Couch to 5K. Just starting, anyone like to join me?

[pixiegirl131415]

How long was the running interval? You might need to start off with very short running intervals. If you are using Galloway's intervals, he has a beginner's conditioning program that is meant to very slowly build up your ability. http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/beginners/

Beyond that, if your vision is getting blurry as soon as you start running, I would consult a doctor. Your health and safety are important, and none of us are qualified to give medical advice. Be careful and exercise safely!

THIS. You vision should not be getting blurry when you run. I would guess it is related to your high BP, but I am not a doctor.

Running interval was 90 seconds. I see that this one is much lower, which is probably better for me. I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to exercising and I tend to take instructions pretty seriously. I really thought that not being able to do 90 seconds meant I was more or less a failure. Depression is so fun.

I think that the problem with my vision is more overexerting myself. My heart rate can spike because I'm not in condition at all. I've seen a doctor and I'm otherwise healthy, so using smaller intervals might really help. Thank you so much!

The C25K training app I found started with 60 sec runs followed by 90 sec of walking. That would have been aggressive for me to start with, so I just used an elliptical machine for a month getting my heart and body in better shape first. Do you go to a gym? Are you running outdoors? Treadmill and outdoor running are MUCH harder than an elliptical machine. I would recommend this to begin with, or just walking for a while. You don't need to start out doing much. You would be surprised how in shape you can get just walking!

 

[gules]

The C25K training app I found started with 60 sec runs followed by 90 sec of walking. That would have been aggressive for me to start with, so I just used an elliptical machine for a month getting my heart and body in better shape first. Do you go to a gym? Are you running outdoors? Treadmill and outdoor running are MUCH harder than an elliptical machine. I would recommend this to begin with, or just walking for a while. You don't need to start out doing much. You would be surprised how in shape you can get just walking!

I'm already thinking of a gym membership for weights, so maybe an elliptical is in my future after all... I did try the posted routine and it was much easier on me. I had to adjust it for my treadmill, but with 5 second intervals I was able to keep up for 13 minutes with no negative side effects. I'll moderate my goals a little more. Thank you so much you guys. I really felt like I was failing at this, so it comforts me a lot to hear it from others that I can take it slower and still make it!

 

[pamster]

I'm already thinking of a gym membership for weights, so maybe an elliptical is in my future after all... I did try the posted routine and it was much easier on me. I had to adjust it for my treadmill, but with 5 second intervals I was able to keep up for 13 minutes with no negative side effects. I'll moderate my goals a little more. Thank you so much you guys. I really felt like I was failing at this, so it comforts me a lot to hear it from others that I can take it slower and still make it!

You are smart to train moderately, especially in light of any medical situations and also to prevent injuries. You aren't failing at all and you will be amazed at how quickly your body adapts to consistent training! Don't hesitate to repeat weeks as needed once you start the (more structured) Couch to 5k plan.

 

[Awholenewdisney]

I'm about to start my third week tomorrow! I've always hated running but did it to stay in shape. When I was really fit I had a 7:20 min mile but I was also 30 pounds lighter. So now I'm trying to build my endurance back up. When I first started the program I went too hard too fast and injured my shins so I had to stop the program for a couple weeks and did low impact cardio. Now I only run 2X a week and do low impact cardio 3-4x a week. There was a week where I didn't run at all and only did the elliptical for 30 minutes a day. When I ran the next week at 90 second intervals my mileage went from 1.5 miles to 2.8 miles in the same amount of time!

 

[chbc]

I will start a C25K program later today. It has been years since I have been on these boards. Please be patient as I learn how to post, reply, and do that ticker countdown.
Look to support, hear good job! I am happy to be of help. Hope this is the thread to start with.

 

[pixiegirl131415]

I will start a C25K program later today. It has been years since I have been on these boards. Please be patient as I learn how to post, reply, and do that ticker countdown.
Look to support, hear good job! I am happy to be of help. Hope this is the thread to start with.

Welcome back! You'll like the new boards. We're always willing to help if you have questions!

You will want to check out the monthly challenge threads. That's where most of the action is.

PS - The website below has great custom tickers. Just click on one of mine to get to their site if you want one.

 

[chbc]

Thank you for the welcome, Pixie! I will check out the tickers!

 

[chbc]

http://www.myvacationcountdown.com/tickers/hja9k8sg3ivgjmm3.png

 

[pixiegirl131415]

I'm on week 3 of my C25K training program, and I didn't think I could do this week. Thought for sure I'd have to repeat last week. It had me running for 3 min intervals. I thought, no way. Not gonna happen. But, as it turned out, I did it! Trouble breathing a little at the end of each segment, but I did it! I ran for 3 min straight! Twice!

