~~~Couch to 5K ~~~ Think you can't be a runner? Think again! - Page 21

lexi123 · 12-01-2007, 08:43 AM

Hi Everyone - I just stated Couch to 5K today...I had my first workout just now. I workout on a treadmill at home. I think I maybe I went too slow though - I didn't want to push it too hard. I guess I can speed up on the 2nd work out though. I was walking at 3.0 and jogging and 4.0. After the 25 minutes (included warmup) I walked for another 10 minutes at 2.8 - just because I felt great.

I used to run all the time, and low carb for that matter. but I had a baby and gained weight. I have been having dreams about running - that is how much I miss it, but now I am taking control to get back to it. I am so happy.

Marvin · 12-01-2007, 09:23 AM

Welcome Lexi! You are right...don't push too hard at first. You will find your comfort zone and stay in it to avoid injury and burnout. I find that D1 of each week I start a little slower than I finished the week before, just to get used to the new program, but then I usually up the speed by the end of the week. It's all good....just keep moving!

desdemona · 12-01-2007, 08:23 PM

New hair cut, new adias!

shellpurr · 12-03-2007, 12:30 PM

Hello, can I join in? I started week 1 day one. way too hard. I am not a runner at all, and asthmatic as well. Can I cut the time in half? Has anyone done that?

Marvin · 12-03-2007, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shellpurr

Hello, can I join in? I started week 1 day one. way too hard. I am not a runner at all, and asthmatic as well. Can I cut the time in half? Has anyone done that?

Of course you can join. Glad to have you! Yes you can cut the time in half. The other option is there is a more conservative approach, where you take more time to get into it. It's not a commercial enterprise, so I think I can publish the link.

Couch to 5k Conservative Run Program

Marvin · 12-03-2007, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desdemona

New hair cut, new adias!

Nice haircut, and again, you are very pretty.

desdemona · 12-03-2007, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvin

Nice haircut, and again, you are very pretty.

Thank you much. I loved my new jogging shoes this morning btw

aloise · 12-03-2007, 02:34 PM

Des, love the haircut!!! and you look Goooood!!!! This picture is definitely a keeper.

I did a run yesterday.. 20 minutes. i think i went to the gym too soon after i ate. Just feel better when my stomach is a bit more empty. but.. i was ok.

it felt good as i haven't been able to get to the gym for a few days, so even if it wasn't exactly the best time, i still wanted to go. and i was glad that I did.

(my uppercase shift is working sporadically.. can you tell?0

shellpurr · 12-03-2007, 02:35 PM

Has anyone found a good way to keep track of time without the podcast? I am running outside but the music is soooooo boring! And if I'm cutting back to 30 sec incriments the podcast won't work for me.

aloise · 12-03-2007, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shellpurr

Hello, can I join in? I started week 1 day one. way too hard. I am not a runner at all, and asthmatic as well. Can I cut the time in half? Has anyone done that?

I think that's fine. I think the point is at the beginning, you are doing interval training to increase your lung capacity, and get your body used to running. so, I think as long as you run as long as you can (which will be a short time when you first start0, then walk, then run, then walk,.. you are going to improve.

so, if you can only run 30 seconds.. then walk for 45 seconds, then run.. stick with that for a week.

That 1 minute was really hard for me the first week, too.

shellpurr · 12-03-2007, 03:16 PM

How hard is really hard? I probably could have forced myself to do it, but isn't the point of this program that it DOESNT kill you and make you want to quit?

I stopped listening when the podcast was at 20 mins and went home.

aloise · 12-03-2007, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shellpurr

How hard is really hard? I probably could have forced myself to do it, but isn't the point of this program that it DOESNT kill you and make you want to quit?

I stopped listening when the podcast was at 20 mins and went home.

you know something... i think the important thing is you just run as long as you feel you can, as long as you feel comfortable with, then walk, then run again, walk, and repeat to 20 minutes. and do it regularly - every 2nd or 3rd day. sometimes I found I did better when i ended up taking off 2 days in between. I think it gave my body more time to recover?

anyway.. i wouldn't worry about doing it exactly right. just try to make 20 minutes with the run/walk intervals.

keep us posted!

