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

[ab1ht]

@Gina: Thanks for the link. I'll check it out.

@Thin4me: Welcome. Post any questions.

-Paul

[laurieC]

Good for you Thin4me! This program is very exciting!

Wow! I wish I was running at the beach!

Well, I finished Week 1, but I've decided to repeat it. I did buy new shoes on Friday and they make a big difference, but my knees and ankles are still slightly sore (as opposed to very sore) about 2 hours after running. I'm thinking that it is all the little tiny muscles and tendons and ligaments getting used to my [way too heavy] self running on them. By the next morning the feeling is pretty much gone - but I want to be sure not to injure myself.

I've decided to repeat week 1 this week, and completed Week1 Day 1 again yesterday. I really think I could move on, but I have ended up with stress fractures in the past from advancing too quickly in running (and that was at my goal weight!) so I'm forcing myself to keep it slow. I'm going to keep on doing week 1 until I don't have any knee pain before I move on. So:

1) What week/day are you on? week 1, day 2
2) Are you repeating a week? yes, I'll be repeating week 1 until my knees catch up!
3) Are you running for time or distance? distance, but only because the trail I run is a loop and I have to finish the distance to get home!
4) Are you running indoors or out? outdoors, I'm in Atlanta and the weather has been gorgeous
5) How do you feel? accomplished

[Thin4me]

Thank you for the encouragement, ab1ht and laurieC.! I didn't start yesterday due to unforeseen illness. I feel good today and have brought my running "stuff" with me to work so I can get to it right after my middle school students go home! I think this will really be beneficial.

[GME]

I ran again yesterday morning. I wound up repeating W1D3 because when I got ready to run I didn't have week 2 on my phone (it has a music player). I drive to where I run and I didn't want to go back home. So at the end of each 60 second run I counted to ten slowly before I stopped. It made a difference! I'm going to download it again tonight and go again tomorrow after school.

I'm a teacher too, but elementary. We have an afterschool program and I would probably have 15 little followers wanting to talk to me if I tried to run at school . I know they say you are supposed to be able to talk and run, but I don't want to try it yet.

[Thin4me]

GME...Maybe if I had 15 little kids following me I could run FASTER!!LOL!!

I did complete day 1 yesterday. I feel it in my thighs today, but I am proud of myself. I didn't think I could do it. I am going to walk today and try day 2 tom.

How long have you been teaching? I tried elementary school and after 2.5 years, I ran screaming back up to 8th graders!

[laurieC]

GME: I now have an image of 15 5 year olds following you around like baby ducks while you walk/run. Too funny!

Thin4me: Good job! Did you lose all 30 pounds since Jan? Wow!

Week 1 (take 2) Day 2 : complete, one more day (Thursday) and I'm thinking I'm going to move to week 2.

Does anyone find that the 2nd 1/2 of the time is much much easier for them? Almost like my body fights for the first 1/2 and then gives up and cooperates for the 2nd 1/2. Weird.

[Thin4me]

LaurieC...I did lose it since Jan. but now....S....L.....O......W......

I hope this program will help things get going.

Every runner I meet have told me that the endorphines are GREAT. When do they "kick in"? LOL

[GME]

Originally Posted by Thin4me

GME...Maybe if I had 15 little kids following me I could run FASTER!!LOL!!
How long have you been teaching? I tried elementary school and after 2.5 years, I ran screaming back up to 8th graders!

Oh man, I didn't think about running from them. You might be on to something

I've been teaching 12 years, most of them in third grade, but I got around quite a bit my first couple of years. I find middle schoolers to be a little too "lippy" for my tastes. Third graders are fairly independent but still like their teachers for the most part. I think there is a special place in heaven for MS and kinder teachers.

Laurie, its funny you should mention the baby ducks.. I went on a outdoor ed campout with my son's class and we all had to pick "nature names." Mine was Quail for that very reason.

I ran W2D1 today. I felt the increased running time, but it was good . I ran out about 1.5 miles and then turned around to come back into a ferocious wind. The last run was tough.

[jeepifer]

Hi all, I just started yesterday, W1D1. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to do it, but felt so proud when I made it!!!

I downloaded an awesome podcast from iTunes that has each week's workout, set to music. He tells you when to run, when to walk again, etc. It helped SO much not to have to keep track myself every 60 seconds!

