Should I run every day?

[Pipbin]

I currently run 3 days a week and do about 3 miles. It fits nicely in my schedule in the morning and I don't really want to increase the time I spend running as I go before work.

I'm feeling that I need to do more. I have been running the three days for about two years now. We moved about a year ago so I have been doing my current route since then.

Could I run for 5 days a week?

I'm 39 and overweight BTW.

If you feel ok you could, but why not just add in a longer run to the 3 shorter runs you currently do?

I can't add a longer run as I need it to fit into the time I have.

It dependson your recovery? My legs can't take running without a recovery day in between. The bones get stressed. Why not add in a fourth day but have one day off in the middle say Wednesday. Use the fourth one to do intervals maybe - fartkeks to make more of a challenge and help improve your pace. That way you'll end up eventually doing more distance in less time. Maybe use a couple of days to do strength training to limit injury potential and improve running form too?

A friend used to run every day ... till he got stress fractures. Rest days are important. Second the suggestion of interval training.

could you run further faster? - Work up to doing 4 miles in the time that you currently take to do 3.

If the length of time out on the run is limited then to improve your fitness you need to work on the intensity of the session. I think someone mentioned intervals before.. It doesn't have to be too rigid but try to mix some slow and fast running into the session and you'll find after a few weeks that you can run 3 miles very easily

I'm like pleaseput, I know my knees aren't up to daily running and I'd caution most people against it, but particularly if you are overweight. The interval training is a great idea but you could also maybe do some resistance training in between running days? It will help your running, reduce the chance of injury and get your upper body into great shape. The Shred is a good option, 1/2 an hour dvd - you need some dumbells but DVD is only £5 I think.

I'd say yes but increase things slowly. General rule is increase mileage by a max of 10% a week. If you are finding your current regime very manageable then definitely add an extra day.
Or do some other form of exercise on the for fourth day as already suggested.

You would prob be better either changing your running by doing intervals or tempo runs, and then doing something else on other days, maybe cycling or some core fitness