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

[kimwim8]

GREAT job, LightBurnsBlue!! I knew you could do it!! And for all of you guys leading up to that 20 minute run....you TOO will be able to do it! As scary as it seems now, your body will be ready.

I just finished week 3 today and it felt great. I ran a little more than scheduled since I was feeling good and I know I have tomorrow off. Monday will be W4D1.

Keep up the great work, everyone!!

 

[plgrn]

I haven't lost any weight from the plan (kinda discouraging)

It sounds trite, but measure by how your clothes fit and not weight. I've actually stayed the same weight since I started the program, yet my clothes are loose and people keep telling me how skinny I look lately!

Hang in there! You are doing your body good.

 

[corinnak]

This thread is very inspiring. I had been doing the 30/30 plan, but after seeing this thread, I switched over to thisC25K and it seems really great. Today, I did w2d2, and I keep being surprised by my improvement. I am running faster already - I started doing the running portion at 4mph, 3 for the walking. And now that doesn't feel comfortable and I am up to 4.5mph for the running and 3.4 or 5 for the walking. I am excited about the podcast.

I have never run a race, before, but my big goal is to run the WDW half marathon. Probably it will have to wait until 2009, but I am gearing up for a local 5K in June. My biggest worry is that I will end up irritating my heels - I have had something like plantar faciatis from walking before. Some particular stretches seem to be helping, so far, though.

It is encouraging to read that this plan really does prepare a person for that w5d3, cause that one is daunting! Heck, I am a bit daunted a bit by the running for 3 minutes later this week! I am also doing the treadmill at least for the moment. That ice out there is scary - I fell down twice last week just walking! Spring will be here soon, though!

 

[LightBurnsBlue]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone--hope you were all able to get a couple laughs out of it!

Plgrn--you're definitely right about the weight thing. I've stayed at about the same weight since I began, but my clothes are a bit looser and I can start to notice some muscles in my legs. I KNOW I'm getting healthier, even if the scale doesn't show it.

Corin--Glad you found the plan. Running the 1/2 is an awesome goal. A couple years bad I had plantar faciatis quite bad in my right foot. It's fine now, but I worry now and then what I would do if it started up again. What kind of stretches do you do for it?

Well...starting week 6 tomorrow. In December, I got hired for a job where I'll be traveling about 50 % of the time, and tomorrow I leave on my 1st buisness trip. I know the hotel has some treadmills, so I hope to get some runs in there.

Hope everyone has some great runs this week!

 

[kimwim8]

Well...starting week 6 tomorrow. In December, I got hired for a job where I'll be traveling about 50 % of the time, and tomorrow I leave on my 1st buisness trip. I know the hotel has some treadmills, so I hope to get some runs in there.

Good luck with week 6! I'm sure you'll do great!

Have a great trip!

 

[corinnak]

Corin--Glad you found the plan. Running the 1/2 is an awesome goal. A couple years bad I had plantar faciatis quite bad in my right foot. It's fine now, but I worry now and then what I would do if it started up again. What kind of stretches do you do for it?

Hi Lightburnsblue!
For me, it is the left foot, and I find that it is definitely related to how tight my calf is, and so I try to stretch the calf quite well, along with general leg stretches, plus a pirformis stretch which may or may not help my heel, but it sure seems like it needs it!

The other thing is that preventive stuff - sometimes I think a little ibuprofen before bed sturdy, supportive shoes all day makes as much difference as anything in keeping that inflammation managed.

I hope your plantar fascia contine to be kind to you. That was amazing how you picked yourself up off the ice and even with a puddle clinging to your clothes, went ahead and did your run. That puddle-like ice is bad stuff!

 

[corinnak]

Oh, I remembered - also the hamstrings are important for me to stretch, oddly for my feet.

Sorry to be a thread-staller!

 

[plgrn]

How's everyone doing? What day do you start your new week on?

I'm on a Tuesday cycle, so tomorrow starts week 4. I'm downloading the podcast now because this week seems just a little too detailed to keep up with on my watch.

BTW, when will we have our first graduate? We need little badges or something to put in our siggys that say we've completed the Couch to 5K program. Can anyone design one? I think the prospect of a Dis badge would keep me going on slow days...seriously!

 

[Fitswimmer]

I still haven't gotten through W5D2 without grabbing onto the treadmill rails, so I'm sticking there until I can get through it without help. I'm getting closer, my goal is to do that workout tomorrow and thursday and then go for the 20 minute number on Saturday.

 

[kimwim8]

How's everyone doing? What day do you start your new week on?

I'm on a Tuesday cycle, so tomorrow starts week 4. I'm downloading the podcast now because this week seems just a little too detailed to keep up with on my watch.

BTW, when will we have our first graduate? We need little badges or something to put in our siggys that say we've completed the Couch to 5K program. Can anyone design one? I think the prospect of a Dis badge would keep me going on slow days...seriously!

Tomorrow I'm starting week 4 too. And I love the idea of a badge for finishing the program!!

 

[daisylou]

I'm starting week 3 tomorrow. I just finished week 2 today. I got a little off track last week as I threw a big first birthday party for my son Sam. So no more excuses this week. I'm going two days in a row.

I found this smilie and thought it fit me perfectly.