RoseOOPS · 12-03-2007, 03:46 PM

As long as you're not on the couch is the whole point. So if you run for 30 seconds you run for 30 seconds. Remember you are not on the couch. Have no doubt you will improve. You don't have to be perfect. You just do your best.

Rose

shellpurr · 12-03-2007, 04:54 PM

Thanks guys. I went with my partner, he was perplexed as to how hard I was taking it. I'm just not one of those spry athletic types

aloise · 12-03-2007, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shellpurr

Thanks guys. I went with my partner, he was perplexed as to how hard I was taking it. I'm just not one of those spry athletic types

neither am I.

now i do this regularly... because i'm amazed i can do it at all!

sandkou · 12-15-2007, 01:08 PM

where do I start?

aloise · 12-15-2007, 04:36 PM

the instructions are in the first post of this topic.

desdemona · 12-17-2007, 04:30 AM

To all you new guys, really getting started was the hardest part. I started doing each week twice before I moved on and I thought jogging 60 seconds would be the death of me, seriously! Now I can jog 3 miles straight and I am SO proud of myself. You just work your way up slowly. No pressure! The point is just to keep doing it. If you need 2 days to rest, so be it! I did that several times. I went from mon/thurs/sat to mon/thurs/sun and skipping monday even, the point is, you just keep going. Make it a habit!

aloise · 01-15-2008, 02:41 PM

where did everyone go? HOLIDAY IS OVER...

well.. I'm still doing the treadmill. I have found I do much better on an almost empty stomach. but... when I have to fit the gym in and don't have an empty tummy.. I run intervals. and that doesn't bother me. I run as fast as I can for a few minutes.. then walk till my heart rate gets back down. then do that again for a total of 8 sets. good workout.

but.. I do kind of like loping along when I am in the right place for that. (like 2 hours after a meal.

)

skaylarson · 01-15-2008, 07:03 PM

I'd like to join as well. I found the coolrunnings site and downloaded all 9 podcasts and printed off the instructions. Went to the gym all fired up and realized HOW OUT OF SHAPE I AM!!! I made it through about 1/2 the intervals, but didn't always run all 60 seconds. I just figured for me, it may take me longer to get out of week one. I saw some of the other posts saying at least we're not on the couch and that is so very true. I'm taking a day off tomorrow and will get back on the treadmill again on Thursday. Even if it takes me 4 weeks to master week one, I'm on it.

I agree, the music isn't really my taste, but it is nice not watching the seconds tick by when running. I'm glad I found you guys. We a lot of you in really bad shape before taking on this challenge? It's been about 3 years since I had done any formal exercise and I've never really been a runner.

I've got really good running shoes however, so that's a plus.

Looking forward to a day off tomorrow (I had walked and did a bodyflow class on MOnday so the body definately needs a day of rest)

Sharon

ItsNot2L8 · 01-18-2008, 12:21 PM

I'm so glad to see this thread is still alive!

Sharon, I was just over 180 lbs and could barely make 60 seconds at a slow jog when I first started. At the beginning of each week, I thought there was no way I'd be able to move on to the next week, but I only ended up repeating weeks 4 and 5.

skaylarson · 01-18-2008, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ItsNot2L8

I'm so glad to see this thread is still alive!

Sharon, I was just over 180 lbs and could barely make 60 seconds at a slow jog when I first started. At the beginning of each week, I thought there was no way I'd be able to move on to the next week, but I only ended up repeating weeks 4 and 5.

Thank you so much! I did W1D2 yesterday and did all 8 intervals, ran all 8 - 60 second pieces...everything. I practically cried when Jim claimed only 20 seconds left in the last 60 second interval. I really don't know when I've been that proud of myself.

I'll do D3 tomorrow. I'm hoping that maybe the first 4 or 5 will go well before I start really sucking wind again. Someone had recommended "slowing down" on the run, but I was at 5.5 on the treadmill...don't think I could go much slower.

thanks and the thread has been very quiet...Someone else recommended moving to Week 2 right away and see how it goes. I'm not so sure of that. I am in really bad physical shape. I have expected the EMT's to be at the end of my treadmill. I think I should be able to get through week 1 a bit better before moving on.

