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

[jeepifer]

Originally Posted by Cyard

I did it! I just ran week 3 day 1. It wasn't bad at all! I NEVER thought i'd make it the whole three minutes

Whoohoo!

[seriouschick]

Wasn't able to get my run in yesterday (life and kids got in the way), but I finished W5D1 tonight and it went really well! I ran a new route and *almost* didn't think about running but just enjoyed the scenery...for about 1 minute.

I'm looking forward to my Wednesday run. AND I signed up for my first 5k!! I'll be in a race on June 14th. I will have completed week 8 of the program (I think there is week 9, isn't there? ) but I figured I'll be about ready. I may be slow (and I may have to walk a bit of it), but I think it will be fun. AND, it's giving me even more motivation to really train hard and make the most of the next 3 weeks.

[seriouschick]

Just came in from running W5D2 and it felt great! I'm beginning to feel like slowing down and walking makes it harder. I'm actually looking forward to the challenge of D3 -- 20 minutes of running. I may not feel that way on Friday but I do now. I've noticed that it takes me about 10 minutes to really feel like I'm in a groove. Today the last 5 minutes of my 2nd 8 minute run were by far the easiest.

Gina, what day are you on now? Keep runnin' girl!

[jeepifer]

Week 4 Day 2 complete for me. Felt harder than D1, but I'd had a tough day. Looking forward to finishing W4 tomorrow!

[ab1ht]

Originally Posted by seriouschick

...AND I signed up for my first 5k!! ...I may be slow (and I may have to walk a bit of it), but I think it will be fun

That's awesome!

Just go and enjoy it.

My first couple of 5k's I was concerned about time and pushed myself. Then I just started to slow down and enjoy them. It only affected my time by a couple of minutes (as if my time really mattered anyway) and I enjoyed the race much more.

There will be other people in your shoes (so to speak). Find someone about your pace and start a conversation. The miles will just fly by and you'll probably make some new friends.

-Paul

[seriouschick]

Thanks for the encouragement Paul! I'm a little scared (not gonna lie), but mostly I'm looking forward to i! I really want to just focus on finishing and having a good time. I'm not going to stress about time.

[Valentine Baby]

So let's get started!
1) What week/day are you on? 1
2) Are you repeating a week? no
3) Are you running for time or distance? time
4) Are you running indoors or out? out
5) How do you feel? good

Thanks to whoever posted about the podcasts that tell you when to run/walk. I'm definately checking that out!

I'm just starting this. I did try another beginner running program recently but it was too hard. So now I'm starting again here. I'm hoping to be able to run in the "Race for the Cure 5K" in September.

I've been reading all the posts and it's very encouraging here!

[seriouschick]

Finished week 5 this morning! W5D3 is warm-up, run 20 minutes, cool down. I was nervous, but it actually went really well!

My left knee was a little tight earlier in the week. I went and had new shoes fit for me and we decided that the style shoe I've been wearing for the last few years were great...when I weighed more. My feet are narrower now and I'm lighter, and not pronating nearly as much. I think the shoes I have now are actually over-correcting the problem.

I'm rambling, but the point is I have new shoes on order and they should be here on Tuesday. To get my run in today, and give my knee a little extra TLC, I went to the local highschool track. Those cushy surfaces feel great! I wish all the sidewalks and roads in the world were made of that stuff. Running on a track is mind-numbingly BORING , but it sure feels nice on the joints.

I made it the whole 20 minutes. I took it very slow (12 minute miles) but I felt great at the end, and my knee feels fine. Woo hooo!

Looking forward to week 6. Love this program.

[ab1ht]

Originally Posted by seriouschick

To get my run in today, and give my knee a little extra TLC, I went to the local highschool track.

No, you're not rambling. Finding the right shoes is really important. I'm a big time supinator while more people are pronators. So it was doubly important for me to find the right shoe. BTW, now you know something really personal about me that my wife doesn't even know!

As for giving your joints a break, I totally understand. I did the entire C25K program on the treadmill for that very reason. Once I felt OK at 3 miles, I started doing gradual mileage on the road. The joints definitely need time to adjust.

-Paul

[Cyard]

Paul: does the treadmill make it easier on joints?

[ab1ht]

Originally Posted by Cyard

Paul: does the treadmill make it easier on joints?

Generally, yes. The treadmill is a softer ride than pavement.

IMHO, this is really important for beginners, especially those who are more than 10 pounds overweight. For many, joint conditioning is the weak link that can make or break a successful transition into running.

-Paul

[seriouschick]

Originally Posted by ab1ht

For many, joint conditioning is the weak link that can make or break a successful transition into running.

I'm definitely finding this to be true. My knees are the only thing that makes it seem hard. My breathing and muscles have really improved, but I'm "respecting" the C25k schedule (even when I want to do more) and going at a steady pace to give my joints/tendons a chance to get acclimated. I'm demanding more of them than I have in a VERY long time.

[ab1ht]

Originally Posted by seriouschick

... I'm "respecting" the C25k schedule (even when I want to do more) ...

That's good. Joint conditioning is (I believe) the main reason for this.

I've considered trail running, but I think I need special shoes for that. One step at a time for me...

