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

[rainbowlaserdragon]

Originally Posted by wall

This alone has me stoked...

Wall...you rock!!

[skeeweeaka]

Tomorrow is week six and I cannot believe that I am actually on week six... How did that happen? Will report in afterwards... Good luck all...

TJ

[psigna]

Went to the road today, husband and daughter were going so I went too.


I am not ready for the road. I did go .4 of a mile, but it is so much harder on my legs than my treadmill. Calves are still hurting, 12 hours later. It could be partially state of mind, I was pretty psyched out, but I know that I have lots more training to do before I will be able to really function on the road. Some people may say that the treadmill gives a false sense of accomplishment, but I guess that is what I need right now. Back to the treadmill for me tomorrow.

[wall]

twyla - Congrats! I know the feeling

skee - welcome to week 6

newer folks - its a marathon not a sprint. Build up the strength in your legs over time. If you got that much energy to burn, try biking or weight training on your rest day (?????)

ps - pounding concrete is tough. Its all tough. My legs only stop getting sore after about 2 days rest. I figure, I'm constantly increasing the distance so my legs never really get a chance to be "content". We are in this challenge....always pushing our legs to go further. At some point youll be able to build strength to hit the pavement. Its like any challenge, you attack it. But do it smart, its not worth hurting ourselves or causing injury. Youre doing great.

[WolfmanJacque]

Completed Week 3 Day 2 today!

Shook off a nasty two pound weight gain over the weekend (too much salt, water retention!) and took my new running shoes out on the trail. WOW, what a difference. I got cocky and decided to go UP the dreaded "rollercoaster hill" near my house, three minutes jogging up a trail at roughly an 75% incline. My heart monitor was chirping like crazy, my heart rate rose to an alltime high of 188 (111% of "maximum") and it took exactly 3 minutes to climb the entire beast. I felt like Rocky at the top of the steps of city hall when I reached the top of that hill!

The new shoes really allowed me to rock and roll today. One odd side effect was at the very end of my last jog, I was motoring up a tiny hill and my legs felt "funny"....not painful, just..odd. I realized my legs were dead: I'd run out of energy to the point of physical muscle fatigue. It's been quite a long time (18+ years!) since I've felt that feeling...usually my blood sugar will plummet first, or I'll get leg cramps or sore joints, or get "out of breath". Physical muscle fatigue (aka "hitting the wall") was a feeling I hadn't experienced in a long time!

[skeeweeaka]

Well I completed week 6, day 1 today and it felt good. Kind of odd to go back to intervals after the 20 minute run, but looking forward to Friday's 25 minute run... Still can't believe this is week 6....who knew I could do this!!!

TJ

[skeeweeaka]

Double post...

[lcleo]

Can I just say how not fond of running I am lol. My trainers going to have me start out slowly (10 min)on wed. and build from there. I usally do 12 mile walks but not running so this should be interesting. Running suppose to be the best for fat loss too.

[grandmoo]

Hi! I am doing C25K as well and today will be Week 6 Day 1 for me. I started on the treadmill the first week, then decided I would go outdoors so the dog could go with me. He's a 110lb lab who obviously needs this as much as I do!

I normally do this in the morning, but Mondays usually end up in the afternoon after work. I also do more than the 3x per week, I know I probably shouldn't, but it hasn't seemed to bother me so far.

I will introduce myself better later (I'm at work right now) but was thrilled to find this (Thanks Twyla!).

[skeeweeaka]

Originally Posted by lcleo

Can I just say how not fond of running I am lol. My trainers going to have me start out slowly (10 min)on wed. and build from there. I usally do 12 mile walks but not running so this should be interesting. Running suppose to be the best for fat loss too.

Well that is what I was told, but I haven't lost much in the 5 weeks that I have been doing it....I only run 3 times per week... I'm hoping I have a whoosh soon! Good luck to you!!!

TJ

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

Originally Posted by psigna

Went to the road today, husband and daughter were going so I went too.


I am not ready for the road. I did go .4 of a mile, but it is so much harder on my legs than my treadmill. Calves are still hurting, 12 hours later. It could be partially state of mind, I was pretty psyched out, but I know that I have lots more training to do before I will be able to really function on the road. Some people may say that the treadmill gives a false sense of accomplishment, but I guess that is what I need right now.

Don't be so hard on yourself. Take it easy, baby steps, and you'd be surprised at how far/easy you'll progress.

POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING!

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

Originally Posted by grandmoo

Hi! I am doing C25K as well and today will be Week 6 Day 1 for me. I started on the treadmill the first week, then decided I would go outdoors so the dog could go with me. He's a 110lb lab who obviously needs this as much as I do!

I normally do this in the morning, but Mondays usually end up in the afternoon after work. I also do more than the 3x per week, I know I probably shouldn't, but it hasn't seemed to bother me so far.

I will introduce myself better later (I'm at work right now) but was thrilled to find this (Thanks Twyla!).

Grandmooooooooooooo!

Glad you're with us....we'll have to keep each other accountable!

Welcome to all newbies.

Had my first day of Week 6 tonight, modified -- Have I ever mentioned I have control-freak tendencies?

Walked 5
Ran 6
Walked 2
Ran 11
Walked 2
Ran 7
Walked 3
Ran 6
Walked 5

I was afraid if I went back to smaller intervals, I'd get too comfy with that and Day 2 would seem harder with the 10-min run intervals.

My report card should read:

Does not follow directions well.

I am so loving this challenge, the running. It is GREAT!

[psigna]

Thank you for the encouraging words. I am trying to focus on the fact that 4 months ago, I could not run to the mailbox, much less around the block.

