Couch to 5K running plan...has any tried it?

[C_leen]

Hi Corinna!

I start week 8 this weekend. I've been having humidity and heat issues, and if 2.75 feels awful, I might repeat week 7.

Colleen

 

[curiouser]

Hi! Is anyone starting up C25k? I started this last year and I got to about week 6 I think, before I went on a WDW trip in October and never got back into it. Doh!

I'm really, really, REALLY trying to motivate myself to get back into it and I could use some support and "buddies". I don't think I'll quite start back at week 1 again, but still in the new stages!

 

[contempory4me]

Welcome to "Remedial C25K". I too made it very close to the end and then dropped off. I've have many excuses but this time I'm blaming it on my feet. I feel good when I run but then the next morning I can barely walk down my stairs because my left heel is in so much pain.
I'm sure it doesn't help that I am a new runner at over 40 yo and 20 pounds overweight.
My plan is to buy a new pair of sneakers today and do the required stretches. I just fell off the program in June so I will run 2 miles/3 days a week.

Which week are you thinking about starting?

 

[curiouser]

Hi contempory4me!

I'm really sorry to hear about your feet! I hope things get better about that. Have you seen a doctor about heel spurs? My mother had those and they were very, very painful. I wish I had a real excuse like that, but fact of the matter is, I am just lazy.

I am also your opposite: 20ish (well, 26) and 40 lbs over weight!

I was thinking of starting at week 3. I like to push myself when I am running, but I am also aware that I shouldn't push myself too hard.

 

[contempory4me]

curiouser,
We can do this!!
thanks for the heel spur suggestion. Going to the Dr. will be my next step after new sneakers and stretches. Dr's visit always seem to cost too much and don't get me the results I'm after. Good luck with week 3!

 

[eeyore45]

Just decided to jump in!

This thread inspired me to get off my bum and move - DH then challenged me to go to disney - for the HALF MARATHON - this thread was my motivation - I'm signed up to do my first race - EVER, a 5K on sunday (Chicago Montrose Harbor)

I am in my 40's and 40#s overweight - horrible... I have lots of negative talk in my head as I "wog" (jog at a walking pace!) I too have heel pain - very severe plantar fascia - running shoes designed for my style of feet (I pronate too) I didnt think would make a difference (they are$100 ) The doctor said orthotics will help ($300) I decided to go with the running shoes - I went to a running shoe store - where the people there are knowledgable - it made a huge difference - they even reccommended orthotic style inserts (Power Step I think $30) IT WORKED for me!!

I still get pain, but there are foot exercises I do - that helps - I have to stretch that tendon muscle - really keep at working it - even using a hard tennis type ball and rolling it under the heel - and ice works too to bring down the swelling...

On the Wish forum running/competition there is a sticky there with lots and lots of amazing websites - I love the gmap pedometer one - I get a view of the area I'm going to wog, and I plot out the distance - plus I do use a pedometer!!

Walking down the stairs after my longest wog ever in my life - 5 miles - was miserable - total and complete pain, ankles, knees, bum, and back...

But that day has passed, and I'm working on today. Just for today I'm going to get out there.... my final prize will be a trip to Disney in January! If not for that, I'm sure I would've given up long before now!!

 

[C_leen]

Hi ladies! This Nike slogan has carried me far. Although I started exercising using my WDW trip as a motivator, it soon transformed into part of my daily routine - then when I began running, it became my greatest stress relief method. I hope you two will find that too. Just pick up where you most feel comfortable in the C25K & don't push it.

Best of luck! Colleen

 

[lindybug]

I, too, fell off the C25K wagon and need to get back on. This Saturday marks 24 weeks until the half marathon. (yikes!) My training program will be 12 weeks long, the C25K is 9 weeks long... I better get moving!

I only made it to week 4 last time. I think I'll start at the beginning, but maybe only a day or two for weeks 1 and 2.

 

[curiouser]

Well, I did it! I went down to the fitness room last night and did Week 3. The 90 second runs were fine, but the 3 minute runs towards the end I started feeling a tiny pain in my shin so pulled back and walked out the rest. I also pushed my run speed up to 4.5, which I found was easier than the 4.1 I'd been doing before (afraid that if i went any faster I'd be going too fast).

