Run a day rest a day anybody else do this or just run 3 times over 7 days

[007braines]

Hi 1st post here I packed in smoking 2 weeks ago aged 40 treated myself to running gear and stumbled up on this app c25k I've been suffering from low moods past few months and it's what has taking me down this path to jogging and packing in smoking it gives me alot pleasure knowing am getting fitter and making the effort to transform areas of my life that need it but I find my rest days are hard between my runs am still active with owning two dogs and enjoy country walks so not to bad but was just wondering if anybody else runs every other day instead of 3 out of 7 thanks in advance 👍

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Some run every other day and some run three set days a week... as long as there’s at least one rest day between runs it doesn’t really matter. I did a bit of both, and still do. Welcome to the forum... great job on the smokes and starting this plan.

[007braines in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thanks for your reply swapping dirty cigs for running has been easy this time I've tried twice before to give up with champix tablets and patches but this time will power alone has worked proud as can be and why not 👊

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to 007braines]

👍

[Tonkabella]

Morning 😊. Well done on your life style changes 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻. Running will certainly lift your mood even more so when your out in the good weather, which hopefully is just around the corner. I try and do every other day Mon,Wed,Fri. With a 2 day break before the next set. However life isn't always as orderly as that so as long as I get the 3 in 7 I'm happy. 😊. If you read thru posts you will find everyone has their own way of doing this according to the time available to them. Busy Mums and Dads sometimes take a few days more to complete a set due to work and family commitments. Retirees like me more or less do as we please. I had to do 2 runs on the trot cause I was away for a few days and was travelling on my run day. So do what suits you bests just complete the sets before moving on. Have a good day 😊🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️

[007braines in reply to Tonkabella]

Thanks for the reply I do work shifts of night and days so am used to weird sleeping patterns I find I am a morning person tho most of my runs are from 4am to 7am anywhere in between i love the cold frosty 1s the best to I am a keen astronomer and love the great out doors theres something about the silence and tranquility and the nature you notice

[Tonkabella in reply to 007braines]

Aaaaghh you mentioned Shifts😩. Thankfully no longer have to do them, 25 plus years and its taken me 7 yrs to get close to a reasonable sleeping pattern. Nope !!! Don't do cold❄️❄️especially wet cold. I'm also too old to risk falling on frosty Icy surfaces, so warmish dry is for me. I love stargazing tho, it's both wonderous and scary at the same time. 😊

[007braines in reply to Tonkabella]

I took up astronomy around 12months ago started with a little toy scope and got myself a 8inch dob I've never seen so much cloud in my life since haha

[Tonkabella in reply to 007braines]

I have a telescope and every time I think right let's see that star/planet etc they are on about..... Cloud🌫🌫🌫. When I have managed to look into the night sky it is without a doubt tremendous and just how insignificant we are is terrifying. 😊

[mummybowles Graduate]

Well done for quitting the fags. Single best health decision you'll ever make. Hopefully catching the running bug will be your second best decision. I'm only just starting week three and run every other day - I worry I'll lose the momentum if I leave it longer than that. If I had a weekend off, I'd probably falter. Good luck to you and keep us posted !!

[007braines in reply to mummybowles]

Thanks you and well done to you to running is my new addiction I cant wait for my next only on week 2 run 3 next but can already tell the diffence in confidence and learning to pace my self 1st then the last two run spurts I push a little harder it's fantastic I'm amazed how much distance I cover too lol

[Raine-49]

Hi and welcome! 😃 I work shifts so just do 3 in 7 working for me! I'm on W4R3. Over the snowy weather I couldn't go for 5 days way too icy here, I missed running and was worried I'd lose my momentum, but got back on it and all is good! Gives you such a feeling of wellbeing I'm really enjoying having the running 🏃 bug! 😃

[007braines in reply to Raine-49]

Brilliant isn't it once the get the bug it never leaves you I find it it's to icey in a morning on the paths I can find a football pitch best me and do laps round there am that determined to do my run that no amount of ice wind or rain is going to stop me Haha I need my fix

[angelbetty Graduate]

I love your approach to this! It has become my medication too, to help me with my anxiety and depression, and my asthma because I'm actually using my inhalers properly now x

[007braines in reply to angelbetty]

That fantastic to hear it really is wonderful medicine hard to get around in your head at 1st but bravery and persistence will always pay off in the end keep fighting the fight the only way is up my friend

[Bloodhound1]

When I did C25K I was a every other day person and that worked for me. Now I am a bit hit and miss I try and fit in a Parkrun each Saturday so don’t run Friday or Sunday - I try to cycle or at least walk 10k these days and then try and fit in another two runs plus the gym during the rest of the week. Just see what C25K has turned me into some sort of fitness junkie - well at least a fitter person than I was. Keep up the good work but an odd 1 or 2 day gap will only help your progress

