Mind the gap?

[Stephen_UK]

We all know we should never run on consecutive days. Makes perfect sense. And anyway my preference would be to run every other day. But because a week inconveniently lasts for seven days, any kind of weekly plan still has to include a two-day gap. Even though I recently graduated, I’m bound to this uneven schedule because Parkruns fall on Saturdays. (Running every other day would only allow one Parkrun per fortnight.)

At this point (postgrad, mid-consolidation, hoping to progress to 10k one day), what are the benefits of ‘uneven’ gaps vs. running every other day?

Any thoughts?

[backintime Graduate]

Hi, I work it out so that the run that requires more physical energy, effort, legwork (call it what you will) falls on a Sunday. My next run day us a Wednesday which means I get a 2 day break after the hardest one. During c25k it was day 1 of a new week, for my push to 10k it will be my longer run of the week (based on juju's plan).

Hope that makes sense

[Stephen_UK Graduate in reply to backintime]

Yes, makes sense. I'm wondering if the two-day gap is actively encouraged or if at this point is doesn't matter.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to backintime]

Interesting.. pre, caring for small runner in training, days...I always ran Wednesday..Friday and Sunday...Sunday being my longest run day..lovely long anything up to two hour runs..

Now..although I still have Sunday as my long run day..the other days fluctuate..and I do run consecutive days sometimes..but I have been running for nearly 4 years...😊🏃‍♀️🐐🐿

[backintime Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Well if I turn out emulating you in ways other than your run days I'll be a happy bunny : )

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

I have had uneven gaps many times over the last two years..adding in extra non impact work in the gaps are longer than two days. Not sure of benefits but it works for me..

Life Has a habit of upending things wonderfully 😊

[Stephen_UK Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

It does indeed. Thank you.

[mrrun Graduate]

It's all the same. Your body doesn't think that way - for as long as it gets its rest, it's fine. Longer runs will need more rest than just a day but then you'll know that anyway. I ran Tue/Thur/Sat (or Sun) for around year and a half. My flexibility was greater because l wouldn't run park runs or any other events, only solo runs would do. Once you start half marathon training and further, you will have to run long runs on consecutive days but by then the body will be ready. In the meantime, do what's suitable for you, mind the gap, and you'll be fine.

[Stephen_UK Graduate]

Thanks. This is good to know. Just continue to trust what the body says, I suppose...

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Bearing in mind that it takes between 30 to 60 hours for your muscles to recover after a hard workout, depending on age and fitness, I think that strategically placed two day rests are a very good idea for most of us.

I ran C25K on alternate days, for the most part, but after graduation found that I needed to do my longer run at the weekend, so timetabling became much more fluid and flexible, which suits my personality and running aims.