light days of 2 miles..

But you are in training with your college for meets and times and stuff ... not recreational. My 2 cents.