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

[emilymad]

Thanks for all of the advise! I will just keep going with the time for now. I did a mile in 12 minutes instead of 10. I am just really happy that I could run that far. I never would have been able to before this program.

 

[curiouser]

Emily that's awesome!! A 12 minute mile is great in my book; I'm running a 14min mile - how sad!! But I know I just need to get my stamina up!

I did W5D1 last night and I cannot believe how FAST it went!! I think the fewer switches from walk/run make it go by a lot faster. And bonus points: I got on the scale this morning and lost 2lbs!!

I hope everyone is doing well with their weeks!

 

[emilymad]

I was just really happy to run a mile without stopping. Tonight I am redoing W5D3 to actually run the 20 minutes without stopping.

2lbs! That is fantasic! I am so jealous! I have been doing this for almost two months and I haven't lost a pound. I am starting to get mad about it.

Good Luck to everyone on their weeks!

 

[C_leen]

Hi everyone!

Depending on where I was running, sometimes I ran for time & others I ran for distance. The important thing is to go out and run.

As for weight loss, there are a lot of other posts around WISH that can help. Probably the best thing is to do a food diary/calorie count. If you aren't losing weight, you'll find the culprits.

Buy yourself running gifts. Sign up for a 5K shortly after you should finish C25K as a motivator.

Lately I recently went to my library and checked out almost every book on running & flipped through them for motivation and pointers.

I wish you all every success with C25K and beyond!

 

[swim-mom]

I have to confess, I have not started YET!! I will start this week, but I am trying to get my exchange student situated with field hockey first.

What is the 5 weeks to 5k program on Runners world? What is so different than the C25K? Do you have the link?

Sorry for the question, but I want to start a program that I will stick with.

Thanks again for the warm welcome!!

 

[tink25]

I was running 10 min. miles last October and did 3 miles a day 5 days a week and was looking and feeling my best! I stopped completely when I changed jobs and have gained every bit of my 40 pounds back! But, I was on this thread the other day and started C25K today! I'm so excited to get back into running! Thanks for the motivation!! W.I.S.H. me luck!

 

[Sabrina_Mouse]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. I haven't started week 1 yet. I've been having some back spasms which have finally let up a little today.

Congrats to all of you that can do a mile in 10, 12 or 14 minutes. I can't wait to get to that point.

Sabrina

 

[abish19]

Hi everyone...
I tried beginning the C25K plan about a month ago and was sidelined with an injury. I started up again on Tuesday, so we'll see how it goes! It seems simple enough and I was able to make it through the first time fairly easily (by the end my feet were only JUST leaving the pavement! VERY SLOW!).

It's great to read all of the experiences and encouragement you're all posting! I have 30+ pounds to lose and some problems with my feet but I'm so excited to get started! Thanks for the inspiration!

 

[curiouser]

Hello!! Its awesome to see so many newbies and restarters!! I'm so excited!!

I did w5D2 today!! You know, everytime I am running a day of C25K I am amazed at what my body can accomplish! That 8 minutes seemed so intimidating, but I did it!! This is really a great program and I can really tell my body and endurance are preparing for a full 3 miles!

 

[swim-mom]

I have to admit, I have not started. I feel so guility that I have not started up, but with four children + an exchange student I have been a bit busy to say the least.

I need to really do something before I start back at Grad school in Sept.

What got everyone moving to start????

HELP, please

 

[87Heel]

W4D1... I did it! The half-mile runs had me worried, but I got through them. Now to make it through the rest of week 4!

 

[87Heel]

I have to admit, I have not started. I feel so guility that I have not started up, but with four children + an exchange student I have been a bit busy to say the least.

I need to really do something before I start back at Grad school in Sept.

What got everyone moving to start????

HELP, please

I got moving when my DD13 wanted to run to prepare for fall sports at school. Since I was driving her to the track each day, I figured I should do something too. I wasn't in shape enough to run with her... but then I found the C25K plan (I was looking for a training program for her, but found something for me instead!).

 

[curiouser]

Marielle, that's awesome!! Way to go!!

I finished W6D1 last night. Our running schedules got off a bit and now I am a little behind on days. I can't believe in three weeks I'll be done with (time based) program

Swim-mom, what motivated me was being tired of being stagnant. I wanted to do something, to accomplish something! A family member was doing the MS150 bike tour and I really wanted to do that, but circumstances prevented me from having the money to buy a bike. So then I thought to myself "I should train for a 5k".. and here I am! I feel so good now that I'm doing the program and that keeps me motivated.

