Graduates - do you still always take a rest da... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

134,110 members159,473 posts

Graduates - do you still always take a rest day between runs?

Oldgirl profile image
OldgirlGraduate
11 Replies

Graduates - do you still always take a rest day between runs? The reason I ask is I'm still trying to lose excess weight, about 7lbs to go to target weight which is not coming off and although I'm pretty active and burning about 500 calories each day I really enjoy my early morning run and wondered about doing a short one of 3K on alternate days.

Written by
Oldgirl profile image
Oldgirl
Graduate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
11 Replies
Anonymous36 profile image
Anonymous36Graduate

I don't have rest days between runs all of the time.

I learnt a lot during the programme and I know my own limits now so, I can tell when I need to take time off. I'm careful to not do long runs on consecutive days and generally I take a day off after my long run.

I try to run 5 times a week now, I need to lose 2 stone :(

CouchChip profile image
CouchChipGraduate

Yep I still have the breaks, I need them! I tend to do a Astanga Yoga class on Mon and Wed and run on Tues, and then I do my other two runs on either Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun. I tend to run better after a complete rest. Over the last year I have lost over four stone and I have a further stone and half to shift. I'd say take the breaks from the running (swim cycle gym or whatever you like to do) but do something different to mix it up.

Tapira profile image
TapiraGraduate

If I run 2 days in a row I make the second one 'different' - intervals, shorter more of a 'fun run' perhaps.

Anonymous36 profile image
Anonymous36Graduate in reply toTapira

That's pretty much what I do

Bxster profile image
BxsterGraduate

umm... I appear to have rest week between runs...

Badness and poor behaviour aside, rest days are important for the body to do what it needs to do to recover from a run and prep for the next

TJFlute profile image
TJFlute

I think it's inadvisable to do consecutive runs, and I always had rest days, to avoid injury. I would suggest taking up something else to burn the calories on the other days: swimming? Zumba? walking with a friend?

Oldgirl profile image
OldgirlGraduate

Many thanks guys and girls for your replies, was going to do interval training on rest days but perhaps I'll do that twice a week as a run and a 5K the third time. I already swim & aqua gym, also pilates & zumba. I'm retired so have all the time in the world for these activities. I'm not very good a sitting with a book, I sat too many years in an office so I'm not going to do it now I have the choice.

Thanks again.

henrietta profile image
henriettaGraduate

Today was the first day I ran conseculatively. I did a park run yesterday and felt good enough to run today so went for my first weekly increase so ran 5.5k. I graduated just over a week ago.

A tip I always pass on is from a book I read a while ago, never run more than 2 days in a row and never rest more than 2. If you are really going for maximum training I think it's a good motto to live by.

On the weight loss issue, I think I have been eating more since running but have not lost any weight. Today I wore a dress that I wore for my sons wedding a year ago tomorrow and it's too big even though I weigh the same, so obviously my body has toned.

Anonymous36 profile image
Anonymous36Graduate in reply tohenrietta

Ive been sticking to that tip about running no more than 2 consecutive days and it's going well thus far :)

didntrunthat profile image
didntrunthatGraduate

Lots of experienced runner run every day.

I don't know if an extra 3k is going to do any harm, but that's just my opinion. I have read advice that active runners should taper one week out of the month, so if you were to give it a go, make sure you have an easy week in there too.

I have been concentrating on short distances lately 3-5k. I normally get 3.2-3.4k in 20mins (depending on the heat the past week), so have gone out more frequently than when every run was 5k plus. I just ran 3 days in a row, all short and sweet!

Anonymous36 profile image
Anonymous36Graduate

I had a look at some marathon and half marathon training plans when searching for a 10k one for myself and you're spot on with this! Rest days are quite scarce when training intensifies

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

After graduating, do you still leave a rest day between runs?

I graduated last week and I'm wondering if I still have to leave a rest day between runs? I work...
Tiger79 profile image
Graduate

Rest Days Between Runs?

I'm on Week 4, just completed the first run today. I'm feeling fine following that, do I need to...
rs1978 profile image
Graduate

What does a day's rest between runs mean?

Hello, I'm about to embark on Week 5. When Sarah Millican tells me to be sure to rest for a day...
SPrunning profile image
Graduate

W5R2 - 5 day gap between runs!

Ran W5R1 on Monday. Knees a bit sore so left it an extra day to think about doing run 2 but then...
Whippetywhip profile image
Graduate

Do I have to always have a rest day?

Morning, I graduated 2-3 weeks ago & I'm really enjoying consolidating the program, I generally ran...
Capri- profile image
Graduate

Moderation team

See all
Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator
Yesletsgo profile image
YesletsgoAdministrator
Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.