Leafing through rec.running, I read Lanceandrew's message of 19 Nov 2004:
Quoted message said:
that the best runners run 3-5 times per week but their runs are quality runs. Those who run every day or nearly every day just don't do as well and have more aches and pains and injuries. Just an observation...
That may be the case for a runner that is not applying the hard-easy principle to their everyday runs. There are cases, such as marathon training, where in order to put forth your best effort on race day you need to accumulate more mileage. In that case it is necessary to put in some short/easy miles in between the longer days in order to accumulate the desired weekly total. However, there is a trade off between trying to do more weekly miles and maintaining speed and tip-toeing the injury line. The trick is to find your recovery rate and either run easy, cross train, or rest completely.
Phil M.
-- "What counts in battle is what you do once the pain sets in." -John Short, South African coach.
Every other day to allow rest and solid recovery especially after the lay off.
Depends on how "hard" running 2 miles is and what the objective for running is. If he has joint pain or recovery problems (elevated heart rate in the morning), then he needs a rest day. I have incoming cross country kids (never been in a running program before) start with 3 mi/day 5 days/wk--some running, some walking initially--with the objective initially being to just cover the distance (if they want to crawl, that's ok). Over 2-3 weeks, there is gradually less walking and moire running, and when they can do 15 mi/wk almost all running, they start intervals.
Walking is the same as resting if a running program IMO. I'd agree with Douglas: every other day. Walking on rest days would be helpful, as walking can help stretch and tone muscles and ligaments in preparation for running.
If I haven't been running for a few weeks, I walk a few miles before running, but still only run every other day.
Quoted message said:
If the objective is to lose weight, I'd start alternating running and weightlifting days. An hour continuously lifting weights is worth several miles running in the calorie department, and the alternation burns quite a few calories without getting the volume too high for either exercise.
Lyndon
"Speed Kills...It kills those that don't have it!" --US Olympic Track Coach Brooks Johnson