[ab1ht]

jeepifer,

Good deal!

Remember, you can repeat weeks as needed.

-Paul

[Thin4me]

Finished week one!!!!!!!! HOORAY!! I am going to try Week 2 day 1 tom. I am EXCITED!!!!!! We'll see how it goes!

[Joy66]

Originally Posted by jeepifer

Hi all, I just started yesterday, W1D1. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to do it, but felt so proud when I made it!!!

I downloaded an awesome podcast from iTunes that has each week's workout, set to music. He tells you when to run, when to walk again, etc. It helped SO much not to have to keep track myself every 60 seconds!

Jeepifer! I am always on the look for new music. What was the name of that podcast?? I just downloaded an "album" from iTunes... Shape:Cardio 80's Remix. It's okay.

[Joy66]

I have seen this program before, but it was a few years ago. I have a secret dream to run in a 5K. But at the weight I am at now, I know it would be more of a walk, which would be good, too.

I am considering doing this program. I know I will probably do week 1 for a few weeks. I'm not discouraged by that. I've been walking for 40 minutes, 5 days a week, at a moderate pace, so this will help me to pick it up.

I have a question. Does anyone do anything on the "off" days?? I am already going to the YMCA 5 days a week. Would anyone recommend a weights program or regimine??

Just wondering.

[seriouschick]

Hi everybody!

My name is Becky. I've been lowcarbing for a few years, and hanging out at LCF for a good long while. I'm married and have four awesome munchkins (8,5,3,2).

I'm jumping into this thread. I've dabbled here and there with walking/jogging/running....then nothing. I injured my knee in December and I haven't been able to do much. Over the last month, it has finally improved and my doc gave me the go-ahead to start impact workouts again.


SOOoooo, I'm ready to do it! I will be able to run 5K (30 minutes) by June 15th.

I'm excited. Looking forward to getting to know more of you here.

Tomorrow.... Week 1, Day 1

(P.S. And I have the C25K podcast loaded onto my iPod Shuffle so I'm ready to run! )

[seriouschick]

Originally Posted by jeepifer

I downloaded an awesome podcast from iTunes that has each week's workout, set to music. He tells you when to run, when to walk again, etc. It helped SO much not to have to keep track myself every 60 seconds!

Oh I agree! I just finished W1D1 this morning...and that podcast helped so much! I did this program last year (made it to week5 and then had a knee injury that sidelined me for awhile ). Anyway, it was always such a pain to try and keep track by my watch -- even with interval alarms. The podcast makes it so easy! It's much more fun to focus on breathing and form and not the clock.

1) What week/day are you on? week 1, day 1
2) Are you repeating a week? Not yet
3) Are you running for time or distance? Right now, I'm just doing the program and walking all the way home
4) Are you running indoors or out? outdoors. The weather is gorgeous this week and I have a nice 1/4 mile walking path around the lake by my house
5) How do you feel? So proud!!

[Joy66]

Well, I did it! My highest speed was 4.0 on the treadmill but I only did that for the first 60 seconds. I stayed around 3.7/3.8 as my run speed and 2.8/3.0 as my walk speed.

I did find a "Christian" podcaster who had done music and reminded me to run or walk. I liked that prompt. I'll be looking for different music. It was pretty good, but looking for something a little more upbeat!!

Yahoo!

I am still wondering what everyone does on the "off" days??

[Andrea78]

Hello everybody....

I am interested in doing this, but I'm afraid I'll DIE.

Seriously.

Right now I am 270 pounds, 29 years old, two kids ages 7 months and 7 years. And OUT. OF. SHAPE.

I used to run in highschool when I weighed 150. I loved it, it made me feel awesome. I'd like to get that back.

How realistic is this program for somebody of my size? I think I'll be lucky if I can run for 60 seconds.
Also, what kind of diet should I be following if I am going to take up running? Right now I am low carbing, Atkins induction. 22 pounds lost so far. Thanks in advance, and nice to be here with everyone.

[seriouschick]

Originally Posted by Joy66

I am still wondering what everyone does on the "off" days??

I'm doing Callanetics (10-n-10) and upper body weights on my off days. This is what I've been doing for the last couple of months while my knee was hurt. It's gentle, effective -- perfect for rest days.

