C25K?

[Kissa]

Msgirl, you know what I wear.

Thanks everyone for being understanding. I feel such a slouch, how can I want to go running? But this is important.

[Krissyj]

I am just wanting to know what this couch to 5K is, I have been searching the threads, but cannot fine out what the program entails.

[tymom]

MS Girl: Regarding shoes....please don't go by looks or anything.... you should go to a RUNNING store (not a big box sporting goods store.) there is probably one in your area. They will watch your gait, look at your foot, talk to you, and fit you with shoes for YOU. Trust me on this one, I learned the hard way.

Krissy: Welcome!

[ItsNot2L8]

Welcome, Krissy! Couch to 5K is a 9 week schedule that starts with alternating jogging for 60 seconds and walking 90 seconds for 20 minutes and works up to 30 minutes straight. If you Google "cool running couch to 5K" (with quotes) it should be the first link to come up.

It is amazing to me. I started it October 2, I was barely able to jog sixty seconds and figured I wouldn't last the first week. I finished it December 15 (repeated weeks 4 and 5) and started the One Hour Runner (builds from 30 minutes to an hour over the course of 10 weeks). Today was Week 4 Day 3 and I jogged 35 minutes without stopping

Tymom's advice is excellent, good quality, well fitting running shoes are essential. MP3 player is helpful, especially if you download a Couch to 5K podcast, it tells you when to jog and when to walk.

Cindy, you'll be back jogging again soon, are you finding it difficult to retrain yourself to walk correctly?

[FaithM.]

Good Friday morning to all of you! I'm doing my session later in the morning after DD wakes up. I can't believe I've just about made it thru my first week! I have jogged for the first time in nearly 20 years and not once collapsed, LOL! And to think, a year and a half ago I was in a wheelchair and couldn't walk! Guys, I feel like I have reclaimed my life after having a sucky '05! I know I'm just a beginner here but I never fathomed getting to even this level from where I was back then.

Krissy!

Msgirl -- I bought some New Balance just a week ago. DH is a jogger, otherwise I wouldn't have had a clue where to begin. I paid a pretty penny for them but to me money wasn't an issue. I only tried on 2 pairs and went with the first ones I tried on. I knew they were for me because they felt SO good that I didn't want to take them off. I ended up wearing them out of the store. Haven't had a bit of trouble adjusting to them.

ETA: We went to a shoe store where an assistant does everything for you...measuring, retrieving the shoes, putting them on...so that helped immensely! I have extra wide feet so I have to get special shoes (a 2E). I loved that the thinking process was totally taken out of it for me.


Well, I will be back later to account for my jog day!

[Jenadlite]

Good for you Faith. KUTGW
Everyone on this thread has been such an inspiration to me.

[FaithM.]

Thanks, Jenny, for routing me on! Seeing how well all of you have done (and continue to do) is so encouraging to me!

Well, I just completed W1D3. I used the treadmill this time as a change of pace. I can definitely say I prefer outdoor running. I can control the pace and my speed much better whereas on the treadmill I kept feeling like I was going either too fast or too slow! Weather permitting, I plan to do 2 outdoor days/1 treadmill each week. That way I am training my body to go on both.

If I don't get back in here tonight, I wish you all a wonderful weekend!

[Kissa]

Krissy.

Well done Faith, sounds as if you have already accomplished more than most of us are ever called on to do.

I went for a long walk this morning over all kinds of different terrain and I do find it very hard to remember all the things I need to correct. It doesn't feel at all natural at the moment but I shall persevere!

Now I have to pick up on my other classes. Need to keep those leg muscles strong.

125 1/4 lbs this morning! M/E went well....urrrr....except for a glass of white wine at the neighbours.

[Jenadlite]

Hi everyone. Finished week 6 this morning with a 25 minute run. Next week I want to start jogging outside. I'm still only at a 16 minute mile, I'm working on getting down to 15 min. miles. When I started 6 weeks ago I was jog/walking an 18minute mile. A slow but steady improvement I guess. I hope when I lose more weight it'll be easier to jog. I carry most of my weight in my thighs and it feels like I'm jogging with 2 bricks attached to my legs, lol.