-Paul

[GME]

I did week 5 day 3 this morning. Twenty minutes straight . I hemmed and hawed because my good shoes got left at work yesterday and I couldn't go get them (a long story involving a forest fire), but I went anyway and it was great! I ran in my old shoes and my toes were cramped, but nothing too bad. I told myself I could go as slow as I wanted to, but not quit. I think I could have run longer, but I'm trying to respect the schedule too.

Go Serious!! Great job, you caught me.

[GME]

Week 6 Day 1 finished this morning I got farther than I ever have. Its hard for me to tell how far I went though. I run on the beach so there are no streets or intersections. Running Ahead has a great feature on their website where you can put your route in and it will tell you how far it is (its on a google map and is really cool), but they are bogged down and slow this morning. I'll try again later.

I signed up for my first 5K yesterday! Its called the "Run Forrest Run" (because it ends in front of a Bubba Gump's Restaurant). It isn't until November so I have plenty of time, but its exciting just being signed up. My 11 yo signed up too. I told him he doesn't have to stay with me . I'll be happy just to finish.

[ab1ht]

Originally Posted by GME

I run on the beach so there are no streets or intersections.

This might help:

Nike.com

I ran with someone the other day who had something similar and she liked it.

-Paul

[seriouschick]

Well, I completed W6D1 today. It was my hardest run of the last couple of weeks. Today it's 91º here and about 3000% humidity. UGH. My only opportunity to run was right at noon too. I finished, but that last few minutes I was running uphill...and soooo slowly. But I did it! I didn't walk except during the walk breaks, and I felt pretty accomplished when I got back to the car. I have to say, I almost felt more proud of today than I did of last week's 20 minute run. Today was so much harder because of the heat and the hills (I ran on a new path), but I finished it.

Interested to see what Tuesday brings.

[Valentine Baby]

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

Hi everyone! I just started last week. I've decide to do week 1 again this week because after all I am overweight and it is harder for me carrying this extra 40lbs. But I feel great! Getting outside and sweating and really working hard like this makes you really feel like you've accomplished something!

I downloaded the "Couch to 5K" podcast and it is WONDERFUL! It really beats having to look at my watch.

Today is the beginning day of week 1/repeated.

[seriouschick]

W6D2 finished! I felt great today. I could have run more, but I kept to the program. I got new shoes that I love, and it was so much cooler today. I felt wonderful. As usual, the first 10 minutes are the hardest for me. By the time I cross into that next set of 10 or 20 I feel better. My breathing evens out. My legs feel loose and in good (albeit slow ) rhythm.

I think on my next run (W6D3) since it's just a straight 25 minutes, I'm going to just wear my watch and listen to my own choice of music. I'll do the warm up and run for distance...2 miles. I can do that in 25 minutes and then just cool down. I love the podcasts (especially for the beginning weeks), but the music is starting to drive me a little batty.

Happy running!!

[GME]

W6D2 down for me too! This was a tough... the tide was in so I had to run in the soft sand. Before you know it I am going to have the best looking legs in town . Well, that may be a stretch, but they are less cottage-cheesy-looking.

[jeepifer]

I had a week off... pulled a hamstring doing some volunteer work (clearing a forest) so I've been resting it. Will try to ease back to Week 4, and hopefully move on to W5 next week.

[psigna]

I am going to start this tonight. I have been running for the past few weeks, but only a total of 0.6 miles so far. I think that I will do this and make it gradual, and will probably feel more accomplished. Do any of you jog on the off day? We have been going about 5 nights a week, so I don't want to give that up (family time). I could do a little bit, would that hurt me in the long run? I am getting very excited.

[seriouschick]

C25k Week 6 Day 3 finished!

Today I tried out my new plan to run for distance, not time. I finished 2 miles in the 25 minutes. 12:30 pace. Slow, but I'm feeling good that I finished and felt strong. I ran on a wide sidewalk path and it includes 3 fairly long hills. I know I could have run faster on the track, but I like seeing a point in the distance and running...not just around and around. (But I did miss that cushy surface )

I took my watch, timed my 5 min warm-up, and started my 25:00 minute timer when I began running. I planned on finishing the 2 miles even if I was SUPER slow, but when I checked my pace at the turn around point I was RIGHT at 12:30. I listed to my favorite running podcast (4 Feet Running) and that kept me smiling and enjoying the run the whole time.

I really, really appreciated the C25k podcasts in the beginning weeks when the intervals are so short and numerous. But now, as I'm beginning to run longer and longer times, I don't need the cues and the music is just about to drive me batty.

Looking forward to Week 7. More running, more pushing myself. This is a very fun (and workable!) program!

[Bobbie]

I think I would really like to join you all. I am just saving my spot for right now as it is day one of TOM and I think I will wait till it is over to start. I love the sounds of a podcast, I hated the whole idea of having to wear a timer. I am more than a little scared as I am extremely over weight, but I know I have to do something. I have always been fascinated by people who can run. I have a trail just down the road from my house unfortunately it runs paralel to the highway and EVERYONE will be able to see. I know I should not be concerned about that but I am. I have only read a couple pages of the posts so I am going to read more.