thanks for the encouragement. I was so thrilled yesterday..I now dream of running everywhere!!!

Sharon

aloise · 01-18-2008, 03:17 PM

that's great, Sharon. and if you feel like repeating a week, then do it.

this isn't a race!

YET!!!

I barely got thru the first week.. but I was shocked at how it seemed that I was able to move along the way they had it planned out. I think the intervals really help you to improve quickly.

but.. what i learned:
drink enough water before hand. don't drown, but just drink enough so you aren't dehydrated. the sweat will do great things for your skin, btw.

and.. don't run too soon after you eat. or your meal runs with you, and my meals weren't too happy about that.

now, I'm just playing around with it.. but i hope to be able to run the bike trails in spring. or jog (don't run fast enough to call it running

)

oh.. and get a good jog bra. made a big difference to me. don't want the girls to be in pain.

cdn_gal · 01-18-2008, 06:10 PM

Hi everyone!

I was just directed to this thread after asking a question about Couch to 5K in the PG.... Hope you dont mind me jumping in, but I am going to start mine tomorrow..
I dont want to be a long distance runner, but I would like to get in better shape, and stop the inner leg "jiggles"

I am also an occasional smoker, so I can see that this will probably help me quit for good as well...

I aslo know that shoes are very important... Any suggestions before I go shopping?
TIA!

skaylarson · 01-19-2008, 05:13 PM

Thanks Lei for the advice. Did my 3rd day today and didn't really start sucking serious wind until after the 5th interval. My thought is to do one more session on Monday with week 1. Since my first attempt wasn't completed. I did slow down to 5.2 the last 3 intervals, I think that helped. But yeah, I feel great and again, so proud of myself.

Funny about the meal comment. I had some breakfast about 10 and ran about 12:30...the eggs were with me the whole time

Aloise...

As for shoes, I'm wearing a pair that I had bought more years than I'd like to admit. In Mpls we have a store that specializes in running. I took a pair of tennies there and they looked at how I wear my shoes then fit me with the right kind of shoe. I would recommend doing something similar. I'm going to get a new pair after I finish week 2. That is my mini-goal!

Did you download the podcasts? they really help....

Have a good night and glad there are more of us rookies on this thread...
Sharon

12-17-2007, 04:30 AM	#618
desdemona Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Round Rock, Texas Posts: 3,418 Gallery: desdemona Stats: 387/190/174 WOE: most like stage 2 atkins (I eat some fruit) Start Date: April 3, 2007	To all you new guys, really getting started was the hardest part. I started doing each week twice before I moved on and I thought jogging 60 seconds would be the death of me, seriously! Now I can jog 3 miles straight and I am SO proud of myself. You just work your way up slowly. No pressure! The point is just to keep doing it. If you need 2 days to rest, so be it! I did that several times. I went from mon/thurs/sat to mon/thurs/sun and skipping monday even, the point is, you just keep going. Make it a habit! __________________ SASSYNUT! 30 years old 5'10" 387/190/174 6 days cardio, 3 days toning, 3 days pilates Work Schedule: 8AM-5PM Mon-Fri Central Time

01-15-2008, 02:41 PM	#619
aloise Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: USA Posts: 405 Gallery: aloise Stats: eeek!/sigh../Yeah!!! WOE: low glycemic load; real food Start Date: Aug 1, 2007	where did everyone go? HOLIDAY IS OVER... well.. I'm still doing the treadmill. I have found I do much better on an almost empty stomach. but... when I have to fit the gym in and don't have an empty tummy.. I run intervals. and that doesn't bother me. I run as fast as I can for a few minutes.. then walk till my heart rate gets back down. then do that again for a total of 8 sets. good workout. but.. I do kind of like loping along when I am in the right place for that. (like 2 hours after a meal. ) __________________ Stray Cat Strut midyear resolution challenge 30 to lose / 6 lost / 24 to go Couch to 5K: Week 7

01-15-2008, 07:03 PM	#620
skaylarson Senior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 439 Gallery: skaylarson Stats: 197/171/150 WOE: Atkins Start Date: again on 12/31/07	I'd like to join as well. I found the coolrunnings site and downloaded all 9 podcasts and printed off the instructions. Went to the gym all fired up and realized HOW OUT OF SHAPE I AM!!! I made it through about 1/2 the intervals, but didn't always run all 60 seconds. I just figured for me, it may take me longer to get out of week one. I saw some of the other posts saying at least we're not on the couch and that is so very true. I'm taking a day off tomorrow and will get back on the treadmill again on Thursday. Even if it takes me 4 weeks to master week one, I'm on it. I agree, the music isn't really my taste, but it is nice not watching the seconds tick by when running. I'm glad I found you guys. We a lot of you in really bad shape before taking on this challenge? It's been about 3 years since I had done any formal exercise and I've never really been a runner. I've got really good running shoes however, so that's a plus. Looking forward to a day off tomorrow (I had walked and did a bodyflow class on MOnday so the body definately needs a day of rest) Sharon __________________ Sharon 197/171/150? 7/14/08: weighed in at 184. Back on induction 7/22/08: weighed in at 178.6 looking to hit that 171 and going from there!

