Couch to 5k

[amandaw]

Congrats to both of you! When I first started I could barely do the day's run, but now I'm looking at W5D2 tomorrow, and I did a 4.5 mile walk this morning to keep up my fitness. I couldn't have imagined intentionally getting up to go outside and walk in the heat before! I'm planning to do my first 5K on August 6th

Thank you! I was thinking of taking my son for longer than normal wagon rides on my days off. But, I'm worried about burning myself out too quick. Maybe it would be better to get through my first week of C25K & then start doing walks on my off days.

Good luck to you on your upcoming 5K!

 

[JaxJags08]

W1D1 - Done! I can't really "jog" so I hope I am doing ok with the speed I am going for the brisk walk to jog parts.
I am hoping to do W1D2 this afternoon and will try to speed up a tad.

Hi everyone! Wanted to see if I could join in for the fun/support/encouragement to get through this program. My DH & I just started this morning. I am not a morning person at all, so I was really proud of myself for getting up without any problems & getting out there to do it! I would love to be able to do one of the 5K runs at WDW one day.

W1D1 complete!

Great job, both of you! Just stick with it and you will be amazed at what you can accomplish in such a relatively small amount of time - I know that has been the case for me.

 

[amandaw]

Great job, both of you! Just stick with it and you will be amazed at what you can accomplish in such a relatively small amount of time - I know that has been the case for me.

Thank you so much for the words of encouragement! They really do help. I'm amazed by how good I feel today since I got up early & exercised. I almost have enough energy to keep up with my 3 year old son!

 

[JaxJags08]

Thank you so much for the words of encouragement! They really do help. I'm amazed by how good I feel today since I got up early & exercised. I almost have enough energy to keep up with my 3 year old son!

I know how you feel! I have 2 daughters, 4 and 1, and oh my goodness - SO much energy! This program has helped me with stress, too. I get a little scheduled me time (even if it means sometimes getting up and running before they are awake) and I run off the stress that little ones naturally bring about.

 

[GaRain]

I wish I could do this in the morning - I am sure it would perk me up for the rest of the day. Unfortunately, I have to get up at 5:30am already to get to work on time....

 

[JaxJags08]

I wish I could do this in the morning - I am sure it would perk me up for the rest of the day. Unfortunately, I have to get up at 5:30am already to get to work on time....

Whoa - 5:30am is really early! An 8am run is the earliest I've been able to do.
Afternoon runs are great for getting rid of your workday stress, too. I just run with my dog so it's much harder later in the day because there are more people out (some walking their own dogs) and he wants to visit them.

 

[TMcDwyer]

W1D1 - Done! I can't really "jog" so I hope I am doing ok with the speed I am going for the brisk walk to jog parts.
I am hoping to do W1D2 this afternoon and will try to speed up a tad.

Hi everyone! Wanted to see if I could join in for the fun/support/encouragement to get through this program. My DH & I just started this morning. I am not a morning person at all, so I was really proud of myself for getting up without any problems & getting out there to do it! I would love to be able to do one of the 5K runs at WDW one day.

W1D1 complete!

Congrats and welcome to C25K!!!

I get up at 6 on my running days so I can be up before the kids get up and get my run in before the heat kicks in. It has been so HOT here!!!

I DID IT!!!! I finished W5D3 today...20 minutes of continuous running!!!! I still can't believe that I was able to do it!

 

[JaxJags08]

I DID IT!!!! I finished W5D3 today...20 minutes of continuous running!!!! I still can't believe that I was able to do it!

Great job!!!

 

[amandaw]

Congrats and welcome to C25K!!!

I get up at 6 on my running days so I can be up before the kids get up and get my run in before the heat kicks in. It has been so HOT here!!!

I DID IT!!!! I finished W5D3 today...20 minutes of continuous running!!!! I still can't believe that I was able to do it!

Thank you! And a big congrats to you on finishing W5D3! I can't even imagine right now being able to do that!

I'm in south Louisiana, so the heat is bad all day long & the humidity just makes it stifling! I think our routine will be that DH will get up & do his part at 6:30 & then I'll do mine as soon as he gets back. It is already so hot that early in the morning, it's just ridiculous!

So, tomorrow morning we will each do W1D2. I'm scared! The fronts of my thighs & my obliques are so sore today. I'm worrying that I bit off more than I can chew with this program. But, I will get up in the morning & get out there & try my best!

