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

[CustardTart]

Did my first Couch to 5k session today and while it was harder than I thought it'd be, I felt great afterwards! I'm using the podcasts and I don't think I could do it without them - brilliant idea and I'm very grateful for the link...

 

[kimwim8]

I forgot about the podcasts!! I gotta go back & get that link!

I run 3 times a week. That's what I did before and it worked out well for me. I also will do abs/arms 3 times a week and walk on my lunch hour 3 times a week. I hope for Sunday to be my day off every week.

Sounds like we're all plugging along and sticking to it! Keep on going, guys!

ETA - I tried downloading the podcasts & the site isn't working anymore. Is it only me? Maybe I don't have some kind of software that is needed? Can anyone help, please?

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

Just found this thread and am seriously thinking of doing the couch-to-5K plan. I need some success stories on weight loss though!! How much weight have you lost in the weeks since you've started?? I need to loose about 15 pounds so I can fit into my shorts this summer. Is this the plan to do that??
I have NEVER exercised, but after my DS's things have "shifted" and I found I can't eat like I used to!!
I realize I won't loose all 15 pounds in the first week, but I would like to see results within a couple weeks.....

thanks so much!

 

[kimwim8]

Just found this thread and am seriously thinking of doing the couch-to-5K plan. I need some success stories on weight loss though!! How much weight have you lost in the weeks since you've started?? I need to loose about 15 pounds so I can fit into my shorts this summer. Is this the plan to do that??
I have NEVER exercised, but after my DS's things have "shifted" and I found I can't eat like I used to!!
I realize I won't loose all 15 pounds in the first week, but I would like to see results within a couple weeks.....

thanks so much!

Welcome!

I was seeing a nutritionist while I started with the running program, and lost 30 pounds in 3.5 months. I know that's kind of extreme, but the eating plan I was on was pretty intense and limiting.

I'm sure that if you eat well and use the running plan, you will definitely lose weight every week!

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

One more question......does it matter WHEN you walk/run??

Being a SAHM of 2 DS's (6 & 3) if I don't get up and shower and get ready for the day before I take DS6 to school (we leave by 7:15) time for myself gets lost in errands, shopping, library time, playdates......etc. Then when DH comes home it's supper time, baths, and getting the boys into bed. After that I'm cleaning up the house, doing laundry---and ready for bed myself!!

So am I crazy to get up at 5:45AM to walk?? I've always read it's better to exercise in the mornings, but maybe that's just a wives tale........

 

[katerkat]

ETA - I tried downloading the podcasts & the site isn't working anymore. Is it only me? Maybe I don't have some kind of software that is needed? Can anyone help, please?

Do you have Quicktime? I couldn't get the podcasts to work on anything but that. And my sister's iPod. Right now I play the podcast in the basement on my laptop so it's not an issue (running on a treadmill) but in a month, I'm going to need to get an MP3 player of some sort to take to the gym/run outside. And I have no idea what kind of player I need to play an *.m4a file. Hopefully not an iPod!!

 

[kimwim8]

Do you have Quicktime? I couldn't get the podcasts to work on anything but that. And my sister's iPod. Right now I play the podcast in the basement on my laptop so it's not an issue (running on a treadmill) but in a month, I'm going to need to get an MP3 player of some sort to take to the gym/run outside. And I have no idea what kind of player I need to play an *.m4a file. Hopefully not an iPod!!

I don't think I have Quicktime, I'll look into it. DH has an ipod that he's never used (I got him for his bday last April!) and I have an MP3 player. I'll try to figure out what we need to use those podcasts. I think they'd be really fun to use instead of constantly looking at my watch for intervals.

marshallandcartersmo - I was also told that it's best to work out first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. It gets your metabolism going and then if you eat protein for breakfast, it'll keep your metabolism going. On a personal note, I prefer to workout first thing in the morning to get it over with, as my life is as crazy as yours, and it just might not happen if I don't do it early in the a.m. Just be safe and bring your cell and pepperspray (if you have it) with you when going out early & in the dark.

