3 days consecutive runs or run on every altern... - Couch to 5K

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3 days consecutive runs or run on every alternate day?

tevinjosephko profile image
9 Replies

Hi runners , this is Tevin. I have started c25k app and completed Week 1. However, I did it by running 3 days on the trot. I found a bit awkward of 4 days rest in between weeks. I think run on every alternate way is the right way to go and take 2 day rest before starting the next one.

Please advise. Thanks in advance.

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tevinjosephko profile image
tevinjosephko
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9 Replies

Rest days are non-negotiable. Here's why....

"Muscles develop micro tears when you run, as a consequence of that impact. On your rest day, your body goes about adaptation, repairing those muscle fibres and strengthening them. Without rest, no repair, no strengthening, increased injury risk. Gentle non impact exercise on your rest day will aid the repair by increasing blood flow to the damaged areas, without adding to the damaged muscle fibres." healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

That doesn't mean you can't do any exercise though...

"The rest day from running is not negotiable, but does not have to be spent back on the couch again. When you run, unlike other exercises, you actually damage your muscles and the rest days are when they repair. Any non impact exercise, such as swimming, cycling, weights, Pilates or yoga will be beneficial to your overall fitness and to your running and will aid the repair and strengthening of muscles." healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

tevinjosephko profile image
tevinjosephko in reply to

Thanks nazz88. So I must run on every alternate days. What about doing push ups on the rest days?

in reply to tevinjosephko

On my rest days I do some core strengthening exercises as part of my get fit regime. I'm following this video:

youtu.be/ioELqxr-Q_w

I guess push ups are OK as an exercise but I'm not sure about their benefit for runners.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to

Oh, there are benefits... believe us:)

in reply to Oldfloss

Press ups remind me of school PE class. I'd gladly run away from that :)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply to

Love it:)

My run away from, would be Netball... I loathed it..but was good at it... ! That and Hockey, which I did adore, but not the freezing winds out on the Hockey pitch on a winter's morning, PE Kit and our teacher all bundled up in trousers, coat, hat and gloves!!!!!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Welcome.... do please check out these linked posts...

Non impact exercise on rest days is fine... and necessary as the runs get longer... take at least one rest day between runs, ( that is non negotiable)... and more if need be... sometimes out lifestyle means we have to take more than on days rest.

Many of us have a regime of core strength and stamina exercise for some of our rest days... cross training, walking, climbing, cycling, swimming ..yoga or Pilates:)

Keep posting your runs... you will find great support here and encouragement...take it steady and slow and enjoy!

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate

It's already been said about the importance of rest days but also just because it says Week 2 it doesn't mean you have to wait till Monday to start.

If you run Mon, Weds and Fri you can actually start the next "week" on the Sunday if you're feeling good. 👍😉

Couchpotato2 profile image
Couchpotato2Graduate

I run every other day and it works for me. I don’t have to think about when I run and I have that day’s rest. Occasionally when my legs are v tired, I take 2 days rest. You don’t always feel like having a rest but they are important as a new runner.

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