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

Yup. I think another problem with doing less is that when you do run/workout you feel like you need to really hammer it for it to be worth it. At least I know I've fallen into that. Which just ends up hurting more, you're not as fit but still trying to run fast on those 2-3 days and because you might feel fresh as you begin you think 'why not' but it just leads to more pain. Keep that up long enough you get injured or feel like you need extra rest days. Its a cycle that never ends.

Lenny Leonard wrote:

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.

About 2.5 years ago I ran my last marathon and stopped running. I'd say it took around 15 months to lose the fitness. I could still go out and run a few miles at 6:00-pace but now the same effort would be 6:45-7:00 pace. That running specific fitness and adaptation to beating up your legs everyday is gone.

I agree with the first two weeks are the hardest. I just got over that phase and have been trying to run my old easy day pace (about 7:00-10 per mi) versus the 7:30-40 my body wants to do. I play two 90-minute soccer games a week and am usually the fittest on the field, but feel so out of shape compared to when I ran 60 mile a week that it got me to start running again. Playing soccer for 2 years with no simple running made my legs and core a lot stronger then when I was running. They just don't have the endurance to do long runs.

It is amazing, as someone said above, that I used to be able to run a marathon at a pace I might have to give a serious effort to run just one mile at today. It feels like I need to train my lungs to run and breath hard again. Makes me understand why old people or people who never had aerobic fitness breath heavy doing about anything physical. It goes away.

Basically, it feels awesome to only be running 3 times a week, but if you miss the fitness you had, then never stop because it will only get harder and you won't get back to where you were. I'm 38

EZ10Miler wrote:

When you are really fit and the wheels are rolling, it's pure joy. You know that today you could go for 5M or you could go for 15M, it doesn't matter. When you are fat, out of shape and every step is painful, you are just like allll those other people shuffling around the walking paths, barely moving on the treadmills- all the people doing this activity and just waiting for it to end.

It is humbling and frustrating as hell.

yep, did 40min of barely moving on the treadmill today.. now I know why people don't like running, could never understand that before ;-)

itdepends wrote:

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.

I must be the only person who cringes when I read statements like yours. We are not

all the same. Shoes do not always fit on another runner. Here are the reasons why

trail running is stupid for some people:

1. Sprained ankles (We are talking chronic here, sir.)

2. Sweat and Glasses (Those two do not fit together.)

arunnerinwa wrote:

I think running 7 days a week, though, is hard. If you have kids and a job, stuff comes up. Having one day off to allow some flexibility is very helpful.

I agree with this and the only change I would make to the original idea. Running 5-6 days per week is easier than running 2-3. But running 7 days per week EVERY week can be harder than 2-3.

As others have expressed in so many words, the basic claim generally rings as TRUE for me, given a few little assumptions. You also need to consider one's definition of "easy" or "easier". In the psychological sense, for me, sure, running with greater frequency tends to be less of a strain than running less often. Physically, again speaking only for myself, it depends. There are weeks where I am physically a bit beat up or drained based on 1 or 2 especially challenging runs (and whatever other factors), and couldn't stand to run more than 3 days of the week. That doesn't mean I'm necessarily dormant of the other days - I prefer to stay active, even if not running, so I will often bike/spin, hit the pool or gym or just walk more during those other days. Point being, sometimes, for some reason(s), running more often in a week is indeed harder for me. I will still contend that is is GENERALLY easier for me to run more often, though. Be that due to force of habit, injury resistance, the temperature of a unicorn's gaseous emissions, or some other cause(s).

Looking back on my response and the original post...maybe the "correct" answer is that it just doesn't matter, and/or there is no absolute, inherent truth or falsehood to the assertion. Too many factors, including too much variety in the experiences of individual runners.

I agree.

It's because you are used to doing something on a daily basis and have built up your aerobic endurance. If you are just running 2-3 times a week then you are not reaping the same benefits you would had you been training more regularly.

ROJO is right. When you are a real runner, you just step out the door no matter what, unless you have a broken limb or a serious sickness.

Still, 2 x per week is easier of course if you have something called discipline.

Right now, I'm doing gym 4 days and 2 cardio, so you're always getting out the door, and you run instead of gym.

So in the end I agree with wojo, but for health, you want to do different kind of work,

so mix it up xrunners.

with the 2 x per week soccer, you can do a longish run on the weeknd, run like 800 to 1 mile segments with walking recovery for 90 minutes, and you'll be where you want.