C25K! Anyone else in?

[carissanboys]

I completed the program ! It took a few extra weeks due to setbacks such as a cold once I started running outside. But I'm currently running 3 miles outside in 34 minutes.

I started like everyone else. Huffing and puffing to run 60 seconds back in February. I was amazed when I could run 5 minutes without stopping and just the thought of running 8 minutes seemed like an eternity. But if you can stay with it, progress comes quickly.

My first 5K race is coming up in a little over three weeks and I feel good about it. I would have never believed it, but at 41 years old I am proud to say "I am a runner".

I'm so looking forward to running around Crescent Lake next month!

Congrats!! You're running at a good pace too.

I am happy to report that I just ran my last 30 min run. I am a C25K graduate!!!!!
I'm not yet running 5K but still....

Amanda

Way to go, Amanda!! I'm still not running a 5K either, but I'm almost there.


Congrats to any other graduates and everyone else working through the program! The other day I ran for 30 minutes straight at 4.5 so I'm slowly increasing my speed. Hoping to get to 5.0 (12 minute mile) in another couple of weeks.

 

[flipflopmom]

Just stopping in for a little for those on the program. I started Feb. 8, finished, and I am now consistently running 10-12 miles a week and loving it. Well, not during the run, but afterwards. I am still rather slow, 11 minute miles, but I am an endurance person, not a speed.

I participated in my first public run Monday, a torch run for special olympics. Just a group of law enforcement officers, and a few teachers (me). We ran from the sheriff's department to the next county, 17 miles. I ran 7.5 of it, and was extremely pleased!

I've lost 56 pounds since January, with a lot of help from running. Of course, my diet has really changed, too!

You can do it! Good luck!

 

[MommyMcQueen]

Just stopping in for a little for those on the program. I started Feb. 8, finished, and I am now consistently running 10-12 miles a week and loving it. Well, not during the run, but afterwards. I am still rather slow, 11 minute miles, but I am an endurance person, not a speed.

I participated in my first public run Monday, a torch run for special olympics. Just a group of law enforcement officers, and a few teachers (me). We ran from the sheriff's department to the next county, 17 miles. I ran 7.5 of it, and was extremely pleased!

I've lost 56 pounds since January, with a lot of help from running. Of course, my diet has really changed, too!

You can do it! Good luck!

Awesome Job Flipflipmom!!! Congrats on the weight loss! 7.5 miles is awesome! I don't think your slow! But I usually average around 11 min miles too - I too would rather go the distance and not for speed!

I started the C25K the end of March, and finished the end of May. Just ran my first 5K last weekend and it was really fun - totally different running in a timed event - I pushed myself really hard and ran much faster than I ever have before. I felt like I was dying the entire time but I finished it and had a good time. Somehow I finished in 31:38! about 2 minutes faster than I usually run at home. I'm now 2 weeks into a training program for a 10K and I love it. Just ran my first 5 mi today, it was good, and I can't believe I'm running 5 miles when 3 months ago I couldn't hardly make 60 seconds.

Good luck to everyone out there doing the C25K!!! I remember reading on this thread on my first few weeks of C25K and remember thinking that I'd never make it to W7-8-9! I too, have never been a runner and hated running my entire life, but it is a great program and you can do it! Stick to it and push through!

 

[tiring_day]

I gave up on the C25K after week 3 but I don't feel bad. I was having problems fitting this is with life in general and starting the gym. However I did not give up on the running and included it in my gym workouts. Well I have now ran 2 30minute 5k's on the treadmill on a hill course (without any walking) and have also ran to 32min 5k's around the streets surrounding my place of work (with walking). It is still hard when it gets towards the end of the distance but so very satisfying when I complete it. I still think this is a great program and if I fall off the running wagon I would use it to start again.

steve

 

[Lilmattie13]

OMG! OMG! OMG! I just did day one of C25K. Oh boy it was awful lol

I did it and got through all it asked me to do but not very well lol

I have lost almost 100 pounds since last Nov. I am signed up with my husband to do the Mickey's family 5k in Oct. We did EE 5k last Sept and boy was that awful lol Not only was it tough but we had monsoon rains which were literally up to our knees by the end of the race.

I am hoping for a much better outcome this Oct especially with the weight loss however I do have knee problems.

When I did day one today my knee acted up a bit so thats why I think it was so tough. I am hoping it will get easier.
My exercise routine it usually elliptical 3x a week for 45 min. I can pump out three miles on that ok but the treadmill was so much tougher.