 

[indimom]

Just popping in to say, I haven't given up.
Last week was really rough with the heat/humidity, but we managed to do the first two days of week five a couple times. The Saturday AM run was so much easier than the evenings during the week. Ugh.
I'm hoping the weather cools a bit so we can give W5D3 a try, but we can barely finish the shorter runs right now. BUT, We are still moving and I'm proud of us for keeping it up in the heat.
Hope everyone else is doing great and keeping hydrated!

 

[JaxJags08]

Just popping in to say, I haven't given up.
Last week was really rough with the heat/humidity, but we managed to do the first two days of week five a couple times. The Saturday AM run was so much easier than the evenings during the week. Ugh.
I'm hoping the weather cools a bit so we can give W5D3 a try, but we can barely finish the shorter runs right now. BUT, We are still moving and I'm proud of us for keeping it up in the heat.
Hope everyone else is doing great and keeping hydrated!

Great job! I think you'll be able to do W5D3 - just keep it slow. I have found that my pace per mile is actually slower for the days where there is no walk break. I don't know if it's inexperience and I just need to figure out what pace I can run at or if I just really will always do better with run/walk intervals.

The weather is kicking my butt! But I am DONE with week 6 I did the 25 minute run this morning. 78 degrees (doesn't sound bad) but with 94% humidity Not pleasant. My pace was a 12:30mpm. I so wish I could be faster, but I guess I should be happy that I finished without walking. I was barely able to do 90 seconds of running in the beginning without huffing and puffing and I am literally going from couch (doing no exercise for the past few years) to 5k. I need to cut myself some slack.

Also, kinda frustrated I have lost ZERO weight (actually gained 2 lbs) during these 6 weeks. I only had about 10 lbs to lose and haven't been really dieting, just counting on the extra exercise to do it for me. I guess I'm not in my 20's anymore and I have to actually pay attention to what I eat. OK, sorry - rant done.

My days of run/walk intervals for C25K are done . I don't know if I should still incorporate them though if I am planning on doing the Galloway training for half marathons since it is run/walk. For now I will try to just run.

 

[GaRain]

I am done with week 1 and hoping to start week 2 after work today.
I am refusing to weigh myself during this training.....I don't want that to add to my frustration level....

 

[TMcDwyer]

Also, kinda frustrated I have lost ZERO weight (actually gained 2 lbs) during these 6 weeks. I only had about 10 lbs to lose and haven't been really dieting, just counting on the extra exercise to do it for me. I guess I'm not in my 20's anymore and I have to actually pay attention to what I eat. OK, sorry - rant done.

I have stopped weighing myself for this very reason. It is just to disappointing to not see the numbers drop. I will weigh myself after I finish C25K.

My days of run/walk intervals for C25K are done . I don't know if I should still incorporate them though if I am planning on doing the Galloway training for half marathons since it is run/walk. For now I will try to just run.

This is what I am planning to do too. I do W6D2 tomorrow and then it is all running after that. I am going to do the B210K next and I think there are some walk breaks in that.

I am done with week 1 and hoping to start week 2 after work today.
I am refusing to weigh myself during this training.....I don't want that to add to my frustration level....

Good for you!!! Keep going and you will be amazed what you can do!!!

 

[indimom]

Great job! I think you'll be able to do W5D3 - just keep it slow. I have found that my pace per mile is actually slower for the days where there is no walk break. I don't know if it's inexperience and I just need to figure out what pace I can run at or if I just really will always do better with run/walk intervals.

It's considerably cooler today, so we are going to give it a shot tonight. Sticking to a "no hills" course to give us an easier run. Here goes!!!

The weather is kicking my butt! But I am DONE with week 6 I did the 25 minute run this morning. 78 degrees (doesn't sound bad) but with 94% humidity Not pleasant. My pace was a 12:30mpm. I so wish I could be faster, but I guess I should be happy that I finished without walking. I was barely able to do 90 seconds of running in the beginning without huffing and puffing and I am literally going from couch (doing no exercise for the past few years) to 5k. I need to cut myself some slack.

You're right about that. I can't believe how far we have come!

Also, kinda frustrated I have lost ZERO weight (actually gained 2 lbs) during these 6 weeks. I only had about 10 lbs to lose and haven't been really dieting, just counting on the extra exercise to do it for me. I guess I'm not in my 20's anymore and I have to actually pay attention to what I eat. OK, sorry - rant done.

