Do you run every other day or 3 runs a week? - Couch to 5K

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Do you run every other day or 3 runs a week?

JaoJao profile image
26 Replies

I wondered if people ran every other day or 3 runs a week? Once you get the momentum it’s natural to want to keep going and getting the yellow ticks but how are people approaching their runs, i’d love to know, please share.

Obviously, either approach would include the recovery days, absolutely need recovery days :)

Currently on W3.

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JaoJao profile image
JaoJao
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26 Replies
Julia187 profile image
Julia187Graduate

I’m doing every other day at the moment, currently on week 7 and have done it this way since week 2. Now I’m on the longer times I’m not sure how my legs will cope but I’ll give myself another day in between if I feel I need it.

JaoJao profile image
JaoJao in reply toJulia187

Ah good to hear as that was my approach also and worried I was pushing myself too much and may crash later on. I like the idea of giving yourself an extra day if you need. And good luck you are nearly there! Xx

E27M14 profile image
E27M14Graduate

I tend to run every other day, but sometimes due to life getting in the way, I will take an extra rest day.

JaoJao profile image
JaoJao in reply toE27M14

Nice! That is my plan for now too, I’m early stages currently on W3. It’s sensible to take an extra rest day if you need. I will continue with my every other day then 😊

FMS50 profile image
FMS50Graduate

I ran 3 times a week

I found work got in the way of every other day approach and I wanted to have consistent weekend habits

JaoJao profile image
JaoJao in reply toFMS50

Thank you for sharing, I started with 3 days a week in W1 and W2, and I liked having set days so they were planned better. I’ve only moved to every other day from W3 as I am wanting to get more runs in before my holidays! It’s nice to hear what other people are doing.

Kyliem profile image
KyliemGraduate

Hi I just normally do it Monday Wednesday and Friday. Then have the weekend off.

JaoJao profile image
JaoJao in reply toKyliem

I had the same plan in W1 and W2 but I switched it up for W3. I like having weekends off too ❤️

Daznvern profile image
DaznvernGraduate in reply toJaoJao

I do Mondays, Wednesday and Friday also.

Redcello41 profile image
Redcello41Graduate

I tend to run Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday with Sundays and Mondays off as a rest days too and seems to work well. I try coincide my run days with my driving lessons so if that happens on a Wednesday, I run Monday, Wednesday, and Friday instead. But I always make sure that I have rest day inbetween my runs.

JaoJao profile image
JaoJao in reply toRedcello41

Absolutely, rest days are so important to reduce injuries. I like your idea of having Sunday and Monday off! X

Hi! I'm in Week 3 too.

I usually run every other day, but I'm flexible about it.

I've had an extra rest day in-between runs twice so far and it doesn't seem to have made much difference, in fact I think it helped my knees rest up at the end of week 2. I started week 3 yesterday and I'm pleased to say my knees are good!!

I think it is good to listen to how you feel, and if you need an extra rest day take it. If you can run every other day that's great too!

Happy running!

JaoJao profile image
JaoJao in reply to

My knees only started playing up this week and that’s the reason behind this post. I also feel that as we gain momentum, support and enjoyment from this challenge people switch it around and try different things, it’s brilliant!

I will listen to my body like you say and that’s great advice.

Happy running!

E27M14 profile image
E27M14Graduate in reply toJaoJao

Lots of people have knee troubles for the first three or four weeks. All that body weight pounding up and down on those joints that just aren’t used to it.

Take it slowly and the knees will get used to it.

JaoJao profile image
JaoJao in reply toE27M14

Sure I will do. I rubbed some glucosamine gel on my knee last night and it feels heaps better today. I might have a run this evening too!

Kyliem profile image
KyliemGraduate in reply toJaoJao

Week 2 and 3 towards the evenings my legs were really hurting and restless. I think it’s where my legs weren’t used to the runs. Now I’m coming to the end of week 5 and I don’t get any pains in my legs anymore.

JaoJao profile image
JaoJao in reply toKyliem

Good point, as the weeks go on our bodies are getting conditioned. In the early days there’s quite a bit of learning to do around what is working for you. Well done on reaching week 5 x

Kyliem profile image
KyliemGraduate in reply toJaoJao

Thank you. I have really shocked myself with this run. I have never been able to run in my life! But as each week goes past I’m growing more and more Confident. Tomorrow I have got to walk for 5 mins and run for 20 mins then walk for 5 mins. This is be the longest I’ve ever run without stopping. I just hope I can do it. x

Buddy34 profile image
Buddy34Graduate

I run mon, , wed , fri and have done from the start . 😊

JaoJao profile image
JaoJao in reply toBuddy34

Wow! Check you out! And you get 4 days to recover!

Different things work for different people! Did you run before?

The FAQ blog advises against consecutive days running and I don’t think I could manage that even if I wanted to, so what’s working for you? Share your tips and tricks :)

Buddy34 profile image
Buddy34Graduate in reply toJaoJao

Sorry made a mistake in that post I run Monday, Wednesday and Friday 😊

JaoJao profile image
JaoJao in reply toBuddy34

Haha! Phew! Pleased to hear that 👍

Jelly-bean16 profile image
Jelly-bean16Graduate

I started doing 3 runs in a week so with an extra day off but then realised my last run would be due when away and having a few drinks so now doing every other day and will see how that goes.

JaoJao profile image
JaoJao in reply toJelly-bean16

I was doing 3 runs a week too and I am off to Peru next week. I started doing it every other day so I could complete week 4 before holidays! Haha, funny how people start planning ahead with the plan, it’s great though, shows commitment and so motivating to have these goals.

Bunnyrunner profile image
BunnyrunnerGraduate

3 times a week, but an extra rest day if I need it.

Astonechat profile image
AstonechatGraduate

I am running Monday, Wednesday, Friday. I do yoga Tuesday and Thursday mornings and garden at the weekend!!

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