Finding lots of contradictory opinions elsewhere online so coming here to search for more presumably contradictory opinions: Can/should you run every day?

What matters isn't so much how often you run, but how you arrived at running that often. A safe frequency and volume for an experienced runner isn't the same as for a beginner.

I used to be coached by an Olympic marathoner. Their answer: "Can you run everyday? Yes. Do you have to run everyday? No." They did not run everyday but never denied the option to anyone. One of my friends does run everyday because it helps her autoimmune disorder more than anything else has. So if it works for you, awesome. In short, find what works for you and get to that frequency safely (as others have mentioned).

Many of us do.

r/amileaday

I have had great success with running at least one mile every day, primarily because my days off would turn into weeks and months and even years off. I ran ONCE in 2017. Now if I am committed to running every day, there are no excuses when before there would always be one or more reasons why I didn't get my run in. So far, 800 and change days and counting.

That being said, I committed to running at least a 5k every day in July while hitting my normal 30 miles a week and I honestly felt it.

Well, first off, what is it that you are trying to accomplish? The goal dictates the training.

I think there's always going to be a good amount of disagreement on this just because everyone handles things a little differently, but also because it everyone will interpret the question a little differently.

I mean, clearly people can run daily because lots of people do. I've been running daily for years and love it. Between April and November I typically do doubles. Should I be doing that though? If I were aiming for peak performance probably not, but I do it because I enjoy it, so it aligns with my goals.

If it's just 10-20 minutes, then yes that's not particularly taxing on most people.

You can.

Personally I love full rest days. LOVE THEM! Just really enjoy putting my legs up and feeling the tiredness melt out.

I believe every runner has to find their own niche. For me, running daily was never doable, I like taking a 2 day break and doing other activities. Mentally it’s better for me too. But hey, if what your doing works for you and your body isn’t protesting keep doing it!

I run everyday but Sunday

I’ve found doing something different from the previous day helps. Hill climbs one day, chill run the next, speed run one day, run with a vest the next etc etc.

It’s honestly different for everyone. Listen to your body seriously

Side note: hamstring strength training is super important for my knees to do this. That and foam rolling

May I suggest power walking as a means of moving you forward and promoting aerobic health on your off days?

As someone who has gotten overuse injuries from running every day in the past, I generally caution against not unless you have really good form, a good warm up and cool down, and are experienced. However, I was running 6-8 miles everyday which was overboard, I’ve yet to try running only 20-45 minutes daily.

I too wish I could run every day because I love the mental health benefits and how strong I feel, but I also know how awful I feel when I have to stop running for 6 weeks because of an injury so I don’t do every day anymore.

How long have you been running? Have you ever spoken to a PT? I would say they would know best especially if they were able to examine your running form.

If you keep up with your stretching, strength training, PT, and shoe replacement, it’s absolutely doable! Also, respect the runstreak rest day mile

You will be fine. If you get an injury you know the first place to look.

For most people scheduled rest days contribute towards optimal performance, long term (staying injury free) and short term (Not carrying excess training stress).

Ultimately at the low volume of training you are doing, while it is still sub-optimal, the likely cost is going to be a slight decrease in peak performance and slightly elevated risk of overuse injury (especially if you are carrying extra weight).

If you are adding the short runs on the weight days to burn a few extra calories consider mixing things up. Stationary bike, walk, etc.

Great question. Give it a try and see if you like it .

I think it depends on the individual runner. I can't because I'm rubbish at regulating/sustaining my energy and keep getting injured so I run every other day. I have friends who can do it every day. Neither of us are better or worse runners because of it, different training patterns just work for different people with different needs/lifestyles I guess.

No it's not bad.

No

33 years, male. Bad shape in youth. Never been athletic dude.

Running everyday for last 590 days. Min. 2km/ day. Arround 40-50 km/ week. Slow pace runner.

Since January I added full body workout gym training. I missed many gym sessions and my monthly mileage dropped a lot in first months, but then I more or less adjusted.

Last 2 months I was doing 7 runs a week (usually 5-6 km, sometimes 10 km) + 3 full body workout gym trainings a week. My legs hurts a bit or are stiff in the morning day after gym and I still got ankle mobility issues with squats, but nothing really bad.

Without recovery days you should expect slower gains and be even more alert about own body (exercises form, changes in movement patterns, types of pain, diet, sleep schedule).

Also for me splititing strenght training and running sessions when possible (f.e. one in morning or right after work, second in evening) increased my next day recovery and reduced tireness.

The big unknown is your goal. If you want to be a good half marathoner, you're going to want to run for long periods of time and run often. Those 10-20 minute runs will do very little for you. If you are just trying to be "fit" then you're probably doing things correctly.

I’m a month and a half into my running journey. I run 6 or 7 days of the week for timed periods of 30minutes+ or distance of:began at 1.5mi+ to now 3miles+ on all those 6 or 7 days of running. I have never been a runner, I played soccer all throughout high school but was only good for sprints never long distance. I wasn’t in the best shape when I started running either but pushed through the aches and pains (never felt like I was pushing an injury though) and am glad I train almost daily. I’m scared if I take too many days off then I will fall off. I guess the most important thing is to listen to your body and if you need an easy day don’t overdue it but keep your body moving with a light run.