Frequency of runs

girlblue · March 2012

Hello,

I try to run every other day increasing the distance slightly each week. I take it slow because I have had IT band issues in the past and am really worried they will pop up again if I'm not really conservative.

I was just wondering how many people run consecutive days in a row as opposed to taking a day off in between. I'm starting to think I'm being TOO conservative in always taking a break.

I do understand that I should really just go with what I feel my body can take but I was just hoping to see how many people will run a couple or few days in a row.

Thanks!

MommaInTheSouth · March 2012

I typically run Tues, Wed, Thurs, and Sun b/c of my work schedule. 4.5 during the week, long on weekend. I just finished a cycle of HM training and only experienced one little nagging issue in the past week- which has been my inner thigh/abductor muscle being sore. Otherwise, I've had no trouble. This was my first HM training- prior I was an occasional runner (12 miles a week or so)

shorty20 · March 2012

If you're newer to running, and espcecially if you have IT band issues, I think you're right to take a day off in between.

Some people run everyday, but they're the minority, and I don't think most people should do that anyway. Your body does need some time to recover.

I run 3-4 days a week, and almost always take off a day in between. At most I'll run 2 days in a row, but that's it. I either rest or try to stength train or do a different cardio activity on the off running days.

ETA: I normally run Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Occasionally Friday if I'm feeling ambitious.

Fenderbot · March 2012

I think it has to be up to you and your body. I also have IT Band issues in addition to ankle tendon problems. I only run every other day - for me, I find it either flares up my IT band or my ankle if I don't allow the day of rest in between.

That's just me though, and that's the best plan I've come up with on how my body responds. Why don't you try running a couple of consecutive days just to test it out? Do a great job of rolling out your IT band with a foam roller after each run and see how it reacts. Just don't over do it and listen to that fantastic IT band...it will not hold back to let you know how it's feeling.

I ran a half marathon in October in 2:06, and did it and trained running only 3 days a week. My IT band did not flare up once doing it this way. I prefer running to any other form of exercise, so it's been difficult...but an IT band flare up is even more difficult and devastating when you've been working hard to increase mileage.

AGsWife · March 2012

I run 3 days a week (sometimes 4, depending on the week.) My runs are never consecutive (unless it's a week with 4 runs, and usually one of those runs is short - 2 miles during a bootcamp class.) I don't run on back to back days because it bothers my knee and I really don't want to injure myself. I do other things on the days inbetween - spin classes, the elliptical, weight lifting, etc.

statwaldy · March 2012

When I was running regularly, I generally stuck w/ every other day b/c of knee issues too. I found that incorporating weight lifting on those days really helped me w/ my running overall and made my knee feel better.

BridgetMc · March 2012

I seem to be injury prone (maybe I have bad form?), so I only run three times per week and never on consecutive days.

shauni27 · March 2012

I generally run 3-5 days a week (4-5 is ideal for me) and I like to run consecutively, but I don't always. There is really no rhyme or reason to my running schedule, but it often looks like this: long run sunday, monday off, tues, wed, thurs run 3-5 miles each day (plus lifting), friday off, saturday maybe a short run.

IndyGirl02 · March 2012

AGsWife:
I run 3 days a week (sometimes 4, depending on the week.) My runs are never consecutive (unless it's a week with 4 runs, and usually one of those runs is short).

This is me too. I've had overuse injuries in the past (including ITB pain), so I never run more than 4 days in a week.

melisx33 · March 2012

I am training for a half marathon and was running 3 days a week, doing elliptical one day a week. Recently, I have had problems with foot pain so I cut my running down to 2 days a week doing elliptical pretty intensly one day a week. I don't have any problems endurance wise on my long runs. My first half marathon is May 5.

GRKaters · March 2012

It's a very individual thing. I used to only run 3 days a week, with 1-2 days of rest in between. Now I can run 5-6 days in a row without major issues, but I do notice that the quality of my runs toward the end of a week like that diminishes.

Now I do best with 3 days (MTW), 1 rest (Th), 2 days (FSa), 1 rest (Su). I can also do OK with 4 days in a row (Mon-Thu), 1 day off, and a weekend long run.

jillybean222 · March 2012

I usually exercise 3-4 days a week - sometimes all running, sometimes a functional training or yoga class thrown in there. I think if what you're doing is working, stick with it, if not, change it up

PrincessPeach05 · March 2012

BridgetMc:
I seem to be injury prone (maybe I have bad form?), so I only run three times per week and never on consecutive days.

This is me exactly.

misskrysbaby · March 2012

PrincessPeach05:
BridgetMc:
I seem to be injury prone (maybe I have bad form?), so I only run three times per week and never on consecutive days.
This is me exactly.

Me too. I have bad knees so I can't run on consecutive days. So I only run 3x a week, do cardio and strength 2x a week. Rest 2x a week.

Photo5kCupcakes · March 2012

I was rarely running consecutive days. After an injury I am not exercising regularly with some consecutive days in there, but it's nothing major. I think if it is working for you, not to change it. Or if you do change it, not to do anything drastic. Also listen to your body. It's better to be cautious than to risk another injury.

Frequency of runs

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