 

[emilymad]

Swim-mom, what got me started was just wanting to start exercising. I had tried before but would stop when I got tired, etc. Once I started I felt so good and when I skip a week I feel just blah. That only happened once and I got motivated to go again. Just try to go when you can and don't worry about how long to weeks take out.


I just finished W6D2. It was hard but I did it. Last week I couldn't do the 20 minutes without walking so I don't think I am going to do the 25 minutes for day 3. So frustrating!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Hi everyone-
I havnet posted here, but just spent awhile reading through this thread

I think i may be able to do the Couch to 5K program but im not sure...I have had such a problem wiith runnng my whole life--the doctor said it could be due to the surgeries had on my neck when i iwas 8, 15, and 16...

I really need to start exercising more and want to lose some weight before my cruise in january...

 

[kimwim8]

Hey all. I haven't stopped by in a while...but I'm SO glad there are so many of you all doing it, and thinking about starting.

I don't have to "sell" this program to you, but it took me from a sedentary lifestyle almost 2 years ago to running! I did stop about a year after starting, and then restarted the C25K program at about week 4 and have been running pretty consistently ever since.

Keep up the GREAT work, and for those of you thinking about it....try it!! You'll be amazed at what your body can do.

Oh, and I just LOVE the Mike Wazowski C25K clippie in your sigs!

 

[goofy!]

I want to thank you all for pointing me to this program. I was looking for an organized way to get fit and this is exactly what I was looking for. I blew out my knee a year and a half ago and have become the ultimate couch potato - weight and fitness level can attest to that. I have no interest in running a marathon, I just want to get fit again. I have a goal of 50 lbs and being fit before I turn 50 next year, so I was looking for a good exercise plan. (50 and fit by 50 is my working motto right now).

I did week1/day1 this morning on my treadmill and was amazed at how quickly the half hour went and that I actually made it through the entire half hour. Even though my fitness level is horrendous, I was able to complete it somewhat comfortably. It was actually easier to finish than the 15 minute brisk walk I tried to complete yesterday. I think with all the changes in pace you don't think about it as much. Although I am beginning to feel the vestiges of soreness a few hours later.

 

[postesf]

I'm just looking into this now. I'm just getting into the whole Marathon thing... I DON'T run--never have. I want to start off slow by doing the 5k at AK on Jan 11 '08, then maybe work my way up to the 15K for Minnie in May, the do the full Marathon in 2009... Almost seems to ambitious!!!

 

[contempory4me]

Great job to all of you C25K-ers
This is a great program. If it made me a runner (well...more of a wogger actually) it can help anyone. I am now running at 40. I couldn't run when I was a kid, teen or even at my ideal weight.
Here's what helped me...
1. The coolrunning.com website, there are threads where you can post with others going thru the same week as you. Cheer eachother on.
2. I also read somewhere that the first 11 min. are the hardest- get thru those and you are on your way.
3.Go slow- speed kills the newbies

Here's what didn't help..
1. Having to have a specific situation in place in order to run...the fan, TV, ice water, and the time of day.
2. Graphing my progress- when I didn't see improvement I quit for a while.

Be good to yourselves and go out and have fun. I have no plans to run a race, I just want to get fit so maybe that eases the pressure a bit. I run when I want to (3-4 times per week) I run as far as I want (2.5-4 miles) and I walk when I'm tired.

Swim-mom, grad school is a huge undertaking for a busy mom- run when you can. It will help prevent the "freshman 15".

 

[curiouser]

Hello EVERYONE!! Hello NEWBIES!! Gosh its great to see so many new folks on this thread!! I am SO excited to hear your progress! C25K really is such a great program; I am accomplishing so much it makes me feel great!!

I did W6D2 today!!! I attempted it for the first time on Saturday, got a side stitch and pulled back, but today I defeated it!! It helped that I had a HORRIBLE day at work and got to run off the aggression!

postesf, hey fellow Black Team member!! Those sound like GREAT goals! I'd love to do the Minnie, too.. keep working and maybe we'll run it at the same time!

goofy! Well done!! Its amazing what your body can accomplish when you set your mind to it, isn't it? Don't forget to stretch well before AND after your workout, once you get into the longer runs you really start to feel it if you don't stretch. Cool Runnings has some great stretch instructions.