Am I ok to run without a day off in between runs?

[sallyb123]

I finished week 6 yesterday morning. Will it be ok if I run tonight as well? I wouldn't normally break the rules and have always had a full day off in between but I am doing Race for Life 5k on Sunday and want to try and squeeze in an extra run if I can....I am due to run 25 mins on my next run

[LuciRose Graduate]

There's a variety of answers on the site for this, and having answered both ways myself before, I think it's really a personal thing! You know your body best - do you feel really achey? Did it hurt a lot when you ran yesterday? If so I would have a rest day. If you were feeling all sprightly and you know you can have a day off tomorrow, then if your body is up to it then I don't think there's a huge amount of harm. I wouldn't get in a habit of missing rest days, but if your body is happy with it then doing a double every now and again should be ok!

[sallyb123]

Thanks LuciRose, I have no aches at all after yesterday, my legs know they did a big run but no pains and no pains while I am running so will run tonight to get another run in before Sunday. I don't intend making a habit of running every day so this is definately a one off! Thanks again for the advice

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Have read somewhere (sorry can't remember where) that two days in a row is OK so long as you rest third day but on no account should you run three day in a row as it will do more harm that good. I always left a rest day while working my way through C25K but since graduation I have run two days then rested one. So long as your legs are fine I can't see the harm in it but make sure you have a rest day before your big run. Good luck.

[sallyb123]

I ran 2 days in row - BIG MISTAKE - I wont be doing that again as my legs felt like jelly by the end and I felt like I was going to collapse So glad I had a drink with me. I really wanted to try and fit an extra run in before I do the Race for Life 5k on Sunday.

[hollyO Graduate]

Thats funny because I was thinking of going out tomorrow morning for 20 mins, having run today, as I have Race for Life on Sunday and thought I might fit in an extra run too. Will see how I feel in the morning!

[andystev Graduate]

Rest days are all about recovery. You HAVE to give your muscles time to rebuild between sessions or you'll have problems. How much time that is, and what actually constitues rest are the key things. Early on, when your muscles aren't used to the excercise rest means not running and you should leave 24 hours. Later on, rest can mean a gentle jog, or not intensive training and you could well be fine training twice in a day.

On week six, skipping a rest day probably isn't going to do any harm, but I wouldn't suggest doing it regularly just yet.