Yes and no.
Well, it depends on who you’re asking or what you want to get out of it. Running is a growing sport in the Philippines; organizers stage events that go anywhere from fun runs to qualifying races, and the chances of you registering can be quite addictive.
The same goes if you’re running to stay fit or lose weight. Consistency is the key, as they say, and skipping one day might break the chain and will transport you back to Day 1.
While there is no definitive answer, experts believe that the body needs time to rest. Running is a high-impact sport; it works on the knees, leg muscles, the core, and joints. Doing so every day will increase muscle soreness, leading to overtraining, burnout, or injuries like a runners knee, shin splints, or plantar fasciitis.
And let’s not forget about blisters and chaffing, which can be very painful and can sideline a runner for days or weeks.
Runners should also consider weather conditions, especially in the Philippines, where it can go from decent to explicit in a blink of an eye. Dehydration, heat exhaustion, and fatigue can pose more harm than good at this point, especially when you’re forcing yourself to go the extra mile.
On the other hand, jogging 30 minutes several days a week can lead to long-term health benefits such as improved cardiovascular health, stronger bones, muscles, and joints, more endorphins, and improved mental health.
But then again, several days a week doesn’t mean every day. Not unless your runner’s high is so strong or you have a running streak to prove, then, by all means, run every day. The thought should be taken with a grain of salt, though; take time to rest and recover, even if you feel invincible.
Running every day is a “gray area” of the running community, much like the issue of heart rate and Zone 2 training. There is no definite answer, as runners differ from one another.
