Spacing out exercise over the week...?

[Wigeon]

So, at the grand age of 36, I am finally doing proper regular exercise - just got to week 7 of couch to 5k, and I swim while my children have their swimming lessons.

However, my week means that the most convenient times for exercise are:

Monday morning - couch to 5k run
Monday afternoon - swim for 30mins
Friday daytime - run
Sat or Sunday - run

Which isn't very well spaced out.

The couch to 5k app tells me I should have a rest day between runs. Is it a bad idea to run and swim on the same day? Is it ok because presumably I am using different muscles? And am I getting less benefit from doing two lots of exercise on one day, then none for several days after that?

I have no idea really of how the science of all this works, apart from the general knowledge that exercise is good for you (physically & mentally). But now I am actually doing more, I'm worrying that I'm doing it wrong...

Help oh seasoned and knowledgeable exercisers!

[poorbuthappy]

I wonder this too...I am about to start week 4 and really feel like I need to run every day this week...part of it is the realisation that I enjoy it and therefore want to do it often, but I know they say to have a rest day...

[IDismyname]

I'm no expert, but I do try and space out my exercise as best I can.

However, if you can't do that don't give up!

[holmessweetholmes]

In an ideal world you'd want to space it out a bit better, but I think you're probably fine to do running and swimming on the same day.

I used to avoid running on consecutive days, but I've now started running about 5 days a week. I've compensated by only trying to push my pace or distance on one run per week, whereas the others are slow runs, even with a few walk breaks.

It depends what you want to get out of it. My reasoning is that the more often I exercise the better, because I run fir health and for enjoyment, not competitively. But I don't want to injure myself, so I'd rather go more slowly but run more often.

[nmg85]

I have just completed the 5k runner app and I ran 4 days a week. I usually did Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. I think if you feel ok then 2 days in a row is fine... Just make sure you have at least a couple of rest days a week. Listen to your body it will tell you to stop if it needs 2.

[MajesticWhine]

I think what you are doing is fine. I think it's probably ideal to space it out more, but you have to go with what fits in to your schedule, it's more important to find a realistic way to fit them in at all than spacing them out.

I am doing bridge to 10k (graduate of c25k) and trying to get into the habit of running 3 times per week. I usually feel too tired to run on consecutive days but to be honest, I haven't really tried it, it might just because I think I will be tired. If you can manage without a rest day then I don't think it matters.
Swimming involves quite a different kind of effort so I think that's fine on the same day - and doing it during DC lessons is a great idea.

[Wigeon]

Ok, this is reassuring. poorbuthappy - personally, as I was completely new to running I thought I'd better be careful and make sure I had rest days, and anyway, I think my legs would have ached too much. By the time I get to the end of the plan, I think I might be able to cope with consecutive days running (legs definitely ache less now I've done week 7). But still a bit worried about hurting myself since I am a complete amateur runner and just do it by myself. Or perhaps I'm just fundamentally lazy (true) at heart...

I can't see myself ever running 5 days a week! (see sentence above).

[carrie74]

I do a similar regime TBH (see PT Mon, work Tues-Thurs and rarely fit in exercise, then do some kind of weight training on Fri and again either Sat or Sun), and find it fine (although better when more spaced out). I don't know what your swimming is like (mine's not particularly vigorous as I'm rubbish at front crawl, so tend to breast-stroke), but I would treat it as a good way of stretching out your muscles, and also using more of your upper body after the run.

[Wigeon]

Ah, that does sound quite similar. I do try to do a mix of front crawl and breast stroke (and back stroke if the lane is sufficiently empty), and it was quite nice to be using my arms a bit. Although I was tired after my energetic Monday, it did feel I could cope, and that the swimming was sufficiently different to the running.

Now need to get to the end of couch to 5k and see if I can actually run 5k!

[MrsMook]

I tend to end up with it bunching up. My recent HM training has involved long run and recovery run on.Thurs and Fri when I'm child free, Sat circuits class, Sun run, Mon Buggy Fit, Tues & Wed rest! Spacing the timing can make a difference, so running Sunday evening following Sat am class gives an extra 7-8 hours of rest between. The intensity and muscle groups used have varied too.

Swimming and running are great complimentary exercises.