Regularity?

[AntwerpSmerle]

I’m consolidating and trying to run on alternate days, but life gets in the way. When the pattern has to be disrupted, which is better: to run on two consecutive days, or to have a two-day gap? I incline to the former, because I’m a gold-medal-winning procrastinator and fear that a two-day gap could very easily stretch to 3, 4, .... ♾

[Hareshaw-Granny Graduate]

Get that, but I regularly leave two days in between and very occasionally three!!! I feel it doesn’t do me any harm. However only you will know what’s best for you. We have been taught that only after a year of running regularly are we ready for daily running. Good luck, stay safe.

[Cmoi Graduate]

Another procrastinator here, and I'd definitely leave it an extra day.

I'm slowly learning that I run much better when I'm feeling mentally and physically up for it, rather than just going out - after much procrastination - because it's supposed to be a run day.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

The rest days are for healing and strengthening of the muscles after a run... as a new runner, skipping a rest day will only increase the injury risk, so double rest days are by far better than consecutive running days. In at least 6 months, preferably longer, it’s possible to slowly move to running on consecutive days, but even then needs managing well, and slowing the pace, to do safely.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

When you run, the impact creates microtears in your muscles, which repair and strengthen on your rest days, not while running. Without rest, repair and strengthening are compromised and injury risk increased.

If you want to be the best runner that you can be, then do non impact cross training on your rest days, which will be far more beneficial than running every day. It is not recommended for new runners to run on consecutive days until they have a minimum of six months regular running on their legs.

As stated in the guide to the plan, healthunlocked.com/couchto5... you lose no significant condition in the first two weeks of non running.

After that loss of condition is gradual.