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Hi Runners,
This is my first post. I've enjoyed visiting the forum and am on W4R2. I'm new to running and exercise in general and this is, so far, the most successful I've been at any kind of exercise! I don't recognize myself!

My question is --- how crucial are the rest days? I have two wonderful running mates who want to sign up for a 5K that is literally on the day of W9R3. I want to "be in it" together with them but have been on vacation and missed 3 runs! (I did 2 on vacation so haven't been a total slacker!) Personally, I'd rather wait until I know I can run the whole thing but I also want to be a part of the group because we have been together for the process. Plus the 5K is an Oktoberfest one and you can get a cool beanie. So...there is a side of me that wants to give it a whirl!

So...think I can catch up or will it be harmful in some way? What do you think about trying a 5K so soon? Can you really do it on W9R3?

Thanks! (from the other side of the Atlantic, and then some)
Christine

Rest days are very important. You can still do other things on those days to improve your cardio fitness - biking or swimming are great - but running every day is just going to run you into the ground (no pun intended).

Hi I suggest you have a read of benjohns post can I run more it explains why the rest days are so important, much better than I can an hey even if you don't think you can run it all doesn't mean you can't complete it with the run/ walk system this app promotes

Hi Christine,

Rest days are important, however, if you'll be at the end of week 8, you'll be running for nearly 30 minutes already, so you'll probably be fine in the 5k. Perhaps you'll just want to walk a little bit of it. You could check your current pace with an App like Run Keeper during one of your training sessions to see if 30 minutes for you will let you cover 5k.

Hope that help

Happy running!

Thanks folks. I've squeezed in an extra run trying to keep as much time in between and it seems to have worked out fine. I've taken my rest seriously overall.

I was extremely nervous about W5R3 and did just fine tonight. What an amazing program! It's changing my life!

Keep up all the great work, as well as the running! Thanks for the input!