Mid week update, how many days do you run?

Cap City Results Warm and a bit humid.
Carol 3:55
David 4:18

Green Bay (WI) Marathon
Sub 3:24

Nice Job everyone!

As I delve into the questionnaires that I receive from those that are taking me up on the PTP (personal training plans) and for that matter in a few discussion I've had with other group members it strikes me how many people only run 3-4 days a week and I bet there are those that only run a couple of days a week. They also aren't adding another component like biking or swimming to make up for the loss of running.

For those that are looking to improve your running it goes to follow that the more you run the better shape you'll be in, the better shape you're in should lead to better results right?

Here's how I see it. There are 7 days in a week right? if you only run 3-4 days of seven that ,means you not also running for 3-4 days.  I've always been a believer that you lose fitness faster than you gain it. So if we work with that the best you're going to do with the plan is maintain at best and I just don't see how you'll improve. I mean if you look at it monthly that means you're not running 15 or more days out of the month.  Seems like a to to me.I don't care how many long runs or speed work you add I don't think that as they say is a winning formula.

That's is why my training plans have 5 days built into it and think find you'll most do.

One of the main reason I build in 5 days is that I would also argue that you might have a better chance of getting injured with less running. Now I'm not saying you need to go out and hammer every run but I do think your easy day runs are in a way therapeutic plus building a little more strength. So the day after a hard workout it's probably better to go for a nice easy run, getting the blood flowing and stretching out your legs rather than sitting around resting thinking that is allowing you to recover.

I can tell you from personal experience when I was competing  I would run 100-120 miles week, with most days having two runs in them. If I didn't get in my morning run my afternoon run always seemed tougher. So if I didn't run in the morning not only was I missing a workout but I think the way I loosened up for the day and that in the end made my afternoon work a bit easier. It was like I needed to run more to be able run more.

Now no body here is going to running like that but if looking to improve your running performance I might dedicate a little more time to your recovery days as they a long with improving your fitness will help you recover from you hard days and in the end make your running a bit more enjoyable and hopefully injury free.