Two rest days?

[Runningwoman]

I think of each of the week's as being 7 days, so assume that you have to take 2 days rest between two of the runs each week. Is that right? It seems so long to have wait to start again - I'm 'resting' at the end of week 2.

[RhonaL]

You could just do run, rest, run, rest every other day. But in practice most people find life gets in the way. I have found that sometimes I need an extra day to recover and other times I am biting at the bit and would like to run on my 'rest' day. Do not be tempted to do this - you are more likely to get injured.

[Runningwoman Graduate in reply to RhonaL]

Thanks RhonaL. Today is my 2nd rest day - and it's turned out rainy plus the family is due to go on an outing. However do feel the second rest day is unnecessary (at the moment!). I think I'll change to a six day week next week. I wouldn't be tempted to skip the rest days completely - I dread the idea of an injury disrupting the whole plan. What a great programme it is!

[mrqwest Graduate]

When I first started the plan, I was taking two days off at the end of the week as rest days. I'd run on Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday leaving a 'rest weekend' on Friday & Saturday.

This was good on the first week however I found that come Saturday, my second rest day in a row, I wanted to run but avoided it and then on the Sunday, found it hard becuase I had had two days off.

Since week two, I've been doing it as RhonaL said, run, rest, run, rest. Things do tend to get in the way though but it's cool, work round them

Do it how you're comfortable. If you feel you need the extra rest day, do it! if not, make the weeks 6 days long

[Runningwoman Graduate in reply to mrqwest]

As you suggest, mrqwest, I think I'm going to find it harder tomorrow after this, my second rest day. As it happens it's raining and the family is heading out, but I'm looking forward to starting up again tomorrow early. I think I'm now going to make the weeks 6 days long as you say. Feeling just so great doing this - like so many others I'm completely surprised by the benefits this whole programme is making to me! Especially after so many years of inactivity ...

[Oldgirl Graduate]

I did and still do a 6 day week, i.e. run, rest, run - - - - - I was always desperate to get back out there and don't have family commitments to stop or hinder me either. I do find that if I don't get out first thing in the morning a run later in the day is damn hard work too. Must be really set in my ways!!!!

[Runningwoman Graduate in reply to Oldgirl]

Just got back from first run on Week 3! Can't believe I've done it. Early morning and lower temperature outside - it didn't feel too bad at all. I too couldn't make it if I left it later in the day - the benefits of running early is that nobody is around to see the red face of course!

[mrs_magoo]

I run on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, so get Friday and Saturday as consecutive rest days which is lovely

[Runningwoman Graduate in reply to mrs_magoo]

Having just had the two day rest and finding the first run of Week 3 not at all bad (I can't believe it!), I think I will stick to the 7 day week after all. I would also like to stick to the lower temperature outside but it's out of my hands...