 

[decaff38]

Okay - i am confessing and commiting in one post. I used( 3 years ago) to be a runner and loved it. I do not have little kids to blame for no time. I was just unmotivated and lazy. I am now at 215 pounds and would like to be under 200 by summer. I walked today for 30 min. First time in 6 mo. I have a dusty treadmill in the family room. When I was a runner( walk/ran the WDW 1/2 in 2005) I slept fabulous, thought clearer and ate well but not too much. I have to get back on track. I am going to be 49 in Nov. and know I need to get moving ASAP. I will commit to 3 X per week of 30 minutes at least for the first 2 weeks. THen I will jump on to the COuch to 5K plan. There is always a 5K at the beginning of May in our area. That will give me a goal. The wieght is its own monster. I have been as high at 230 and feel I am on my way down right now at 215. So here goes. Best of effort to everyone!!!!

 

[plgrn]

Okay - i am confessing and commiting in one post. I used( 3 years ago) to be a runner and loved it. I do not have little kids to blame for no time. I was just unmotivated and lazy. I am now at 215 pounds and would like to be under 200 by summer. I walked today for 30 min. First time in 6 mo. I have a dusty treadmill in the family room. When I was a runner( walk/ran the WDW 1/2 in 2005) I slept fabulous, thought clearer and ate well but not too much. I have to get back on track. I am going to be 49 in Nov. and know I need to get moving ASAP. I will commit to 3 X per week of 30 minutes at least for the first 2 weeks. THen I will jump on to the COuch to 5K plan. There is always a 5K at the beginning of May in our area. That will give me a goal. The wieght is its own monster. I have been as high at 230 and feel I am on my way down right now at 215. So here goes. Best of effort to everyone!!!!

I'm so excited to hear that you are jumping in there and taking charge of your weight and fitness! This is such a supportive thread. Be sure to keep us updated!

 

[plgrn]

Kim, how did you do on your first day of week four? I did fine until that last 5 minute run when I had to take two 30 second walk breaks. A little discouraging since I haven't even hit that ominous week 5, but if at first you don't succeed...!

Jenn

 

[corinnak]

Ack - I am sick today. Siffles, lowgrade fever and a bit of achiness. I was told by a running friend that the rule of thumb he uses is "Don't run if you are achy." So I guess I am putting off w2d3 until Thursday. I would ultimately like to have day 1 be on Tuesday, so I guess that this isn't a terrible thing. I have been a Thursday, Saturday Tuesday person up till now.

I just got the podcast loaded onto my new iPod shuffle yesterday too.

 

[plgrn]

Feel better soon corinnak!

You will love the podcast. I used it for the first time today and it was so nice to not have to look at my watch constantly.

 

[kimwim8]

Kim, how did you do on your first day of week four? I did fine until that last 5 minute run when I had to take two 30 second walk breaks. A little discouraging since I haven't even hit that ominous week 5, but if at first you don't succeed...!

Jenn

Hey Jenn. I wasn't able to run today like I thought. I really thought I had enough time between when I left work early & when I had to pick up the kids for a doctor's appointment, but I only had an hour total, and with drive time, run time, shower time, drive time...it wouldn't have worked. UGH.

I think I'm gonna have to get up in the am & run on the dreaded treadmill until it's light again outside around 6am. I give you TM runners SO much credit!! I can't stand the thing.

...one more gripe....am I the only one that can't get the podcasts to work? Maybe it's because I don't have an ipod, just an MP3?? These next weeks are so jumbled with walk/run segments...the podcast sounds like it would be SO much easier. Anyone technical enough to help me??

Oh, and pixie dust for corinnak - hope you feel better soon!

 

[plgrn]

...one more gripe....am I the only one that can't get the podcasts to work? Maybe it's because I don't have an ipod, just an MP3?? These next weeks are so jumbled with walk/run segments...the podcast sounds like it would be SO much easier. Anyone technical enough to help me??

This is the link I am going to. http://www.podcasts.ullreys.net/

Couch to 5K: Week Four
28/08/06 19:25 | Couch to 5K | Permalink
This is week four and we will be further extending our running times. This week will push us into 5 minute runs, but don't worry, you are more then prepared by the work you did last week.

We'll start with a Brisk five-minute warmup walk. We will then have 2 repetitions of the following: jog for 3 minutes, walk for 90 seconds, then jog for 5 minutes, and recover with a 2 1/2 minute walk. Then we will repeat the intervals jogging and walking for a total of about 18 minutes. We'll finish up with a 5 minute cool down.

This weeks routine lasts a total of 32 minutes. To get it, either subscribe, or get it here by "right-clicking"odcast

I click on "podcast" and a box comes up and says "open with?" and I choose iTunes. Will it allow you to choose whatever program you have been using with your mp3 player?

Sorry for the frustration. You gotta get the podcast though b/c it helps so much! This week is just too much to remember and keep up with on a watch.

 

[corinnak]

Feel better soon corinnak!

You will love the podcast. I used it for the first time today and it was so nice to not have to look at my watch constantly.

Thanks for the flower! I am looking forward to it, though it is going to have to wait until tomorrow - today is crammed with stuff. My fever broke last night and now I am just kind of stuffy/coughy.

 

[decaff38]

I am back and walked 35 minutes today. Two days in a row!! Ate low carbs and high fiber so far today. Saw a segment about "You on a Diet" today. Looks pretty straight forward and doable. Thanks for the encouragement!! Sunny and beautiful here, that always helps!! Happy Wednesday!