Couch to 5K support

[timandlesley]

O.K, guys so my husband Tim and I have decided we needed to get off our rears and start running. SO we started couch to 5K yesterday. We made it through day 1 and I have to say there were times during the running I thought I was going to die (pathetic I know). I so want to do this and am committed to doing it but for those of you who have done this before I could really use some encouragement. If you follow the program diligently does the running get easier?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Well, I want to do it as well. Congrats for having the courage to post!!!

Did anyone on these boards do C25K everyday?

My issue with it was I need to do it daily because I slacked off over the summer when I tried to start.

What is your plan OP?

 

[timandlesley]

I downloaded the free Couch to 5K app on my phone. My husband and I are doing it together. It's a 3 day a week program for 8 total weeks. Yesterday was a 5 minute fast walk then followed by increments of 90 minutes running/ 90 minutes speed walking for a total of 30 minutes. First bouts of running were no problem but the last two were brutal- and I consider myself a healthy young person (well youngish, I'm 36). I have done Zumba and other things to stay fit but have definitely laxed the past few months and overall last few years and put on about 10-15 pounds I'd like to shed. Our goal is to do the Disney half next year.......we shall see.........this running is a different beast and my body hates me for it- hoping it comes around sooner rather than later.

 

[dburg30]

O.K, guys so my husband Tim and I have decided we needed to get off our rears and start running. SO we started couch to 5K yesterday. We made it through day 1 and I have to say there were times during the running I thought I was going to die (pathetic I know). I so want to do this and am committed to doing it but for those of you who have done this before I could really use some encouragement. If you follow the program diligently does the running get easier?

There are a few things I can add for you.. It gets nothing but better.. That's number 1. Getting up and starting you have done the hardest part of the whole program. Really, it's true. If you havent done any exercising at all recently you'll be sore as you start using muscles you havent used in a while . But it's a good thing. As you progress your lungs will become more efficient and it will become easier. Now dont read it as easy, it's not hard, but it does take commitment which I can tell you have!! Follow the plan, dont push too hard, listen to your body (but dont let your mind trick you) and more then anything, enjoy the time you are spending TOGETHER doing something that's good for both of you!!!

 

[Desiree]

O.K, guys so my husband Tim and I have decided we needed to get off our rears and start running. SO we started couch to 5K yesterday. We made it through day 1 and I have to say there were times during the running I thought I was going to die (pathetic I know). I so want to do this and am committed to doing it but for those of you who have done this before I could really use some encouragement. If you follow the program diligently does the running get easier?

It absolutely gets easier. The hardest part is really going out the door most days but once you do, you will be amazed at how fast your body adjusts to running.

Well, I want to do it as well. Congrats for having the courage to post!!!

Did anyone on these boards do C25K everyday?

My issue with it was I need to do it daily because I slacked off over the summer when I tried to start.

What is your plan OP?

It's actually not meant to do every day. You need to give your body some time to rest in between runs at least until you run regularly. At least that's what I've read.

I followed the program to a "T" and there were a few days sprinkled in that I had to repeat but I did finish it in roughly 10 weeks. I ran my first 5K just this past weekend!

There is a longer thread on WISH here that has tons of advice and support!

 

[pigletto]

Can't believe I'm seeing this thread today!
My husband and I started a weight loss journey on the 1st of January. We are making small gradual changes for our overall health .. not just weight loss. He is down 10 pounds and would like to lose 25 total. I am down 12 with about 25 to go
Every day this thing we have started is gaining momentum. I think especially since we are doing it together. So we talked about walking in the evenings and that starts today. But then we started saying "Hmmm.. I bet we could run". My husband is/was much more athletic than me. I never ever ever thought I could be a runner. But lately I am all about challenging myself and specifically tackling the things I thought I would never do. I'll be 40 in a year and 4 days.

So, we're going to start with the walking, then do the couch to 5k. I have dreams of a long term goal of maybe even doing the Disney half next January (did I just say that out loud?!).

But for now the goal is to get moving again. I'll be following this thread and looking for the other one mentioned. There's something inside me pushing me towards some new firsts. I'm nervous and excited.

 

[runsandjumps]

I am always amazed at how challenging it is to start running. Even for previous runners!

The wonderful thing about this program is that you get comfortable with each week THEN increase your running time. So when you feel like the running is getting easier, you know you can move on. If it stills feels too hard, repeat a day or week.

I hope you enjoy the program. Don't give up on yourself. You can do this!

 

[cathigh10]

I agree with the PP... just stick with the program. I am currently up to 1 min walking and 3 min jogging and I feel stronger each time I run. It will get easier. Good Luck!

 

[schoonersky]

O.K, guys so my husband Tim and I have decided we needed to get off our rears and start running. SO we started couch to 5K yesterday. We made it through day 1 and I have to say there were times during the running I thought I was going to die (pathetic I know). I so want to do this and am committed to doing it but for those of you who have done this before I could really use some encouragement. If you follow the program diligently does the running get easier?

I did the C25k program almost two years ago. It was tough- I was a non-exerciser with no coordination. The breathing took a few weeks to get used to and I had a few sore muscles from time to time. But it felt SOOOO good! I believe I repeated week 6 or 7, but otherwise finished in 10 weeks and ran my first 5k that fall. I have bumped it up and am now preparing for the Wine and Dine half! I just started trying Jeff Galloway's app for Easy 5k to improve my time. Running is great- and PP is right, once you get out the door you feel great!