[007braines in reply to Bloodhound1]

Thank you yes I hear what you say i have always been kinda active anyway like yourself bike hikes dog walking so the rest days can and will be filled with some sort of activity as much time spent outdoors as possible away from wifi TV etc is what we all need

[angelbetty Graduate in reply to 007braines]

Yeah, the benefits have increased as the weeks have passed. I'm glad I've been able to stick with it better this time x

[Tj11]

I've just completed week four and love this app. I go every other day as really need the rest day inbetween day but do go walking on the off days. Well done on the smoking - that's my next challenge!

[007braines in reply to Tj11]

Best of luck with the smoking it Is very hard to quit they do say most people that succsefully quit try a few time which is what I have now done and feel great if I got the urge to smoke I found getting up and doing something else instead of going for a smoke helped alot

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5... and explains that the plan is flexible, as long as you respect the rest day from running.

Enjoy your journey.

[007braines in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you for the link I will have a read througth it shortly any advice and tips is very much appreciated am already looking forward to my next run Thursday morning

[Islerunner]

It varies for me depending on work commitments. Would like to do every other day but sometimes I just can’t fit it in and get two rest days in the trot. I’m happy so long as I can do my 3 in a week and try to start each running week on the Sat morning as I have more time and they are the harder ones (at the moment!). I’m W4R2. Good luck!

[007braines in reply to Islerunner]

Thank you and keep up the good work let's get them lungs working to there full capacity we can do this 👊

[Dexy5 Graduate]

Welcome to c25k.

The rest day is really important in the first year of running, not because you might be tired but it allows the tears in your muscles to repair and prepare for the next run. C25k is designed to get you running safely but short cuts may mean injury. So 1 or more days rest are essential at this stage. A week can be as long as you can fit into your life.

Have fun and be amazed at how it changes your life. You’ve done the hardest bit in starting. 👏👏

[007braines in reply to Dexy5]

Thank you for your kind words I am so glad that I have decided to quit the smoking and start the running it was just by chance that I found this app as had never heard of this before and its such a life saver I will be spreading the word to all I can too

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to 007braines]

Yes we become evangelical about it. I tell everyone I meet. Hopefully a few will take it up too. Good luck with your journey.

[Happyrunningfeet Graduate]

I started doing every other day when I first started c25k and I hoped to carry on but sometimes life gets in the way but I aim to do 3 runs per week regardless. Good luck

[007braines in reply to Happyrunningfeet]

Thank you and along as we keep trying to get out as much as possible and when ever we can it's all good c25k is fantastic

[RhiRhi29]

I run when I can, when I was half marathon training I did two days back to back each week (normal run followed by a recovery run). Just listen to how your body feels - when I first started I needed more recovery time. My body adapts much quicker now after a period 'off'. So I think our bodies just adapt gradually depending what you're asking for

[007braines in reply to RhiRhi29]

Thanks for advice I will hopefully be running marathons by next year am giving myself this year to get fit and am looking forward to the year after already good things come to those that wait they say and its very true

[ATMVA]

Hi and welcome. I’m one month clean today. First attempt at quitting on willpower alone. Feeling really positive, proud and strong. I’m loving couch to 5k. About to start week two. Although I did repeat a couple of runs in week one. Finding it really good and listening to some enlightening podcasts along the way. I’m running every other day. How important is it to rest a day in between?

[007braines in reply to ATMVA]

Well done on quiting it's a great feeling and to do it on will power alone I find is driving me forward in so many other ways confidence is very high and hasnt been this way in years alot more doors and opportunity are coming my way now aswell as saving a ton of cash along the way keep up the good work keep running stay active live long and prosper respect to you my friend

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to ATMVA]

Extremely important - see my reply to 007braines above ATMVA. Well Done on quitting smoking, running will give you even more incentive 👏👏

[Elfe5 Graduate]

I run 3 times a week when I’m working... and get really excited about running every other day when I’m on holiday. 😃

I do cycling, walking and Pilates on rest days. 😀

[007braines in reply to Elfe5]

Brilliant stuff active active active what I like to hear push ourselves to the limit it's fantastic

[Elfe5 Graduate in reply to 007braines]

Ah well no, I am more of a potter along gently exerciser than a push to the limit type! 😂 I exercise for maximum enjoyment. 😀

[007braines in reply to Elfe5]

It takes effort to get up of the couch and get out and do the exercise tho no matter how fast or slow we go we a pushing ourselves in ways we didnt do before c25k well done you