So now for the advice need.... I was wondering if I should repeat day one again in two days or if I should press on. I know some people repeat but I wasnt sure if it was repeating certain days or whole weeks. I am a little afraid of going ahead if just day one gave me so much grief lol

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I read all these people who say they were here at this point at one time, but it really feels I might be staying at this point rather than ever doing the 5k actually running again lol

 

[wvjules]

OMG! OMG! OMG! I just did day one of C25K. Oh boy it was awful lol

I did it and got through all it asked me to do but not very well lol
I have lost almost 100 pounds since last Nov. I am signed up with my husband to do the Mickey's family 5k in Oct. We did EE 5k last Sept and boy was that awful lol Not only was it tough but we had monsoon rains which were literally up to our knees by the end of the race.

I am hoping for a much better outcome this Oct especially with the weight loss however I do have knee problems.

When I did day one today my knee acted up a bit so thats why I think it was so tough. I am hoping it will get easier.
My exercise routine it usually elliptical 3x a week for 45 min. I can pump out three miles on that ok but the treadmill was so much tougher.

So now for the advice need.... I was wondering if I should repeat day one again in two days or if I should press on. I know some people repeat but I wasnt sure if it was repeating certain days or whole weeks. I am a little afraid of going ahead if just day one gave me so much grief lol

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I read all these people who say they were here at this point at one time, but it really feels I might be staying at this point rather than ever doing the 5k actually running again lol

You completed the run....press on. The biggest problem I had was "trusting the system". However, trust the system. No matter how difficult it was or how slow you ran, if you finished that day then move on to the next day. In a few weeks you will be amazed at how far you've come. (I went back to W1D1 just to see how far I'd come and it was easy-peasy.)

 

[Lilmattie13]

Well I did day two and got through it. It is hard to imagine I will ever be able to do weeks further down the road. I am glad once it is donw. I am hoping to have some of that magic that everyone else seems to have once they are further down the c2k road lol

 

[Lullabee]

So.. I'm a C25K failure.. I've tried it a few times and can never manage to get very far. I am pretty persistent, and finished 3 half marathons earlier this year doing the run/walk thing, but continuous running still eludes me. So I thought 5K running might be a goal I should retry this summer. Any suggestions? I've been running just over a year, and if I'm really pushing myself I can get to about 1.5 miles before I have to stop and walk a bit.

 

[Lilmattie13]

So.. I'm a C25K failure.. I've tried it a few times and can never manage to get very far. I am pretty persistent, and finished 3 half marathons earlier this year doing the run/walk thing, but continuous running still eludes me. So I thought 5K running might be a goal I should retry this summer. Any suggestions? I've been running just over a year, and if I'm really pushing myself I can get to about 1.5 miles before I have to stop and walk a bit.

Hi can I ask a question? How come you couldnt get very far with the C25K? If you are able to run for 1.5 mi consistantly then I would think you would have been able to get through many of the weeks on the program.

What was the part of the program you found difficult?

I am going to start week 2. Week 1 was a little tough for me mostly because I have some knee issues so the knee pain would act up sometimes during the run portion. I am hoping I will be able to press on. I have been icing the knee right after the workout and I wear a knee brace so I am hoping between the two I will be able to get through it.

I made the mistake of looking ahead weeks and am absolutely terrified of the weeks to come but hey we will have to see how it goes.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

I'm one of those people who needs to psych myself up for something... and I have decided that I want to give this a try.

My main concern though is... what are you guys eating before you head out the door? And how long after eating are you running/walking?

 

[Lullabee]

Hi can I ask a question? How come you couldnt get very far with the C25K? If you are able to run for 1.5 mi consistantly then I would think you would have been able to get through many of the weeks on the program.

What was the part of the program you found difficult?

I am going to start week 2. Week 1 was a little tough for me mostly because I have some knee issues so the knee pain would act up sometimes during the run portion. I am hoping I will be able to press on. I have been icing the knee right after the workout and I wear a knee brace so I am hoping between the two I will be able to get through it.

I made the mistake of looking ahead weeks and am absolutely terrified of the weeks to come but hey we will have to see how it goes.

Week 5-6 is where I fall off the wagon. My legs are always fine but my breathing can't keep up with continuous running. I have some low blood pressure issues so just pushing through when I'm not feeling up to it is not a good option for me. I am able to run 1.5 miles consistently now, but that is after running for just over a year. That is slow progress to most people, and certainly not in line with the C25K goal of running 3 miles in 9 weeks. It was my third half marathon before I ever even ran a mile non-stop, so I know I'm doing things out of the normal order.