 

[kimwim8]

I made a mental breakthrough this morning. I actually woke up earlier than normal to go outside & run! I'm not bragging, but that's HUGE for me. I did W3D2, and realized that I'll be doing 4 days worth of week 3 in order for my long runs to end up on Saturdays. So I'll be starting week 4 next Monday.

I love this thread and being able to follow along as we all go on this journey!

 

[Fitswimmer]

I was able to run every other day until I hit week 4. Then I found I needed to give myself more rest in between runs. Legs over 40 don't bounce back the way they did at 30.

I exercise at 5:30 am. It's the only time I KNOW that nothing else will get in the way. I get up at 4:30, have a cup of coffee, a half grapefruit, a bowl of cooked oatmeal with blueberries and some OJ. Then, I get my stuff together and head for the Y. I've tried working out without eating and found that I get really dizzy and uncomfortable.

 

[daisylou]

Week two begins today. We shall see if I survive!

How did week two go for you plgrn?

I was supposed to start week two this morning. Got up, got both boys bathed, fed, dressed and in the car. Got to the gym and there was a big old sign on the door announcing that the daycare was closed. Man! My two yo and I were both upset. So I'm going to wait until DH comes home from work and head out to the gym tonight. Should be a big deal for me since I'm usually comatose on the couch by 7pm!

All of the early morning runners have my respect. I'm good for nothing that early. I don't even think I could run to the coffeepot at 5:30am!

 

[plgrn]

It went great! Today was my last day before I start week three and it was EASY! I couldn't believe it.

And I'm with you on the early morning thing.

 

[kimwim8]

It went great! Today was my last day before I start week three and it was EASY! I couldn't believe it.

CONGRATS, Jenn!!

 

[meghan74]

I haven't checked in for awhile...

I am starting w5 tonight - yikes! I had to really reduce my pace in order to complete w4, but I am just refusing to focus on speed right now.

I am doing pretty well with hitting the gym after work. It is tough for me to pick up my girls from daycare and after-school care and then leave them at home with DH or at the playroom in the gym, but I figure that 30 min without my loving care isn't going to do any real damage.

I would love to work out in the morning, but I am still breastfeeding my DD who is 6 months old. I cannot run with a "full tank" if you know what I mean (ouch!) and by the time she is awake and has nursed, I don't have enough time to hit the gym before work. I am hoping that she loses interest in nursing by the time I need to start training for the 1/2 marathon with some long runs. I don't want to be on the TM at midnight!

Glad to see so many people sticking with the plan and be sure to check out the weekly training threads under events/competition if you haven't already!

 

[daisylou]

I haven't checked in for awhile...

I am starting w5 tonight - yikes! I had to really reduce my pace in order to complete w4, but I am just refusing to focus on speed right now.

I am doing pretty well with hitting the gym after work. It is tough for me to pick up my girls from daycare and after-school care and then leave them at home with DH or at the playroom in the gym, but I figure that 30 min without my loving care isn't going to do any real damage.

I would love to work out in the morning, but I am still breastfeeding my DD who is 6 months old. I cannot run with a "full tank" if you know what I mean (ouch!) and by the time she is awake and has nursed, I don't have enough time to hit the gym before work. I am hoping that she loses interest in nursing by the time I need to start training for the 1/2 marathon with some long runs. I don't want to be on the TM at midnight!

Glad to see so many people sticking with the plan and be sure to check out the weekly training threads under events/competition if you haven't already!

Meghan- I am nursing my son also. But, he is almost a year old (this Friday!). So my "tank" doesn't get nearly as full as it did when he was that age! I did find out that I needed bigger and better sports bra than in my pre-preg days. No more little cheapie ones from Wal-mart. Momma needs some support!

I'm into week 2 and it is going great. I was pleasantly surprised how easily I can run the 90 second intervals. At one point I was on the treadmill between two very fit runners. And we were all running in sync, it was great. I'm a runner, even if it is only 90 seconds at a time!

 

[plgrn]

I am just refusing to focus on speed right now.

Same here! I'm running slower than most people can power walk!

