Couch to 5k
 

Has anyone done the couch to 5k program. I started this week and I'd love some running buddies and some feedback on what's worked or not worked for you guys.

If anyone needs links to couch to 5k websites let me know.

I have! I love that program! I went from not being able to run at all to actually enjoying running and doing it often. I ran my frist 5K in January and run 3 since then. I am doing a 10K next weekend. I highly recommend the program. There are some podcasts you can download also that are set to music that helped me. Good luck! you can do it!

Saraanne- I'm currently doing that program. I absolutely love it!! I'm on Week3/Day 1. I have never been a "runner" so I was skeptical about how I would do. I can honestly say that I think this is the best way to work yourself slowly into running a 5K.

I downloaded the application on my iPhone. I have a playlist set up for the 1/2 hour the run lasts. I shuffle it so I get new order of songs everytime.

I signed up for my first 5K on May 2nd. I'm nervous and excited! Do you run outside or on a treadmill? I'm in Mass, so the weather doesn't always cooperate this time of year. I've done mine on the treadmill so far. Hope to get outdoors soon!

Kate- your stats are spectacular. You've lost around the same amount I'd like to lose. You're an inspiration!!

I'm running outside right now. I'm in Nashville at its between 35 and 50 these days. It will be 65 this weekend so its perfect. The biggest problem we have are the hills. They are killer around here. My first 5k is on May 1. I'm all signed up and ready to go. I even bought new shoes yesterday. My very first pair of running shoes.

I'm really hoping that the running revs up my weight loss.

sara

Hi Saraanne,
Can you please give me the link? If I were in your area I would definitely buddy up with you but I'm in NJ.

I did it a couple months ago! I loved it but then got an injury during my 7th week! I have NEVER been a runner and well....i hate it. But I know its a great way to get your calorie burn in so I wanted to it. Plus I really want to be able to run 5ks +. Anywho....the runs get tougher but you will surprise yourself. Once I got to the straight 20 min run (i think week 7) I was able to do the entire 20 mins without stopping. It was such an accomplishment. I stood on the treadmill crying! lol! Good thing I had 2 good friends running on either side of me for support. Its such a great feeling. I just recently started trying to get back into the running. Haven't done so well....BUT I will be doing the C25K again asap! Good Luck! You will do great :)

I'm thinking of doing the Couch to 5K as well. My sisters are runners and my one sister has been trying to get me to do this for a while. I don't know though. I really don't like running. I walk 4 or 5 times a week and it's starting to not feel like I'm working hard enough. Do those of you who do this program recommend doing it on a treadmill or outside? Flat surface/hills? I think I would feel good if I did it...it's all about the motivation to run, which I don't really have.

I think treadmills or outside are both great. You can do whatever you are most comfortable with. If you do a treadmill most of the blogs I've read tell you to set an incline once you get comfortable with it. I usually do a 1 incline but that's not much at all. Everyone has their own style. My run is more like a shuffle and I'm really slow but I AM NOT A RUNNER. My husband is super runner so its embarrassing to run next to him. :)

Once you start, though, you'll be addicted. I love it.

Good luck!

I did the c25K a year ago and ran my first 5K last year on July 4th. I had never been a runner before and it felt great. Soon after we sold our house and moved twice (once into a rental, then into a house we had built). We have not been in our new house 1 month, and I really want to start the program again. I am on day 5 of MWL, and don't want to start this week, but I think I will start in a week or so. It really was an easy to follow program, and I was amazed that I was actually able to run a 5K. It took my 12 weeks to do the 9 week program because there were a couple of weeks that I repeated until I felt more confident.

There are a few different applications: Couch to 5K, C25K (Couch to 5K), and Get Running (Couch to 5K). I was just wondering which you tried.

Thanks!

I'm a slow runner too. I started exercising Nov 29 and all I could do was walk at a 2.5 pace with 0 incline. 35lbs lighter and 4mths later I can jog/run at a pace of 3.8 and 0 incline for 30 minutes straight or jog/run at a pace of 3.5 and an incline of 2 for 20 minutes straight. To me that is huge! I say jog/run because to me it feels like I'm running but at the same time I can see other people walking at a 5.5 pace. I can't do that and again I'm a slow walker and runner

Sshals-

I downloaded "Couch to 5k". The icon is a brown square with "5k" in white writing.

