How often do you run?

Mandygring
Mandygring Posts: 704 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm still learning to run. I've been improving too which is exciting. Lol I aim for 5 or 6 days a week. I was wondering if that's the normal amount or if it's too much.
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Replies

  • NadiaMayl
    NadiaMayl Posts: 496 Member
    I guess it would depend on mileage or effort? You want to let your body get some recovery time in between big efforts. I alternate days with strength training, so I run 2-3x per week.... "Run" on the treadmill, I am not a runner, but to me, what I do, feels like running... Which is probably fast walking for the experienced, faster runner.... Hehehe
  • Philtex
    Philtex Posts: 1,231 Member
    I run either 2 or 3 days during the work week, plus one long run on the weekend.
  • silverfiend
    silverfiend Posts: 329 Member
    4 days a week for me. I am on a 10K training program and it stresses more slow paced/long duration runs, with some intervals and sprints tossed in. It's working because I put the same "effort" into my easy run days and my pace is getting faster.
  • Dano74
    Dano74 Posts: 503 Member
    Nice work!! Running can be brutal- and to make improvements feels awesome, amiright?
    As for your schedule, pretty normal. That said, as @NadiaMayl noted, gradual increases will help you avoid injury before doing to much too soon, as will appropriate recovery.
  • Mandygring
    Mandygring Posts: 704 Member
    That's awesome silverfriend!
  • tonafoto
    tonafoto Posts: 246 Member
    2 days 3 miles, 1 day 4 miles, 1 day rest, 2 days 3 miles, 1 day 4 miles, 1 day rest...etc.
    I'm not running very fast: about 5 miles an hour.
    With a 2000 calorie intake the pounds fly away... :)
  • Mandygring
    Mandygring Posts: 704 Member
    I want fly away pounds too lol
  • Rururiri
    Rururiri Posts: 31 Member
    I only run 3 times a month sometimes only once :#
  • elitelightspeed
    elitelightspeed Posts: 2 Member
    I try to run almost everyday 1 mile followed by 100m sprints and 5 miles on a bike.
  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    I "run" about 6 times a week when my health permits, but that includes only 3 real runs and 3 barely shuffling for 20 minutes just because I enjoy running and like to make the best of it when I'm able. So about 3 times a week of actual runs including one long run followed by a rest day.
  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    Mandygring wrote: »
    I want fly away pounds too lol

    Well, I get an even better benefit than fly away pounds! I get eat away days while still losing just the same

    dottljm2jvfz.png
  • jennypapage
    jennypapage Posts: 489 Member
    3 times a week is the recommended amount for new runners, and i follow that. It's also something i can stick to in the long term.
  • adub119
    adub119 Posts: 27 Member
    I haven't ran in about 10 years.
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,630 Member
    I run about once a month. :grin:



    I'm a cyclist .... :)
  • girlinahat
    girlinahat Posts: 2,956 Member
    jennypapaje wrote: »
    3 times a week is the recommended amount for new runners, and i follow that. It's also something i can stick to in the long term.

    this is me. I do two forty minute runs and a long-run at weekends. I think 5/6 days a week is for established runners and those with a longer distance goal in mind. Rest days are crucial and help to build strength.
  • SwindonJogger
    SwindonJogger Posts: 325 Member
    about 5 days a week, works out around 25 miles a week.
  • BasicGreatGuy
    BasicGreatGuy Posts: 857 Member
    edited September 2016
    In my opinion, 3 times a week is good for beginners. This is the time frame that beginner apps like C25K start from. Even if you are doing lower miles, running 5 - 6 days a week could bring overuse injury, as your body has not adapted to the stress and rigors of running 5 - 6 days a week. That takes time to build up to. It is best to stick with 3 days a week for 6 months (as a new runner) and then consider adding another day of running every six months or so.

