I am a Couch to 5K Graduate!!!

[GME]

Ran week 9 day 3 this morning. Go me!! When I started I honestly didn't really think I would finish, but I did. I haven't run a 5k race yet, there aren't any near me until November, but I am registered!

Anyone who has given any thought to wanting to run... TRY IT! Get the podcasts (it makes the early stages soooooo much easier), some good shoes and go for it! Look at my stats. I am 38 lbs over my short-term goal, and at least 60 over where the charts say I should be. For a long time I thought I should wait until I was "in shape" to try it, but how did I think I was going to get "in shape"

Running is amazing, it has changed my outlook on so many things and has given me measurable progress when the scale wasn't cooperating. The C25K program is very well put together too. Every new step was a stretch, but doable and the feeling of accomplishment when I ran 5, 8 and 20 minutes straight for the first time can't be beat.

I just can't say enough good things about the whole experience. Try it, try it, try it!

[cleochatra]

Congratulations! I am so proud of you!

[dointhis4me]

Congratulations!! I downloaded the podcasts (have to say, I hate the music) and have even started a couple times but have never followed it through.
You are such an inspiration!

[JerseyGirl1969]

I'm jealous. I've got a chronic pulled muscle area that came from running, so I'm supposed to stay away. One day I hope to try again.

[sweet&sugarfree]

Gina you should be really really proud!!! Congratulations!!!

[kaywood]

Gina you have inspired me. I downloaded the podcasts a couple months ago, got started, but then aborted. You have inspired me to get going. I have a longheld belief that "I cannot be a jogger". There is of course no truth to this belief and my new motto in life is "Do the thing you think you cannot do----Eleanor Roosevelt". So the belief that I cannot be a jogger is the next myth to bust on my list.

[kelley17]

Gina - Congrats. I have downloaded the 4 weeks to 1 mile (too chicken to start with the 5k) and still haven't gotten my butt out there. I think I just may start this week. Congrats and keep posting your progress to inspire others!

[Sharon]

Congratulations

I know that people workout with iPods but for safety, it's best not to use them. One needs to be conscious of all your surroundings. Also, wear some ID and if possible take a cell phone. Let someone know where you are going and about when you should return. There's been times that I have gone out for 4+ hours when training for a marathon, I make sure that my husband knows exactly which way I'm going. I once had some odd men pushing a car over the levee in front of me so I held up my cell phone and said "do you need me to call someone for you" when I was ready to push 911 for me.

[Kris T.]

Congrats!!!

[BeThin]

Congratulations..

[ab1ht]

Nice job. Keep up the good work and update us on the 5K.

-Paul

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

WAY
TO
GO
GINA !!!!!!!!!!!

Count me in. I'm ready!

I listened to the first podcast this morning, and I LOVE THIS MUSIC! This would be so inspiring.

YOU are inspiring. NOW look what you've done!

[debbiedo]

Congratulations. I love to run and find it is an addiction now. I have also met tons of new friends and have never had a better body in my life.

See if there are running clubs nearby. They hold races and they hold training programs. I of course think there is no better club then mine but I am prejudice when it comes to my club.

Great job and hope you keep enjoying it.

[metqa]

Congratulation. I'm glad to see a real person who has done this succesfully. That's more motivation for me to get down to it.

I started to do the c25k and the second time I went out my mp3 player broke. I don't wear watches, and I cant do it without some kind of music. I don't really care for the podcasts that were offerred so I built my own mix of 60 and 90 sec songs and I just switched when the song changed. It seems really cool, and I want to start again. I get really winded in a strange way when I exercise now and I want to get back into aerobic type exercises like I used to. This seem so moderate and baby-steps like. Doesn' seem like something that I could hurt myself with, unlike some other "kill yourself for health" programs


I wish I had a partner. I also want to do the push up challenge and get back into Callanetics. I dunno, is that too much.

[Aprilia]

Congrats! What a fantastic accomplishment.

