You may have heard people talking about their running streaks - running 100, 200, or even 365 or more consecutive days. It’s definitely an accomplishment to be proud of, and can be a great motivator, but it’s also not for everyone. Many runners could go out for at least a few minutes every day, but for most of us, rest days are very important.
You may worry that if you don’t run every day, you’ll get out of your routine, but running every day puts you at a higher risk for overuse injury due to the repetitive motions involved. It’s a much better idea to supplement your running with cross-training. Low to no-impact activities like yoga, cycling, swimming, or strength training can make you a better runner and build up muscle strength so that you stay injury-free.
If you do decide to start a running streak, 80% of your runs should be easy. Easy enough that you can have a conversation while you’re running and that you’ve recovered by the next day. You should foam roll regularly to work out the tightness in your legs, and be sure to stay hydrated. Basically, take good care of your body so that it can perform well.