Hey runners how many miles, . .

[janie1234]

do you clock in for the week? Do you run everyday? I try not to just because I find that to much running can make me prone to injury. I just read somewhere that in order to help lose belly fat you need to clock in 20 miles a week. I do 12-15 but man I think 20 on top of what I already do would be pushing it for me. I have a neroma in my toe that just kicks in around the 4th to 6th mile. My husband who has run almost all his life now complains about hip and knee pain and I know that many of my other runner friends say the same thing, . . so is running everyday to much? Do you alternate and run every other day?

 

[allwildgirl]

I run somewhere between 18 and 22, depending on the week. Some weeks I have more time and can in some longer runs and some I just can't. And I never run every day. I run three times a week, sometimes four.

 

[lioness]

I run about 15-20 miles a week. I run about 3 days a week, sometimes 4 depending on weather and time. I don't run every day. I usually take a rest day in between runs, sometimes 2 days if I do a long run.

I disagree that you have to run 20 miles a week to lose belly fat. I noticed flatter abs almost right away and I was not logging in 20 miles a week. I was running about 10 miles a week in the beginning.

 

[lesliew1]

I'm fairly new at it, only doing about 10 miles a week, about 3.2 miles/3 days a week. On my off days I walk at least 4 miles.

I don't agree with the belly fat rule. It's too general a statement. I like to add hill work, and do intervals at the track for variety. Changing your routine will help burn fat, regardless of the number of miles you do. That, and watching your diet!

 

[EricaH]

I run between 30-35 miles a week. I do run on consecutive days and usually don't feel any problems, but I'm pretty sure that I've worn down most of the cartilage in my knee. I had a knee injury several years ago and was told that I had deterioration of my meniscus and my doctor told me to cut back on distance and frequency (I was running more mileage then). I cut back on distance, but not frequency because I find that running helps my stress level so much. I usually run 6 days a week unless the weather is really bad and I can't get outside.

I don't think you need a certain amount of miles to lose belly fat. I can't help you there - I have belly fat because I eat too much!

Erica

 

[janie1234]

Thanks everyone. I try to take everything I read with a grain of salt. I am more fit now than I was when I was 20 and I'm 33 now. I've really kicked it up several notches for the past 6 months trying to get to my maximum fitness potential. I'm not a marathoner at one point I thought about it but while training I was having way to many foot and running problems so now I run for the fun of it (yes, I know all you runners know that the "runners high" does exist). My arms and legs are toned, I'm cardiovasuclarly fit, but I can't for the life of me lose that extra little bit around my middle. I've had 2 kids and there is stretching and loose skin there, . . I also know that there is belly flab and fat underneath (I do the jumping test in front of a mirror, . . if anything over jiggles that is what I need to work on and yes, the belly is jiggling). I will admit it is a lot better than before, I'm seeing definition and my core is a heck of a lot stronger. I do feel that running really helps with fat loss, but I'm so afraid of running injuries that even if I could I wouldn't want to run to much and yes I eat well. Sounds like on average most people who run 20 miles a week run 7 mile runs 3 days a week? My 7 mile run is my long run for the week, and I can't imagine doing that 2 more times in a week.

 

[allwildgirl]

I'm pretty sure that what you eat has WAY more to do with belly fat than how many miles a week you run

 

[janie1234]

Hey Shelly, yeah, . . .I agree, . . . . I honestly eat really well. I do have to admit I love diet coke. and I don't drink enough water. When I say I like diet coke, . . . I mean I drink 4 cans a day.

 

[karenvictoria]

I agree with Shelley. What you eat has way more to do with belly fat then how many miles you log. If that was the case I would have a flat stomach after my three kids but it just ain't so. I usually run 4 -5 days a week. Normally 4 days but I'm training for a half right now. Two runs that are long and two- three that are relativly short. I clock about 25-35 miles. I do run back to back days too but never do the same type of running. Meaning if I run speed intervals then next day will just be a pace run or slower to flush out the legs. If I do tempo runs the next day I do pace or slower runs as well.. When i do my long runs I tend to XT the next day but if I do run it's also at pace. Never doing speed after a long run. Pretty much this is my week right now.

Sat- 3-5 miles or XT
Sun- off
Mon- 3-5 miles
Tues- XT
Wed- 7-10 miles tempo or speed intervals.
Thurs- 3-5 miles plus upper body and abs
Friday- Long run 8-13 miles

 

[amyg]

Well I am not running nearly enough considering I have a half marathon in a few weeks. I'm only running maybe 2 days a week (I know, I know); one at tempo pace and one longer run. I'll do 11 tomorrow and I did 7.5 Sunday at tempo pace (almost).

So that's 18-20/week and it's about as high as I go anymore; a few years ago I did more like 30-40. (Before I got all the Cathe workouts I'd rather do at home, lol!)

 

[maddiesmum]

How about running for the pure joy of the motion and physical rush? Who gives a s**t how many calories you expend per workout or how many miles you run per week? Seriously, to think like this all the time is to become a slave to calorie counting and removes the joy from the sport as you feel the need to adhere to a strict regimen that may not actually agree with your body.

Do what feels good for you in terms of mileage and distance. Enjoy the running. Don't compensate for the running by overeating after the run. And do other cardio to add to your weekly cardiovascular work. More importantly, lift weights regularly, since this will have a longer after-burn than the running.

Enjoy the running for its own sake, regardless of what you might read in any periodical or what anyone else might tell you about their own regime.

Clare

 

[Jess_jugs]

I run somewhere between 18 and 22, depending on the week. Some weeks I have more time and can in some longer runs and some I just can't. And I never run every day. I run three times a week, sometimes four.

Yeah, what Shelley said. Usually 3, no more than 4 days and depending on what I'm training for the mileage may vary.