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

[GME]

Originally Posted by WATCH-ME-SHRINK

Began to run, and I noticed that my energy kicked in after five minutes or so, but ironically, I got another surge after about 24 mins. It's just about the time your body wants to talk you out of KEEPIN ON, and then BAM, the surge comes out of nowhere and you're on autopilot again. Is that happening to anyone else?

It's like there are levels. And if you listen to your body, pace yourself, breathe, etc., and just relax into it, eventually you get recharged. That's just the coolest feeling!

This is so true! The first five miutes are always the hardest for me. I catch myself thinking "Tell me again why we are doing this?" I just ride it out. Sometimes that feeling will come back later in the run, but usually not.

Its also quite a feeling to be able to push yourself with sprints or a faster pace and then recover while still running.

[laurakitty]

Finished week 7

[free to be me]

Originally Posted by WATCH-ME-SHRINK

Began to run, and I noticed that my energy kicked in after five minutes or so, but ironically, I got another surge after about 24 mins. It's just about the time your body wants to talk you out of KEEPIN ON, and then BAM, the surge comes out of nowhere and you're on autopilot again. Is that happening to anyone else?

It's like there are levels. And if you listen to your body, pace yourself, breathe, etc., and just relax into it, eventually you get recharged. That's just the coolest feeling!

Gonna try for my next run Tuesday morning, weather permitting.

Twyla...That happens to me. The first five mins are the hardest...by min 8 I'm in a groove. Just about at 24-26 mins, my body wants to stop and then WHOOSH! I can out right RUN in a total surge of energy. I love to sprint the last 2 mins...it is a rush I am enjoying my 30 min runs this week. 2 more runs to "graduation" I think it is a combination of music and drive. I know I dread the first 5-7 mins...so I put really inspiring...motivating songs there...then I get the "groove" songs and finally I put my BIG time inspiring tunes for the last push. I close with another "push" song in case I am not quite "done" with my run then I force a very slow soft song to reel me back in. Sounds funny, eh? I am trying to respect the program and need for my body to "build up" to running longer. I was reading up on the "One Hour Runner program. I like hanging at about 3-4 miles for a few more months! Now that I have learned to LOVE running I don't want to hurt myself!

Thanks for all your inspiring posts!!

[free to be me]

Originally Posted by GME

Its also quite a feeling to be able to push yourself with sprints or a faster pace and then recover while still running.

I so get that feeling too!! I enjoy "pacing" and then pushing then recovering while still running...what a feeling!

[free to be me]

Gina,
I just read about your race! WOW great job! I can't wait to get a cup of water and crush it! I loved your commentary. Great job!!

[kelley17]

Gina Congrats!

Everyone else sounds like you are doing great. And thanks for the tips because my second run was much better this weekend. I'm planning on tackling the 3rd day of week 6 today. A little nervouse but going to be positive! Have a lovely day

[free to be me]

Originally Posted by kelley17

I'm planning on tackling the 3rd day of week 6 today. A little nervouse but going to be positive! Have a lovely day

** GO KELLEY ** GO KELLEY ** GO KELLEY **

[kelley17]

Just finished W6D3 I noticed what Twyla and Alissa were talking about. Little struggle in the beginning felt great in the middle and the last 3 minutes were difficult.

Have a great weekend everyone

[zinny]

Hi! I wound up putting my c25k program on pause as I joined a real-life boot camp 3 days a week which left me wiped out! Those sessions were very intense, I exerted myself way more than with the c25k. (If I hadn't already been doing the c25k when boot camp started, I don't think I would have lasted there too long!) We did do some running--sometimes in the beach sand, whew--so I am hoping to come back more or less where I left off, in week 6.

This morning I did my own version of W6D2.5--the two 20-minute runs as on D3, plus a 3rd 5-minute run after a few minutes of walking. I felt great, especially during that last 5 minutes. I think doing W6D3 on Wed (25 minutes straight) should be fine.

While there is no question that my fitness levels have improved in the past few months, I really am not seeing any visual changes yet. My clothes are all fitting the same--and I just got on the scale for the first time in a few months, and I've *gained 5 pounds! Arrg. I am at a bit of a loss here. I wonder if this means that I still need way more cardio than I'm getting? I thought that an overweight body would respond quickly to any increase in exercise. I eat enough of a very clean diet, plenty of water, etc. I started up with Callanetics again, in earnest this time, so I can hopefully at least go down a size or two that way. I'm also going to get in more walking *every day.

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

Originally Posted by zinny

While there is no question that my fitness levels have improved in the past few months, I really am not seeing any visual changes yet. My clothes are all fitting the same--and I just got on the scale for the first time in a few months, and I've *gained 5 pounds! Arrg. I am at a bit of a loss here. I wonder if this means that I still need way more cardio than I'm getting? I thought that an overweight body would respond quickly to any increase in exercise. I eat enough of a very clean diet, plenty of water, etc. I started up with Callanetics again, in earnest this time, so I can hopefully at least go down a size or two that way. I'm also going to get in more walking *every day.

