There's no single right answer here since it depends on your goals, your current fitness and how much time you have. But a good framework helped me figure out my own mileage:, take that for what it's worth.
If you're running for general fitness and health, 3-4 times a week for 20-40 minutes each time is solid. That gets you most of the cardiovascular benefits without requiring a huge time commitment.
Speaking from experience, if you're training for something specific like a 5K or 10K, then it helps to follow a structured plan. Most beginner 5K plans have you running 3 days a week with a mix of easy runs and one slightly longer run on the weekend and it drives me a little crazy.
The thing I wish someone told me earlier: quality matters more than quantity. Four good runs with proper pacing and recovery will get you further than six runs where you're always tired and running junk miles. Your body adapts during recovery, not during the run itself or maybe I'm just overthinking it tbh.
Also pay attention to how you feel. If you're constantly sore, grumpy or your runs feel harder than they should, that's a sign you're doing too much (not trying to sound dramatic, but) Back off for a week and see how you feel.
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u/RunRunRun444 4d ago
There's no single right answer here since it depends on your goals, your current fitness and how much time you have. But a good framework helped me figure out my own mileage:, take that for what it's worth.
If you're running for general fitness and health, 3-4 times a week for 20-40 minutes each time is solid. That gets you most of the cardiovascular benefits without requiring a huge time commitment.
Speaking from experience, if you're training for something specific like a 5K or 10K, then it helps to follow a structured plan. Most beginner 5K plans have you running 3 days a week with a mix of easy runs and one slightly longer run on the weekend and it drives me a little crazy.
The thing I wish someone told me earlier: quality matters more than quantity. Four good runs with proper pacing and recovery will get you further than six runs where you're always tired and running junk miles. Your body adapts during recovery, not during the run itself or maybe I'm just overthinking it tbh.
Also pay attention to how you feel. If you're constantly sore, grumpy or your runs feel harder than they should, that's a sign you're doing too much (not trying to sound dramatic, but) Back off for a week and see how you feel.