Good job on the weight loss Cindi.

[ItsNot2L8]

Awesome, Jenny! You're 2/3 of the way through it. I'm a little heavier than you, and carry most of my weight in the hips and thighs too, I don't feel very light on my feet . I keep thinking when I get to goal, it'll be so much easier because I'll be carrying around 30 lbs less.

You're off to a great start, Faith! I prefer jogging outdoors too, the only thing I miss about a treadmill is knowing exactly how far I'm going, so I can't really calculate speed. I've mapped my route on gmap-pedometer but my neighborhood is so new that a lot of the streets aren't on there, so it's a rough estimate. I do know I'm not breaking any records out there, but right now going fast isn't as important as just going.

Cindy, keep up the walking, and good for you on the scale

KUTGW, all!

[msgirl]

Hi all! You are all so inspiring!

I finished W2D3 today! I am enjoying it so much. The podcasts are a great help!


I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend. If you have Monday off enjoy your 3 day!

[ItsNot2L8]

Go, msgirl!

I wish I had today off... did OHR W5D1 this morning, 30 minutes again... this week is 30-32-38.

Also took the dog roller skating Sat & Sun, a mile each day. I'm going to try doing that on the non-jogging days, we both need more exercise and that's something I really enjoy. Turns out he likes it too

[Jenadlite]

Well I just finished week 7/day 1 and it was very hard. I did it outside for the first time since starting and my throat and lungs were burning. I had to stop several times and I actually only completed 20 minutes. Looks like I'll be repeating week 7. Carrying 30 extra pounds around makes it very difficult.

[FaithM.]

Hey there All! I'm a day behind actually. I did my W2D1 Tuesday instead of Monday. With the kids and DH being off from school and work due to the harsh winter weather we've been hit with (that is, harsh for us southerners; a piece of cake for the rest of ya! ), there have been too many distractions going on. So, the remaining days I will be doing on Thursday and Saturday.

Oh, I messed up on my times. I didn't get the chance to double check them before doing my session so I mistakenly did Week 3 instead of Week 2! Oh well, I know better now. It is awesome to know though that I jogged the 3 minutes like it was nothing! I'm not even sore, what a shocker!

Shelly -- That is one point about the TM you mentioned. I like being able to keep track of my distance. I used the TM today since it was sleeting/snowing outside and I am scared to death of getting on an icy sidewalk or anything. Hopefully I won't get too spoiled by doing the indoors thing!

Tymom, Msgirl -- How are you both doing?

Jenny -- Congrats on completely your first day of W7 and on getting thru your first outdoor session!

Kissa -- How are you feeling?

Well, it is after 2:30 am and I should be in bed. So, I suppose I will be turning in. Talk to you guys later!

[Kissa]

What I am feeling is mad

I am desperate to start again but don't feel my walking is improving at all. If I stop concentrating for just a second I slip back to my old ways.

Think I will arrange a running lesson with her early next week to see if she can put this right. Don't honestly care if I need a few lessons, it will be worth the expense to get it sorted.

Well done the rest of you, you are doing so well I am quite jealous.

I messed up on the time once or twice, great to find you can do more than you needed.

[msgirl]

Hi all! I finished W3D1 yesterday. Was great! I jogged three whole minutes. I know you are laughing but that is amazing. I am still having hip trouble though. I hope my joints are not gonna be an issue. I love doing this so much!

Kissa - Sorry about your frustration. I can not imagine having to relearn the proper walking techniques. It would drive me crazy!

FaithM - Wow! You did week 3 with no trouble!!!

Jenadlite - Okay - week 7 really sounds hard. My 3 minutes doesn't even compare. I am glad to know that it can be repeated if necessary.

ITSnot2L8 - I am impressed that you roller skate on your days off. That is awesome! I got a bike for Christmas and once it warms up (yea right) I am gonna use it on my days off.