I'm on week 6 myself and have really enjoyed the program. I'm planning to run my first 5k Labor Day Weekend.

[kelley17]

Originally Posted by metqa

Congratulation. I'm glad to see a real person who has done this succesfully. That's more motivation for me to get down to it.

I started to do the c25k and the second time I went out my mp3 player broke. I don't wear watches, and I cant do it without some kind of music. I don't really care for the podcasts that were offerred so I built my own mix of 60 and 90 sec songs and I just switched when the song changed. It seems really cool, and I want to start again. I get really winded in a strange way when I exercise now and I want to get back into aerobic type exercises like I used to. This seem so moderate and baby-steps like. Doesn' seem like something that I could hurt myself with, unlike some other "kill yourself for health" programs


I wish I had a partner. I also want to do the push up challenge and get back into Callanetics. I dunno, is that too much.

I love callanetics and joined the July challenge. It is tough, but I find I don't watch the clock like I do with my other exercise tapes (waiting for it to be over) and I feel GREAT afterwards! I too am feeling heavy and awkward when I try and do cardio so I decided to do a few weeks of callanetics and then plan to do the 4 weeks to 1 mile before I jump into the couch to 5k.

What is the push up challenge?

[BridgetAllyn]

Congratulations! I did my first 5K (not a race-I mean the program) on April 17. It truly is a wonderful feeling. I do it on my treadmill (two small children at home) so safety isn't much of an issue.


Are you using Robert Ullrey's podcast or podrunner? I like podrunner's podcast. It's music mixes that use beats per minute (bpm) to keep your pace at a certain level. Podrunner also has a C25K program that's decent, too!

Again, congrats! I do think everyone should try it, as well. You'll be surprised how your endurance increases.

[GME]

Thank you everyone for your kind words

Bridget, I used the Ullrey podcasts. I didn't know there were others.

Sharon has soem good ideas about safety. I always carry my phone, it is my MP3 player (I think most new phones have them) I got a disc to hold music and the podcasts and some headphones I can answer the phone and talk through. I run on a wide, flat, firm beach that always has other people on it (surfers and fishermen are earlier risers than I am). And I do keep the MP3 player down so I can still hear pretty well.

Kaywood, I also thought for a long time I "couldn't be a jogger." I told myself all kinds of things like they all hurt themselves, get too skinny, age prematurely... all the while wishing I was one of them.

I have been overweight all of my adult life. I have always wanted to be a fit, healthy person but it seemed like a faraway, unreachable goal with so much weight to lose. But you know what? I looked at myself the other day and realized I run 3x/week... I plan my errands and activities AROUND my exercise schedule... I haven't eaten a cookie or brownie in months and don't care... I own three sports bras and three pairs of running pants (and sometimes they are all dirty)... on my last vacation I hiked, walked, kayaked and wished I had my bike.... I run to the store when we are low on fruits and veggies, not bread... I can walk up a hill and cary on a conversation... I am a fit, healthy person.

I do the things fit, healthy people do. I eat like a fit, healthy person eats, I just have to give my body time to adjust. Its been overweight for 30+ years, it is going to take awhile .

Anyway, thanks again everyone. the support here is amazing

[mimom3]

Good for you!!!

Interval training in the way that Couch to 5K is set up is THE BEST!

[metqa]

Originally Posted by kelley17

I love callanetics and joined the July challenge. It is tough, but I find I don't watch the clock like I do with my other exercise tapes (waiting for it to be over) and I feel GREAT afterwards! I too am feeling heavy and awkward when I try and do cardio so I decided to do a few weeks of callanetics and then plan to do the 4 weeks to 1 mile before I jump into the couch to 5k.

What is the push up challenge?

