Workout advice needed - especially from runners

angela1700
angela1700 Posts: 31 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Since I have started running, I feel like I am doing it because I CAN do it, not because I really enjoy it. I feel proud of myself for being able to run 3 miles, seeing as in high school I could not even run 1. I don't want to give it up, but, I don't see myself doing any more than a 5k. My question is this, is it okay to only run once per week? My workout schedule is as follows:
Sunday - run
Monday - Strength Training (NROLW)
Tuesday- Rest
Wednesday- Zumba (1 hour class)
Thursday- Strength training
Friday - Zumba
Saturday - Zumba

Should I replace one of my zumba days with running, or should I just keep my 1 day until I feel like I want to do more? Usually if I have race coming up, I would run a little more.

Replies

  • samkelly89
    samkelly89 Posts: 198 Member
    I think that it is totally ok to run once a week! I only ran once a week for a long time until I decided to start training for a marathon. It just depends on your goals. If you are happy with where you're at with your 5k time then doing it once a week is ok, but if you want to improve your time or distance, then you should probably add in some more running to your week. Like interval training or long runs. When I was running once a week, I would run 3 miles once a week and never got better or worse til I started running more.
  • leilaphoenix
    leilaphoenix Posts: 839 Member
    You are unlikely to improve by only running once a week. Personally I'd try and get two in. But it you just want to keep it up, then once a week would be fine.
  • susannahcooks
    susannahcooks Posts: 293 Member
    as long as you're not training for a race, i think its fine to run only 1 time a week. You're getting plenty of cardio from Zumba, so I think you're covered there. :)

    I am the same way - I run maybe 2 times a week - my 3rd day is sometimes a hike, sometimes a swim, sometimes running stairs - just depends on my mood. I am not a fan of running longer than about 45 minutes so I'm only 'training' to burn the same amount of calories in a shorter time! *laugh*

    Good luck!
  • farmgirlsuz
    farmgirlsuz Posts: 351 Member
    There is no right or wrong. Do whatever makes you happy. If "only" running three miles once a week is good for you, then that is enough. (I say "only" because as you pointed out, in high school you couldn't even run ONE and now you are running THREE! There are thousands of people who would love to be able to run that far!)
    Unless you are training for something in particular, whatever training schedule you do is certainly more than doing nothing at all!
  • Spikethered
    Spikethered Posts: 108
    I started once a week , then a couple of times a week, now it's every other day with longer runs at the weekend. In the days I'm not running I am doing Insanity again, which helps a lot.
  • UncleRiotous
    UncleRiotous Posts: 69
    Why are you running? If you don't enjoy it and it's only for cardio fitness I'd question if you'll keep it up. I'd have a look around, try some other types of cardio and see what you can find that you really enjoy.

    I got into cycling about 5-6 years ago and love it, I'd rather be on a bike than anywhere else and therefore I ride regularly. I know other people who don't enjoy that but love running, some who love swimming it's about finding something that you enjoy.

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