Should you Run Twice a Day (2024)

SHOULD YOU RUN TWICE A DAY?

Known as running doubles, heading out for a run twice a day is a common training tactic among elites, helping them easily log the big miles and boost their running recovery. But everyday runners can benefit from it too; so when should you do it and how does it work?

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How to Run Doubles

Running doubles isn’t as easy as just heading out twice in one day. Your primary goal should be promoting recovery so it’s important to give yourself enough time between runs.

Start by adding a second run to a day with a key running session that pushes you, such as intervals or threshold training. Your second run should then be easy, and can be at any time of the day whether it's before, or after yourscheduled training session. Don't worry about pace just stick to an easy, conversational speed for maximum benefit.

Aim for around 6-8 hours between runs, or at a minimum 5 hours. Leaving a shorter period of time such as 2-4 hours isn’t as effective as your body has little time to recover.

When to Run Doubles

If you're training for a marathon or a longer distanceevent and you’re struggling to fit the weekly mileage in running twice a day may help, but make sure you don’t break up your long run. When it comes to building endurance and muscle strength, running doubles are not a substitute for the weekly long run.

If your only goal is to increase your weekly mileage, then you may find it more beneficial to make up the miles in single runs rather than running twice a day. For examples, if you’re already running 5 days a week, try to add an extra running day rather than doubling up.

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The Benefits of Running Doubles

  • Body benefits -Doubling up on your runs puts your body in a glycogen-depleted state. As your body adapts to this new state it burns more fat and functions more economically by making use of your glycogen stores more efficiently, delaying fatigue and speeding up your recovery so you get fitter faster.
  • Cumulative mileage -Doubling up once a week can give your total mileage a boost and help your body run further, for longer.
  • Efficient recovery -Mixing your hard training sessions with short less strenuous runs will help increase blood flow to the active muscles,challenging and teaching your body to recover faster. If you can’t bear running again the same day as intervals or threshold, try a 30-minute cross-training session instead.

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The Downsides to Running Doubles

  • Recovery -Doubling up on run days can be tiring so make sure you rest completely on your down days to prevent overtraining and fatigue.
  • Aerobic endurance -If you're a beginner or intermediate runner - if youhaven’t been running 50+ miles a week consistently for 3- 5 years – then the majority of your running improvement is going to come from increasing your aerobic endurance by increasing your runs of around 60-90 minutes.Running doubles is often two shorter runs of around 30-45 minutes, which while beneficial, is less effective for enhancing your fitness.
  • Time consuming -Doublesrequire time and dedication. Although it sometimes seems easier to split a run into one in the morning and one in the evening, you still need to factor in proper fuelling, post-runrecovery, ensuring you get enough sleep, as well as showering and changing time.

Don't Forget:

  • Running twice a day means you’re burning more calories and stimulating your metabolism more often. Make sure you fuel your runs properly and eat enough to recover, replenishing the essential nutrients you need.
  • If you’re prone to injury, doubles probably aren’t for you. Make sure you get your gait analysed to help reduce your risk of injury, whatever your running training distance.
  • Keep track of your weekly mileage. You should always follow the 10% rule, even when running doubles, only increasing your total weekly mileage by up to 10% each week.

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Should you Run Twice a Day (2024)

FAQs

Is it okay to run twice a day? ›

Running twice a day means you're burning more calories and stimulating your metabolism more often. Make sure you fuel your runs properly and eat enough to recover, replenishing the essential nutrients you need. If you're prone to injury, doubles probably aren't for you.

Does running twice a day improve stamina? ›

Running twice in a day can bring some great benefits, but it's something runners often avoid for fear of injury. When incorporated carefully into a training plan, double running can help to build your muscle strength, increase your endurance, improve your running efficiency and – crucially – save time.

How many times do you have to run to see results? ›

Some people will thrive on 3 solid days per week. Others may see their best results running 6 or even 7 days a week. In my experience, the average runner will see solid results with 3 to 5 training runs per week.

Is it better to run All at once or throughout the day? ›

The research, which admittedly does not address our direct concern—splitting up a long run into two different sessions done on the same day—nevertheless suggests that the real factor in improving your overall fitness is how much exercise you do per week, not how you distribute it.

Is it better to run it once or twice? ›

Your odds of winning the pot do not go up nor down when you run it multiple times. You just get closer to the expectation of your equity at the point of getting it all-in. The overall EV is NOT impacted by dealing out multiple boards.

How many times can I run in a day? ›

While just about anyone can run twice daily, it's not always the best strategy for runners. While it can help you boost your weekly volume, it shortens your recovery times and increases your risk of injury.

Is it better to run faster or longer to Build stamina? ›

Run long and slow

The most effective way to build stamina with running is to focus on long, easy-paced training runs that allow you to increase your endurance while lowering the risk of injury. As a guide, when training, you should aim to run at around 80% of the speed you'd run at competitively.

How many minutes should I run a day to increase stamina? ›

Continuous, aerobic running that lasts between 30 and 60 minutes and is performed at 70 to 75 percent of your maximum heart rate targets cellular changes within the running muscles to provide the biggest stamina boost. Try some heart rate training exercises and your stamina should increase.

What is a runner's body? ›

The term "runner's body" is often used to describe a certain type of physique that is associated with regular running and other forms of endurance exercise. This type of body is often characterized by lean muscle mass, low body fat, and a defined physique, especially in the legs, hips, and core.

Does running tone your stomach? ›

Many studies show that: Moderate-intensity jogging (including short or long distances), high-intensity running (variable running, uphill running, sprinting or HIIT combined with running) are remarkably effective. significantly in reducing belly fat, even without changing the diet.

Will I get fit if I run everyday? ›

Running every day builds physical fitness and strengthens lower-body muscles. That's because the very act of running fires up these muscles to produce great power mile after mile.

Can you get abs from running? ›

And, will running give you abs? “Yes, running can help give you defined abs,” said Todd Buckingham, Ph. D., exercise physiologist. But before you get too excited, it's important to note that running alone isn't enough to improve muscular definition in your midsection.

Can running change your body shape? ›

If you go running regularly, you'll start getting a runner's body. This is pretty amazing! Your body is adjusting its shape and the location of muscle mass to suit your new hobby. In many ways, the benefits of getting a runner's body outweigh most of the disadvantages.

Is it okay to run 30 minutes every day? ›

Exercising for 30 minutes every day can positively impact your health. From being a natural mood booster to helping support bone health, the potential benefits of physical activity are impressive. If you love running or resistance training and have no contraindications, go for it.

Is it okay to run two days in a row? ›

Spreading out your total distance over the course of a week decreases injury risk and allows your body to stay adapted to the impact forces. In addition, you should never do harder efforts two days in a row unless you are an experienced runner working from a smart plan.

Is it OK to take 2 rest days from running? ›

The Answer? Rest One or Two Days Per Week. For the best performance and to reach your goals in the safest and most effective way possible, plan for one to two rest days per week. Olenick recommended spacing these out — take one rest day mid-week and the other on the weekend, or in between bigger workouts.

Is it okay to run 2 hours everyday? ›

Making It Safe

A way to have a safe, effective 2 hour workout is to split it into different activities. Sixty minutes of running everyday may get monotonous and lead to overuse injuries. However, you could do 45 minutes on a bike, followed by 30 minutes of weight training and 45 minutes of yoga.

Is it OK to run every 2 days? ›

Instead of running every day, consider hitting the weight room on alternate days to prevent muscle imbalances and ensure that each stride is smooth and efficient. Many running experts recommend running no more than four days a week.

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