Is it EVER okay......?

[Jemmer58]

...to run two days in a row? I've got one run left in week 9, am totally thrilled to have come this far and want to add one or two more days of running to my week. I run every other day if weather and my schedule permit, but in order to add a 4th or 5th day, I'd have to run two days in a row. Couch to 5K stresses a rest day in between runs; when does this become optional? And if I add a run or two to my week, should these be shorter times than the 30 minutes I'm now running?

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

Athletes who have built up stamina and strength from running for a long time often run up to six days of the week. However-- firstly, that is not me or (probably) you and secondly when they do that they don't do (or shouldn't do) a hard run followed by another hard run. As all of our runs are hard runs!!! -- it is not wise for us to run two days running.

Having said that - it is also not wise to drive like an idiot on the road - but people do it all the time and get away with it!! -- UNTIL.......

[Rob_and_his_westie Graduate]

I have an alternative point of view. I'm one of those who might be considered daft enough to run two days in a row now and again, but I do listen to what my body is telling me before I do it. What's more, the runs will most definitely be casual affairs; maybe just because I fancy a little peace and quiet and a slow jog around a park. Not every run has to be at the limit of your ability.

I think the rule is that there is no rule. You have to take responsibility for your body and adjust as you go, and you get better at that with experience. Typically I run 3 to 4 times a week - and they're not all barnstormers by any stretch of the imagination!

[misswobble Graduate]

If you're new to running, your running legs might not be ready to support the extra day's running combined with a lack of a day's rest

If you get crocked you will regret it. Build up your over all fitness and strength and then run the extra day. It's running before you can walk sorta thing. It seems to be knees and ankles that take the brunt of all the injuries

I know it sounds like nagging but it's not, it's just sound advice. Whether you take it or not is up to you.

[P1glet1 Graduate]

It really isn't recommended, as it's consistent wear and tear without time to recover. Xx

[runAnanke]

I had no fitness whatsoever and am at week 8 and every week will run two days consecutively and have done so since about week 3. I have had no injuries whatsoever. So it's worked for me personally!!

[GoogleMe Graduate in reply to runAnanke]

For about a month....

[notbad Graduate]

I have just run two days in a row as I do sometimes when life dictates. What I would say is just make sure the runs are not both high intensity, preferably the second one at least being a gentler 'recovery' run. Main thing is listen to your body, if you feel worn out or sore then don't push it.

[frannyfran Graduate]

Well done on getting to week 9.

This article may help you to decide :

runnersworld.com/getting-st...

But whatever you do, happy running!

[Hidden in reply to frannyfran]

That is a fantastic article ! It has given me lots of ideas. Thanks.

[frannyfran Graduate in reply to Hidden]

You're welcome!

[ajwyld Graduate in reply to frannyfran]

Also thanks for the pointer. I am thrilled to discover that I am a "masters" runner ! (I suspect that many of us on this board are...)

[frannyfran Graduate in reply to ajwyld]

Totally agreed!

[Fitfor60 Graduate in reply to frannyfran]

Thanks for article fran Makes a lot of sense to me and well explained . Master runner sounds so much better than veteran or senior

[Fitfor60 Graduate in reply to frannyfran]

Thanks for article fran Makes a lot of sense to me and well explained . Master runner sounds so much better than veteran or senior

[frannyfran Graduate in reply to Fitfor60]

I agree. I like the idea of being a master runner!

[AncientMum Graduate in reply to frannyfran]

Great article frannyfran. Thanks for posting

[Hidden]

I shall answer by saying that I am currently 'off running' with bad knees!! I shall let that sink-in for a moment before I continue..............there, that should be time enough.

My enforced rest isn't because I was caught robbing the local bank and have been 'put away'; nor is it because I have been offered a job on the Space Station ~ it is simply beacuse I have 'over-cooked' my knees...and it hurts. I am a grad, and I have been doing my runs as well as accompanying my wife on her C25K, and I have done too much. OK, I suffer [historically] from dodgy knees, but I cannot overstress how important it is to rest.

To sum up REST DAYS ARE IMPORTANT.

Please, learn the esasy way by listening to me, and not the hard way by hurting yourself.

[Renka Graduate]

For me an alternative form of exercise on the other days is better. I do strengthening exercises in between the running days to build up the strength in my legs and body so I can run longer and further.

At 67 I am definitely a 'master's runner' - it sounds much nicer than 'old bird'

[sprynn Graduate]

I often run consecutive days as I run 4-5 times a week and irbid fine for me. There is lots of great advice here and I do think it comes down to listening to your body and building up slowly. There seems to be one train of thought which is to increase by no more than 10% per run or per week. So if you want to run a 4th time, and you are already doing 3x5k, you can run 4 runs totalling 16.5k. The week after you can do 18.15k. Good luck.

[GoogleMe Graduate]

I'd say the question to ask yourself is why wouldn't running 3 times a week/every other day be enough for you and that might point you in the right direction for your circumstances. Running is such a great activity it can disguise some less healthy motivations (not necessarily *un* healthy, especially compared with other things people do like overeating) but maybe better addressed some other way which is less risky.

Apologies if this is a rather heavy response to an "Is the sky going to fall in if I ever run two days on the trot?" musing. I have an overexerciser in my family and it is very sad, psychologically.

[Jemmer58 in reply to GoogleMe]

This is an EXCELLENT question and thank you for asking it! The fact that I have come this far makes me feel amazing! The "high" I experience after a run, the sense of accomplishment, the (good) physical tiredness - that's what I'm seeking on the other days. But sounds like to be smart, I'd have to look for it elsewhere. Thank you!

[ZoomZoom Graduate]

Try doing a run on a consecutive day - I did and it was disastrous :(.

[pinkangel16 Graduate]

What ever you do, well done for getting this far and good luck for your graduation run - enjoy

[Jemmer58]

Your responses have been very enlightening. I think I've been under the false impression that one should run 4 or 5 days a week because 1). That's the recommendation for a walking program and 2). I correspond on the Internet with some very accomplished runners who run that often. Clearly I'm not in that group. :). But running makes me feel so good that I thought by doing it more often I could feel good even MORE often. But after your input, I think I'll stick to my every other day protocol. Thank you one and all.

[tanyag_163 Graduate]

My experience has been that I have injured myself by trying to do too much. I think the occasional consecutive run is ok, but not on a regular basis. Real life will get in the way, and you need to be flexible enought to adapt your routine to suit the real world, but trainining intensly when your body is not ready is not right. I now run every other day, but this weekend I did have to run on two consecutive days (Sunday and Monday) because I had to get up early to catch a train on the Saturday. My regular routine would have been to run on Saturday and the Monday, and my intention was to do so, but when my alarm went off, I was exhausted. I'd been doing 3hr commutes during the last week, and gave up my run for an extra hour in bed. Sunday, I was still tired, so did a light run, and my usual training run today. I bl***y well felt the effects of running on the Sunday though.