 

[chbc]

I'm on week 3 of my C25K training program, and I didn't think I could do this week. Thought for sure I'd have to repeat last week. It had me running for 3 min intervals. I thought, no way. Not gonna happen. But, as it turned out, I did it! Trouble breathing a little at the end of each segment, but I did it! I ran for 3 min straight! Twice!

Great Effort! I like that you thought, no way, and then went for it!!!!

 

[Jessica0711]

Hello everyone! I'm new to the board. I just signed up for the Wine and Dine Half Marathon later on this year and am super excited about it. I have started and stopped the C25K program a couple of times and recently started it again. I actually took a bad fall while running back in January and had to sit out a couple of weeks but I am back on currently on week 7! I never in my life thought I would be able to run 25 minutes without stopping and while every run is not great, I keep going back and trying my hardest. Good luck to everyone who is starting C25K - keep with it and repeat weeks if you think its too much of a challenge. I repeated a couple of weeks in there and I think it really helped me stick to the program this time!

 

[GrandAdmiralStrife]

My goodness, what a difference 17 days makes!
Couldn't run for more than 30/60 run/walk intervals, and now I'm up to 2 min/30sec intervals!
My official timed mile last Tuesday was 13:00, and this morning I beat that at 12:30!

 

[JAMIESMITH]

I am doing couch 2 5k for the second time. I finished it in October and ran in a color run with some of my girl friends. We haven't run much all winter, but are planning to do another color run in May. We just started week four using the app from zen labs. It's been so much easier this time around!

 

[pixiegirl131415]

I am doing couch 2 5k for the second time. I finished it in October and ran in a color run with some of my girl friends. We haven't run much all winter, but are planning to do another color run in May. We just started week four using the app from zen labs. It's been so much easier this time around!

Hey, we're on the same week of the same app! (at least for now... this week is killer, and I think I'm going to have to repeat it.) My 5ks aren't until June, so I have a little extra time.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

Hey, we're on the same week of the same app! (at least for now... this week is killer, and I think I'm going to have to repeat it.) My 5ks aren't until June, so I have a little extra time.

We spent about four months doing the eight week program the first time around. We repeated most days at least once. Week five is the worst. Once you break through it, you are golden!

 

[Jessica0711]

We spent about four months doing the eight week program the first time around. We repeated most days at least once. Week five is the worst. Once you break through it, you are golden!

I definitely agree with that! Week five was where I always faltered. I was finally able to break through though and am on week 7 - almost done! I'm running a 5K next Saturday!

 

[DISNEYSC]

Every once in a while the guilt to run starts up and I try it out a couple of days a week, but I can't stick with it. I picked up an app of Couch to 5K for my phone, but I find myself exhausted and unable to run after 15 minutes (but by that time, I have already ran over a mile). Yes, I am terribly inactive. Anyone have tips?

I would suggest three things:
1) I'd echo an earlier post and recommend that you take a look at Jeff Galloway's run/ walk method. It's a little different than the Couch to 5k in that he recommends more scheduled walking (whether or not you need it). This will lead to less fatigue and more enjoyable training runs. His Magic Mile pacing recommendation may help too because it helps with pacing. His main website is http://www.jeffgalloway.com/ but he's also the runDisney run expert so you can find information on his method in both places.
2) Try to commit to 3 days of run / walk a week. I've seen studies that show that if you take even 5 days off from running-it's like losing 50% of your progress. I know I'm reading a lot into your post but it sounds like your training may be harder than it needs to be because you are losing your progress by taking so much time off in between runs.
3) Lastly- and probably more importantly- celebrate the small wins along the way. Set some goals along the way so you can enjoy the progress instead of feeling like you have so far to go. Starting is the hardest part and you're on your way!

Good luck- and keep with it!

 

[Jessica0711]

Last weekend I ran my first 5K! I was able to run the whole thing without stopping which was a huge milestone for me.

 

[pixiegirl131415]

Last weekend I ran my first 5K! I was able to run the whole thing without stopping which was a huge milestone for me.

Woo Hoo! This is my goal for my 5k in June. So far, I've only ever run 6 min at a time, and that was at a slower jog. Congrats!

 

[Jessica0711]

Woo Hoo! This is my goal for my 5k in June. So far, I've only ever run 6 min at a time, and that was at a slower jog. Congrats!

You can do it! Before I started Couch 2 5K training I could only run for a minute before I had to stop. Just keep going and if you are don't a Couch 2 5K app, don't be afraid to repeat a week so that you get your endurance up!