Couch to 5K!!

[Disneylover79]

Anyone do it? DF and I are going to start this weekend. If you have done it what advice can you give us?

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

I have not done it, but several on the WISH board have. If you post there you will get plenty of support! Good luck!

 

[mrsxsparrow]

I've almoooost done it but had to stop near the end to start training for a half marathon (which I was going to run/walk, not run all the way through). The best advice I got was to not be afraid to repeat weeks if they are hard for you.

The other piece of advice that turned out to be awesome was to slow the runs down. I already felt like I was going super slow but was having problems with one of the weeks. I had to actively slow myself down to get trough it, but eventually it got easier and I got faster.

Stick with it no matter what, you can do it, and it will be awesome when you finish

 

[StacyMarie]

Couch to 5K graduate here! I ran my first 5K in June. The best advice I can give you is if you need to repeat a week of the program then repeat it! In the first half of training, I repeated a couple of the weeks and towards the end I actually skipped a week. It was tough at first and I wanted to quit BUT don't give up. The program works if you are willing to stick with it! Good luck!

 

[J3nn78]

I did it last year. I went from being a non runner (could not run a minute) to training for a marathon and down 50lbs. It was a great springboard for me.

Definitely check out the WISH board. THere are lots of people there who have done it and are doing it now.

 

[mtemm]

I started on wedn. am curious to see how it goes for me. day 2 today!

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

I started on wedn. am curious to see how it goes for me. day 2 today!

Good for you!!! Keep it up!

 

[FireDancer]

I didn't do it personally but know a lot of people who have (on the WISH boards and IRL) and I have never heard of anyone not succeeding that gave it enough effort.

 

[linda0706]

The other piece of advice that turned out to be awesome was to slow the runs down. I already felt like I was going super slow but was having problems with one of the weeks. I had to actively slow myself down to get trough it, but eventually it got easier and I got faster.

I did C25K too, and I'd also been advised to slow my runs down. In fact I was SO slow that a dog-walker in my neighborhood passed me up. My husband found great glee in that...it is still a family joke that I run slower than a walker. But that's OK, I counter with the fact that at least I'm out there running & not sitting on the couch watching NCIS reruns on TV!

(not that I don't love me some Mark Harmon )

Good luck, you can do it!!!

 

[mtemm]

am curious as to how slow a run you all started out with. I did my second day today. am on the treadmill at the gym, and am 5'2" so definitely not long legged. I found 5.4 to be a comfortable starting pace for running, but am curious about what others are doing. also for those who finished the program, what pace did you start with/what did you finish the program with?

I'm having fun with it so far but am still iffy about whether its a good thing for me to be doing. I had knee surgery back in high school and my knees have never enjoyed running since, but then I used to start off very gung ho. I like walking/ellipticals/arc machines/spin classes for cardio, but for some reason...maybe because I'm 43 now...I just have this urge to run. but is it crazy?

anyone else question it?

anyone found running caused injuries?

 

[Colleen27]

I started it and dropped out, not because of any flaw with the program but just because I'm flaky like that. I'm going to start it again on Monday, though, because I've decided that the ESPN the Weekend 5k unexpectedly being scheduled for our DHS day (a week later than it has been in the past) is as good a reason as any to get off my butt. I've always wanted to do a Disney race, but they never seem to line up with the times we can travel.

 

[adkkev]

Having the urge to run isn't crazy ... and the more you run, the more you like it. Six months ago I could barely crank out a quarter mile at a time ... now I can run six miles straight without a problem. And I feel a whole lot better too!!

Go slow when starting out ... don't try to run every day!! And C25K focuses on building your endurance based on your time spent running, rather than distance or speed. As you build up your endurance/stamina, you'll find yourself running farther, and faster. C25K also has you alternating between running and walking, with your walking time being reduced and your running time is increased over the course of the program. And if you're uncomfortable about moving on after you finish a week, you simply repeat that week's program. No one is keeping track except you.

There are several C25K podcasts available for iPods ... they go through the program week by week and coach you on your program.

Personally, I feel that running on the treadmill is worse than running outdoors. Of course running outdoors may not be possible for you ... so you do whatever fits your schedule.

And running requires good running shoes. Get yourself fitted at a local running shoe store (you may want to go to your LRS and get their advice & size recommendation, and then go and find your shoe elsewhere ... if you know that an Asics Cumulus 11 is right for you, then go to Zappos and buy it there ... chances are it may be less expensive).

And then of course, there's always the other running 'theory' - read "Born To Run" and see for yourself.

And join the Runner's World online forum ... they have a beginner's section that can be very helpful and supportive.

am curious as to how slow a run you all started out with. I did my second day today. am on the treadmill at the gym, and am 5'2" so definitely not long legged. I found 5.4 to be a comfortable starting pace for running, but am curious about what others are doing. also for those who finished the program, what pace did you start with/what did you finish the program with?

I'm having fun with it so far but am still iffy about whether its a good thing for me to be doing. I had knee surgery back in high school and my knees have never enjoyed running since, but then I used to start off very gung ho. I like walking/ellipticals/arc machines/spin classes for cardio, but for some reason...maybe because I'm 43 now...I just have this urge to run. but is it crazy?

anyone else question it?

anyone found running caused injuries?

 

[mrsxsparrow]

am curious as to how slow a run you all started out with. I did my second day today. am on the treadmill at the gym, and am 5'2" so definitely not long legged. I found 5.4 to be a comfortable starting pace for running, but am curious about what others are doing. also for those who finished the program, what pace did you start with/what did you finish the program with?

I'm having fun with it so far but am still iffy about whether its a good thing for me to be doing. I had knee surgery back in high school and my knees have never enjoyed running since, but then I used to start off very gung ho. I like walking/ellipticals/arc machines/spin classes for cardio, but for some reason...maybe because I'm 43 now...I just have this urge to run. but is it crazy?

anyone else question it?

anyone found running caused injuries?

When I first started, I was at 6mph, and thought that was comfortable. Slowing down felt weird. After the first two weeks though I tried 5.5 and although it felt weird at first I was able to run longer. Eventually I slowed all the way down to 5.0mph. I did most of my runs outside but a few were on the treadmill... with me running at 5 and my brother next to me walking at 5

Eventually I sped back up a little and now I'm at 6, but I'm training to walk/run a half marathon, so I'm only running up to 8 minutes at a time.

Also, I did get a lot of shin splints and had some problems with my knees in the beginning, but I had to try a few different pairs of shoes and eventually had some orthotic insert things custom made and the injuries went away.

 

[OhhBother]

C25K graduate here! I'd never run a day in my life before I started the program. I'm running my third "official" 5K next weekend, and I've set my sights on a half marathon next year...

Between running and Weight Watchers, I'm down 147 pounds.

 

[TifffanyD]

I have started this program several times and completed it once! After I finished I was up to running 42 minutes but then something happened to make me quit. I can't remember what so it must not have been that important... maybe the treadmill was broken or maybe I got sick.

Anyways I am on it again and completed week 4. It works if you stick with it! I run slow (4.2-4.4) and am 5'5" BUT I have short legs. This is just what is comfortable to me and what I know I can maintain on the longer runs, from experience. I know someone said running outside could be better, but that doesn't fit into my schedule/life right now and I know I wouldn't stick with that. Good luck and join the thread on W.I.S.H... I think I am the only one active on it and I'm lonely