Try not to get too far ahead of yourself looking at the harder weeks. You'll probably be able to do it once you get there, or you'll be like me and find your own version of being a happy healthy runner. I know it most likely isn't the answer you're looking for, but its ok to take on a slower program, especially if its causing you pain. Its great that you're getting out there period! Good luck with your program and hope your knee feels better!

 

[shellabell]

I started c25k a few weeks ago. This week I am repeating week 3. I want to give myself as much time as I need. In January I took a running class and the week we went from running 3 minutes to 4 minutes I started having problems. Thought it was shin splints, but the Dr thinks I tore a muscle. This time I am trying to be very smart and go as slow as I need too (I tend to get impatient).

 

[traviesojmt]

Hi everyone...I have been reading this thread for a while but haven't posted yet. Background info: I am 37 and definitely overweight. I have lost 28 lbs since March 1st. My DH is deployed so I have been using that as my motivation and timetable. My goal is lose 22 more lbs before he gets back and then another 10 or so to hit my goal. Needless to say, I have NEVER been able to run. I have been working out at the gym for about a year, but never running. So, I started C25K 9 weeks ago. No one is more stunned than me, but I completed the program this morning. In 9 weeks, I only had one day that I couldn't complete (knees were killing me). So now, I need help. While I can run 30 minutes without stopping, I am still really slow. Today was my fastest time yet. I ran 2 miles in 25:55. I am at about 2.4 miles in 30 minutes. So, what do I do now? Do I keep running 30 minutes and try to get faster or do I slowly start adding more time and run longer? I would like to be able to run a 5K eventually. I guess I am just curious for those who have completed the program, what do you know after? Thanks in advance for any and all advice.

Kim

 

[pittsburghmarc]

Congrats Kim!!

If your goal is to run a 5K, I would increase the distance to 3 miles. I completed the program in May and was not much faster than you are now. I ran my first 5K in June and completed it in 34 minutes.

Once you get the 3 miles under your belt, then start working on your time. For me the goal of the program is to run a 5K, not run 30 minutes. Besides, it feels wonderful to finish your first race!

Keep it up!

 

[floridamingo]

I started the program on June 10th and I am halfway done with week four now. I've only lost about five pounds since I have started, but at least I have been consistently loosing 1 - 2 pounds a week. I am hoping to be able to run the Halloween 5k in the MK, but I will have to seriously improve my time. I am coming off of major knee surgery a year and a half ago, so I am only jogging at about 4mph. Technically, I think you can finish the race in the required time at 3.9mph, but I am still doing 5 min jog alternating with 2 min walk. It does get easier as you go, but it can be a challenge to find the motivation, especially without having support. Keep up the great work everyone!

 

[BubMunkeyBles]

I attempted to start this program and am having problems from day 1. I feel like such a failure. I think I may have to modify the program for me. Some of the medications I did while on chemo destroyed my lung capacity (long term side effect) so I think it just may take me longer. I could only do 5 of the 8 jogging cycles. I am going to try to make myself eat better, drink more during the day and take a vitamin to see if that helps at least with the dizziness I feel. I really hope I can finish this program within 3 months.

 

[sabnrob06]

Hey!
I have been following this thread lately but haven't posted. I am in week 1 of the C25K and have to say it is ALOT harder than I expected. I am a non runner and a Jon exerciser. The first day about killed me but I am determined to finish. I have already signed up fornthe Princess Half in Feb and am hoping I am able to do it. I am being realistic with my goal of completing the half? What are you doing for exercise on the days between the running??

Thanks!!!

 

[ana123]

I'm am the perfect example of a skinny unhealthy person. A little background, I'm 5 foot 1 and 114 pounds so not over weight, I'm petite. However, I cant run 1 minute without gasping and complaining. My boyfriend however is extremely built and energetic. I'm starting the C25K so I can keep up with him and so I can develop good habits while I'm still young. I start tomorrow and will be running on a treadmill in my cool basement. Its to hot outside in MD!

 

[KrazyPete]

I did week 2 day 1 this morning.

The first day was the worst so far. I don't have any muscle pain today. I know that I'm still at the beginning but so far the program is challenging but not undoable. It pushes me, which I don't appreciate at the time but feels pretty good when it's over.

 

[jenn-]

For those that are having problems with the earliest week, I will pass on the sage advice I received many months ago... slow down. When you think you can't possible move any slower and still be considered a run, slow down a bit more. Now you should be lightly jogging. This should help tremendously as you jump from day one to day two, and from week one to week two. I was just feeling good at the end of week one when week two hit me in the face. What I could do for 60 seconds, I couldn't do for 90, so I had to slow down some more. Just remember, you are doing great. You went out for a jog today, which is better than you can say about last week right (for those on week 1 at least).