Streaking?

[ju-ju-]

Has anyone got any experience of running streaks?  I have done them before but only for about 2 weeks. There are alot of people out there that seem to do them and reap benefits. Any advice welcome?

[old_git Marathon]

Had to look that up!!!   Thought it as something else which I wouldn't want to inflict on anyone!

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to old_git]

Ha ha. 😜

[benwill Marathon]

I have done it for like 6 days once and by the end of it did feel more run down.   I do belive in rest day's I think they are good for the body and good for the muscles.  Also it keeps the enthusiasm up as well instead of running becoming a bit of a chore trying to get your run in. 

But then I haven't had a run all week as resting my knee.   The sun is shining i so want to get out! 

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to benwill]

I went out this morning, it was lovely but I'm still tired from all my dancing last weekend!! 😎

[benwill Marathon in reply to ju-ju-]

Does dancing count towards a run streak? 

[AndyD Ultramarathon]

I posted on a similar subject to this recently ("Rest Days") where I mentioned that I hoped to increase my active days to perhaps 5 a week of which 4 would be running... not exactly a streak.... but perhaps streaking with my socks on!!

I agree with someone else who replied to my post that sometimes it feels easier to run on consecutive days than to have a break... all of course within our own limits and not recommended for those people just starting out.

[OldNed]

I've done it several times, for a month at a time.  It really does make a difference to my stamina.  I find it best to do not overlong distances though.  For me 10K every day would be too much but 5K or a bit more would be fine.  That gives me on-the-day recovery time.

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to OldNed]

That makes sense and was on the lines I was thinking of....

[JoolieB1]

I wanted to do one a while ago and researched it first.  It seems they are for "experienced runners only" (that is for people who have been running at least a year)!  I also think it is a daily run but a reduced distance, so for example a mile a day so as I am running 2 X 5k plus a long run, decided to stick with my own programme.  Something I would definitely consider maybe next year now though

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to JoolieB1]

I've been running for 3 years now and I do think it's doable although when you feel tired its definately a slow mile!! I really want to build up my running stamina and whenever I have a holiday I always run everyday and I feel so great!!

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

No experience, so no advice I'm afraid, but I'm interested! Just after I mentioned that I'd been trying out interval training in the swimming pool, our leisure centre was broken by Storm Imogen. I haven't been swimming since, and was thinking about upping the number of days I run. Why not every day!? A problem I can see is that I could get into the habit of only ever going for very short runs, but I do think that most of the fitter runners just get out and run as often as possible. Obviously one should take a rest if the body needs it, but if you feel well then go for it!

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to roseabi]

I agree, and if you think about it we walk everyday so why not run, but like anything it needs to be introduced gradually and not to up the weekly mileage by more than 10% each week.

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

runnersworld.com/newswire/r...

How about this?! Something to aim for! Amazing!

[JaySeeSkinny Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Blimey - running after operations and on crutches! Crazy😎I would love to be like that, but I know of a horror story, where a guy who ran every day insisted on running when he got out of hospital after an operation. His wife missed him when she got up and they found him unconscious on his running route. He spent the rest of his life in a coma. He was the father of a guy at work. I would certainly be wary of long streaks - but it obviously works for some!

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

❤️ This man, and I was born in 1970 so that makes me want to achieve this even more... That's me sold!!!!

[dagshar Half Marathon]

Not done it and I'd be worried that my middle aged and still fairly untrained body would not like it. In any case there's no way I could fit it in  Now that I am cycling to work most days, I only have 1-2 days without either cycling or running or both occasionally, so I don't think it would be wise for me to give those up.

I think you are quite a bot stronger already though and often do longish runs on consecutive days, so you could probably do it as long as you keep your weekly mileage steadyish.  Depends on whether you think you'd like it....

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to dagshar]

Yes and I don't cycle to work - that must be wonderful? My son keeps encouraging me to do that but I haven't in years but I have run to work!!! I think I will need to be careful to gradually increase the weekly mileage and be so careful to avoid injury.... 

[dagshar Half Marathon in reply to ju-ju-]

I do like the odd run to work, but as regular commute method the bike is more convenient now that I have ditched my bus pass. I  have a basket at the back and put my backpack in there so I don't have it on my back (i sweat too much!). I see a guy on my way in though who seems to run both ways every day! Good luck with your streak if you do it!

[B0bP Marathon]

I follow this chap on Facebook, he's been running for the last 3412 days, minimum distance is 5k but he's also chucked in marathons and 66 milers an stuff.

facebook.com/LordOfTheStreak/

There's also Ron Hill who has run at least a mile everyday since 20th December 1964!

[Jaxsy_runs Half Marathon]

I've run on consecutive days but not ran a planned streak however my problem is that when I read something that appeals to me then I go away and do it.... 

Are you thinking to do a streak jj? 

At the moment I am working on incorporating strides every mile for 30 sec bursts and ending runs with 6 X 30 second strides - all out effort (approx 30 sec walking between each one). I'm really enjoying it! It's a solid multi- faceted run for speed, hills, power and endurance and I'mhoping tone tend the time😊

[Jaxsy_runs Half Marathon in reply to Jaxsy_runs]

What on earth was I trying to say on that last bit....hahaha, it's been a long day! Ah I remember - and I'm hoping to extend the time X

Hope all's going well for you after your marathon👍 And thanks for taking the time to give us our lovely badges... It's appreciated x

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to Jaxsy_runs]

That sounds interesting and hardcore!!! Yes I'm thinking of doing a running streak, whenever I have done it always really boosts my running and Va Va Voom!!

[misswobble Marathon]

I think it's for fit runners, not the average C25ker.  I think Miles Yonder did it and ran into trouble.  I tried running four times a week and the wheel quickly came off. I need my rest day.  Not that I rest on that day mind you, I just don't run

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to misswobble]

I think I could as I often to 7 to 8 miles for 4 days at a time.... 

[Realfoodieclub Marathon]

I do it for four days at a time sometimes but not solid running.  I do alternate running / speed walking.  As I run/walk I need to work the muscles for speed walking as they are different so I work onmmy speed and I find I can train the next day after a run. 

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to Realfoodieclub]

That sounds really sensible!!!

[agedsnailspace Marathon]

I've been running for 3 years now and I do run every day.  I generally aim to run 5k, but I do add in some longer runs on days off or over the weekend.  If you are going to do this, I think it is important that you 1)listen to your body 2)make sure you exercise different muscles on consecutive days.  So, for instance, I did an interval run this morning - that's high effort high impact, so tomorrow I will do a slow recovery run when I will make sure that my heart rate doesn't go much above a fat burn rate.  If you try a controlled slow run, you will feel the difference.  It puts the focussed effort on different muscles, so it gives the muscles I used today their rest time.

Most runners don't vary their runs enough - so thier work out runs (intervals/hill sprints) aren't done as intensely as they might be and their slow runs are too fast!  This ends up using the same muscles day in day out and doesn't give the necessary recovery time.

Streaking works for me - I kept it up last year til 2nd July (when I got the most awful stomach bug).  This year it's been going well - but when I picked up a knee niggle (swimming!) I dropped the mileage back to just a mile a day until my knee felt comfortable again.

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to agedsnailspace]

Wow I am so impressed and what you say makes sense too. Any books you suggest?? I also agree re the importance of the varied runs. What improvements have you seen since doing it? Sorry so many questions but I am really keen to improve my running and I know this will.....