How many days a week do you run? (Read 5563 times)

As others have said, it takes time to adapt. I originally started with 3 days/wk (winter only because of summer field work) since that's what worked for me. I had some AT/PF issues early that I was getting over then re-aggravated (not running related, but mostly functional / structural issues with feet / ankles). The progression I used was to go from 3 days/wk to every other day, which I did for a couple years, iirc. I tried 4 days/wk briefly, but couldn't get a comfortable pattern but I was ok with 2 days in a row, so went to 2 on / 1 off (4-5 days/wk) and have done that for a couple years now. This past year I felt like I had reasonably adapted to it and could handle reasonable workouts with it. When still running on dirt, I can handle 3-4 days in a row, but have to compromise quality or duration to do that. I'm not sure if I can do that on soft snow, since that tends to take more out of legs and required more recovery in the past. I should note that my "off" days may be nothing or field work or trail work (hiking plus several hours somewhat heavy work) or walking (sometimes running segments) to errands around town. When you're looking at a schedule, the frequency of runs, duration of runs, and their quality make a difference in what you can handle. "Quality" includes both higher effort and hills. I could probably run more frequently if I ran shorter and flatter. But why sacrifice quality and duration for frequency? I'll usually do my frequency adjustments during recovery after summer races (late Sep to early Nov) and then build the duration and quality after that. Admittedly, I'm one of those folkswho likes to get away from the trailhead, so I get much more enjoyment from one 1.5-hr run than two 45-min runs. Also the trails farther from trailhead are usually, but not always, in better condition. For me, it's partly a matter of running to where there's desirable trail features, like certain hills or certain obstacles. I'm also one of those people who can't run only 30 min (except when -40F or 80mph winds). It's like going to a toy store and being yanked out shortly after the door is open. It creates severe mental stress for me. And I'd probably have to run 2-3 times/day if I did that. My experience has also been that if I double up running with rest of life (like run a little, and do trail work for 4 hrs on same day), it's a recipe for disaster. But since hiking is part of my training for ultras, I don't sweat it. It's a matter of what works for you.

Did I convert you? Man, I didn't know I had such an influence! ;o) We need to regoup our communication. I'll e-mail you. Number 1, huh? I have a picture of my wife holding up F1 bib for Boston marathon 2006. That, of course, was for Reiko Tosa but I went to pick it up (as her agent) and my wife wanted to take a picture with it--we don't get too many opportunity like that!

Sometimes I run every day. Sometimes I don't. Honestly, I usually go by how I'm feeling and how much time I have. That being said, I'm not all that fast and I don't run super long distances. But I do what feels good to me. Also, I've been running for a LONG time.