 

[firsttimemom]

Curiouser- I just started w/ W3, too. I pretty much just run on our treadmill bcs it's too hot, too dark, too rainy (pick an excuse) for me to run outside. I did my runs at 4.5 but the last 60 sec of the last 3 min I dropped it to 4.2.

I'll probably just walk on the TM tomorrow and do W3D2 on Tuesday.

Liz

 

[curiouser]

Curiouser- I just started w/ W3, too. I pretty much just run on our treadmill bcs it's too hot, too dark, too rainy (pick an excuse) for me to run outside. I did my runs at 4.5 but the last 60 sec of the last 3 min I dropped it to 4.2.

I'll probably just walk on the TM tomorrow and do W3D2 on Tuesday.

Liz

Awesome, Liz!! WTG!!

My legs are feeling oddly sore so I'll walk today as well and do more W3 tomorrow. I do C25K on the treadmill, too. Right now I'd be too self conscious to run outside. Maybe I'll get there eventually because I know running on on various surfaces changes your pace, but for now I just want to get comfortable running.

We can do it!!

 

[corinnak]

It is so nice to see a little action over here again! You guys are rockin' this program. I did the whole C25K on the treadmill and then transitioned to running outside this summer while travelling - the treadmill is a GREAT way to C25K! Keep up the good work!

 

[firsttimemom]

Hey Curiouser- Just checking in to see if you've done W3D2 yet. I just finished it and it went better than D1. It's so awesome to actually see progress.

Still scared of next week, though!

Liz

 

[curiouser]

Hi Liz!! I got punked in my attempt to do W3D2 last night! We only have two treadmills in the fitness room at our apartment complex and there was a girl already running. I gave the other tread to SO since I know he hates the elliptical an I tried to replicate W3D2 on the elliptical. The girl got off the tread just in time for me to rock out my last 3 minute run super strong! I was exhausted, pumped and powerful!!

I felt better than W3D1 for sure! I am glad you feel like you are progressing, too!! I don't know if I'll be progressing to W4 next week. I think I want to get more comfortable with W3, but we'll see! Don't be afraid of repeating a week to build up your stamina - there's no time limit to finish - slow and steady wins the race.

-Morgan

 

[firsttimemom]

Morgan- I DID IT! Finished W3 today. I tacked on an extra cycle on the end, but didn't finish that one very strong. I'm going to 'try' to move on to W4 but those 5 min runs scare me. I'm pretty sure I'll need more than a week with W4, plus I'll be out of town for 4 days and don't know if I'll be able to get a workout in.

Good luck w/ w3d3! I've never used an eliptical but I've heard it's a good w/o

Liz

 

[C_leen]

Keep up the good work Ladies! C25K will transform your beliefs about what your body can do in just 9 weeks or so.

How do I know? Because I stuck it out and my last C25K run is Saturday!

Colleen

 

[curiouser]

Ladies, we are doing great!!

Colleen, that's so amazing that your last run is coming up! Sometimes I feels like my body won't ever get that strong, but its awesome seeing proof in my fellow DISers!

Liz, I am SO proud of you. You GO girl!! Just tackle W4 head (and foot!) first and don't let fear drag you down! The fear of doing it is 100x worse than actually doing it and will drag your body down - you have to stay positive!

I don't know if I'll be getting a run in tonight - we might be going out to dinner with SO's parents, so hopefully I'll be getting one in tomorrow evening, because this weekend will be a full (and fattening) weekend!

I've started with the mantra "I run so I can eat" because I can't help it - I LOVE good food!!

 

[firsttimemom]

I've started with the mantra "I run so I can eat"

DITTO! (not to mention the odd glass of wine or margarita, too!)

 

[87Heel]

Hi all,
I just started this running plan, and I'm excited that I can do it (OK, so it's week one, but I've never been much of a runner!) Thanks for posting about it so I could learn about it and give it a try.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I'm checking to see how things are going and to say how PROUD I am that you are doing this!

Reading some of your stories has me remembering how my journey began not that long ago. It was a bit of a struggle at times. Well, it was a big struggle at first, who am I kidding. I would be crawling from the car to the house after putting in the steps b/c my muscles were protesting. I kept at it and soon I found that I was indeed able to make it! It still amazes me that I am continuing with this journey.

The advice that it is ok to repeat a week is great advice. You ALL can do this. You CAN!