    Edited to add: I currently run 5 days a week and will be moving to 6 days a week very shortly. I am an ultra runner and I need all those days to be able to do my running mileage (75 - 100 miles a week). Every 3 weeks I have a cutback week, where I don't run as many miles. If I had had a particularly hard running week, I will do a cutback the following week. That way I don't overwhelm my body.
  • mcdonagk
    mcdonagk Posts: 136 Member
    Hardly ever, my lower back locks up after about 1 mile or so. I compensate by boing HIT 2 or 3 times a week.
  • Return2Fit
    Return2Fit Posts: 226 Member
    Mandygring wrote: »
    I'm still learning to run. I've been improving too which is exciting. Lol I aim for 5 or 6 days a week. I was wondering if that's the normal amount or if it's too much.
    I run 3 miles right before a full body workout with weights, and I usually take two days off from both activities.
    I call my non-training days "working rest"...and on those days it's swimming and hiking barefoot in the woods.

    Your frequency would depend on your overall goals.

  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    never!


    In any case, if you're just starting out you want to have more time to rest and make adaptations. You don't want to start getting "overuse" injuries like shin splints,plantar fasciitis, etc.

    I would start off with every other day, so 3-4 days a week total.
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    5-6 might be a bit much if you are new.

    I have run anywhere from 1-6 days a week depending in what I was training for. Marathon training...5-6 days/week. Non competitive Half training...2-3 days. General fitness 1-2 days. I like to run so I try to get at least one day a week in
  • lporter229
    lporter229 Posts: 4,907 Member
    I also echo the advice that if you are just starting out, 3 days per week is enough. At this point, the recovery is as important as the runs themselves. Those who run 6 days a week, usually take years to work up to that point and even still, they alternate hard runs with easy "recovery" runs. You body has to adapt to a point where easy running can be considered recovery.
  • SkinnyFatBGone
    SkinnyFatBGone Posts: 59 Member
    2 or 3 times a week.
  • CincyNeid
    CincyNeid Posts: 1,249 Member
    Whenever my bike is broke. Or I sign up for an event.

    Now when I'm training for the Flying Pig Half Marathon I go out a few times a week. Whatever McMillian Running suggest. .
  • AmandaDanceMore
    AmandaDanceMore Posts: 298 Member
    I'm a new runner and have been following the 3 days a week thing. This week was the first time I've ran 4 days (I was bored yesterday afternoon and had some time to kill and it was pretty out. So I went for an easy run. I don't know who I am anymore!). 5 or 6 this early on would kill me.

    I used to always say I would never run, but for inspired by a friend awhile back. Did a bunch of research to help avoid shin splints (a big factor on why I never ran), and have been amazed at how much I've been enjoying it. I still love my bikes the most, but due to some serious anti-bike sentiments in my area, I've grown to wary of riding on the roads, and the 45 minutes to pack and unpack and drive to the trail makes riding, time wise, almost impossible. So nice to put on shoes and go out the door!
  • apullum
    apullum Posts: 4,838 Member
    If you are a new runner, I would recommend running three days a week with rest days in between. Giving your body time to rest will help prevent injury that can happen from trying to do too much, too soon. You don't have to be sedentary on the off days--you can cross train instead, which will also help prevent injury.
  • aarar
    aarar Posts: 684 Member
    When I first started I ran 3-4 days a week without any back to back days.
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    New runner? 3 days a week max. Set a goal of the distance you want to run. Do this for a period of time and increase mileage no more than 10% per week preferably run this 10% increase for two weeks straight before adding another 10%. Now increasing speed/pace is a different goal and different training methods.

    Your running fundamentals are very important.. good form, and having built a solid foundation to your running fitness..do this slowly as this is not just not for your hearth and lungs, its for your your bones, ligaments, tendons and muscles etc. This prevents injury.

    The best thing to do is cross train and also incorporate strength training into you running program.
  • JasonRainboze
    JasonRainboze Posts: 168 Member
    I used to run a lot and now I am kind of supplementing my workouts with 1 five mile run a week. I want to do more. Sometimes I run with my dogs for a mile or so before work. There really isn't too much as long as you eat right, stretch and listen to your body.

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