What does a day's rest between runs mean? - Couch to 5K

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What does a day's rest between runs mean?

SPrunning profile image
SPrunningGraduate
7 Replies

Hello, I'm about to embark on Week 5. When Sarah Millican tells me to be sure to rest for a day between runs, does that mean leave 24 hours as in, Sunday evening followed by Monday evening is ok, or does it mean that if I run on Sunday I should not run at all on Monday and should wait until Tuesday?

Timing is going to be tricky for me this week. If it takes me 10 days to get through week 5 will that set me back?

Thank you in advance for any advice.

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SPrunning
Graduate
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7 Replies
Hannah337 profile image
Hannah337Graduate

You should run sunday, then not run until Tuesday. I sometimes broke that rule due to timing and work, by running say sunday morning, then Monday evening, but even that's pushing it. Should have one full rest day between runs really. Taking your time to complete the week is absolutely fine. I took about 2 weeks to complete week 2! Good luck!

SPrunning profile image
SPrunningGraduate in reply toHannah337

Great, thank you Hannah. That sounds sensible. I got as far as week two 18 months ago and have done better this time so now need to make sure I keep the momentum going! But will take today off. It's too hot anyway!

Hannah337 profile image
Hannah337Graduate in reply toSPrunning

Week 5 defeated me completely about 5 years ago. It's possible to come back and do it better this time around! Happy running!

amanda2463 profile image
amanda2463

I do three a week but we are all different, a rest day would mean run Sunday , nothing Tuesday run Wed x

dlloyd004 profile image
dlloyd004Graduate

It means take a day off between runs. If you’ve run Sunday evening and then run again tonight, you’ve run consecutive days. Your next run should be sometime on Tuesday.

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

It is up to you how you interpret the "day" between runs.............the simplest way is to say do not run on consecutive days.

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, no strengthening, therefore increased injury risk.

There is no rush.

There is loads more info in the guide to the plan healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

SPrunning profile image
SPrunningGraduate in reply toIannodaTruffe

Thank you, very helpful!

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