Should I run every day?

kellijauch · May 2014

I've been running 1-2 miles, every other day. It's not easy yet, but I am able to do it without stopping. My body always looks trim and great the day of and after I run, but then I take a day off, and it fluffs back up. So, should I be running every day? With maybe one or two days a week off? Or should I just continue on my every other day plan? I'm 5'6", weigh 140 pounds, medium build. I'm not really looking to lose weight, as there's not much to lose, just tone everything up and be healthy.

DavPul · May 2014

no

Platform_Heels · May 2014

Every other day is fine for now since you're new to running.

And I doubt your body is "fluffing back up" after taking one day off from running.

Strokingdiction · May 2014

Only increase your distance by at most 10% each week or risk injury. Many run 5-6 times a week but your body needs a rest day, again, to avoid injury.

Lizbalzog · May 2014

Every other day is fine for running but maybe do some other exercise on non running days. Core strengthening is good, will help your running as well.

Stilllosing26 · May 2014

I am a runner like you(prefer running over other cardio), and run about every other day 2-3 miles. You can run every day if you want, but I find that I don't have to. On days I don't run, I walk outside. I find this better than killing myself running everyday. Do what works best for you. You don't need to run everyday! I promise!

bc2ct · May 2014

If you're running 1-2 miles a day... ya, you can run every day. If you find that any part of your body is in pain (not fatigue, the difference is important) then you should rest rather than pushing yourself into injury.

thavoice · May 2014

Its always good to take some days off from time to time.

When one starts I would advocate every other day.

Then run, run, rest, Repeat.
When I am in the full swing of things of running I run, run run, rest every 4 day cycle. I do different sorts of runs on those three run days to keep it fresh I suppose.

kellijauch · May 2014

I'm not really new to running, I just had taken some time off because of the weather, but my legs and core are strong. I do crunches, side bends, and pushups on the days I don't run. The only reason I stop at 2 miles or so is because my lungs can't handle it. I was a smoker for 13 years. I have been smoke free for 15 months now, so it's getting better, but it's still not so great. But my legs and body don't really get tired. It just seems like if I don't do it every day, the progress I make seems to reverse itself. Idk.

itodd4019 · May 2014

There is an entire community of people that run every day.. see "runeveryday.com" To get your certification, you need to run a minimum of 1 miler per day for 365 days. Running 1-2 miles is not a big deal man! Heck, you'd be sub 15 miles per week.

It's less than 30 minutes a day.

Listen to your body

If you enjoy it, Run man Run!

thavoice · May 2014

Since you are not new to running maybe try running 3 days, and off a day. It can very much help the body.
As for getting past the 2 mile mark.
This is how I go past my obstacles.
Run the normal distance. Walk for a few minutes. And then run again for up to 5 minutes. Do that a few times out and then try running maybe a 1/4 more extra. After you run the 1/4 extra a time or two, go through the process again of walking for a few minutes and then running for up to 5 again.

I found that was a way, for me, to increase through some barriers

KseRz · May 2014

If you are training for this ..... http://mydrinkon.com/indy-dash-5k-beer-run-and-tasting/

Then keep doing what youre doing.

kellijauch · May 2014

Thanks everyone! Definitely not training for the beer tasting as I don't drink beer, lol, just trying to be fit and healthy and increase my lung strength. I think I'll stick to every other day for now, then increase to every 2 days, then every 3, if my body responds well. I always listen to my body and rest if need be, sometimes several days, but sometimes it doesn't feel like I need to at all. I guess I will just go by how I feel physically. And I'm talking a 9-12 minute mile depending, so I'm not over-exerting myself by any means. I'm pretty slow most of the time.

Eric_DeCastro · May 2014

since you are only running 2 miles a day i would say it's safe to run everyday. when you start hitting 6miles and up maybe even 3.1 miles and up I would take at least one day rest.

but of course listen to your body. if you are in pain, then by all means take recovery days.

DavPul · May 2014

"Run everyday until you get to 6 miles per day" ??? Really??

ew.gif?t=1204847503

DavPul · May 2014

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1217573-so-you-want-to-start-running

sjohnny · May 2014

Is this what you've learned through your vast experience of running 6 miles that one time?

SonicDeathMonkey80 · May 2014

Huh

_Josee_ · May 2014

I'm averaging 9 miles a day this week without any rest day... Does it mean I'm doing it wrong ?!?

*kitten* !

itodd4019 · May 2014

that prince gif is a riot! hahaha

TheBrolympus · May 2014

Yes.

RunFarLiveHappy · May 2014

Man. I'm doing it wrong too. I'm shooting for 2014 miles this year. That averages out to 5.5 miles/day...

redtreediary · May 2014

My guess is that the "fluffing" is probably water related. If you want to run every day, by all means, run every day.

If you *don't,* and you're just annoyed with the fluffing, then seriously, it's probably something to do with your food/water intake pattern.

BrianSharpe · May 2014

Lots of experienced runners will run every day (sometimes twice) when training for a longer race, for most of us mere mortals running 3 to 5 days per week with x-training in between is usually sufficient.

There was an item in RW last year about one runner who finished a 45 year streak (but I'll bet there were lots of days when his run was a nice easy mile.....)

SonicDeathMonkey80 · May 2014

Allow me to clarify my "huh."

Running every day for 2mi would not yield the same benefits/adaptations as increasing the distance/duration of her existing ones. When built up well (eh, let's say 4-5mi), then I'd add another day, and increase the distance on that one over time. Build up for two weeks, back down a bit for one, repeat until you're awesome. I like streaks (or >7 day cycles) because you can train under a pretty good level of fatigue, and trust me, when you actually race that training fatigue experience will allow you to drop the hammer at the end of a race and piss off a lot of people. When you're cobbling together 1-2mi runs for the sake of preserving a streak, I just can't wrap my head around that. Rest is rest.

*ETA I am hardly a running professional, but the proof is in the puddin' (my profile).

jeepyj93 · May 2014

I would say no to running everyday as I sit here not been able to run for a year. I ran everyday and I now have such foot problems that I have not had one day walking pain free for a year.
I am not saying this will happen to you or that it was only running that caused my problems but there is no need to run everyday. Stick with every other day and gradually build up your distance. Don't try to increase speed before you build a base and increase your distance. There is no shame in taking walk breaks most new runners try to run to far to fast to soon. Add 10% to your distance weekly best way to stay injury free.

vmclach · May 2014

Wait, soooo what if I run twice a day every day? :-(

fivethreeone · May 2014

I'm not a runner and even I know this thread has too severe a case of the stupid to ever recover. I suggest euthanasia; it's more humane than letting it continue to limp along in pain.

sjohnny · May 2014

Then you'd be the superest runnerest runner EVAR

DavPul · May 2014

You may already be dead....

jayliospecky · May 2014

You would end up very, very, far away from here.

Should I run every day?

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