Two days recovery better than one?

[NewRunner1992]

I have found that that my performance is greatly improved by giving myself an extra recovery day in between runs. If I have just one I am often still sore from the last run and am barely keeping up with the instructions. My girlfriend thinks I’m just being lazy but has anyone else found this?

[Flaraflarkin Graduate]

Deffo!! Listen to your body and take another rest day if needed 😊 Lazy doesn't come into it 👊💪

[NewRunner1992 in reply to Flaraflarkin]

Thank you!

[gcoulter in reply to Flaraflarkin]

Completely agree, I’m now on week six sometimes I take 2 days sometimes 3 in between. I found having the extra day every now and again refreshes me mentally and physically. Getting off the couch and going for a run lazy?

[NewRunner1992 in reply to gcoulter]

Well we’re doing the program together, she has no problem with 1 rest day but she was much fitter than me to begin with. Thanks for letting me know I’m not the only one!

[gcoulter in reply to NewRunner1992]

This is my second go, I had to pull out at the start of the year after an injury in week 3. I foolishly thought I was fitter than I was, it was a group programme and I tried to keep up with the front runners. Doh! Lesson learnt, so this time slow and steady, and I'm happy to be the tortoise ☺

Really didn't think I get this far.

[Irishprincess Graduate]

You've learned the most important rule for runners. Listen to your body.

Good for you.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

I agree with the others.......listen to your body.......but body development is through controlled progressive overload, so keeping the body moving is key.

Marathon runners, despite the aches, do a recovery run the day after.........

[Hidden]

I’m on week 8 and have found doing week 7 & 8 I need two days in between runs I also find my legs recover quicker if I run on a morning than on an evening. But as everyone else has said listen to your body, just keep running. X

[ArthurJG Graduate]

I find it varies TBH. There’s a balance to be struck as the programme is about endurance not speed. My times do improve after a few days off but it’s also necessary to run often enough to maintain stamina. In your case I reckon taking two recovery days makes sense at least for now. For me I think five runs a fortnight will work, ie taking extra recovery once every second week. When I ran every second day to try to finish the programme before I went on holiday, I managed it for three weeks but then had to stop for a week as I wasn’t recovering enough and was going to hurt myself. So I ended up graduating abroad after all!

When all is said and done we are all using the same app but our bodies are all different and you need to do what works for your body not someone else’s. Learning how to listen better to your body is one of the hidden benefits of this programme.