[zephyr524]

I'm thinking about adding another day of running in during the week. I've only been running for about 3 months and am concerned that it's to early yet. I've not quite gotten up to the 3 mile mark..I'm really close but not quite there. Should I just go ahead and add another day or should I wait awhile yet? Right now I "try" to go M-W-F but would like to go M-T-TH-F and then maybe just take a walk with my family or something on Wednesday. I'm not really sure how to add another day in there though...

[Thighs Be Gone]

That sounds reasonable to me. When I began I went probably 6 days a week. I worked my way up in small increments. I had to go at 5:30 in the morning in order to get it in.

[zephyr524]

I've definately got to get up earlier in the morning to get my run in. I've only gone about twice a week for the last two weeks because sometime always comes up in the evening, especially with the weather getting nicer now. I have a hard time getting up in the morning though! Do you eat before running or after? What about being hydrated in the morning? Do you find that you get thirsty during your run?

[mkroyer]

i am a morning runner.
I trained for both marathons NOT eating before my run(sometimes up to 12 MILES on an empty stomach!) I now realize thats just stupid and serves no purpose whatsoever. I make myself a banana/protein/ice/splenda smoothie that has approx 150 cals in it that i drink before i run or workout every morning. It has made a HUGE dif in my energy levels, and productivity of my runs, just fyi! I know we are all eating in a deficit, but if you can spare a few cals in the morning, youll feel a lot better, PLUS you use them up RIGHT away anyway, so they really could be whatever gives you the most energy.....PIXIE STICKS for all it matters

Regarding water-- i run with a handheld water bottle, so its not an issue.... BUT i do know if i forget to brush my teeth before my early am run, then i will have the WORST cotton mouth my entire run!

As far as adding more days...you will be fine if you add a fourth. But i think you might benefit equally well from trying to add a little distance (if youhave a distance goal~~ like 5 k or 10k..... if you want to start trying to add distance once or twice a week into your normal run schedule, than youll prob need the extra days off from running...you can always cross-train in between!

[3fcuser1058250]

I agree with royer that increasing mileage instead of days is a better idea. For myself I really need the day off inbetween my runs, I cross train in between days too. One way of doing it is to go Mon Wed Fri one week, then Sun Tues Thurs Sat the next week, that way you always have a day in between runs, but one week you run 3 days the next 4 days...

[zephyr524]

I think I like the idea of doing 3 days one week and then 4 the next. That is something I may try. I do want to add mileage but I'm not really sure how. I'm sooo close to 3 miles, last night I did 2.75 and feel like I could have gone a little farther. How much should I add at a run?

How does running in the heat differ from running in cooler weather? Is it more difficult? I'd imagine I'd have to carry a water bottle with me then.

As far as cross training..that's just anything other than running right? I've thought about getting my bike in working order and doing that through the summer on my off days from running but at more of a leisure pace with the family.

[3fcuser1058250]

Zeph, you should increase mileage by only 10% per week or less if you feel it's too much, but the rule of thumb is 10%.... Personally I really, really dislike running in the heat, it kills me water or not... I would much prefer to run in -20c than to run in the heat... Very good idea to bike on your off days, this this what I do in the summer, or when I find it to hot I bike, biking doesn't seem to affect me like running does I guess it's because there is always a breeze when you bike ...

[angienewton]

Boy such great info! I'm new to running, struggling but I'm doing it. Learning so much here. Right now I'm still doing the run 1 min. walk 3 and tomorrow will be only the 4th time I have run outside. I like it much better but found that it was easier to run at the state park on gravel and dirt than it was on the sidewalk in the neighborhood. I have a long way to go! Keep running ladies you're inspiring me!