C25K Question - does easy run equal no health benefits ?

Babieseverywhere

Onto Week Three, Run One.

First time I have ran in two weeks due to straining knee muscle. Oh boy have I missed running ! Never thought I would say that. I took it really easy and only walked and jogged rather than trying to run faster. I just enjoyed the time and when the final three mins was up, I wanted to keep on running ! But I didn't want to push my newly healed knee, so I stopped.

But when I finished this run I was hardly out of breath at all and only slightly red in the face, so I wonder if I get any health benefits from such an easy run, even through I did still cover 1.41 miles ?

I am to rest for the weekend and see how the knee feels. Hopefully will do run two on Monday, I can't wait

Athena413

There are major health benefits just from walking - so I'm sure there are still lots of benefits from an easy run. The point is, you're off your butt and moving. Good work!

docHelen

you are doing the right thing by taking it easy when you get back after injury....just hang on to that enthusiasm and continue to enjoy it. i've been running all through my weight loss (now nearly at my goal) and it now feels so easy it just seems unreal but i'm just enjoying it

sabified

I don't know about the health benefits as in calories burned, but I would definitely consider not killing your knee as a health benefit Good on you for stopping! I know lots of people who would be like "I don't feel tired, I can do more" and then end up in bed for another week cuz they can't move whatever it was they injured.

CarolynB38

Rest days are just as important as hard run days. It's better to build it up slowly and to be able to keep going, than to go harder and risk injuring yourself. Gentle runs actually do quite a bit for you cardio fitness. Your heart does benefit greatly for training at gentler levels like 50-60% of max HR even though you don't burn as much fat at these levels. It's a good idea to schedule an easier run into each week too. Sometimes it can actually make your next run better.

elzettel

The most important part is that you heal and remain injury free. You still got out there and got moving and yes there is are benefits. Not each and every run has to be full out. You'll learn those 'easy' runs are just as important as those in which you push yourself. I say good job on listening to your body, resting when your knee needs it and getting out there! Hope the knee heals well and best of luck with the rest of your program!

Babieseverywhere

Thanks for all the replies MFP is full of very supportive people

dixiech1ck

I only run at maybe 4.5 mph and I've lost 16 lbs and lost inches everywhere (I run 3-4 times/week) so yes, it definitely is beneficial.

Babieseverywhere

I only run at maybe 4.5 mph and I've lost 16 lbs and lost inches everywhere (I run 3-4 times/week) so yes, it definitely is beneficial.

Wow, how great That makes me feel very good about today's run, as I was running at 4.5 mph

l3ugjuice

Yep, easy run is still a run. Do what you can is a good rule of thumb, IMO.

I completed the C25k program a while ago...4 or 5 months ago I guess. Now, most days I run 4/walk 1, some days I run 2 miles, some days I dont run at all...and then some days I imitate Forrest Gump and "i've run this far, I may as well keep going..." for 10+ miles (okay, so this is only like once or twice a month on the weekend). Most days my pace is around 10 minutes/mile, some days it's 8.5/mi (really, REALLY rare...)...some days it averages out to about 13 minutes per mile. I just sorta let my body tell me what I'm able to do.

Whatever I'm doing, it's better than I was doing before.

Babieseverywhere

Whatever I'm doing, it's better than I was doing before.

Too right