When is it ok to run back to back days?

[KaryB]

Hi everyone. I started C25K back in April and since graduating have run regularly 3 times a week since. Tuesdays, Thursdays and at the weekend. I would really like to run Saturday and Sunday. How long do you have to run before it is is ok to do that? I had never run before C25K, I'm 56 but in good shape but I know as you get older injuries take longer to recover from. I have increased my distance gradually and have run 10k but my plan now is to go back to C25K but running it faster than the first time. I have currently just finished W2 at 10kpm (Tuesday and Thursday runs) and for my long run at the wekend I intend to work up to 10k again adding 500m a week from 5k so I keep the pace of my comfortable 5k up (my 10k run was slow)! What would be your advice as to running Saturday and Sunday?

[Dave58 Graduate10]

Ive been running for a year now and I'm 58. I run twice a week. Other more experienced runners may have better advice but I have run on consecutive days a couple of times and didn't have any bad after effects. I wouldn't recommend doing it every week though until you feel comfortable doing it say one a month. Then you can build up to it. Keep one of the weekend runs nice and slow. Good luck

[KaryB in reply to Dave58]

That's a good idea. Maybe I'll start with a short run on the second day and test the water.

[damienair Administrator]

I graduated 2.5 years ago. Like you I usually run Tuesday, Thursday and parkrun on Saturday. I sometimes run on a Sunday too, longer run of about 10K. But not every week. I did not start running on consecutive days until I had been running for a year.

Damien

[JaoJao Graduate10]

Nooo always take a rest day, no matter how confident you feel your body needs the recovery.

[Saxart Graduate10 in reply to JaoJao]

I'm preparing myself for walking the West Highland way which will be walking 20 miles a day for 6 day's. So I need to build stamina etc. Surely I will need to build into doing consecutive days to do enough training!!

[misswobble Graduate10]

Doing cross/strength training on your non-days will be of benefit. It’s not all about running 💪😃

It takes 18-24 months to build running legs 🙂

[alisonx Graduate10]

I do consecutive days quite regularly, I have never had a problem and take my rest days either side. Normally the first run is 5k and the second i make longer upto 10k depending how i feel

There are people out there who run daily, those who run twice and everything in between. I don't think its our place to tell you what to do. All i can say is if you want to give it a go - go for it - just take it easy to begin with and stop doing it if you feel it becomes too much

[KaryB in reply to alisonx]

Thank you.

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

Right- I will tell you what I did, which was my choice but its not everyones cuppa!

So I graduated in April 2013.

After a year or so I started to up it to 4 or 5 runs a week sticking to the 10% rule.

Then back in January 2017 I started to run everyday- mainly because it was easier to do it that way for routine etc. So I have just passed my 1050th consecutive run. I LOVE running everyday and for the last 2 years I have had no injury ( yoga etc). Some days I just do a mile, but its the getting outdoors early mornings in nature etc that I find so restorative ( I run for wellbeing).

So all in all I would advocate it.... but build up very very gradually, always adhering to the 10% rule. Most of all enjoy it

[KaryB in reply to ju-ju-]

Thank you. I have no difficulty getting motivated to run. It's stopping myself running when I shouldn't that's hard! I will build up slowly.

[ju-ju- Graduate10 in reply to KaryB]

very good plan