Why skipping a day ?

[Rulla]

Hi , I am in week 3 run3. Does anybody knows why skipping a day in each run . I like to run everyday 😊

I am

[ArthurJG Graduate]

It's really important, at least till you've been running for a year or so. When you run you drop your whole body weight on one foot about a hundred times a minute. That impact is transmitted up your legs and causes little microtears in your muscles. The next day, when you're not running, your muscles repair themselves and - here's the good bit - get stronger in the process. The growth and repair on non-running days is an important part of the training process and if you make a habit of running on consecutive days you greatly increase the risk of injury because you are continuing to cause those tiny tears day after day but never giving them time to repair and strengthen.

It's a good idea to do LOW IMPACT exercise such as walking or swimming on the in between days. It's a no running day not a no exercise day. But the plan suggests three runs per week for a very good reason. You won't be running any days, never mind every day, if you injure yourself by overdoing it

[Rulla in reply to ArthurJG]

Thank you for explanation. My legs became very fit just in week 3 . I will run conservative days.

[ArthurJG Graduate in reply to Rulla]

That’s your choice but you really are risking injury. It’s not about how fit your legs feel: fit legs can also get injured. You can’t see or feel those little tears but they are there and need to repair.

I ran 5.5k yesterday and it was a good run and I feel as if I could do it again today. But I won’t do it again today, I’ll walk today and run tomorrow because I am a new runner. So many more experienced and more knowledgeable people than me have said the same thing so I am taking their advice. I might get injured anyway of course but I’d rather minimise the risk.

[Rulla in reply to ArthurJG]

Such a good help ... I really appreciate your advice . I never run before. I am 40 years and bit over weight. First time run here. Thank you for supporting me.

[ArthurJG Graduate in reply to Rulla]

I’m also overweight and a lot older than you. If I can do it then you can do it. Just trust the programme, it’s very well designed and every part of it is there for a reason.