Running 2 days consecutively

[AcryllicAfternoons]

Hi all!

I completed C25K at the end of June and am running 3 times a week where I can but sometimes work gets in the way of my weekday runs.

I know I need a rest day between runs but can I do Saturday and Sunday back to back and then my third run in the week?

What do you think?

[Instructor57 Graduate]

As you just said yourself "I know I need a rest day between runs"

It is definitely not advisable to run on consecutive days untill you have been running around 12 months !

Some may say less some may say more.

Depends how much of a risk you want to take?

It's takes a very long time for your body to get used to the stresses of running, muscles, tendons, ligaments and even bones !

And each time you run you are producing micro tears in your muscles , these need time to repair .

Not giving them the required time is as good as asking for an injury , it's a huge risk .

Why take it ?

[AcryllicAfternoons Graduate in reply to Instructor57]

Thanks, I knew it but just thought I'd check there's no way. Feel a bit sad when I can't stick to 3 runs a week. Thanks

[Instructor57 Graduate in reply to AcryllicAfternoons]

Yes, I understand the frustration!But just imagine the frustration of getting an overuse injury which can come out of the blue and take you out for days, weeks or even months .

If your muscles are not fully recovered and you run again then they are more likely to become weaker rather than gaining strength

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

This is something you’ll be able to do in the future but it’s really not worth the risk of an injury now. Think of it as something to look forward to? If you are at the gym and tried to lift a weight that was too heavy, you could pull something. As a newbie skier, you wouldn’t go straight down a black slope because you’re not ready and could fall. It’s less easy to see the risk associated with running on consecutive days but it’s still there.

I did my c25k over a slightly longer period when I was too busy too run three times a week. You’ll get there. There’s no rush. It’s better to go slow and steady. Really good luck to you.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

As above the increased injury risk isn’t worth it.

More than that though, what your Saturday run would do for you, your Sunday run would, at least partially undo. So the 3 runs may be as good as 1.5 or 2.5 runs that are spread properly. Recovery is as important as activity in your fitness journey… once your legs are fully conditioned to running and your fitness has improved some more then your recovery time will decrease accordingly. For now it’s all about patience. Let life get in the way, it won’t stop you.

A run a week (if life really wants to mess with you) will maintain your fitness… 2 will increase it, so there’s no need to think you are missing a run if life gets busy.

[nowster Graduate]

Not yet! I didn't start running on consecutive days until I'd been running regularly (mostly every other day) for nine months. By that point I was able to run for ten miles.