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

[GME]

I ran with the book today. I really liked it! Time went by very quickly.

I spent some time trying to figure out how to play it right though. I bought a little Sansa Clip and got home and found out the e-book company that my library subscribes to doesn't work right with my player. I could load the book and listen to it..... but as a song. It doesn't recognize it as an audiobook (so no chapters or bookmarking). I'm not going to listen to a 10 hour book in one stretch. Sansa does work with a book company where I could BUY audiobooks that would play right.

I went to the Sansa board, where many people had discussed the same problem, and found some verrrrry complicated solutions and one sensible person who said he just hits the pause button and turns it off. When you turn it back on, hit the pause button again and you are right back where you started. I also learned you can fast forward or rewind within a track by holding down the button intead of tapping it. The pause solution wouldn't work very well if you were using the player for music or other things, but I have a player in my phone and a little iPod. The Sansa is just for books so it works for me.

Just thought I'd share in case anyone else wants to try running with books (it's safer than running with scissors).

[psigna]

What is the ebook? I have thought about using these before, but I don't know where to find them to try. I have an ipod nano.

[GME]

Originally Posted by psigna

What is the ebook? I have thought about using these before, but I don't know where to find them to try. I have an ipod nano.

Its an audiobook you download. I found mine by going to my library's website and searching. There are different companies that libraries can contract with. Mine uses NetLibrary. The books aren't compatable with iPods or Zunes because they don't support an "expiration" feature. The book will only stay on a player for three weeks (or whatever the check-out time is). Mine can be renewed (not sure how that will work).

I'm sure you could find something on iTunes, some things are free, but most cost. If you think you might like it, you could try something iTunes has for free or cheap and if you like it check with your library and see what kind of player you will need for their books.

I just went to Walmart and bought a 2 gig one for about $35. I probably could have done better if I had watched for sales or checked on the net. They had a 1 gig player that was cheaper, it would have been enough since I can only listen to one at a time and then they'll get removed. I didn't think about that at the time.

[psigna]

Hmm. I doubt our library has that feature, small town and all, but I might look for it.

[GME]

Someone on the Sansa board talked about a site where you could download books that are old enough to be in the public domain for free. She was just starting The Man In The Iron Mask. I don't remember the address but you could probably google it.

[GoingHome]

Hi guys!

I am just starting the Couch to 5K program tomorrow morning. I am still doing my research and tweaking but wanted to thank all of you for the inspiration.

I am going to be 40 the end of November and I am looking for stress relief as well as exercise. I will never be a marathon runner I know but I think 5k's would be fun. I also need help with the scale creep. I lost 102 pounds and it's been slowly creeping up over the past two years. I don't want to end up where I was!!!

I downloaded the first two podcasts Hopefully I did it right...my iPod and I have never gotten along. My husband has 3700 songs on his and I have 6. And of course he is away right now, lol. I also ordered a gymboss since I get a lot of noise at work I cherish the silence when I get it, lol.

Off to dig out exercise clothes. Hopefully I have stuff strong enough to hold me in, up etc. or I will be GoingShopping instead of GoingHome.

GoingHome

[GME]

Originally Posted by GoingHome

Hi guys!
I am going to be 40 the end of November and I am looking for stress relief as well as exercise. I will never be a marathon runner I know but I think 5k's would be fun. I also need help with the scale creep. I lost 102 pounds and it's been slowly creeping up over the past two years. I don't want to end up where I was!!!

Off to dig out exercise clothes. Hopefully I have stuff strong enough to hold me in, up etc. or I will be GoingShopping instead of GoingHome.

GoingHome

Wow! Congrats on the 102 lb loss. You can definately do this!

If you do need a new exercise bra, I reccomend Moving Comfort. They have styles for all shapes and sizes. I've got some stuff upstairs (DD) and I found one to hold things nicely.

[GoingHome]

Thanks for the welcome and the bra info. It looks like a very good product. I have 1 good one and a couple "ok" ones so I better invest more good ones!

The good news is I do have good shoes.

[WolfmanJacque]

I did W2D1 this morning on a new course. Interestingly, my heart rate didn't get into the "target zone" until I hit a rather large hill. Couldn't seem to ratchet up the intensity this morning, but still burned a respectable 350 calories.

Got attached by a poodle missle when I jogged by a house...family was going to church and they opened the front door. Poodle missle tried it's yappy best to bite my ankle.

Ullrey's week 2 podcast is much better than week 1.

[GME]

Originally Posted by WolfmanJacque

Got attached by a poodle missle when I jogged by a house...family was going to church and they opened the front door. Poodle missle tried it's yappy best to bite my ankle.

Oh, the things we will endure for fitness. I almost got taken out last week by a kid with a kite. It was a narrow escape......

[GoingHome]

W1D1 down. I was a happy camper before starting out - the scale was down a pound.

Not sure how I feel yet but I DO have to say towards the end I was just about staggering.

It makes me sad that I am so out of shape - I knew it wasn't good....I just just didn't know how bad, lol. Oh well, gotta start somewhere, right?

Have a great Monday everyone.

GoingHome

[zinny]

Hi all! I just started the program this morning.
It is supposedly the dead of winter right now in Cape Town; August is supposed to be a cold, wet month, but it's been quite mild and today is basically a beach day with forecast for 24C/75F. So couldn't make any kind of weather excuses...