12-01-2007, 08:43 AM	#601
lexi123 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 198 Gallery: lexi123 WOE: Atkins Start Date: Nov 03	Hi Everyone - I just stated Couch to 5K today...I had my first workout just now. I workout on a treadmill at home. I think I maybe I went too slow though - I didn't want to push it too hard. I guess I can speed up on the 2nd work out though. I was walking at 3.0 and jogging and 4.0. After the 25 minutes (included warmup) I walked for another 10 minutes at 2.8 - just because I felt great. I used to run all the time, and low carb for that matter. but I had a baby and gained weight. I have been having dreams about running - that is how much I miss it, but now I am taking control to get back to it. I am so happy.

12-01-2007, 09:23 AM	#602
Marvin Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bellevue, Nebraska Posts: 504 Gallery: Marvin Stats: WT=381highest/368thistime/337.6/240 WOE: Atkins - The LC Metabolic Advantage! Start Date: Restarted Oct 8, 2007	Welcome Lexi! You are right...don't push too hard at first. You will find your comfort zone and stay in it to avoid injury and burnout. I find that D1 of each week I start a little slower than I finished the week before, just to get used to the new program, but then I usually up the speed by the end of the week. It's all good....just keep moving!

12-01-2007, 08:23 PM	#603
desdemona Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Round Rock, Texas Posts: 3,418 Gallery: desdemona Stats: 387/190/174 WOE: most like stage 2 atkins (I eat some fruit) Start Date: April 3, 2007	New hair cut, new adias!

12-03-2007, 12:30 PM	#604
shellpurr Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: SE Qld, Australia Posts: 13,799 Gallery: shellpurr Stats: 183/163.8/130 or 83/74.3/59kg WOE: Low cal Start Date: 6 December 2007	Hello, can I join in? I started week 1 day one. way too hard. I am not a runner at all, and asthmatic as well. Can I cut the time in half? Has anyone done that?

12-03-2007, 02:34 PM	#608
aloise Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: USA Posts: 405 Gallery: aloise Stats: eeek!/sigh../Yeah!!! WOE: low glycemic load; real food Start Date: Aug 1, 2007	Des, love the haircut!!! and you look Goooood!!!! This picture is definitely a keeper. I did a run yesterday.. 20 minutes. i think i went to the gym too soon after i ate. Just feel better when my stomach is a bit more empty. but.. i was ok. it felt good as i haven't been able to get to the gym for a few days, so even if it wasn't exactly the best time, i still wanted to go. and i was glad that I did. (my uppercase shift is working sporadically.. can you tell?0

12-03-2007, 02:35 PM	#609
shellpurr Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: SE Qld, Australia Posts: 13,799 Gallery: shellpurr Stats: 183/163.8/130 or 83/74.3/59kg WOE: Low cal Start Date: 6 December 2007	Has anyone found a good way to keep track of time without the podcast? I am running outside but the music is soooooo boring! And if I'm cutting back to 30 sec incriments the podcast won't work for me.

12-03-2007, 03:16 PM	#611
shellpurr Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: SE Qld, Australia Posts: 13,799 Gallery: shellpurr Stats: 183/163.8/130 or 83/74.3/59kg WOE: Low cal Start Date: 6 December 2007	How hard is really hard? I probably could have forced myself to do it, but isn't the point of this program that it DOESNT kill you and make you want to quit? I stopped listening when the podcast was at 20 mins and went home.