My days of run/walk intervals for C25K are done . I don't know if I should still incorporate them though if I am planning on doing the Galloway training for half marathons since it is run/walk. For now I will try to just run.

I am done with week 1 and hoping to start week 2 after work today.
I am refusing to weigh myself during this training.....I don't want that to add to my frustration level....

I have stopped weighing myself for this very reason. It is just to disappointing to not see the numbers drop. I will weigh myself after I finish C25K.




This is what I am planning to do too. I do W6D2 tomorrow and then it is all running after that. I am going to do the B210K next and I think there are some walk breaks in that.




Good for you!!! Keep going and you will be amazed what you can do!!!

I agree. I avoid the scale and just try to focus on healthy eating. The scale has always and forever undermined my weight control efforts.

 

[amandaw]

UGH! I feel like such an unmotivated slacker! I was supposed to do W1D3 yesterday. Well, my DH got up & went & did his. I got up & dressed. When he was coming back in the house, I was about to go out but noticed it had started to rain. It rained pretty much all day, so I never got out there. I was going to go this morning but I pulled a muscle in my back last night & it was still hurting this morning. I absolutely have to get back out there tomorrow morning!

Okay, now that I'm done with my rant about myself...I have a question for all of y'all here. On the Disney run website, I read that they want you to be able to do 1 mile in 15 or 16 minutes for their runs. I am nowhere near that pace since I just started. Am I the only one starting off so slow? Or did other people start off struggling with the running & with the pace time? I have not been a regular exerciser & I'm wondering if I can do this. Was anyone else like this when they started and, if so, have you seen improvement?

 

[GaRain]

Okay, now that I'm done with my rant about myself...I have a question for all of y'all here. On the Disney run website, I read that they want you to be able to do 1 mile in 15 or 16 minutes for their runs. I am nowhere near that pace since I just started. Am I the only one starting off so slow? Or did other people start off struggling with the running & with the pace time? I have not been a regular exerciser & I'm wondering if I can do this. Was anyone else like this when they started and, if so, have you seen improvement?

When I first started walking, I did a 22 minute mile. Right now, I am about a 20 minunte mile and hoping to improve with this routine.

 

[TMcDwyer]

Okay, now that I'm done with my rant about myself...I have a question for all of y'all here. On the Disney run website, I read that they want you to be able to do 1 mile in 15 or 16 minutes for their runs. I am nowhere near that pace since I just started. Am I the only one starting off so slow? Or did other people start off struggling with the running & with the pace time? I have not been a regular exerciser & I'm wondering if I can do this. Was anyone else like this when they started and, if so, have you seen improvement?

I started off SLOW too. Just keep going and the pace will pick up.

 

[amandaw]

When I first started walking, I did a 22 minute mile. Right now, I am about a 20 minunte mile and hoping to improve with this routine.

I started off SLOW too. Just keep going and the pace will pick up.

Thank y'all for the responses! It helps knowing I'm not the only one to start slow. My DH (even though he's out of shape, too) is so much faster than me so I was wondering if this program wasn't for people like me. But, now that I know I'm not alone, I'm going to try & persevere! Again, thanks!

 

[DIS_MERI]

Great job! I think you'll be able to do W5D3 - just keep it slow. I have found that my pace per mile is actually slower for the days where there is no walk break. I don't know if it's inexperience and I just need to figure out what pace I can run at or if I just really will always do better with run/walk intervals.

The weather is kicking my butt! But I am DONE with week 6 I did the 25 minute run this morning. 78 degrees (doesn't sound bad) but with 94% humidity Not pleasant. My pace was a 12:30mpm. I so wish I could be faster, but I guess I should be happy that I finished without walking. I was barely able to do 90 seconds of running in the beginning without huffing and puffing and I am literally going from couch (doing no exercise for the past few years) to 5k. I need to cut myself some slack.

Also, kinda frustrated I have lost ZERO weight (actually gained 2 lbs) during these 6 weeks. I only had about 10 lbs to lose and haven't been really dieting, just counting on the extra exercise to do it for me. I guess I'm not in my 20's anymore and I have to actually pay attention to what I eat. OK, sorry - rant done.

