Running 3 Miles A Day: Benefits And Starting Out - Greatist

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GreatistFITNESSBenefits of Running 3 Miles a Day: Health and Fitness Insights

Medically reviewed by Daniel Bubnis, M.S., NASM-CPT, NASE Level II-CSS, Fitness — Written by Lianna Bass — Updated on October 15, 2024

Benefits
Running terrain
Food and hydration
Running gear

Discover the benefits of running 3 miles a day. From burning calories to boosting cardiovascular health, this routine might enhance your fitness journey. Learn how to fuel your run and stay safe while hitting your goals.

No matter where it falls on your list of favorite exercises, running is a great way to get in shape and reach fitness goals.

But unless you’re a marathon runner, you’re probably looking for a distance that’s attainable without causing you to miss that effectiveness window. 3 miles per day can be considered a nice sweet spot to target, even for moderate runners.

Here’s a look at the potential perks of a regular running routine and what 3 miles a day will get you.

Running fast facts

Do you have to run at least 3 miles to burn calories? Nope! Any amount of running can burn calories. But generally, more miles = more calories burned.

Does distance make a difference? In theory, running longer distances can help you lose weight quicker than running shorter distances. But that’s not always the case. It also depends on how often you exercise, the quality of your workouts, your diet, and overall lifestyle.

How often should I run? The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) suggests a minimum of 30 minutes of cardio 5 times a week for healthy adults. Keep in mind, this doesn’t have to be running. You can mix it up with other types of cardio and strength-training exercises.

Going the distance

Even if you HATE running, you have to admit it has some pretty dope perks.

Cardio endurance

Running is a top-notch cardiovascular endurance activity. It helps you maintain increased breathing and heart rates for an extended period. Over time, this can increase stamina, reduce fatigue, and improve heart and lung function.

There’s also a chance running on the reg can increase your lifespan. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. According to a 2015 study, even 5 to 10 minutes of running a day is associated with a reduced risk of CVD and death. So, a 3 mile a day habit couldn’t hurt, if you’re able.

Strength training

Cardio gets a lot of credit, but running also boasts strengthening benefits. It activates a full range of leg muscles including your quads, hamstrings, and calves. Additionally, you’ll feel the burn in your butt, back, and abs.

You should also consider incorporating some resistance training into your workout. Research shows it can help improve your running performance and may reduce your risk of injury. So, taking on your daily 3 miles should gradually get easier.

Strengthens bones (maybe)

Running is a weight bearing exercise, which means it might help with bone health. According to a 2019 study, running is more effective at increasing bone density in healthy adults and kiddos when compared to walking. But we def need more research to prove this 10/10.

Basically, your 3 miles per day can put the right amount of stress on your bones to promote strength.

Burns calories

Running is a super effective way to burn calories. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a 154-pound person will burn about 295 calories when jogging for 30 minutes at 5 miles per hour. A very general rule is that you burn about 100 calories per mile. But the exact amount of calories burned depends on:

speed
incline
terrain
your sex, weight, and body composition
weather conditions like extreme temperatures and wind resistance

Upping your mileage

A 3-mile run will help you hit your daily recommended cardio output. But you can burn more calories if you run even further, so don’t feel limited. But do allow yourself exactly what you need to feel like you’re hitting your goals.

Reminder: Weight loss also depends on the quality of your fitness routine, your diet, and other lifestyle factors.

Does terrain matter?

Terrain can totes affect the amount of calories you burn on your runs. Generally, you’ll burn more calories on tougher terrains than clean, flat surfaces, due to the amount of energy you need to exert. Your joints and muscles work extra hard to keep your body upright and balanced.

Incline is also super important. According to a 2018 study, walking on an incline promotes peroneal strength, which might help peeps with weaker ankles. You can also burn more calories when running uphill.

Fuel for the run

According to Dwight Schrute, “If you want to win, you got to fuel like a winner.” And NGL, Dwight is right. Staying hydrated and staying on top of your nutrition can help you make the most out of your runs.

Before your run

Try to eat a balanced meal 3 to 4 hours before your 3-mile run. The ideal meal should be high in carbs, moderate in protein, and low in fat. BTW, the ACSM suggests drinking 17 to 20 ounces of water with this meal. But you may want to drink more if it’s super hot out.

Snack attack: You should have a snack about 30 minutes before your run. Just be sure, keep it small to avoid indigestion or nausea. A banana, crackers with peanut butter, or half an energy bar are all good choices.