12-03-2007, 03:46 PM	#613
RoseOOPS Junior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Westland MI USA Posts: 54 Gallery: RoseOOPS	As long as you're not on the couch is the whole point. So if you run for 30 seconds you run for 30 seconds. Remember you are not on the couch. Have no doubt you will improve. You don't have to be perfect. You just do your best. Rose

12-03-2007, 04:54 PM	#614
shellpurr Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: SE Qld, Australia Posts: 13,799 Gallery: shellpurr Stats: 183/163.8/130 or 83/74.3/59kg WOE: Low cal Start Date: 6 December 2007	Thanks guys. I went with my partner, he was perplexed as to how hard I was taking it. I'm just not one of those spry athletic types

12-15-2007, 01:08 PM	#616
sandkou Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 125 Gallery: sandkou Stats: 155/138.8/120 WOE: low carb Start Date: February 14,2003	where do I start?

12-15-2007, 04:36 PM	#617
aloise Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: USA Posts: 405 Gallery: aloise Stats: eeek!/sigh../Yeah!!! WOE: low glycemic load; real food Start Date: Aug 1, 2007	the instructions are in the first post of this topic.

01-18-2008, 12:21 PM	#621
ItsNot2L8 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 2,553 Gallery: ItsNot2L8 WOE: Atkins OWL	I'm so glad to see this thread is still alive! Sharon, I was just over 180 lbs and could barely make 60 seconds at a slow jog when I first started. At the beginning of each week, I thought there was no way I'd be able to move on to the next week, but I only ended up repeating weeks 4 and 5.

01-18-2008, 03:17 PM	#623
aloise Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: USA Posts: 405 Gallery: aloise Stats: eeek!/sigh../Yeah!!! WOE: low glycemic load; real food Start Date: Aug 1, 2007	that's great, Sharon. and if you feel like repeating a week, then do it. this isn't a race! YET!!! I barely got thru the first week.. but I was shocked at how it seemed that I was able to move along the way they had it planned out. I think the intervals really help you to improve quickly. but.. what i learned: drink enough water before hand. don't drown, but just drink enough so you aren't dehydrated. the sweat will do great things for your skin, btw. and.. don't run too soon after you eat. or your meal runs with you, and my meals weren't too happy about that. now, I'm just playing around with it.. but i hope to be able to run the bike trails in spring. or jog (don't run fast enough to call it running ) oh.. and get a good jog bra. made a big difference to me. don't want the girls to be in pain.

01-18-2008, 06:10 PM	#624
cdn_gal Daddy's Girl Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Vancouver Canuck Land!!! Posts: 6,514 Blog Entries: 16 Gallery: cdn_gal Stats: 230/158/140~~5'10 WOE: KISS (WW) Start Date: Jan 1st/08	Hi everyone! I was just directed to this thread after asking a question about Couch to 5K in the PG.... Hope you dont mind me jumping in, but I am going to start mine tomorrow.. I dont want to be a long distance runner, but I would like to get in better shape, and stop the inner leg "jiggles" I am also an occasional smoker, so I can see that this will probably help me quit for good as well... I aslo know that shoes are very important... Any suggestions before I go shopping? TIA!

01-19-2008, 05:13 PM	#625
skaylarson Senior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 439 Gallery: skaylarson Stats: 197/171/150 WOE: Atkins Start Date: again on 12/31/07	Thanks Lei for the advice. Did my 3rd day today and didn't really start sucking serious wind until after the 5th interval. My thought is to do one more session on Monday with week 1. Since my first attempt wasn't completed. I did slow down to 5.2 the last 3 intervals, I think that helped. But yeah, I feel great and again, so proud of myself. Funny about the meal comment. I had some breakfast about 10 and ran about 12:30...the eggs were with me the whole time Aloise... As for shoes, I'm wearing a pair that I had bought more years than I'd like to admit. In Mpls we have a store that specializes in running. I took a pair of tennies there and they looked at how I wear my shoes then fit me with the right kind of shoe. I would recommend doing something similar. I'm going to get a new pair after I finish week 2. That is my mini-goal! Did you download the podcasts? they really help.... Have a good night and glad there are more of us rookies on this thread... Sharon