I realize that listening to your body is the best advice and my body is telling me not to run on consecutive days. I have gone from being a non-runner in May to running BF 3-3.5 miles 3 times a week for the last month, but running never on consecutive days. Running was going so well that I decided to add 1 more day a week. Ran 2 miles on Wednesday, 3 milles on Thursday, no exercise on Friday. Muscles were a little tight on Friday and this morning, but not bad. I managed to run 3.5 miles this morning, but felt real pain and cramping for the first time since I started running barefoot. I am curious about when other new runners found they could run on consecutive days.
New barefoot runners, when were you able to run on consecutive days?
- Thread starter Ericlf
- Start date
I started running barefoot
I started running barefoot (and at all, actually ) four months ago and only added a day a couple weeks ago. My mileage sounds similar to yours, and I did find the strain of that extra day challenging the first time, but got used to it. I now run 4 times a week if I feel strong after monday off following my sunday longer run, will do tuesday then Wednesday.
I started running barefoot (and at all, actually ) four months ago and only added a day a couple weeks ago. My mileage sounds similar to yours, and I did find the strain of that extra day challenging the first time, but got used to it. I now run 4 times a week if I feel strong after monday off following my sunday longer run, will do tuesday then Wednesday.
I found that I couldn't run
I found that I couldn't run back to back days for the first month. I found 3 days a week safe and probably could've done a rolling every-other-day schedule except for my need to run barefoot every wednesday night and so I scheduled my other runs around that constant.
I was running primarily on chipseal around my neighborhood but I then started shifting to a paved bike trail which was a bit less harsh on my feet... still every other day though on that. I would run the other days in my 4mm InvisibleShoe.com without a problem but still only ran about 4-5 days a week.
I'm in my 5th week now and recently found a nice stretch of sidewalk cement that I can run on and that was a real treat. I think I could run back-to-back barefoot on that stuff. I might even try going on the asphalt bike trail on one day and cement the next to see if that works.
For me the legs weren't the issue... it was giving my feet time to recover from the chipseal. I'm noticing that they are holding up better now that I've got a month under my belt but have a ways to go as I continue adjusting my form and trying different surfaces. I rarely run on the chipseal around my house anymore though because there is a lot of exposed tar that's been sticky wet with the heat lately... nasty stuff.
Happy Running!
I found that I couldn't run back to back days for the first month. I found 3 days a week safe and probably could've done a rolling every-other-day schedule except for my need to run barefoot every wednesday night and so I scheduled my other runs around that constant.
I was running primarily on chipseal around my neighborhood but I then started shifting to a paved bike trail which was a bit less harsh on my feet... still every other day though on that. I would run the other days in my 4mm InvisibleShoe.com without a problem but still only ran about 4-5 days a week.
I'm in my 5th week now and recently found a nice stretch of sidewalk cement that I can run on and that was a real treat. I think I could run back-to-back barefoot on that stuff. I might even try going on the asphalt bike trail on one day and cement the next to see if that works.
For me the legs weren't the issue... it was giving my feet time to recover from the chipseal. I'm noticing that they are holding up better now that I've got a month under my belt but have a ways to go as I continue adjusting my form and trying different surfaces. I rarely run on the chipseal around my house anymore though because there is a lot of exposed tar that's been sticky wet with the heat lately... nasty stuff.
Happy Running!
I now run back-to-back days
I now run back-to-back days quite a bit. I've been running barefoot for almost 3 years now. I honestly can't remember when I started to be able to do so though. I've been doing BtB days for a long time now.
I now run back-to-back days quite a bit. I've been running barefoot for almost 3 years now. I honestly can't remember when I started to be able to do so though. I've been doing BtB days for a long time now.
I'm 14 months into barefoot
I'm 14 months into barefoot running. I will occasionally run back to back days, but I overdid it a bit in March with a run that was much too fast (I just felt really good and was booking it happily!). That set me back, so now I'm a bit more careful. I do want to add consecutive days, but like everyone rightly says, I'm listening to my body. I'd say that if you do it, in addition to listening generally to what your body says, watch your speed. That said, this is so individualistic that you'll probably have no choice but to just test it and see. Be patient and in it for the long haul.
I'm 14 months into barefoot running. I will occasionally run back to back days, but I overdid it a bit in March with a run that was much too fast (I just felt really good and was booking it happily!). That set me back, so now I'm a bit more careful. I do want to add consecutive days, but like everyone rightly says, I'm listening to my body. I'd say that if you do it, in addition to listening generally to what your body says, watch your speed. That said, this is so individualistic that you'll probably have no choice but to just test it and see. Be patient and in it for the long haul.
I think this is a complicated
I think this is a complicated question. I've run half the distance I wanted to for the day, in the morning and then the other half at night, or something similar 2 days in a row, even in the beginning, without adverse affect. Lately, I've been running 6.2mile long runs mid week, 3.5ish miles with the McKinney running club on Sat and then around 4-5 miles on Sunday (back to back). I just listen to my body and adjust accordingly.
-Jonny
I think this is a complicated question. I've run half the distance I wanted to for the day, in the morning and then the other half at night, or something similar 2 days in a row, even in the beginning, without adverse affect. Lately, I've been running 6.2mile long runs mid week, 3.5ish miles with the McKinney running club on Sat and then around 4-5 miles on Sunday (back to back). I just listen to my body and adjust accordingly.
