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    Newbie runners

    Posts: 1,076 Member
    edited September 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
    How many times a week do you run? I printed off a training sheet at runnersworld.com and it says for me to run 3x a week. But i feel like i could do 4. I just curious what everyone else does. I don't want to overdue anything.

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    Replies

    • Posts: 201
      If you're just starting, you should probably stick with 3x a week. You don't want to hurt yourself!
    • Posts: 1,183 Member
      Go three times a week for a bit. Running is rough on your joints and muscles. Your body needs plenty of rest days to get used to the pounding. After you've been running for a bit, then see about adding a day in.
    • Posts: 26 Member
      How long have you been running? I've been running for over a decade. I'd say frequency depends on the length and intensity of the runs you are doing as a newbie! Congrats on starting to run! I would suggest sticking with the plan from runnersworld that you said was 3 days a week, you don't want to get burnt out or worse hurt. Add in some walking or elliptical or bike to get more cardio if you're feeling like you've still got energy left. The rule of thumb is to add no more than 10% distance each week when starting out running, so slowly build up by adding 10% more each week. GOOD LUCK!
    • Posts: 1 Member
      The couch25k run program is very good.
    • Posts: 38 Member
      You can run every second day. you should have 1 rest day in between runs.
    • Posts: 5 Member
      3x per week is good for starting. If you want to work out more you should probably switch to a different type of cardio that isn't as tough on your legs. After you're used to 3x, then it wouldn't hurt to add another day.
    • Posts: 42
      Be sure you are doing some strength training as well!
    • Posts: 752 Member
      When I first started running a year ago, I just did 3 times a week. In between my days off I would do strength training or another form of cardio. I liked the break in between. I felt like my body definitely needed rest days from running!
    • Posts: 1,076 Member
      ok thanks. i'm only going 2 miles (walk/run)at a time now and hopefully further in the future. i'll stick with 3x a week for now and add another type of workout in.
    • Posts: 61 Member
      I've started a run/walk program 3 -4 days a week. I set the treadmill to a 5K course and it takes me about 45min to complete. I'm hoping over time to decrease my time.

      3min walk
      2 min run
    • Posts: 2,037 Member
      My $.02 (as a guy who run 6-7 days a week).

      I remember once reading the following advice for newbies:

      1) run slower than you think you should
      2) run shorter distances than you think you should
      3) run more days than you think you should

      Most important is to listen to your body. If you feel great, go ahead and run another day. If you feel too tired/trashed then add an extra rest/x-training day.

      Happy running!
    • Posts: 177 Member
      I'm a newbie runner (waddler) and I probably run an average of 5 days a week. (Sometimes more, sometimes less.)
      Some days I might only jog 10 minutes and walk the rest. Sometimes I switch on and off between jogging and walking. Sometimes I can keep a slow steady jog for long intervals.
      I try to do a 5k each time whether its jogging, waddling, walking, or dang-it-sometimes-crawling!

      I really like arc918's advice.
    • Posts: 1,076 Member
      thanks
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