Couch - to - 5k

[BeckWhy]

For any of you have done this:

If you live in a hill neighborhood, do you have problems with the hills and accomplishing the program in 9 weeks?

Also have you seen an increase in muscles and a decrease in weight?

 

[curiouser]

I'm in the middle of the C25K program, but I do it on a treadmil, so I'm not sure about hills. I guess it all depends on if you're doing it time based or distance based (there's two ways to do the program). Distance based is more focused on speed to reach a 5k in 30 minutes. Myself, I'm doing the time based first, to just get up to running 30minutes and then I'll start over again doing distance based. I think if you start time based the hills won't matter since you're just developing your own pace at that point.

I've noticed muscles firming up in my legs a bit. I'm not sure if WL is directly resulting from C25K since I am also doing WW, but I'm sure the combination of both is helping!

Good luck!!! You might want to check out Cool Running's forums as well, they have a beginners forum for those on the C25K program.

 

[BeckWhy]

Thanks for the imput. What is the cool runnings forum? Where is it?

I just tried today to start the couch to 5k thing and it really whooped my butt. I did the 5 min brisk walk then the stretches. I started the run then walked.. This is how it went:

60 run
90 walk
60 run
90 walk
30 run
walked whatever to get back home

I think I am too outta shape to do this. I ended up almost hyperventilating, and it gave me a terrible migraine. I had to lay down for 30 min before I could see straight again. My neurologist is gonna love me for that one... I'll try again on Wednesday and try to get as far as I can I guess... I dunno though...

 

[curiouser]

Trust me, I highly doubt you're too out of shape. I'm about 40lbs overweight and I hadn't exercised in ages and I started the program. Just remember to take it slow. There's folks on Cool Runnings who are 100+lbs overweight and doing the program. (Cool Running is the group that started the C25K, btw) The one thing everyone on there stresses is to take it slow and build your way up. Even if you just feel like you're speed walking, that's OK!

http://www.coolrunning.com/cgi-bin/ubb/Ultimate.cgi

Good luck!!! You CAN do this!!

 

[Foxfiregrrl]

Just wanted to say DON'T give up! You can do this!

I would suggest that you walk for a little longer in between jogs if it feels like you are overdoing it. I had Never jogged or run before, but seeing all the marathon trainers on WISH made me want to try. I have probably gone slower than I should have, but I used a different guide also (not sure which one, there are several talked about on the training board). It said to start w/ one minute jogging, then 3 minutes walking. That really helped me in the beginning. Then once you are a little more comfortable you can go to 2 minutes then 90 seconds. If you have never done this before I think it is important to work your way into it.

I don't know about working the plan in 9 weeks or not. I guess it depends on how quickly your body adjusts to the jogging.

Good Luck!

 

[te2077]

curiouser- thanks so much for the link. I plan on getting started today. its great to find a message board with others doing the same. great articles too.