During your run

Studies show your glycogen stores can run out within 1 to 2 hours of running. So on longer runs you should refuel with snacks like energy drinks, protein bars, energy gels, nuts, or dried fruits.

Since your run is 3 miles, you should be able to have a good gauge pretty quickly on how much fuel you’ll need. But no matter how long your run is, always stay hydrated throughout your workout. Dehydration is no joke!

After your run

Post-workout nutrition is vital for recovery and results. A mix of carbs, fats, and proteins is best. Here are some tasty examples:

1 serving of salmon with half a baked sweet potato
1 can of tuna mixed with 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt
a rice cake with 2 tablespoons of nut butter and pumpkin seeds
1 cup of low fat cottage cheese with 2 tablespoons of wheat germ
1 slice of avocado toast on whole-grain bread with a glass of low fat milk

Don’t push it too far

It goes without saying that you shouldn’t overdo any exercise, especially if you’re just starting out or you’re less than 100% confident in your physical abilities. Remember, the idea is to make progress, not hurt yourself. So set realistic goals and take it one step at a time. If 3 miles a day is your running wheelhouse, then focus on consistency. The results will come.

P.S. Make sure you give your body enough time to recover. Overworking your muscles and joints can increase your risk of injury and discomfort.

What about gear?

One of the biggest benefits of running is that you don’t need any fancy equipment. But you still gotta gear up.

Your running shopping list should include:

athletic socks
running shoes
reusable water bottle
light, breathable clothing for hot weather
thermal undershirts, thick hats or winter headbands, and a winter running jacket for colder climates

If you’re running off the beaten track, you should always have a way to get in contact with someone in case of emergencies. You should also carry a portable GPS tracker and a whistle for safety. To learn more, check out our guide to trail running.

SPF PSA: Don’t forget to use sunscreen (even on overcast days)!

Bottom line

Running 3 miles on the reg is a great way to burn calories. It will also help you increase strength and cardiovascular endurance. Just keep in mind, it can take time to develop enough stamina to hit the 3-mile mark. So be patient with the process and stick with it. You got this.

13 sourcescollapsed

Balsalobre-Fernández C, et al. (2016). Effects of strength training on running economy in highly trained runners: A systematic review with meta-analysis of controlled trials.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26694507/
Bavdek R, et al. (2018). Peroneal muscle activity during different types of walking.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30202446/
Chang CH, et al. (2019). Accuracy of the energy expenditure during uphill exercise measured by the Waist-worn ActiGraph.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1728869X18302600?via%3Dihub
Chryssanthopoulos C, et al. (2002). Influence of a carbohydrate-electrolyte solution ingested during running on muscle glycogen utilisation in fed humans.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12015629/
Hervás G, et al. (2019). Bone health and its relationship with impact loading and the continuity of physical activity throughout school periods.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6719051/
Jones AM, et al. (1996). A 1% treadmill grade most accurately reflects the energetic cost of outdoor running.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02640419608727717
Lee DC, et al. (2015). Leisure-time running reduces all-cause and cardiovascular mortality risk. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4131752/
Morio B, et al. (1997). Gender differences in energy expended during activities and in daily energy expenditure of elderly people.https://journals.physiology.org/doi/abs/10.1152/ajpendo.1997.273.2.E321
Physical activity for a healthy weight. (n.d.).https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/physical_activity/index.html
Pinckard K, et al. (2019). Effects of exercise to improve cardiovascular health.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6557987/
Sawka MN, et al. (1993). Physiological responses to exercise in the heat.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK236240/
Thomas DT, et al. (2016). American College of Sports Medicine Joint Position Statement. Nutrition and athletic performance.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26891166/
Trending topic | Physical activity guidelines. (n.d.).https://www.acsm.org/read-research/trending-topics-resource-pages/physical-activity-guidelines

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Medically reviewed by Daniel Bubnis, M.S., NASM-CPT, NASE Level II-CSS, Fitness — Written by Lianna Bass — Updated on October 15, 2024

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Running 3 Miles A Day: Benefits And Starting Out - Greatist

Running fast facts

Going the distance

Cardio endurance

Strength training

Strengthens bones (maybe)

Burns calories

Upping your mileage

Does terrain matter?

Fuel for the run

Before your run

During your run

After your run

Don’t push it too far

What about gear?

Bottom line

must reads

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