The Extra Mile! How Many Times A Week Should I Run?

In this episode of Run Pod, host Jenny Falconer addresses a common question among runners: How often should I be running? She emphasizes that the answer largely depends on individual goals, whether for general fitness, racing preparations, or establishing a consistent habit.

For beginners, Jenny suggests aiming for two to three runs per week. This frequency allows the body time to adapt and build a strong foundation while highlighting the importance of rest days in preventing injury.

Intermediate runners can increase their sessions to three to four times a week once they can comfortably run for 30 minutes. This is the time to introduce variety, such as longer runs or speedwork, although sticking to three runs can still be effective.

For advanced runners and those training for races, plans may include running up to six days a week, particularly when preparing for half or full marathons. Despite this higher frequency, Jenny stresses the necessity of recovery days to avoid burnout, reinforcing the idea that quality in running sessions is more significant than quantity. The episode concludes with encouragement for listeners to customize their running schedules to suit their lives and goals, while maintaining consistency.