I went back to the treadmill tonight. I did 0.5 mile. My leg has been sore all day, so that is all of the running that I did. I walked too, so I still got a work out in.

[GME]

Week 5 OHR down for me tonight! 38 minutes straight and I did it!

Its great to see so many folks here doing C25K. You all can sooo do this! I can barely believe I am reporting a 38 minute run when back in April I was looking at my watch (gasp) wondering (wheeze) when (huff) 45 seconds would be up.

Go us!

[skeeweeaka]

Originally Posted by GME

Week 5 OHR down for me tonight! 38 minutes straight and I did it!

Its great to see so many folks here doing C25K. You all can sooo do this! I can barely believe I am reporting a 38 minute run when back in April I was looking at my watch (gasp) wondering (wheeze) when (huff) 45 seconds would be up.

Go us!

Wow!!!! I am planning on doing the One Hour Run Program after C25K as well.... You are doing wonderfully....just terrrific!

TJ

[grandmoo]

Mornin' guys. As soon as I get my caffeine in I'm headed out to pound the pavement. Would someone be so kind as to summarize the One Hour Run you guys were just talking about? Thanks. I'm pretty sure that when I complete the C25K I won't actually be running 5K-LOL. That would require a 10 minute mile and with my stumpy little legs I just don't see that happening. Back in the 80s (don't laugh at the old lady) I ran 3 miles every day, so I know I can actually go the distance eventually, I just don't see it happening at the end of the C25K...thanks again.

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

Originally Posted by GME

Week 5 OHR down for me tonight! 38 minutes straight and I did it!

Its great to see so many folks here doing C25K. You all can sooo do this! I can barely believe I am reporting a 38 minute run when back in April I was looking at my watch (gasp) wondering (wheeze) when (huff) 45 seconds would be up.

Go us!

GINA IS MY HERO!

[zinny]

Week 2 day 2! Another beautiful day too, if a bit chilly...

[wall]

Originally Posted by WATCH-ME-SHRINK

My report card should read:

Does not follow directions well.

I am so loving this challenge, the running. It is GREAT!

I think several of you ladies like to do it your own way.

Must be tough to take directions from a man (that ullrey podcast fella)



One hour runner 'eh? Ill have to look into that.

Day 3 week 8 tonight.

[skeeweeaka]

Originally Posted by grandmoo

Mornin' guys. As soon as I get my caffeine in I'm headed out to pound the pavement. Would someone be so kind as to summarize the One Hour Run you guys were just talking about? Thanks. I'm pretty sure that when I complete the C25K I won't actually be running 5K-LOL. That would require a 10 minute mile and with my stumpy little legs I just don't see that happening. Back in the 80s (don't laugh at the old lady) I ran 3 miles every day, so I know I can actually go the distance eventually, I just don't see it happening at the end of the C25K...thanks again.

Hello.... The One Hour Running Program can be found at the bottom of this thread below....the title is Becoming a One Hour Runner.... Hope you find this useful info...1997 Health, Fitness & Training Programs - Norm St. Onge 0902

TJ

[GME]

Would someone be so kind as to summarize the One Hour Run you guys were just talking about? Thanks.

I found it on the web after hearing someone else talk about it. I don't know the link but I'm sure you can google it.

Basically, its a week by week program like C25K designed to take you from running 30 min straight to 60. The first three weeks are 3, 30 min runs (I counted week 6 of C25K as week 1 of OHR). In the fourth week, you start extending two of the runs and they get longer as the weeks go by. For example, in week 5 I ran 30 min, 32 min and 38 min. The idea is the one long run per week extends your endurance. So far, its working for me. That long run is always a challenge, but not impossible.

I printed it and hung it on my fridge and every time I do one of the runs I check it off. My schedule is kind of wonky and like Twyla, I don't always follow directions so I don't hold strictly to the "weeks." If I can, I run twice on weekends (because I like the mornings but can't get out before work) and try to do two more during the week.

[myanv]

Wow running for an hour is an amazing feat. I cant even imagine myself running for 30!

I am repeating week 1

w1 day 1 until I get comfortable enough to move on. I can feel myself getting stronger and less winded. I enjoyed it today yay

[Suzanne]

Originally Posted by psigna

Went to the road today, husband and daughter were going so I went too.


I am not ready for the road. I did go .4 of a mile, but it is so much harder on my legs than my treadmill. Calves are still hurting, 12 hours later. It could be partially state of mind, I was pretty psyched out, but I know that I have lots more training to do before I will be able to really function on the road. Some people may say that the treadmill gives a false sense of accomplishment, but I guess that is what I need right now. Back to the treadmill for me tomorrow.

Running on any surface other than a treadmill IS harder. When you want to do some serious training--say for your first 5k race--it's very important to train on the same surface you plan to race on. Your muscles learn to adapt and protect your body from injury on whatever surface you train on regularly. If you reach the 5K level on a treadmill, then try to run a 5K race on concrete, chances are that you will injure yourself. I run almost all year on concrete and asphalt, as I know I will race on concrete and asphalt. The only time I use the dreadmill is when it's too frigging hot outside to run more than a few miles. Shoes are also very important.

WTG to all you Couch to 5Kers. I started with this program via www dot halhigdon dot com after the birth of my daughter in late 2004. And followed with 10K, 15K, Half Marathon, and finally Full Marathon. YOU CAN DO IT!!!! Baby steps is all it takes.

Come visit the Tearing up the Track, Trail, and Treadmill group; as one member says, there is a place for every pace.