Is it ok to train 5 times per week rather than... - Couch to 5K
Is it ok to train 5 times per week rather than the recommended 3 times per week? I dont think 3 is enough to get me ready for the next week.
I can only tell you what I have learned in my brief running career, ie 12 weeks, but it all depends on your basic levels of fitness to start with. If you haven't run or done any serious exercise for a long time, then I would advise you to stick with the programme as per podcasts. Your body needs the rest days to recover and repair damage done by the unusual exertion that you are starting to put your body through. C25k is carefully structured to make the goals attainable without risking injury, for most people. It has worked for thousands of people who can now call themselves runners. I ran every other day, which compresses the plan quite a bit and only got injured after I graduated and pushed too hard. Lesson learned.
You can do other exercise on the "rest" days, but avoid the impact of running. Many people have to repeat runs before they are ready to progress and that is fine too. Just remember, Cliff, it is not a race and it will work for you. Good luck.
I have done back to back runs before (I have done it this weekend) but usually it results in aches and no chance of a third day running. I try and do cross trainer or cycling on the supposed rest daysl which seems to cause less issues. I think you can ignore the occasional rest day, but when starting running everyday is an error.
I think really fit people can probably get away with skipping rest days, but for most of us they are very necessary, it's when your muscles recover. If you ever feel you really aren't ready for a week then repeat the last run, but it's always best to give it a go first.
Only if you want an injury, been there done that. Trust the plan, you'll get there if you stick with it 
Hi! I, like many of the older C25K group who have just resurfaced, took part in the 5x50 challenge earlier this year - 50 days of at least 5km a day (or 30 minutes as an equivelant eg excerise DVD). I didn't run on consecutive days (I was a graduate but not by much) but I did cycle and go on long walks; I averaged 7km a day in the end (some brave peple did far more than me).
I would say do something else on your rest day from running, and let your body get used to the new routines as you carry on!
Oh, and trust the program! You will be really surprised how quickly your stamina and technique improve, and what may seem to be impossible if you look a few weeks ahead becomes really do-able! If you need to repeat a run though there is no issue with that; the program is for everyone to do at their own pace, and to get you running for 30 minutes (rather than the great 5k) at the end, then your speed and distance will increase as you carry on.
BTW I graduated after about 12 weeks having had a car crash then operation after week 3 (I think) and was 6 stone overweight at the beginning; now 3 stone 2 lbs lighter; my eldest daugher is 2 weeks post grad ( she started with me but gave up; then saw my results and restarted so she can do race for life with me in October); and my other daughter is on week 6 and she is about 7 stone overweight (lost a stone so far) but getting there!
Good luck
I've just joined the local gym so I can run 3 times a week and for the days in between I can do some strength training or cycling. Went for my last outdoor run last night as its getting too dark to run after work 
I don't think I would want to risk running everyday. I love it too much and wouldn't want to injure myself. I hear runners need core strength so strength training on rest days can only help.
Training 5, 6 or 7 days a week is OK, so long as its not all running. Run on alternate days, do cross training on the other days. It is recommended to take a complete rest day once a week though.
I did exactly that when I started doing c25k (5 runs instead of 3 a week) and I ended up having to have total rest for 8 weeks, due to putting too much strain on my knees. I would strongly recommend that you don't do it. I would also advise against cycling on the days in between runs (something else I've tried). If you want to do more to help your body get fitter quicker the best compromise I've found is to run 3 times a week and do weight/strength training 2-3 days a week. I recommend you have 1 day a week with no real exercise (just go for a walk instead). That works for me and on the 'day off' I can feel my muscles letting me know if I've over done anything.
Good luck with your training.
Ironically, 5 runs may not be enough to get you ready for the next week... but 3 might. If you complete the 3 sessions, you *are* ready for the next week - be confident! But if you've knackered yourself because you've effectively 'skipped' the day for your body to get you ready for the next run, you may well not be. This is a beginner programme and it is about running for health with the goal of running (speed irrelevant) for 30 minutes. There are others out there I am sure for other goals.
As others have said, you don't actually have to stay in bed all day on a 'rest' day - it only needs to be a rest from running and there is lots to be said for doing a different form of exercise on those days, whether that's yoga or swimming or the NHS Strength and Flexibility podcasts or whatever.
As well as 'rest' day perhaps being a bit misleading, the "Weeks" are probably a bit misleading too. The key thing is that you need to complete each session 3 times before moving on (there's exceptions in the middle where there are different runs but Laura tells you what to do) and you *are* ready, even if it was tough. You can run every other day - which some weeks will be four times a week. Just depends on your personal timetable. But you're right in that if you *don't* complete three sessions you don't move on, you keep doing the same one. I forget how many times I had to do that Week 1 session... something like 12 times. But after that I ran every other day and graduated in 3 months from starting.
Totally agree with everyone here, 3 runs a week and at a push every other day (3.5) is more than enough running when you start out.
You'll end up injured if you do too much, too soon, you may even get injuries on 3 runs per week. I know it is very exciting but less is sometimes more. Take care and enjoy your three runs a week
Why not combine it with something like the Strength & Flex programme? You're still conditioning your body but not in the same way, which means it can recover from running.
HBS x
