Running everyday?

[TheBoyWhoRun]

I wanted to know would it be better to run daily with smaller miles say 2 miles daily as oppose to running 3 times a week a total of approximately 5km per day....any advice ?

[Honorsmum]

Rest days are important - not just so you can rest, but because they serve to repair the small tears in your muscles which are caused by running. It's this work that actually increases your ability and strength, so if you 're running every day, you 're actually compromising this process.

[TheBoyWhoRun Graduate in reply to Honorsmum]

Thanks for the advice, never thought of it that way. 3 times a week it is then hahahah

[Feefbev Graduate]

Running causes tiny tears in your muscles. A rest day inbetween runs enables your muscles to repair and strengthen and most importantly: GROW. This is what needs to happen to enable your ability to run faster and for longer. Rest days are incredibly frustrating once you get the bug: but vital. If you feel the need to exercise on your rest days try a less impact lead sport: swimming or something like that.

[TheBoyWhoRun Graduate in reply to Feefbev]

My intention is to run three times a week ( I run out doors ) and for the rest days I hit the gym ....what you think ?

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Gym is good on rest days TBWR, also swimming, walking, cycling. I exercise 6 days a week and only rest on the 7th. My rest day is taken up with housework, cooking and sometimes a gentle walk, so not an actual rest day but no muscle work.

[TheBoyWhoRun Graduate in reply to Oldgirl]

Hey thanks all it seems I am on the right track. I think I am hard on myself and wanting to run everyday. I never thought I would love running so much....but I do !

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to TheBoyWhoRun]

Another addict.

[TheBoyWhoRun Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Yep ! Lol

[Feefbev Graduate]

This NHS C25K makes us all addicts!!! Personally, I try to rest on my rest days, now I am running further.........but whatever works for you: when I feel the need I do an exercise 'video' (I don't 'do' gyms; been there, paid for that; not for me!) - I have sky, they have a brilliant fitness channel (282) if not, Youtube 'fitness videos' there is lots of options......

[GoogleMe Graduate]

The NHS even have a little companion to C25K in the Strength and Flexibility podcasts which fit nicely into rest days.

[TheBoyWhoRun Graduate in reply to GoogleMe]

Thanks a lot for the advice, I had a run this morning did my stretch before and after and feeling great...

[greenlegs Graduate]

Just throwing this in... When the weather warmed up, I found it hard to stay motivated to run 30 min each time (let alone 5k) and dropped back to running not much at all, but have rediscovered my running mojo by doing shorter distances - most days running a mile, occasionally running 2 or 3, and some days doing yoga instead (or having a day off). I know about recovery days etc, and wouldn't disagree at all at the beginning, but for me, to keep doing some running, I'm doing better by doing little and often. I'm not pushing hard to go faster (well, sometimes I do, but not every time) so I've not had any injury issues - occasionally a bit of an ache here or there, but I just back off a bit until it settles.

That doesn't mean it would work for anyone else, as most people want to run more than a mile (I suppose because the programme aims for 5k), but it's good for me at the moment, and it's keeping me ticking over.