True or false: It's easier to run 6-7 days a week than 2 or 3. I say true!!

True. But also, this post brought me down.

should have named this thread. "how to find joy in being a hobby jogger after college".

The answer is. You dont have to. Best way is too switch to another sport or adapt. Go cycling for example (also much better for old people) or bouldering, swimming. You can have new goals in a new sport if you are a person that needs those.

Did you consider adjusting your goals or trying a different event, i.e distance to mid-d etc? It can be highly rewarding.

I agree, it's easier to keep running once you're running a lot.

And rojo, you just need to pick up something else. If you want to keep running, hit the trails. Totally different experience. If you want something else, I don't know, do Tae Kwon Do or something. But all 4 rules you just applied to running are true of any physical endeavor.

The mindset now is, “Woah I’m outta shape! How was I ever capable running that far at those speeds??? Incredible and inspiring I was able to train all those years and unlock that potential hidden inside me!!!”

rojo wrote:

So what do you guys think?

Back when I was training, I remember my 90+ grandmother saying to me, "I can imagine nothing worse than waking up and realizing I had to run 15 miles that day." I told her it was the opposite. Running was the highlight of the day and it wasn't something I had to decide to do.

That's the trouble with old people, they're lazy.

If you're not running competitively the main thing is to actually enjoy going for a run. Nobody worries about how to watch tv 7 days a week, because they enjoy it.

I run 6 or 7 days a week, just because I want to...

I'd disagree because I think this article is making assumptions. If your physical exercise is limited to running, then yes this is true. If you're passionate about other workouts (lifting, bike, basketball etc.), then it's easier to run 2-3 days a week. Points 2-4 feel like they're under the assumption that that you can't run as part of a greater regimen. I did this for a while, but unfortunately for me I started enjoying lifting less and got frustrated I wasn't better at basketball (and it's a time-suck).

Running 6-7 days a week is a true commitment and you have to fight through days when you'd rather not (bad weather, feeling run-down, doesn't fit in with schedule). It was much easier to do 2-3 days back in the day as I could choose when I felt like running and switch to something else if I felt like it, but was still plenty in shape to do an easy run.

True.

Only caveat is the weather. Here in Montana, there are sometimes strings of days when it's pretty tough to get outside. I'm not big on the 'mill so I sit on my butt. Getting started again is sheer hell. It's better to keep going.

rojo wrote:

3) It's easier to run when you feel fit.

I 100% agree with this. I've always told people, "there is nothing worse than trying to run when you aren't fit."

From a psychological or mindset perspective I couldn't agree more. When you allow your self talk to take over and negotiate with yourself yes can still push yourself out the door but that much harder. Same applies to cross training--having an option like a bike etc creates mental barriers to fully committing to just running.

rojo wrote:

3) It's easier to run when you feel fit.

I 100% agree with this. I've always told people, "there is nothing worse than trying to run when you aren't fit."

.

It isn't about feeling fit. It is about being fit. You need 2-3 hours of aerobic exercise/week to stay fit. Not many people are goin to go out for 2 1 hour runs. You are more like to get 2 30 min runs which just isn't enough toget you in the place where running is fun.

[quote]rojo wrote:

Running was the highlight of the day and it wasn't something I had to decide to do. I thought about that first and everything else second.

/quote]

Been injured for a year and a half now or so, ended up having to get surgery to fix the problem but getting back in the swing of things again. It's so nice to have that piece of my day to plan around, even if it's only a couple days a week. Look forward to it the most, get it done ASAP. Can't wait to get back to every day.

True. I'm running 2-3 days per week now because I ski a lot during the winter. I feel like garbage every time I run. During the summer I'm on the 5-6 day plan, and I almost always feel good.

I am doing 3 days a week currently. The first two weeks were hard, but now I feel great.

I like the freedom of not having to run every day. I’m plenty fit comparatively.

Basically, I’m doing the same program I would do on a 7-day schedule, but my easy days are just off days. I do into my workouts more rested and it’s much easier mentally.

To ease my mind, I look at my average mileage per running day rather than weekly. So if I know I can do 8-12 miles on those days, then that is good enough for me and feels better than saying I’m doing 30mpw.

Unless you have recurring achilles issues.

rojo wrote:

4) The more you run, the less likely you are to get hurt.

I 100% agree with this. Starting up as a runner is the hardest. Once your body gets used to running, it's much easier to not get injured.

This is definitely true. Those who run 100mpw are less likely to get injured than those who run 50mpw. You are even less likely to get injured if you run 150mpw.

The number one reason any runner gets injured is that they don't run enough mileage. The number two reason is that they are too fixated on avoiding injuries.

The Way We Were wrote:

rojo wrote:

4) The more you run, the less likely you are to get hurt.

I 100% agree with this. Starting up as a runner is the hardest. Once your body gets used to running, it's much easier to not get injured.

This is definitely true. Those who run 100mpw are less likely to get injured than those who run 50mpw. You are even less likely to get injured if you run 150mpw.

The number one reason any runner gets injured is that they don't run enough mileage. The number two reason is that they are too fixated on avoiding injuries.

The more you run the less you weigh (likely, but obviously not universally). Weigh less = less chance of injury.

Agree also