I did get kind of freaked out before starting that it would be too hard, that my heart or knees wouldn't be able to handle it. But once I got down to the beach, it was no problem....in fact maybe it was too easy? I'm wondering if I should skip ahead to week 2 on Wednesday, or if it's better to have the whole thing feel gradual... I'm sure it will catch up soon!

[zinny]

Oh in case anybody has any insight about starting on week 1 or week 2...I did continue to walk briskly for an extra 35 minutes. I'm also planning on doing some Callanetics and yoga this week.

I have a subscription at audible.com, which has some good deals on audio books if your library doesn't have them.

[WolfmanJacque]

Originally Posted by GoingHome

W1D1 down. I was a happy camper before starting out - the scale was down a pound.

Not sure how I feel yet but I DO have to say towards the end I was just about staggering.

It makes me sad that I am so out of shape - I knew it wasn't good....I just just didn't know how bad, lol. Oh well, gotta start somewhere, right?

Have a great Monday everyone.

GoingHome

Congratulations! 1 down, 26 to go!

Not surprising that your body was protesting at the end...it's gotten quite fat 'n happy being sedentary. I'm only on week 2 but am pleasantly surprised how well my body is responding to my newfound emphasis on exercise. I'll wager your next run will be half as unpleasant as this one was!

[WolfmanJacque]

Originally Posted by zinny

Hi all! I just started the program this morning.
It is supposedly the dead of winter right now in Cape Town; August is supposed to be a cold, wet month, but it's been quite mild and today is basically a beach day with forecast for 24C/75F. So couldn't make any kind of weather excuses...

I did get kind of freaked out before starting that it would be too hard, that my heart or knees wouldn't be able to handle it. But once I got down to the beach, it was no problem....in fact maybe it was too easy? I'm wondering if I should skip ahead to week 2 on Wednesday, or if it's better to have the whole thing feel gradual... I'm sure it will catch up soon!

I've read a number of posts in this thread, and one of the common denominators of people having problems with C25K seems to be trying to do too much, too soon. The C25K folks even say that one of the major reasons people fail is running too fast, too often. Week 4 appears to be the biggest wall people hit.

I'm like you, I want to push ahead. I'm gritting my teeth and telling myself I will NOT go more than 3 times a week and I will follow this program EXACTLY. It's not easy. I compromise (like you) by walking an additional 10-25 minutes afterwards (it's the nice part of summer here, which makes it easier).

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

I'm behind in posting. Glad to see newbies.

Ran Saturday night. Still on Week 5, because I can't do 20 mins solid yet (Gina, you're a better woman than I).

My way:

Walked 3
Ran 5
Walked 2
Ran 10
Walked 2
Ran 8
Walked 2
Ran 5
Walked 3

Energy was in the toilet. Hoping for a better night tonight.

[wall]

I clicked on that feedburner suzy podcast deal. That looks way funner then the traditional ullrey i'm using.


___

howdy new folks, welcome

hey wolf & zinny, thats how i did it. sure i'm not too fatigued the first couple weeks but its the gradual change thats most important. keep plugging away and follow the recommended schedule. dont worry youll get your challenge once you try 5, then 8 then 10, then 20 minutes


Ran day2 week 7 Sat morning, ran day3 week 7 last night.

Bring on week 8 (28 minutes nonstop)

[GoingHome]

I had lots of energy last night and had to make myself go to bed but I woke up this morning and could hardly get out of bed....my thighs are burning! Yikes!

And of course I am weird enough like all of you to think "it's a good kind of burn". LOL Hopefully the yoga will help work it out this morning - either way I will be W1D2 tomorrow morning.

Have a great day all!

GoingHome

[psigna]

I did two 10 minute stretches in my run last night!!! This is the best that I have ever done.

Walk 6
run 10
walk 4
run 10
walk 7

[GoingHome]

Psigna,

That is AWESOME!

I can't even imagine doing that - when I get there I may have to take out a full page ad in the local paper.

GoingHome

[wall]

Originally Posted by GoingHome

Psigna,

That is AWESOME!

I can't even imagine doing that - when I get there I may have to take out a full page ad in the local paper.

GoingHome

[WolfmanJacque]

Week 2 Day 2 complete!

The uphills are getting noticeably easier...they still hurt, and hurt pretty badly, but I don't feel like I'm dying anymore. I've also noticed the "brisk walks" between jogging intervals are much faster.

[psigna]

Originally Posted by GoingHome

Psigna,

That is AWESOME!

I can't even imagine doing that - when I get there I may have to take out a full page ad in the local paper.

GoingHome

I know!!!! When I came in, I so wanted to share, but my husband was konked out on the recliner, and he did not hear me!!!!

It did feel like I am finally accomplishing something!!

[skeeweeaka]

Hello all, I'm fairly new to these boards but have been doing the C25K Program and posting on coolrunning.com. I hope you guys don't mind if I join. I have just started week 5 and completed day one yesterday... Tomorrow I will complete day two. I was happy with my run and felt very good about it. I initially started this to lose weight, but haven't lost much and continue to lose and regain the same 5 pounds... But, I want to become a runner so I keep pushing forward... I've also decided to start weight training in my home using free weights so we will see how that goes... I've got to have the flabbiest arms in the world, heavy sigh!

Looking forward to getting to know all of you...

Hope everyone has a great day!

TJ