Too many "rest" days in between - should I repeat weeks?

[Linds100]

So haven't been able to stay true to one day on then one day off due to starting a new job and moving states. Did week 3 run 2 today and will definitely do run week 3 run 3 by Wednesday- but was curious if I should not be moving onto week 4 if I have longer gaps between runs? Any suggestions?

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You will be fine if you have had a few extra days. Most people take longer than 9 weeks because life gets in the way at some point. You are doing well just keep going.

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SCB makes a good point a few extra days isn't going to kill your progress. But I think the standard advice is if you feel you can then go for it, but if at any time it's really stressy and hurting then scale back again. You don't want to hurt yourself, because that really does kill your progress

[MarkyD Graduate]

It is important that you do all the runs. So don't be in a hurry to race through the programme. Adding in an extra rest day here and there is not going to cause any problems, and you may find that the extra day rest makes the next run easier.

But you need to condition your body (heart, muscles, tendons, bones) for running, and the run/walk strategy in the first 6 weeks does this. You may feel that you have the stamina or endurance to rush through the weeks, but don't overlook the adjustment required from your body as well.

So just do every run in turn, don't skip any, and work your way progressively through the programme.

[RebeccaSK Graduate]

It's fine - I did it a lot, especially towards the end of the programme because I felt my legs needed that extra day. It's far better to take two days rest than all those people who run on consecutive days - I worry about them!

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

Yes, it's fine. It took me over 3 months to complete the programme as I was only running twice a week at that time. It's not a race.