Well - I hope all of you have a great Hump Day! Can't wait til the weekend

[ItsNot2L8]

Jenny, you're doing great! It's been pretty cold out there, isn't it? I have family visiting from the North Bay and they arrived all bundled up.

Faith, that's one of the things I thought about when I was shopping for shoes, I knew winter was coming so I got some with tread that looks a little like snow tires

Cindy, you've been walking that way for a long time. I was pigeon-toed and when I was in high school I got tired of tripping over my own feet so retrained myself to walk straight, I still have a tendency to toe-in when I'm tired.

msgirl, believe me I'm not laughing. It was exactly three months ago that I was doing the same thing, I started C25K Week 3 on October 16 and was amazed that I could jog for three minutes without stopping.

One Hour Runner Week 5 Day 2 done, 32 minutes but was very slow, don't think I even hit two miles. Went from shorts & tshirt Monday to pants, long sleeves, windproof jacket & pants, down vest, gloves, earmuffs & hat today

[Kissa]

Well done Msgirl. You will be a 30 minute runner in no time!

Sorry your weather is so cold, ours is just wet...

[FaithM.]

Hey there All! Here for my tri-weekly check in! I have completed W2D2 and really feeling it in my thighs! I stayed inside on the treadmill again as there are still some patches of ice out there and I didn't feel like learning how to ice skate today! Oh, and I did the correct week this time. For some reason it all felt longer with the 90 second jog than it did going 3 minutes. I guess because you're going for longer and concentrating on getting past it that it makes the time seem to go faster? Somehow I don't think that is going to be the case when it comes time to do the 20 minute stretch!

[Kissa]

You are a *

[msgirl]

Finished up W3D2 today! I wore a compression type of short to help ease the hip pain otherwise I am still doing good.

I hope everyone is doing well!

Great job Faithm - I think the 3 minute is actually easier than the 90 second crazy I know!

[Marvin]

Hey, joining this great club today! Did W1D1 today! Not too bad yet! Thanks to everyone who tipped me off about the podcast! That was the best way to do that.

[mslaster]

Hey, do you have room for 1 more who would love to run nonstop for 30 mins. I often lurk, but rarely post. I completed W2D2 on Wed. It was tuff, but I hung in there. Does anyone run on the treadmill?

[ItsNot2L8]

Welcome, mslaster and Marvin! There's always room for more

msgirl and Faith, good going!

Cindy, hang in there, you'll be back on the program soon

Skated a mile again this morning, I don't skate very fast either (especially with the dog, he's never been around skates before and has to learn not to get too close). So far just going up and down my street because my inline skates have no brakes but I've ordered some quadline skates with brakes, so in a week or so we'll be able to venture forth into the neighborhood.

Y'all are doing so well, keep it up, you'll be amazed at how fast it goes!

[tymom]

Hi everyone! Glad to see this thread pop back to life. I am in week 4 of One Hour runner.... going for 35 minutes this week. I am still so amazed that I am running 5 minutes let alone 35!!! Still oh-so-slow but I really could care less. This is a terrific program, stick with it!!

I hope to be able to go an hour, then I will run 30, 40, 60 per week and I will be happy. Also thinner I hope~~~

Good luck to all you newbies. Check out coolrunning.com for great help in the newbie forum... it really motivattes me, along with all you guys!!

[msgirl]

Good morning!

Welcome Marvin - I have seen you on the BFFM thread. I just joined and hope to incorporate that into my plan. Glad to see you join this with us. It is so awesome! And, the podcasts are so much help! Good luck to you!

mslaster - i run the treadmill. It is the only way I can get my runs in as I have a crazy schedule! I like it just as well!

tymom- I am impressed! 35 minutes is awesome!! I wonder if I will ever get there

itsnot2l8 - those inlines really kill my ankles. But they really are fun once you can tolerate the way you have to hold you legs! Or, maybe its just me

Well, better get to work! You all have a great day!

ITS FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!