Busy runner

[Amylouwho]

I work mon, tues, thurs,fri. 10-8 and as i have to commute to work Im out of the house at 8:45 and home at 9pm.

Running in the morning isnt an option as i am like a zombie and would have to wash my hair before work which would take up my morning and as I get in at 9pm its too dark to run and I try and see my partner in the evenings as we dont live together so I often dont get to bed till midnight.

This leaves me running on wed, sat and sun which means I dont get a rest day, is this a major issue? Im on week 2 Run 3 now and i find if i take the sunday run slower it helps to loosen any sore muscles from the day before.

[Hillrunner2201]

If you've found it ok so far it should be fine. If they have to do this some people run in the morning on the first day and in the evening on the second to day to space it out more. But keeping the pace steady on the back to back days is probably the most important thing and you're probably more likely to stick with the plan than if you try to squeeze in a run on a working day.

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Take your rest day. This is when your body repairs.

On this forun no one is EVER advised to run consecutive days until you are a seasoned runner with much experience and running miles in your legs.

Run twice a week. On those occasions you can run a third time then do...... always with a rest day following.

Can you do some strengthening and flexibility exercises inbetween to compliment the running perhaps?

Good luck runner!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

I would say it is a serious issue and as a new runner your rest days are crucial.

When you run you create micro tears in your muscles which repair and strengthen on your rest days, not while running. No rest, no repair and therefore vastly increased injury risk. You are considered to be a "new" runner for approximately a year after starting regular running

While the early weeks of the programme may not be too testing, as the demands increase so does the chance of an injury.

Can you get up an hour earlier to fit in a morning run? The C25K weeks don't have to coincide with calendar weeks. You would be better off running Wednesday and Sunday only, if you can't fit in another run.

[Hidden]

Follow the programme but take it slower. 2 runs a week not 3. Your couch to 5k "week" will last a week and a half. But you will get your rest days which are vital and the extra breaks won't reduce your ability to complete just mean it takes a few more weeks to complete. Takes most of us longer anyway when we have extra rest days for dreadful weather, heat waves, injury and life getting in the way. Take as long as you need but don't risk injury. Or just finding that Sunday run such a slog you give up. Enjoy it.

[Hidden]

Hey Amylou don't compromise the resting as that will in time compromise your limbs. And then you won't be running at all. The 9 weeks is an aspiration and not set in stone, most of us never did it in 9 weeks, so take your time and you'll be better off for it. Also with such a demanding schedule like yours, twice a week means you will always be rested when you run, and that is much better for you. Hope that you continue and looking forward to hearing how you get on with your new running habit.

Good luck and happy running

[Amylouwho]

Thanks for the replies, i never ache after runs unless i do the run x2 which ive done a few times so im running for an hour. Ill try and space out the runs but if im finding it hard ill do two runs a week or repeat a run like ive done a few times to build my stamina and not to get injured.