jogging every day

[Billi]

Is it OK to go for a jog every day or should you give your body a chance to recover and go every other day?
I started running yesterday and am reasonably fit but feel quite stiff today. I don't want to cop out though and if I should be able to run the next day then I will.
I am only running about 3 miles.

[4getmenot]

Should be fine, just make sure you stretch and warm up properley and that may take away a bit of the aches and pains the following day :-)

[andy-hughes]

I wonder about jogging. I don't believe the delicate bones and muscles in our knees and ankles are designed to take the pounding that jogging on tarmac gives us. Look at the ease with which professioanl footballers and athletes can damage these bones and joints. Take it easy.

[Loosehead]

Yep Listen to Andy jogging on hard surfaces isn't great for the joints especially if you are quite heavy.

Generally the body should be given rest, It's ok to go on consecutive days but give yourself occasionaly days off. For example you could jog mon to Fri and have the weekend off.

[jimboy2]

make sure you strech before and after get a really good pair of impact trainers and you are fine to run every day, a hot bath is brilliant after a run because it will relax the muscles. also try and run on grass, your body can definatley take it for example in the army a new recruit would be running about 50 miles a week not long after they joined up so you should be fine

[Bohne]

If you've only started yesterday, I suggest start on three times a week, and gradually (if you want to) increase to five or six times.

I have never been running more than six times a week. A day off once in a while is quite relaxing, expecially since jogging can take up a lot of time once you get to one or two hours (or more) per run.

Hope you have fun, can't wait to get back to running myself in July, after the baby is born!

[sassenach]

Listen to your body. I think the general consensus is that the benefits of jogging outweigh any potential risks e.g. to joints. But as a beginner your body is still adapting to the demands and you will be more injury prone than someone who has been doing it for years. I would say that as you are starting out you should aim for about 3 times a week and then build up from there if you are enjoying it and finding it gets easier. Try running on softer surfaces rather than the roads if you can, you'll find it's much easier on the knees and you get more fitness benefit out of it.

[Jennykins]

Billi .. Running everyday is not good on the body.. If you want to be a runner then DONT OVER DUE IT... And how much and how hard you run is all about what kind of goals you have.. Just from what I read I'll suggest this to you.. Try running 2 days.. then Bike or walk .. just do something else (cardio) to cross train.. biking would be best.. Its imortant to give your body a rest from such a high impacked exercise... Remember to start your run light (warm-up) You dont have to warm up by walking.. just a light run... Dont worry about stretching first because stretching is to bring your muscles back to there original state..(relaxed) Look up online stretches best for runners.. there is very important ones...And remember to change your running days.. ex: Mon-slow long run, Tues-slow short run, Wen-BIKE, Thur-Short fast run, Fri-BIKE, Sat-Hills, Sun REST.. Thats just to give you an idea... And what I mean by long and short is .. for me a long run is about 90 mins or so.. and I do it slow..(and focus on form.) it adds up to about 15+k.. When I do short, fast.. Its 8k.. When I do hills.. Its run up a hill.. walk down .. and so on .. about 5-10 times...

[Jennykins]

And go hard when you bike, Remember cross training is key! and the bike will make your legs strong to get up the hills fast.. and doing the hills will make you fast! and dont worry about getting big legs.. this is endurence training and cardio.. you will just get nice and toned...

Good luck Billi I hope I could help.. If you have anymore questions just ask.. Jen

[sammd]

Stick to grass as much as possible or your knees will regret it when you're older!