Couch to 5k

[mickeysgal]

We're on W1D3. W1D2 went better than W1D1. It's hot and humid here and our neighborhood is very hilly. So we're learning to run the hills on top of getting conditioned on just the Couch to 5K program. Yikes.

How are you guys researching your running shoes? What stores are you shopping at? It's been years and years since I bought a "real" set of running shoes. I'm totally out of the loop. I used to wear only New Balance, but that was many moons ago, three kids ago, and lots of aging ago. Do I find the nearest Foot Locker or Dick's Sporting Goods? Even so, how do I know what is the right brand/fit for me? Is there an online something or other you can recommend so that I can start researching so that I know what to even ask for?

 

[ColleenG]

We're on W1D3. W1D2 went better than W1D1. It's hot and humid here and our neighborhood is very hilly. So we're learning to run the hills on top of getting conditioned on just the Couch to 5K program. Yikes.

How are you guys researching your running shoes? What stores are you shopping at? It's been years and years since I bought a "real" set of running shoes. I'm totally out of the loop. I used to wear only New Balance, but that was many moons ago, three kids ago, and lots of aging ago. Do I find the nearest Foot Locker or Dick's Sporting Goods? Even so, how do I know what is the right brand/fit for me? Is there an online something or other you can recommend so that I can start researching so that I know what to even ask for?

Try a local running store where there is someone who really knows about running and how shoes fit. There is a chain called Road Runner Sports that has a machine called Shoe Dog. I think it's a tread mill that you wallk on and they can analyse how you run, so you can get the shoe that is right for you. My feet over pronate and cause wicked shin splints, even with custom made orthotics. I'm going to head to the one by us. Check out their website to see if there is one near you, if not look in the yellow pages, or I guess the more modern thing to do would be to use google.

 

[disneyfreak1]

No backing out now! I registered for the Wine and Dine 5K!

 

[Sandy321]

We're on W1D3. W1D2 went better than W1D1. It's hot and humid here and our neighborhood is very hilly. So we're learning to run the hills on top of getting conditioned on just the Couch to 5K program. Yikes.

How are you guys researching your running shoes? What stores are you shopping at? It's been years and years since I bought a "real" set of running shoes. I'm totally out of the loop. I used to wear only New Balance, but that was many moons ago, three kids ago, and lots of aging ago. Do I find the nearest Foot Locker or Dick's Sporting Goods? Even so, how do I know what is the right brand/fit for me? Is there an online something or other you can recommend so that I can start researching so that I know what to even ask for?

A running store is a must! I know its probably not practical, but it makes all the difference to have someone look at how you run, and fit your foot for that - my ankles roll in (they also look at the wear of my old shoes) and I have very LARGE feet, sad that... but I have been fitted for New Balance, I dont think all the sporting goods stores stock all the different New Balance styles...

maybe google can help?

You mean heel drops (that's what I call them)? I do those for my plantar fasciitis but my podiatrist said to be really careful when doing these stretches because you can stretch the fascia to far and cause damage.
I also do heel squats, where you put one foot flat and one out in front of you and roll the heel back on the forward foot and squat. that really helps stretch the calves and the shins out.

Yes! Thank you for that - and for the additional information! I do suffer from plantar fascitis as well - I do point and stretch and ankle rolls before I get out of bed... I havent suffered in a few months - and I do keep a frozen water bottle to roll my foot on -

No backing out now! I registered for the Wine and Dine 5K!

WAY TO GO!!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I need to talk to hubby and see if we are in fact going in October.
DH's work wife wants to go with us, with her hubby, and do the race so I need to figure out the logistics of it all. We'll probably be staying at the Dolphin and riding the ESPN bus from the Boardwalk.

 

[NitroStitch]

No backing out now! I registered for the Wine and Dine 5K!

Woohoo! So did I. I've been off training for two weeks for traveling and scheduling, so I don't even know where to start back again. I'll figure it out...I guess it's a good thing I'm starting really early.

 

[disneyfreak1]

Woohoo! So did I. I've been off training for two weeks for traveling and scheduling, so I don't even know where to start back again. I'll figure it out...I guess it's a good thing I'm starting really early.

I did W6D3 Sunday and my 25 minutes turned out to be 2.1 miles. With 4 months left to train, I KNOW I can run a 5K with no problem now. 6 weeks ago, I wasn't so sure.

 

[ColleenG]

I did w1d2 today. I felt really good afterward. I got new running shoes this morning and holy cow what a difference. The guy at the store was great (and pretty cute, too ). I actually ran for the first time without my orthotics! My shin splints didn't act up at all. Still a little sore from the other day but definately not worse! I can't even fathom putting my old sneaks on even just to run errands in. Tomorrow is Zumba day and Thursday I am planning on w1d3! Bring it on!

 

[KitKat_Tink]

I didn't manage to fit W4D3 in today so I'll have to do it tomorrow.

 

[cjnix29]

I did W6D3 Sunday and my 25 minutes turned out to be 2.1 miles. With 4 months left to train, I KNOW I can run a 5K with no problem now. 6 weeks ago, I wasn't so sure.

