Upping the game . . . . a little bit!

[Julian1970]

Even though I still can't quite believe I am saying this, I am enjoying running!

No, not every run is perfect.

No, not every run ends with completing 5k in 30 minutes

and . . .

No, I can't see me running a marathon anytime soon.

But, I am doing something which 10 weeks ago I never imagined I would or even could. I am feeling much better physically and mentally for doing it. And, it is actually fun . . . . yes fun, I mean that!

So now after running 3 times a week for the past 10 weeks, I feel happy to now step that up to 4 . . . . . (easy tiger).

So new running plan, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday (parkrun).

Will it work? Will it be too much? I guess we will know over the next couple of weeks.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

I can only point you to this article about running on consecutive days runnersworld.com/runners-st... which is also linked to from the guide to post C25K running healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

I recommend that you wait at least a year. Frankly, doing some other exercises on your rest days will ultimately make you a better runner than running on consecutive days at this stage.

Take care.

[Julian1970 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Hi Ianoda, thanks for the links, both are very good articles. I have been doing weight and core training for the last eighteen months as part of a complete lifestyle change. I am hoping that I am fit enough and physically ready for the extra session.

My plan (which I hope will work) will be: To complete a parkrun on Saturday's. This is race day, a timed 5k run aimed at improving my PB. Sunday would just be a (very) slow, keep the legs moving day, no goals just take it easy. Monday is a leg rest day, Tuesday interval speed training, so some sprints and slow intervals. Wednesday, a normal 30 minute run to prep for Saturday. Then two days complete leg rest before the next parkrun.

I, like every one else, don't want to get injured, so I promise I will be listening to my body and if it says no, that will be it. Nor will I, in anyway, encourage others to try.

I will eventually be hoping to move onto the Bridge to 10K program, which will be a big increase in running time and mileage covered in a week. This, I hope will be a stepping stone towards that.

Thank you for your advice and guidance.

[Jay66UK Graduate]

I think that is a bit much and I bow to IanodaTruffe's knowledge on this.

Monday, Wednesday, Saturday - no problem. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday - same. Otherwise, really risking injury.

[Julian1970 Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

Hi Jay, not planning on doing anything crazy. But like everything I've done over the past 18 months, it's all about trying different things, pushing it a little bit and hopefully finding something that works.

Trust me, I promise I won't do anything stupid and if, in any way, this looks like a mistake, I will hold my hands up and tell the world. But I have to be able to say, I tried it.

I really, really appreciate your support, guidance and concern Jay, it means a lot. I'm just a bit goal hungry sometimes and I'm just looking at this as a bit of an experiment . . .bear with me.

[sallenson Graduate]

You will know that I am a naturally cautious, quiet, individual who has always strictly observed all the rules. Or at least mostly. Even tho TIm (IannodaTruffe ) occasionally offers some gentle paternal advice and then beats me with a plimsoll.

Anyway. Where my mind is right now is: I've worked hard to get where I am. I have a bunch of distant goals to go after. I just want to get the start lines in good shape and injury free. I'd be devastated if I picked up an over-training injury at this point. So I'm sticking with running every other day, with core strength and non-impact aerobic stuff on the other days.

When I get to long runs, they'll always need to be at a weekend, with a rest/repair day on either side, so parkrun may not work for me. I'd not do a fast hard parkrun PB day and an "easy" run the day after.

One of the reasons I've looked at and probably ditched a lot of the longer distance training apps I've seen is that they have you run on consecutive days. My legs are nowhere near ready for that.

None of are saying "Don't be daft", my friend. But we do want to you with us over the long haul and don't want you injured or on the IC for reasons that could have been foreseen.

[Rignold]

Sounds a good plan, chap.

There is a lot of advice about always being slow and only increasing over years, all of which is well intentioned, and given the range of abilities. ages, levels of fitness of new runners here, generally a sound principle. However, the idea that a pack can only ever move at the speed of its slowest members is not really applicable. Certainly there are members whose health etc means they need to exercise great caution, but equally there are others whose fitness levels allow then to progress at a much greater rate. There are plenty of training regies where a 30 minute jog is part fo the warmup.

You yourself are the best equipped to judge what level/intensity/frequency of exercise is suitable/sustainable for you. From what you say it sounds athough you have a very sensible approach and should be fine.

[mrrun Graduate]

Listen to your body first and always, don’t compare yourself to other runners, especially in virtual world.

I tried to up the game and ran consecutive days before gait analysis and with bad shoes which busted my knee, and afterwards my ankle went too. Nearly 7 months of combined non running and expensive therapies ensued.

Then l literary upped my game and got proper shoes with custom cut insoles, and began a proper program comprising various workouts, strength exercises, lots of stretching daily, religiously. On top there was diet and rest.

I completed both C25K and Bridge to 10K twice as well as half marathon and I’m close to running my second HM soon. By listening to my body and working on stamina, cardio and strength l moved to a program where l run Tue/Wed/Thur, cross-train Fri and do a longer run of up to 18K on Sat.

If careful and persistent, you will experience an improved performance, runs getting longer, faster and easier at times. Then you can ease yourself into consecutive running days but be patient and don’t push it. Good luck!