My first race was last weekend, a 6K in which I did pretty well, but would like to improve upon.

I'd love to jump right back into another race, but I have no idea how often it's advisable to run competitively. At this point, I run four days per week (Tu, Th, Sa, Su), 7-10 miles on weekdays, and longer runs on weekends.

So for the runners out there, how often do you race? What distances? Do you need some time to recover, or is hitting a 5K or a 10K every couple of weeks no big deal?

My first race was last weekend, a 6K in which I did pretty well, but would like to improve upon.

I'd love to jump right back into another race, but I have no idea how often it's advisable to run competitively. At this point, I run four days per week (Tu, Th, Sa, Su), 7-10 miles on weekdays, and longer runs on weekends.

So for the runners out there, how often do you race? What distances? Do you need some time to recover, or is hitting a 5K or a 10K every couple of weeks no big deal?

I was doing 1 race a month. You obviously recover faster from the shorter races, just make sure you back your training down following the race, maybe do some cross training and rest.

You really have to listen to what your body is telling you, everyone is different. I have a friend of mine that will do a half mary and the very next day run a full, obviously very conditioned. I always follow my race days with cross training then a rest day and then a recover run maybe half the race distance, again, depending on how I feel. You should also back your mileage down the week prior to the race and I never run the day before a race.

Have you ever been out to Runner's World (http://www.runnersworld.com)? Just click on the Training link and then access the Smart Coach program they have a basic training plan builder for whatever distance your training for.

**EDIT** When doing lots of races make sure you get those proper REST days in!

Thanks for the info, and the link. That seems to be a good resource. :tucool:

Thanks for the info, and the link. That seems to be a good resource. :tucool:

No problem. Don't know if you record your training/mileage at all but Running Ahead (http://www.runningahead.com/) is a fantastic site to record your mileage and much more and its free.

It doesnt say what kind of sport so..!

Ive race 3 times a month, most of the races are from 2000m to 5000m rowing races.

2 weeks a year I race 5 days one after another, I find that by the 2nd day ice baths are a must,and do wonders for you..


If your legs ever hurt, have a really really really cold bath and jump in it, stay for 10-20mins and the following morning your as good as new!!(but stronger obviously!):tucool:

I haven't been racing thus far this year but last year I raced a couple times a month. I've done some races two weekends in a row but for the longer races, like half marathons, I've done two weeks apart.

http://webpages.charter.net/henderjr/races.gif