[Andrea78]

Originally Posted by jeepifer

Hi all, I just started yesterday, W1D1. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to do it, but felt so proud when I made it!!!

I downloaded an awesome podcast from iTunes that has each week's workout, set to music. He tells you when to run, when to walk again, etc. It helped SO much not to have to keep track myself every 60 seconds!

Hello, I am just starting also, a few days after you. Thanks for telling us about the podcast, I found it and downloaded it also. I can't wait to start!! Great job on your first day!!!

[jeepifer]

Originally Posted by Andrea78

Hello, I am just starting also, a few days after you. Thanks for telling us about the podcast, I found it and downloaded it also. I can't wait to start!! Great job on your first day!!!

Thanks! I just completed W1D2, although I'm going to keep on W1 thru the end of this week. Felt a little easier, less huffing and puffing.

Also, I finally added my Nike+ chip to my shoe and was able to track my distance and pace. I can't wait to see that improve as I go along!!!

My first 5k will be October 4.

[Joy66]

I KNOW this is totally crazy, but I just signed up for a 5K for this weekend through my local YMCA! I couldn't help myself!! OMG!! What have I done!!

Well, I obviously will not be running in this 5K. The director said there will be a lot of walkers and to go ahead and do it! I figure, this way I'll have SOMEthing to compare to or to improve from when I do get to the point of RUNNING in a 5K!

[GME]

Originally Posted by Andrea78

Hello everybody....

I am interested in doing this, but I'm afraid I'll DIE.

How realistic is this program for somebody of my size? I think I'll be lucky if I can run for 60 seconds.
Also, what kind of diet should I be following if I am going to take up running? Right now I am low carbing, Atkins induction. 22 pounds lost so far. Thanks in advance, and nice to be here with everyone.

I say try it. I started at 230ish and 5'7 and the weight has been dropping much more quickly since I did. I've been a pretty regular walker but the jogging really kicks it up a notch.

When I started I just kept telling myself "It's only 60 seconds" and thought of all the much more unpleasant things I could be doing for 60 seconds.... scrubbing toilets, dangling off a bridge, getting a pap smear... the time went by pretty quickly. I started week 3 today and I ran for 3 minutes straight. I wouldn't have thought I could do it a month ago.

I really recommend the podcast. I tried C25K a couple of years ago with a stop watch and that was not fun.

As far as diet, I am doing Atkins too but I have climbed the carb ladder and eat around 50 a day from veggies (especially avocado, yum) and a little fruit and I'm feeling really good. How long have you been on induction? I know it can be scary, but it may be time to move onward and upward.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[Joy66]

Originally Posted by Andrea78

Hello everybody....


Right now I am 270 pounds, 29 years old, two kids ages 7 months and 7 years. And OUT. OF. SHAPE.

I used to run in highschool when I weighed 150. I loved it, it made me feel awesome. I'd like to get that back.

How realistic is this program for somebody of my size? I think I'll be lucky if I can run for 60 seconds.

Hey Andrea. I have NO IDEA how realistic this is. I even feel a bit goofy for trying. I am 41 (BD is 6/30!!) and I ran in college. Not much but probably around 10 to 15 miles a week. I loved it and want to do it again!

I did D1 today. The first 60 seconds, I clocked myself at 4.0 on the treadmill. I maintained around 3.7/3.8 after that as my "run" speed and somewhere around 2.7/3.0 for my walk speed. I figure, it's a start!!

And I signed up to do a 5K this weekend. I do plan to walk it, however, but it will give me something to improve on!

[CrzyCatLady]

Hi all!
I'm week one day 2.
I'll probably be repeating week 1, my knees are a little unhappy.
I do it for time, I run with the iTunes podcast.
I'm running outdoors.
I feel pretty darn proud. Although I haven't quite made it the entire 60 seconds yet. I'm short about 10 seconds every interval. that's why I'm repeating week 1.

Question though. Anyone gain weight after adding exercise? I don't know if maybe something else is going on with me. My diet hasn't changed. But since my first attempt at C25K I'm up 3lbs. I did have one meal off plan on Saturday night. I had pepper steak at PF Changs no rice. I was only up .5 on Sunday though. I was just curious. It probably was a delayed reaction to the chinese food. But thought I'd ask.