Zinny, are you tracking your food via Fitday or some other program? Calories add up much quicker than we realize.

It's important to track our food to see how our body responds to what we're fueling it with. We can overdo any ONE macronutrient, based on our individual metabolisms. Some people do better on more carbs, some less; some need more protein for fat burning, others less; etc.

Tracking our food is probably the SINLGE most important tool in allowing us to pinpoint our hurdles.

Just a thought.

Glad you're headed back to Callanetics. That's one workout I plan to do till I'm 100, God willing.

As for me, I got in my three runs last week. I'm due one for tomorrow morning, but the lows will be in the 20's tonight, so I'm gonna switch gears and get a run in after work this evening, then TJ in the morning.

Everyone have a good day.

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

Oh, yeah, one more thing I forogt.

I seem to be in the minority of those who really enjoy the Ullrey style music.

But for those like me, might want to check out the Hallelujah Chorus on Mannheim Steamroller's Christmas CD (I forget the name of this one, but it's red, and HC is the first selection on the CD -- check Amazon).

Great techno style and tempo for running, jubilant, "Christmasy," .... okay, I know. I got it bad.

[free to be me]

DONE!!

I feel great and am looking forward to keeping up the 30 mins 3 times a week for 3 more months before progressing to The One Hour Run

[kelley17]

Alissa,


I just completed W7D1 and feel great!

[GME]

Originally Posted by free to be me

DONE!!

I feel great and am looking forward to keeping up the 30 mins 3 times a week for 3 more months before progressing to The One Hour Run

Congratulations!!!!

[free to be me]

Thanks Kelley and Gina

Gina...I have to tell you when I start feeling my legs get heavy in my run...I think about your siggy and start saying in my head "Every run, every step leaves a little fat behind me..." And you know what?? It works

Kelley, I am so glad your run left you feeling good!!!

[free to be me]

Gina, Did you go right into the One Hour Runner program after teh C25K or did you wait? I am very interested in the One Hour Runner program but heard it was best to wait until I had been running for about 6 months.

Do you have a link to the One Hour Runner program you did?

Thanks for your assistance!! Who would have ever thought that I could learn to run and LOVE IT at 40!!

[kelley17]

Originally Posted by free to be me

Gina, Did you go right into the One Hour Runner program after teh C25K or did you wait? I am very interested in the One Hour Runner program but heard it was best to wait until I had been running for about 6 months.

Do you have a link to the One Hour Runner program you did?

Thanks for your assistance!! Who would have ever thought that I could learn to run and LOVE IT at 40!!

Alissa, what about doing the 8K training first and then moving on to the one hour runner?

[zinny]

Thanks for your suggestion Twyla! I am reluctant to track my food cause it kind of makes me crazy (um..obsessed). Instead I've tweaked my food options a bit (went all raw last week and just feeling incredible) and am upping my daily walking. I think that I probably overestimated how many calories I was burning with the intense cardio sessions...not enough to give up my regular walking program. I think that both of these together may do the trick.

So I finished W6D3! I wasn't sure if I had run 20 minutes straight or not when I was younger but I can say with 99% accuracy that 25 minutes straight is the longest I've ever run without stopping. (For sure I've never done 30.)

Unfortunately when I went for W7D1, I felt terrible after about 15 minutes and walked the rest of the way...a few hours later I was running a fever, so I guess it was good I stopped then. I'm now back to another session of boot camp, so won't get to finish this program up till end of the year!

[GME]

Originally Posted by free to be me

Gina...I have to tell you when I start feeling my legs get heavy in my run...I think about your siggy and start saying in my head "Every run, every step leaves a little fat behind me..." And you know what?? It works

Lifts your butt up too.

I went straight to OHR. I can't remember exactly where I found the scheduled originally, but its here: Becoming a One Hour Runner | OHR running program I just printed it and hung it on my fridge with a pencil to check off the days as I ran them. Its just straight times so you don't need podcasts or anything.

Lots of folks post about it on Runningahead.com too.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[free to be me]

Thanks Gina! I appreciate the links. I am planning on progressing with the one hour runner...I am think I can begin to work on the one hour runner program! I like it!!!

Kelley...Yes...you are so right...I should look at the 8K program...it is like what i had set up anyway! Thanks GF!!

[laurakitty]

Finally finished week 8 (had the flu )

[kelley17]

Originally Posted by laurakitty

Finally finished week 8 (had the flu )

Sorry you had the flu and glad you are feeling better

[kelley17]

Just got back from W7D2 and while the day is beautiful my run was a struggle. I think because i wasn't entirely into it - thinking about all I need to do today

[laurakitty]

Week 9 day 1 done