Way to go!! It gives me hope!! I did W1D2 today. Went pretty well. I am waiting a littel while before I register for the race I want to do, maybe half way in. Hoping I can keep going!! I do need to get some new shoes though. Love having all these just starting runners for support!

 

[UGAFan0829]

Well, as you may have realized from my absence here, I sorta fell off the bandwagon for a couple weeks.
But, I am determined to do this thing, and finish. So I started new last night with W1, D1. I did it on the treadmill, which is where it looks like I'll be doing the majority of the training now, but that's okay. It's better than not doing anything at all!

 

[Sandy321]

I did W6D3 Sunday and my 25 minutes turned out to be 2.1 miles. With 4 months left to train, I KNOW I can run a 5K with no problem now. 6 weeks ago, I wasn't so sure.

INSPIRATION!

Dont know why I hate this so much - the mental game! Lots of storms here yesterday and today - so only did about a mile - just trying to jog it without slowing to the walk - pretty much Week2 Day1 today... but I want to do better and I want to do it NOW!!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Patience Sandy, Patience!!!! you'll get there.

 

[KitKat_Tink]

week 4 done!

I really didn't want to run today but I did it and I went farther than any of the previous runs

I'm ready for week 5!

 

[Nermel9]

Hi everyone! I'm so glad I found this thread, I started the Couch to 5K last week and yesterday I just did Day 1 of Week 2. I really struggled yesterday, it was hard going from running 60 seconds to 90! I've never been a runner, or very active at all, so I know this is going to be a challenge for me. I have a feeling I will be repeating a few weeks, which is fine, I just want to be able to finish!

I have a few questions...while running is hard for me, and the huffing and puffing sometimes gets to me, I can pretty much push through that...but by the 3rd or 4th interval of running, my feet start to hurt SO bad, and all I can think about is getting off the treadmill and taking off my sneakers! I mean, it feels like my feet are about to break off of my legs! Is that normal? Did this happen to anyone else? Will it get better? I'm going to do day 2 tomorrow of week 2, and I'm dreading the pain already!

I'm wondering if it's the sneakers I'm wearing...I'm wearing a pair of sneakers that I thought were running sneakers, but they might be walking sneakers, which have never been worn, I've had them in my closet for years and they are not broken in. Do you think if I get a pair of running sneakers, my feet won't hurt as much? Or do I need to just push through the pain? My feet feel the way they do after walking for a week in Disney World!

Thanks for any advice you guys have! This thread is great! I've read up to page 6 and am going to go back and read the rest!

 

[ColleenG]

Hi Nermel9 and welcome! I just started C25K too. Today I finished week 1 . If your feet are hurting that bad it could definately be your shoes. You need a good running shoe that is right for your foot. Everyone's feet "behave" differently when they hit the ground. Try a good running store that knows about running and can see what your feet do to recommend the best shoe for you. Good shoes can make all the difference in the world. I just got a new pair and my feet and legs feel so much better. I was getting really bad shin splints even with orthotics in my old running shoes. ( I have always worn running shoes around, just never for actual running). Now that I have a good pair I don't even need the orthotics. Hope that helps.

I did w1d3 today. Whooo hoo. One week down. I felt like I was able to run a little faster today. I ran down at the boardwalk so I was able to figure out the distance. I did 2 miles in 24 minutes. And did a total of 2.6 miles. I walked a little longer on the cool down since I had to get back to the car. It was great to run along the boardwalk until I hit the section with all the food stands. All I could smell was french fries, pop corn, and funnel cake. MMMMMM. I felt really good afterwards. A little sore in my quads, but stretching helped.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Colleen didn't it feel good to not eat all that junk though?!?!?

Ugh, I haven't had time to run. I have been wearing my pedometer and I've been averaging 5000+ steps a day, but today I got in 10,000.
Things will start slowing down this weekend and next week so hopefully I can get back on it.
It's going to be really hot here this week so I'll either be hitting it early in the morning or sticking to the basement.

 

[NitroStitch]

Colleen didn't it feel good to not eat all that junk though?!?!?

Ugh, I haven't had time to run. I have been wearing my pedometer and I've been averaging 5000+ steps a day, but today I got in 10,000.
Things will start slowing down this weekend and next week so hopefully I can get back on it.
It's going to be really hot here this week so I'll either be hitting it early in the morning or sticking to the basement.

I just started back after 2 weeks of working too many hours and being gone too much to run at all. We were active during weekends at Disney, but that was it. I'm surprised I made it through the week 5, day 1 without falling over or stopping.

I'll add a vote for new shoes for Nermel9 also. My feet and ankles were killing me until I realized my shoes were getting pretty old and I got new ones. Overnight, my legs and feet were happy again. I'm shocked at how much of a difference that made...

 

[KitKat_Tink]

week 5 day 1 done.

I can tell I'm more fit but my knees and ankles are starting to kill me. It probably didn't help that I worked an 8 hour shift of standing all day before my run.

On a positive note my clothes are starting to fit right! No more tight pants making a muffin top

 

[sdmom]

On a positive note my clothes are starting to fit right! No more tight pants making a muffin top

NICE! love the disappearing muffin top!