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No, you shouldn't
- Should you run everyday? It would be nice to say sure, but the reality is that for most people – and particularly for new runners – the answer is no, you shouldn't. It might seem that the more you run, the more you will boost your fitness, but overdoing it is never a good idea.
www.runnersworld.com/uk/training/beginners/a772514/how-often-should-you-run/
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Nov 22, 2023 · Beginners. Is it okay to run everyday? The optimum number of days per week to run really depends on your goals and experience level. Find out the lowdown on what's right for you. By Kate...
- Rest Day Benefits
Should you run every day? A sports psychologist and exercise...
- Rest Day Benefits
- Overview
- What are the benefits of running every day?
- Is it safe to run every day?
- Do you need other exercise?
- How to run every day
- Bottom line
You do not need to run every day of the week to benefit your health. Running just a few minutes each day may be good for you. Research shows it may even extend your life.
Running every day may have some health benefits. Studies show that running just 5 to 10 minutes each day at a moderate pace may help reduce your risk of death from heart attacks, strokes, and other common diseases. But the same research also shows that these benefits top off at 4.5 hours a week, meaning there’s no need to run for hours each day. Running is a high-impact exercise and overtraining can lead to injuries such as stress fractures and shin splints.
How many days it’s safe for you to run each week depends on your goals and physical fitness levels. Scheduling days for cross training, strength training, and rest should be part of your training plan. They may make you a stronger and healthier runner overall.
Read on to learn more about the benefits and risks of daily running, plus tips for adding a daily run to your routine.
Running every day may have benefits for your health. Studies show that the benefits of running for just 5 to 10 minutes at a moderate pace (6.0 miles per hour) each day may include:
•reduced risk of death from heart attack or stroke
•reduced risk of cardiovascular disease
•lower risk of developing cancer
•lower risk of developing neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases
While these benefits can be achieved by a minimal amount of daily running, a group of Dutch researchers recommends running 2.5 hours per week, or 30 minutes, five days a week to enjoy maximum longevity benefits.
Running every day may increase your risk for an overuse injury. Overuse injuries result from taking on too much physical activity, too fast, and not allowing the body to adjust. Or they can result from technique errors, such as running with poor form and overloading certain muscles.
To avoid an overuse injury:
•Make sure you have appropriate running shoes and change out your shoes often.
•Gradually increase the number of miles you run each week.
•Mix up running days with cross training, such as cycling or swimming.
•Warm up before you run and stretch after.
Cross training, or training with another form of exercise other than running, may be beneficial to runners. Some potential benefits include:
•reduces risk of injury
•engages different muscle groups
•increases flexibility and core strength
•aids injury recovery without compromising fitness level
•offers variety
Supplies
The only items you need to start running every day include a pair or two of running shoes and socks. You may want to alternate between two pairs of shoes in case one gets wet or muddy. You’ll also need sweat-resistant running clothes like shorts and T-shirts. If you run at night or in the early morning, get a reflective vest or light for safety.
Weekly plan
How often you run each week should depend on your goals and physical fitness level. For example, if you’re a beginner, you don’t need to start out running every day because you’re at a higher risk of burnout or injury. Instead, start by running every other day for 20–30 minutes. Consider trying a couch-to-5K program to start. Fitting in enough time to run daily or several times a week can be a challenge. Try to run first thing in the morning before your day gets busy. Or, run during your lunch break. Look for run clubs and running meetups in your area for support and motivation. Do short runs during the week, and save your long runs for the weekends when you have more time. If you’re an experienced runner and plan to run every day, it’s important to schedule your weekly training with plenty of variety. For example, one day a week you could do a long run at your goal race pace. You could spend another day on speed work. One to two days could be short, recovery runs. The other days can be spent doing a hill workout, where you run up an incline repetitively to build up strength in your legs. You also can run or jog in a pool for an active recovery.
Sample 10K training plan
This is an example of a sample 10K training plan for an advanced runner: Find the full training plan and others here.
Running just a few minutes each day may benefit your health. Research shows it may even extend your life. But do you need to run every day of the week to benefit? No.
Remember, even elite runners stay injury free by scheduling in rest days and cross training days. Try lower-impact activities like swimming and cycling on cross- training days to recover and give your hard-working running muscles a break.
Aug 2, 2019 · Running every day may not be right for you. Learn how many rest days per week beginner and experienced runners should take.
Oct 8, 2022 · “Running every day provides habitual exercise, which can improve physical fitness and is one of the best predictors for better health in the elderly," he says. There are studies that show powerful indicators that regular exercise, including running, scan low the ageing process.
Jul 8, 2022 · Should you run every day? A sports psychologist and exercise physiologist weigh in on whether or not you need to incorporate recovery days into your training.
- Senior Editor
Oct 1, 2024 · But you do not need to run every day to reap the benefits. Instead, mix up your exercise with strength training and cross-training to decrease your risk of injury and burnout. Also, prioritize rest days and listen to your body when something hurts or you aren't feeling it.
Nov 24, 2021 · But is it OK to run every day? The simple answer is: No, you need at least one rest day a week to allow your muscles to recover . Plus, overtraining can lead to overuse injuries, stress and prolonged fatigue.