Chose between extra rest days and adding a fifth day to my running plan

I had to pick between cutting back to three runs a week or pushing to five after my knee started hurting. Decided to go with five but shorter runs, like 3 miles instead of 5. It's been two weeks and my knee feels better but I'm way more tired. Anyone else find that more frequency with less distance works better for recovery?

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lily_schmidt532mo ago

I actually read this article from Runner's World about how more frequent but shorter runs can help your knees because it spreads the impact out instead of pounding them all at once on longer days. The writer talked about how your tendons and joints adapt faster to shorter repeated efforts than to long slogs. Plus I heard some coach on a podcast say that running four or five days a week at a lower mileage actually builds better form because you're practicing more often without the fatigue that messes up your stride. So you're probably on the right track, just give it more time. The tiredness should fade once your body gets used to the new routine, maybe another week or two.

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quinnm902mo ago

Dropped my runs from four to five days but cut the mileage by about a mile each time when my IT band started barking. The fatigue is real the first couple weeks but your body adjusts. Stretch more on those shorter days and maybe swap one run for a brisk walk or cross training if you're dragging. It worked for me after about a month, now I can handle the five days without feeling wiped.

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