 

[brockash]

O.K, guys so my husband Tim and I have decided we needed to get off our rears and start running. SO we started couch to 5K yesterday. We made it through day 1 and I have to say there were times during the running I thought I was going to die (pathetic I know). I so want to do this and am committed to doing it but for those of you who have done this before I could really use some encouragement. If you follow the program diligently does the running get easier?

I did it a couple years ago, and yes the beginning is def. the hardest (at least it was for me.) For me, once I hit doing I think it was like 4, 10, 4 of running or something like that, it seemed much easier. I think part of it is just because in the beginning it just feels like it's never going to end, and towards the middle and end everything's more spaced out, so I knew I only had to run 4 mins. twice and 10 mins. once etc.


Also, I have NEVER been a runner. Even as a kid I always hated running, so just stick with it and you'll be okay. I found running first thing in the morning was easier for me. Good luck!

ETA: I did each week for 2 weeks. I think it was more a mind thing for me, but that's how I had to do it. The first week it was new and in my head I considered it my "hard" week and the next week I knew I could do it, so it was my "easy" week. I also walked on the days that I didn't do the program. Every morning I either walked or did the program for 30 mins.... it was easier for me to not, just not do it, because I was already outside walking anyways.

 

[jake2]

I am on week 5 it does get easier. I'm doing the Princess 5k. You will be surprised on how good you feel after a longer run. You can do it!!! Stay with it & at your own pace you will do great!!!

 

[UGAFan0829]

I've done C25k before, but I'm trying something new this time--decided to go with Jeff Galloway's 5K training program! So far it has been pretty easy starting out and I like that you can choose your intervals! Either way, I think we're all training for the same thing, so good luck!

 

[RichieTruxillo]

Don't quit! It gets better. I started C25k in April 2012. I just ran my first 1/2 marathon earlier this month. Follow the program. Don't skip rest days (You need time to recover when getting started). Run when you don't feel like running (because you will feel better after you run, trust us!)

 

[dburg30]

Don't quit! It gets better. I started C25k in April 2012. I just ran my first 1/2 marathon earlier this month. Follow the program. Don't skip rest days (You need time to recover when getting started). Run when you don't feel like running (because you will feel better after you run, trust us!)

Cannot stress this enough!! You may hate getting out to run, you may feel like you are going to die while running, but when it's over, all the sudden you feel pretty darn good about yourself and what you did!!!

And agree on the rest days..

 

[JCH]

I found more luck with the Galloway 5k than C25K. You may want to check it out. It's 12 weeks instead of 8, so it eases you into it a little more.

 

[bumbershoot]

I did the coolrunnings c25k and liked it. But I wasn't afraid to repeat weeks as needed! I can't remember if it was week 4 or 5, but one of them was *extremely* challenging for me (especially my lungs), and I just needed more time. So don't be afraid to repeat weeks, and don't get bummed if you guys get off track from each other. You don't have the same bodies, so you don't need to be on the same week.

I've actually done the program twice, with plans for more. the first time I just used the *time*. Second time through I did the actual mileage. When I do it again I'll try to increase the time. For right now, before I started it again, i've just been doing the 5K distance or a little beyond, to get my legs and lungs really used to it. Now, I'm a treadmill person, so eventually another step will be running on actual ground, LOL. I keep my treadmill at a bit of an incline, as "they" say that helps you train for real ground a little more.

It does get better, but I really do stress the concept of repeating weeks if your body needs it.

 

[got2lovedisney]

Keep at it! You will see improvement and this is coming from a definite non-runner who used the walk/jog queues from the app to shave off 4 minutes from my 1st to 2nd 5K. (not much but as I said, I'm a non-runner). I'm already registered for my 3rd 5K and restarting C25K to try to best my previous times. You can do it!!

 

[RangerPooh]

I aytempted it last summer and made it to week 3 before I stopped. I started again and am now on week 5. I too use the cool Runnings app and really like it. This weeks a doozie! Today was 5 walk, 8 jog, 5 walk, 8 jog, 5 walk. I looked ahead at tomorrow's and its 5 walk, 20 jog, 5 walk. This might be the first week that I repeat, not because its head but because I personally need more time to reach the goal.

I haven't run seriously since the 90s and I'm very overweight, but I'm enjoying it.Since we live in a snow area I hit the treadmill in the evenings after the kids are in bed. Last weekend was warm and the snow/ice melted so I hit our local trail. My time was better in pavement than the treadmill! I jogged two miles in 28 minutes

My first 5k+ is the Expedition Everest Challenge in May. I then will be running a foam run in July.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I love reading your stories here. You guys are an inspiration and I hope to join you one day.

I have to really focus on stretching right now to get rid of my tight calf muscles, achilles tendon, and plantar fasciitis. It really stinks.

My plantar fasciitis is in the arch of my foot and not in the heel. After 10 mins on the treadmill, it hurts. I can't wait for better weather so I can hit the pavement instead. Pavement is easier on my feet.

 

[nocomment711]

I'm gonna give this a shot come Monday. I wanna sign up for a 5K in may, then on to the tower-of-terror 10-miler. I know that's a big jump, but I think the hardest part for me will be getting out to do it.

Do you guys do cross-training with the program?