~~~Couch to 5K ~~~ Think you can't be a runner? Think again!

[ItsNot2L8]

Here's a link to the previous Couch to 5K thread, which was getting a little unwieldy at 28 pages: C25K?

and here's a link to the C25K program:
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

Couch to 5K is a beginner's training schedule that, three days a week over the course of nine weeks, takes you from couch potato to jogging for 30 minutes straight.

The only absolute essential is a good pair of well-fitting running shoes. This is a great program, I started Oct 2 overweight, out of shape, and barely able to jog 60 seconds; I finished December 15, less overweight and in much better shape, with a 30 minute run.

So let's get started!
1) What week/day are you on?
2) Are you repeating a week?
3) Are you running for time or distance?
4) Are you running indoors or out?
5) How do you feel?

[DarkSiren]

So let's get started!
1) What week/day are you on? Week 1 Day 1
2) Are you repeating a week? No
3) Are you running for time or distance? Currently For Time
4) Are you running indoors or out? Combination of the two
5) How do you feel? Since I'm just starting you'll have to ask me that in a couple days.

I was up to 20 minutes of running and 10 of walking when an ankle injury sidelined me last year.

I'm ready to start again because lately during my walks I've literally been "itching to run".

Thanks for starting this new thread ItsNot2L8.

I admit that I glanced at the other one and was a bit intimidated by the enormity of it and backed out quickly.

But I would love the support while working the program.

[OaklandRaiders15]

I would like to start. I tried to start before but kept getting sidelined with shin splints. I'm hoping that I can start again as I want to actually run a 5K this year...

I'm getting ready to head to the gym and will start Week 1, Day 1.

[DarkSiren]

Originally Posted by OaklandRaiders15

I would like to start. I tried to start before but kept getting sidelined with shin splints. I'm hoping that I can start again as I want to actually run a 5K this year...

I'm getting ready to head to the gym and will start Week 1, Day 1.

Good Luck!!

I have two kids here so I'm waiting for the DH to get here and keep the them busy so I can do mine.

Otherwise the 3yr old tries to get on the treadmill with me.

[ItsNot2L8]

Hi, DarkSiren and Tobi Nicole! You who are just starting out give me as much inspiration (if not more) as people who have been running for years, I know how easy it would be to just forget about it and hit the snooze. But you'll be so glad you kept with it!

1) What week/day are you on? I'm an alumnus
2) Are you repeating a week? I did repeat Weeks 4 and 5.
3) Are you running for time or distance? I usually run for time, now I'm going 45 minutes 3x/week.
4) Are you running indoors or out? Almost always outdoors, the only time I use a treadmill is for the Virtual 5Ks so that I can get an accurate time and distance.
5) How do you feel? Very pleased with myself for this!

If you have an MP3 player or iPod, there are podcasts free for downloading that tell you when to jog and when to walk, and have some so-so music to keep your brain somewhat entertained.

[janamonkey]

Hello everyone

I finished in early March. Started at the beginning of the year NOT being able to run for 60 seconds and now I run 3-5 miles at a time. I love this thread, I hope you don't mind me hanging around. I got a new training schedule to up my milage without hurting myself.

1) What week/day are you on? I'm an alumnus too
2) Are you repeating a week? I repeated week 6.
3) Are you running for time or distance? Distance now.
4) Are you running indoors or out? Outside- I'm too poor for the gym!
5) How do you feel? Seriously fantastic. I am so proud of myself.

[sugarless4life]

This is a great program, I started Oct 2 overweight, out of shape, and barely able to jog 60 seconds; I finished December 15, less overweight and in much better shape, with a 30 minute run.

FABULOUS!!! GIRL I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO PROUD OF YOU!!

Betty

[OaklandRaiders15]

I was able to do most of the first day's workout but my shins started to hurt. I got off at 20 min. and worked out on the elliptical. After that, I got back on the treadmill and jogged for another 2.5 min. straight and then got off. (another 10 min. total time)

What MPH did you start out at when you would do the jogging portion if you used a treadmill? I'm starting out at 4mph only to help with the shin splints. UGH! I prefer to walk/jog outside but since I pay for the gym, I need to go and it's easier for me to keep track if I'm on a treadmill. AND, it's starting to get piping hot here in AZ so pretty soon running outside will not be an option unless I get up at 3am.

[dointhis4me]

I've always wanted to be a runner, always but have always been way overweight and out of shape too I've considered doing Couch to 5K many times before but never have. Well today I saw this posting, went to the old one, and got so pumped up to do this! I got the podcast and headed out the door, took my kids to the park, they have a great blacktop path there. Well I am disappointed to say that I didn't do well at all, I couldn't even run 60 seconds at a time, I maybe was able to do 30 seconds each time. I was so sad Maybe I'm not cut out for running....I remember in sixth grade (many, many moons ago) my friend told me in gym class that I ran like a horse I can honestly say thats probably the last time I ever ran But it's a dream of mine to run a 5k, I want to SO bad, I just figured, who can run for 60 seconds?? Well I can't

[Lurchy]

1) What week/day are you on? Week 1 to start on Sat
2) Are you repeating a week? no
3) Are you running for time or distance? time
4) Are you running indoors or out? outdoors
5) How do you feel?

I have a 4 yo that will have to participate with me. He gets to ride his tricycle though!

[ItsNot2L8]

Hi, Holly! So, start with 30 second intervals and work your way up. When I started, I was jogging so slowly I was almost going in reverse. If you want it, you can do it, never mind what some 12 year old said all those years ago!