I always avoided jogging too. I couldn't stand it! I always did sprints or dashes. Run, Recover, Run Recover. I felt like I was dying if I had to keep going on and on and on. I like that the c25k is very much like I used to do. It gives you a recovery time in between. Not so much torture.

one hundred push ups
One hundres push ups- you train yourself so that eventually you can do one hundred pushups all together. The first week I only do 2 push ups then wait 60 seconds. I repeat this 4 times and I'm done. Do it again two more times for one week sesson. Next week I increase to 3 or 4, I can't remember, but you do just a little bit with rests in between. Some people can start with more if they can already do push ups, but I opted to start at the very beginning so I don't hurt myself.

If I had a bar I'd do pull ups too. I'm so weak right now. it's pathetic. I wanna be strong.

[ab1ht]

Metga,

I just downloaded the 100 push-ups program and will start it tomorrow (with my normal core workout).

Thanks for this information.

BTW, if you know of a similar program for pull-ups, I'd love to see it.

-Paul

[Doug K]

Congrats on the good work!

I've just started walking three miles a day again. I've had knee trouble in the past, so I don't want to run on concrete. I bought a pair of walking poles a couple years ago, and I plan to start using them next week.

My goal is to start orienteering again. I've always walked, instead of running. The challenge for me is to find the map points as efficiently as possible.

I will be volunteering (not competing) at the Seattle Night and Day "street scramble" (orienteering in the city) this weekend.

[metqa]

Originally Posted by GME

Sharon has soem good ideas about safety. I always carry my phone, it is my MP3 player (I think most new phones have them) I got a disc to hold music and the podcasts and some headphones I can answer the phone and talk through. I run on a wide, flat, firm beach that always has other people on it (surfers and fishermen are earlier risers than I am). And I do keep the MP3 player down so I can still hear pretty well.

Hmm, My Mother just made me upgrade my phone (I didn't want to)
This new one has a mp3 function too. She wants me to get a big memory card to hold music and stuff. I wasn't impressed. "I have a 1G player, why do I need to carry around a phone to listen to music, psh! "

Well, a few days later my player busted, and It never occured to me to use the phone! But I'd have to buy a card and special ear plugs cause my ears are too small and none of the buds fit. A lot of money just so I can run! but I suppose if one considers the safety stuff, It's not a bad idea to have the cell with you while running so. [sigh] Guess I'd better go order my memory card.

[GME]

Originally Posted by metqa

Hmm, My Mother just made me upgrade my phone (I didn't want to)
This new one has a mp3 function too. She wants me to get a big memory card to hold music and stuff. I wasn't impressed. "I have a 1G player, why do I need to carry around a phone to listen to music, psh! "

Well, a few days later my player busted, and It never occured to me to use the phone! But I'd have to buy a card and special ear plugs cause my ears are too small and none of the buds fit. A lot of money just so I can run! but I suppose if one considers the safety stuff, It's not a bad idea to have the cell with you while running so. [sigh] Guess I'd better go order my memory card.

I got a 2 gig at Costco for $25 a couple of months ago. Verizon tried to sell me theirs, but this one works just fine.

No advice on the earbuds. My ears are full-size .

[kelley17]

Originally Posted by metqa

I always avoided jogging too. I couldn't stand it! I always did sprints or dashes. Run, Recover, Run Recover. I felt like I was dying if I had to keep going on and on and on. I like that the c25k is very much like I used to do. It gives you a recovery time in between. Not so much torture.

one hundred push ups
One hundres push ups- you train yourself so that eventually you can do one hundred pushups all together. The first week I only do 2 push ups then wait 60 seconds. I repeat this 4 times and I'm done. Do it again two more times for one week sesson. Next week I increase to 3 or 4, I can't remember, but you do just a little bit with rests in between. Some people can start with more if they can already do push ups, but I opted to start at the very beginning so I don't hurt myself.

If I had a bar I'd do pull ups too. I'm so weak right now. it's pathetic. I wanna be strong.

Thanks for the link to 100 push ups - Wow! How strong will you feel when you can do 100 push ups!

I will let you know how I feel next week when I start running - whether or not the callanetics has helped my strength. I just know I feel great after doing it.