-Jonny
What part of your body is
What part of your body is feeling the pain and cramping?
-unshod ashish
What part of your body is feeling the pain and cramping?
-unshod ashish
took me about 3-4 months
took me about 3-4 months before I would even attempt back to back, and even then it was more a sole issue than a cramping issue.
now that I'm not really training for anything I rarely do back to back and sometimes even give myself 2-3 days between runs.
took me about 3-4 months before I would even attempt back to back, and even then it was more a sole issue than a cramping issue.
now that I'm not really training for anything I rarely do back to back and sometimes even give myself 2-3 days between runs.
I run on consecutive days
I run on consecutive days quit a bit but mix it up a lot, when I was new I didn't know how to do this properly and over did it many times. No matter how many days a week you run you need to keep your weekly mileage about the same if you are making changes to your run schedule...no big increases for sure. The other thing to consider is the longest run of the week...it shouldn't be a real high amount compared to to weekly total...maybe 30 - 40% at the most...you can get away with over doing your long runs once in awhile but your injury risk jumps way up if you do that to often.
I actually advise new runners to run often but short distances to start out...like 1/8 - 1/4 mile, this is fine almost every day in the beginning. Four 1/4 miles runs is better than one 1 mile run when just learning.
You may need to back off every few weeks also to get a little more recovery after you pushed it a bit, I like to have a rest week now and then and your body might be telling you this now. It takes a while to get the body awareness going all the way...at least 6 months.
I run on consecutive days quit a bit but mix it up a lot, when I was new I didn't know how to do this properly and over did it many times. No matter how many days a week you run you need to keep your weekly mileage about the same if you are making changes to your run schedule...no big increases for sure. The other thing to consider is the longest run of the week...it shouldn't be a real high amount compared to to weekly total...maybe 30 - 40% at the most...you can get away with over doing your long runs once in awhile but your injury risk jumps way up if you do that to often.
I actually advise new runners to run often but short distances to start out...like 1/8 - 1/4 mile, this is fine almost every day in the beginning. Four 1/4 miles runs is better than one 1 mile run when just learning.
You may need to back off every few weeks also to get a little more recovery after you pushed it a bit, I like to have a rest week now and then and your body might be telling you this now. It takes a while to get the body awareness going all the way...at least 6 months.
Thanks to everyone for your
Thanks to everyone for your advice and comments. It's good to know that it may just take a bit more time before I can run more than 3 times a week.. I wish I could run more often since the runs are starting to feel good, but obviously my legs need a rest day. Findingflow, I had cramping in my calves and pain in my shins during the run. Also felt totally winded for the first time. Tonight there is general soreness in my lower legs and ankles, but not pain. Most of my run is on pretty smooth cement, so I have not had problems with the soles of my feet.
Thanks to everyone for your advice and comments. It's good to know that it may just take a bit more time before I can run more than 3 times a week.. I wish I could run more often since the runs are starting to feel good, but obviously my legs need a rest day. Findingflow, I had cramping in my calves and pain in my shins during the run. Also felt totally winded for the first time. Tonight there is general soreness in my lower legs and ankles, but not pain. Most of my run is on pretty smooth cement, so I have not had problems with the soles of my feet.
I started out running
I started out running consecutive days. I try to run every day and hardly miss any days.
I started out running consecutive days. I try to run every day and hardly miss any days.
If your soles are fine, you
If your soles are fine, you are (correctly) lifting your feet and not pushing off, which is excellent.
Your lower leg pain makes me wonder whether you could be leaning forward, either at the hip or at the ankle. When I was starting out as a barefoot runner, learning to stand upright, and then run upright, made a huge difference.
-unshod ashish
If your soles are fine, you are (correctly) lifting your feet and not pushing off, which is excellent.
Your lower leg pain makes me wonder whether you could be leaning forward, either at the hip or at the ankle. When I was starting out as a barefoot runner, learning to stand upright, and then run upright, made a huge difference.
-unshod ashish
Eric, In my opinion, your
Eric, In my opinion, your body has a lot of adjusting yet to do. The soreness in the calfs is classic BF developmental stuff. I'm older (54) and have been at this for 14 months or so as well. My legs can do back to backs once in a while, but I'd just rather not, usually. Do what feels right for you, as has been written, but be aware that you're just in that shady area of feeling like you can do more than you really can. Take it easy and pay good attention to your "instrument." ...and have fun!
Eric, In my opinion, your body has a lot of adjusting yet to do. The soreness in the calfs is classic BF developmental stuff. I'm older (54) and have been at this for 14 months or so as well. My legs can do back to backs once in a while, but I'd just rather not, usually. Do what feels right for you, as has been written, but be aware that you're just in that shady area of feeling like you can do more than you really can. Take it easy and pay good attention to your "instrument." ...and have fun!
Running for almost 20 years
Running for almost 20 years now, i have never been a consecutive day runner. Here and there i will do back to back days, but it's a rarity. Just from knowing my body, I do much better with a day off between runs. But like you said, just listen to your body, if you feel good and think you can run the next day, give it shot. If your calves are screaming and you feel really tight, i wouldn't do back to back.
Running for almost 20 years now, i have never been a consecutive day runner. Here and there i will do back to back days, but it's a rarity. Just from knowing my body, I do much better with a day off between runs. But like you said, just listen to your body, if you feel good and think you can run the next day, give it shot. If your calves are screaming and you feel really tight, i wouldn't do back to back.