I'm running my first 5k on Sunday! I have a friend who just ran the Boston Marathon. He started running through a variation of the C25K program. Trust me, I do not aspire to run a marathon!! It does give me hope that I'm heading in the right direction.

Peace...
Sue

That's great! Let us know how it goes :D

My husband and I signed up for a 1/2 marathon in November! We wil probably walk it! I love running though! I've done a few 5ks and a half marathon before. Did the C25K training and it was ok. The music was annoying though. Lol

I signed up for a 5K in June. Last year I signed up for it and I walked it. I came in place 350 out of 356! Eager to see what happens this year.

I did the C25K about a year ago, and ran a 5K last summer. I am getting ready to start it again this week. I ran last night just to see where I was at and I did way better than I thought I would. I am looking forward to running again. I plan to run a 1/2 Marathon Feburary 2011 with some friends of mine.

Hey everyone! Just wanted to share the fact that I ran my first 5k today!!!

It was extraordinarily hot & humid for Massachusetts today...90 degrees. I wanted to finish quicker, but my time ended up being 41:17. Typically, I run it at around 35 minutes. New England hasn't been very warm lately, and I just started my training in February. Judging by my time today, the heat simply KILLED ME!! :stars:

Ok- done with my excuses. I am truly thrilled to have conquered this milestone. I was completely sedentary up until I started to walk in mid January. Thankfully, I discovered C25K in February and it has completely changed my life!! I've lost 71.4 lbs in 17wks and I know it's in large part to the running I've been doing!

Medi and C25K have been a godsend to me!:notwrthy:

WOW Mom on a Mission! Congratulations on your first 5K!!!! That is so great and you must feel so awesome! I've said it before, and I'll say it again. You are truly an inspiration to me!

I posted in the May section that I just ran a mile without stopping and that is an accomplishment for me...but I do want to get up to that 5K point soon. I haven't been following the C25K program, but sort of altering it a little. I'm thinking I should just suck it up and do the program though. Then at least I will know when I'll be ready for the 5K!

Question for Couch to 5K: Did anyone use a treadmill to do this or did you all do this outside with a stop watch? :confused:

I'd like to incorporate this into my gym time and I'm trying to figure out how to do this on the treadmill.

Thanks :p

GirlinJersey-

Thanks so much for the kind words. It's so flattering to be considered someone's inspiration! I've worked really hard over the fast 4 months and am very happy with my results!

You are doing so well...keep up all of your hard work! MWL an exercise together are key to your success. Sounds corny, but it's so true!

I saw your post re. running that whole mile...FANTASTIC!! You should be so proud. It seems like it should be so easy, but it really isn't!! Believe me, I know what an accomplishment that is. Doing a modified version of C25K is great. I would highly recommend the real deal if you can do it. It really motivated me and kept me on track. My "graduation" day from the program was also the day of the 5K! It was all very emotional in the end. My husband and 3 of my 4 daughters were there cheering me...amazing. I hope you get to experience a 5k, sounds like you're on the right path.

Hi Dragonfire!

I did 95% of the program on the treadmill. I live in New England and started in Mid-February and just finished it this past Sunday. It should be easy to fit into your gym schedule. I manually adjusted the speed when told to either walk/run. I never had any issues with it. Once I got more confident, I would add inclines.

Good Luck!

Ok so I am now following the Couch to 5K (for the most part). So I started with the week 3, since I had already been building up to that part. However, I really wanted to do more than the 2 cycles of what the week called for. So I did 3 and then ran and walked an extra lap. It came out to 3 miles (used my treadmill). I really want to do the program the right way, but it wasn't enough distance or enough of a workout. Does that make sense?? I may just sound crazy. But I do see that the distance increases as the weeks go on, so hopefully I'll level out with the program soon. I'm excited to be doing this though...and I already feel better physically!

Congrats to you! That is wonderful. C25K is a great program! I ran my first 5k in January this year and recently completed my first 10K. Feels great to cross that finish line! Keep up the great work!