Welcome, Lurchy, what a great example to set for your 4 y/o

Tobi Nicole, I wonder if you're pushing too hard - the first week is 20 minutes total, alternating 60 seconds jogging with 90 seconds walking. The coolrunning website also has a message board for newbies, I found a lot of good advice there, mostly along the lines of "start slow, then slow down"

[dointhis4me]

Thank you Shelly. Yeah I'm not letting what happened in 6th grade stop me now but I was just using to show how long it's been since I ran But I am not giving up, I have already decided I will keep at this and 30 second intervals are better then me laying around the house wishing Wish me luck!

[janamonkey]

Holly- When I started I couldn't do a minute either- I had to slow down so much people walking were passing me on the street! Once I slowed down the minute seemed much more doable. Starting so slow is probably the only reason I finished the program, I would have quit a long time ago if I hadn't.

[DarkSiren]

Afternoon All!!

Got the workout in yesterday and did okay.

Kind of struggled to get it done but I did do it and felt wonderful afterwards.

Technically today is a day off with days 2 and 3 being Saturday and Sunday, but I'm going to walk anyway and if I feel like running I might throw in a minute or two.

Also, I'm picking up a jogging stroller today so that I can go out in the mornings with the kids. The oldest(7.5yr old) likes running with me but the little one can't keep up just yet(4yrs next month).

The oldest wants to eventually do the Fun Runs they have for the kids around here at some point too.

[DarkSiren]

Went ahead and completed Week 1 Day 2 this evening because we'll be playing tennis in the morning.

DD's tennis lesson was cancelled for this week so I'm going to take her to the courts to practice.

Should get plenty of running around just from that.

[dointhis4me]

Thank you to who ever mentioned the boards at Coolrunning.com, they have been a great help! I will just copy & paste here what I posted there yesterday....

"OMG!!! Thank you all so much for you kind encouraging words! I did day 2 today!!! I am proud to say I was able to jog the first 5 intervals for the entire 60 seconds!!! Yes it was brutal and hard is not even enough to describe it! The last 3 I only was able to do about 30 seconds each but I believe that was due to the fact that my youngest son was throwing a fit in the middle of the path and distracted me, lol! I went slower then a turtle and much slower then a 90 year old man but I did it!!! So I've learned two lessons today, I can't go too slow and leave the kids at home from here on out! Thank you all so much, I will keep it up even if I stay on week one for several weeks, I will not give up! Thanks again!"

[qbu]

I just started this program (again) today. I finally got an iPod and downloaded the podcasts...so much easier for me to follow it with them.

1) What week/day are you on? Week 1, Day 1
2) Are you repeating a week? No
3) Are you running for time or distance? Time
4) Are you running indoors or out? Indoors
5) How do you feel? Very proud of myself for being able to keep up with the running intervals

The school I work at did a 5K this past April. I wasn't able to go (had a wedding to go to), but next year, I'm already planning to be there.

[ItsNot2L8]

Originally Posted by dointhis4me

I will not give up!

Awesome, Holly!

DarkSiren, you are off to a great start.

Welcome, QBU The podcasts were a big help, especially in the early weeks.

Lurchy, how did it go yesterday?

I'm counting down to my first real 5K in three weeks I know I'll finish, and I don't think I'll be in last place, but I'm still a little nervous. Jana, Tobi, any words of wisdom for my first race?

[laurihill]

Hi Everyone,

I want to start this program tomorrow. For those of us who don't have and Ipod, how do you time the intervals? I think it would be distracting to look down at my watch all the time. Any suggestions? Thanks. I think this is just what I need to get motivated to exercise again.

[OaklandRaiders15]

Words of wisdom: If you plan to run it, TRAIN!

I've only done 1 and I didn't train at all. I may do another one May 26 but won't have much training for that one either but at least I will know how to pace myself better. And I won't sign up for the competitive runner group this time either...

[DarkSiren]

Hey Everyone!!!

Don't feel strong enough to move on to Week 2 just yet because TOM is here so I'm going to repeat Week 1 again.

So, today is Week 1 Day 1 repeated.

[ItsNot2L8]

Got my run in this morning. Working on training, should just stop worrying about what any of the other runners will think. I'm sure they'll be far to polite to point and laugh

Lauri, I tried using a kitchen timer, looking at my watch, and counting paces. I finally got a cheap MP3 player at about week 4. The podcasts are in MP3 as well as iPod format, so if you have a portable CD player, you may be able to burn the MP3s to CD and play on that.

DarkSiren, how are your kids doing with it? I wish I'd done something like this with DD when she was young.

[hippychick]

Hi all
well i started today.... and man i was so dissapointed i thought i can kick this and well i tell you that was the longest 6o secs of my life lol i did complete the 20 mins and then did 20 just walking as i needed to get home
i am going to continue but to think that i will ever be able to run jogg for longer then 10 mins is going to be a miracle lol
sorry guys cant spell
hope im aloud to join this thread im normally just on the lc part

[hippychick]

hey where can i download the podcast thing thats such a cool idear cant find it anywhere

[ItsNot2L8]

hippychick, come on in! I never in a million years would have thought I could run a mile, let alone two or three. This program does seem just at bit miraculous.

You can download the podcasts at http://www.ullreys.com/robert/Podcasts/. Click on the "Podcasts" link at the top of the page for iPod, click on "MP3 Podcasts" for MP3 players or to burn to CD.