I'm a runner, even if it is only 90 seconds at a time!

That's right!!!!

 

[daisylou]

Well I just completed w2d2. I was disappointed by how difficult I found it. I just soared through the first day. I am noticing a pattern that day2 is the hardest of the week. Anyone else feel this way?

 

[kimwim8]

Well I just completed w2d2. I was disappointed by how difficult I found it. I just soared through the first day. I am noticing a pattern that day2 is the hardest of the week. Anyone else feel this way?

Don't get discouraged. Day 2 is definitely hard. Day 1 of the week is something new....day 2 is same old, same old....day 3 you know you're almost on the next week. (that's how I feel, anyway)

I wasn't able to do my 3rd run this morning because mother nature decided to send us an ice-storm overnight. It's not looking too bad out there tonight, though - so I'm shooting for tomorrow morning!

 

[sap1227]

Daisylou--I found almost everyday hard

But, I kept going and pusing along--tonight I ran a new record for me--just under 38 minutes without stopping!!

The program really does work, just keep it up!!

 

[LightBurnsBlue]

Haven't checked-in in a while...I'm glad to see there are some new runners in the plan! Yea!!

I finished W5 today. I found W5D1 to be the most difficult, if you can believe that! Crazy as it sounds, but the numerous walk intervals really drag me down.

I did W5D2 twice this week, and it was probably my favorite workout yet. The each 8 minutes seemed like a huge accomplishment, and the walk break in the middle was just right. On the first workout I walked at 3.5 and jogged at 4.8 on the first 8 min and 4.7 on the second. The next day I did both jogs at 4.8.

Today...I did the infamous W5D3...aka the 20 minute non stop run! I was honestly dreading this run all week..I never thought I could do it. I woke up in a pretty good mood this morning, ate half a yogurt (and a couple BBQ chips ) and went out the door. It was beautiful (40 degrees and sunny) and I was admiring how non-icy the sidewalks looked so I could start some outdoor runs soon. Well...at least they looked non-icy. RIGHT in front of the window to my apartment's workout facility, I slipped on a patch of ice that looked like water and fell right on my tailbone. It hurt pretty bad and I just kind of layed there for 20 seconds or so. I looked around, and didn't see anybody, and was relived that I didn't have anyone to be embarassed in front of. Well...then this guy runs out of the clubhouse and asked if I was okay. AHHH!!! So, I walk into the gym, my tailbone killing me, the left buttcheek of my pants soaking wet, get on the treadmill, and proceed to run 22 minutes straight! (.5 incline, 4.7 mph)

I can't believe that I was able to do this. I haven't lost any weight from the plan (kinda discouraging) but if someone would have told me 5 weeks ago that I could run 22 minutes straight, I would have laughed my head off. But, this little chubby girl actually did!

 

[deekaypee]

Today...I did the infamous W5D3...aka the 20 minute non stop run! I was honestly dreading this run all week..I never thought I could do it. I woke up in a pretty good mood this morning, ate half a yogurt (and a couple BBQ chips ) and went out the door. It was beautiful (40 degrees and sunny) and I was admiring how non-icy the sidewalks looked so I could start some outdoor runs soon. Well...at least they looked non-icy. RIGHT in front of the window to my apartment's workout facility, I slipped on a patch of ice that looked like water and fell right on my tailbone. It hurt pretty bad and I just kind of layed there for 20 seconds or so. I looked around, and didn't see anybody, and was relived that I didn't have anyone to be embarassed in front of. Well...then this guy runs out of the clubhouse and asked if I was okay. AHHH!!! So, I walk into the gym, my tailbone killing me, the left buttcheek of my pants soaking wet, get on the treadmill, and proceed to run 22 minutes straight! (.5 incline, 4.7 mph)

I can't believe that I was able to do this. I haven't lost any weight from the plan (kinda discouraging) but if someone would have told me 5 weeks ago that I could run 22 minutes straight, I would have laughed my head off. But, this little chubby girl actually did!

Now that's what I call dedication--and a runner!