My days of run/walk intervals for C25K are done . I don't know if I should still incorporate them though if I am planning on doing the Galloway training for half marathons since it is run/walk. For now I will try to just run.

I have stopped weighing myself for this very reason. It is just to disappointing to not see the numbers drop. I will weigh myself after I finish C25K.




This is what I am planning to do too. I do W6D2 tomorrow and then it is all running after that. I am going to do the B210K next and I think there are some walk breaks in that.




Good for you!!! Keep going and you will be amazed what you can do!!!

I have also had some scale frustration, I had even cut out soda and no budge on the scale for quite a while (and I can normally drop soda and lose 3 lbs in a week). But, I have been walk a ton because of a mileage challenge going on with some friends and that seems to have helped, I've lost 5 lbs now, although I'd still like to lose 5 or 7 lbs. I'm at 142 miles walked/run in July so far and am aiming to get in at least 9 miles a day (and haven't started yet today, so I've got some walking to do! I did 9 straight miles yesterday) so I can have 200+ miles in by the end of our challenge July 31.

And, I followed C25K through W5D2 but now I am doing my own thing. Kinda a B210K thing, but not exactly. My long term goal is the Princess in Feb, but short term is a 5K Aug 6 and a 10K Sept 5. I like the walk breaks too much to give them up, lol, so I did 2 10 min runs on Sat with a 1-2 min walk between, tomorrow I will do 3 8 min runs, then 3 9s Thursday and 3 10s on Sat. The next week it will be 4 runs in increasing increments until I can finish a 10K Then I will work on running faster.

UGH! I feel like such an unmotivated slacker! I was supposed to do W1D3 yesterday. Well, my DH got up & went & did his. I got up & dressed. When he was coming back in the house, I was about to go out but noticed it had started to rain. It rained pretty much all day, so I never got out there. I was going to go this morning but I pulled a muscle in my back last night & it was still hurting this morning. I absolutely have to get back out there tomorrow morning!

Okay, now that I'm done with my rant about myself...I have a question for all of y'all here. On the Disney run website, I read that they want you to be able to do 1 mile in 15 or 16 minutes for their runs. I am nowhere near that pace since I just started. Am I the only one starting off so slow? Or did other people start off struggling with the running & with the pace time? I have not been a regular exerciser & I'm wondering if I can do this. Was anyone else like this when they started and, if so, have you seen improvement?

I did not think of myself as anything at all of a speedy runner when I started and was worried about the speed requirement as well, but I did find that I was able to go faster as I got farther along in the program. Now my average mile is between 11:30 and 12:30 for running and 15:00-16:00 for walking, unless I am in my house (I've been walking laps in my house lately because it is ridiculously hot outside and my house is air-conditioned! Plus I'm a single Mom of 3 and don't have to leave the kids to walk inside ). Inside the house I have to slow down for doors, chairs and frequent turns (not to mention clearing the table, swapping the laundry, putting dishes away, etc), so it is closer to 18 mins. I have *really* found that lots of walking has increased my general endurance and I am able to walk/run much faster and not tire/get sore. Of course, on the minus side it sucks up about 3 hours of my day to walk so much....

 

[indimom]

Okay, we didn't finish the full 20 minute run last night (W5D3), but I'm still feeling pretty good about how we did. We just decided to ditch the podcast we've been following (since it's a straight 20-minute run anyway) and just see how much we had in us.

So, we did our 5 minute warmup and started to jog. When I felt like I couldn't breathe anymore (this ALWAYS seems to be what holds us back), we slowed to a walk and checked our time. We had run for 10 minutes and went exactly one mile.
Ummmm, I think we started a little TOO FAST out of the gate. No wonder I was winded.

So, we walked fast for 4 minutes, then ran another six, and I was done. Toast. So, we didn't run any more total minutes than W5D2, but our pace was a LOT faster (we usually are in the 12 minute mile range), we had a shorter walk break, and we managed a full 10 minute run at the start.

So, we're just going to keep working our way toward that 20 minute mark and we'll celebrate when we get there! It may take a week or two, but if there is one thing I've learned from this program, it's that we CAN get there.

For the pace question that came up. No Way did we start out this fast. Our pace has improved significantly. I think during W1, we averaged around 15-16 minute miles. So, don't give up. The pace will pick up and so will your endurance. Good Luck Everyone! Happy Running.