Couch to 5k

[JaxJags08]

Just found this thread a couple of weeks ago by digging through info on Disney runs. Haven't been able to catch up on all the posts yet but I'm getting there.

I'm due to run W6D2 this weekend but now struggling with the longer runs. Had to repeat W5D3 last week but finally finished the 20 min. I'm also trying to lose a few lbs. as I think that's causing the recent struggle.

I'm really inspired by everyone's persistence and dedication. So happy to have found my way here.

Welcome to the group! Everyone here has been so supportive and encouraging. I think you'll like it here

I finished C25K last night! I am so HAPPY! When I started I kinda had doubts about being able to do 3 miles and I ended last night's run with a sprint.

 

[itsbaker]

W4 is in the bag! I had a lot of knee pain on my D2 run on Friday, had to cut it short. I've been icing it and stretching it and it felt somewhat better today so i decided to run on the treadmill instead of the track. I got through the runs today just fine, but when I finished the last run and slowed to a walk, the knee pain returned. I cut my cool down short, got home and iced it. Its a few hours later now and it's feeling better, though a little sore if I don't move it for a while.

the pain seems to be on the bottom inside part of my knee, so not sure if its IT bands or not. i'm going to continue stretching and doing some weights to strengthen the muscles around the knee too.

good luck everyone, keep up the good work.

 

[DonaldDuckFamily]

I am so glad I found this. Reading through these posts has really inspired me. I just finished W3D3 today and felt good about it. Then looked at W4D1 which I will run on Tuesday and am really nervous . That is a big jump in run time.

If anyone is using a treadmill, at was pace are you going for your run/walk? I'm just wondering if I am going to fast or slow. Typically the first half I walk at 3.7 run at 5.5 and the second half walk at 3.8 and run at 5.8 (the whole thing with a 1.5% incline). TIA

 

[JaxJags08]

Welcome DonaldDuckFamily! I love your screen name BTW - we love Donald in this house!

Well, I finished C25K yesterday, but I may be done with running altogether. Through the program I have been battling what I now know is Exercise Induced Rhinitis. After especially strenuous runs, I start with a runny nose and then full blown congestion. I ran last night and am still really congested more than 24 hours later. This has been a pattern and will last a few days and flare up again after another hard run. It's really pretty miserable. The Princess Half has been my goal from the beginning, but I just don't see that happening. I don't think I can be ready for a half when I have to take so many days off to be able to breathe again. My ultimate goal was to get healthy and lose some weight, and part of being healthy to me is not being on unnecessary meds. So, I definitely have some thinking to do. Anyone here have any experience with EIR?

 

[GaRain]

Finished week 4 last night with a 15.5 minute mile and a total of 2.08 miles done in 35 minutes!! Oh, scary week 5 is approaching....
My treadmill no longer likes me as I was going about 4.2mph last night and the thing started moving back on me!

 

[TMcDwyer]

Great progress everyone!!!

I did W9D2 today and then went a little further.

I have started using 3:1 Galloway intervals when I run instead of going straight running because it hurts my hips to much if I don't give them a break.

 

[indimom]

Still hanging around although we've finished the program.

We ran 3.5 miles Friday night, 3 miles Sunday morning. But, we were running on a highway and it's heavily sloped for runoff and I think the slope played heck on my right knee. It was a bit swollen Monday and Tuesday.

We went out again last night, on a flat country road, but only ran a mile and walked the rest. It feels much better today so I think it was a good idea to take it easy last night.

Does anyone know of any good books/websites to help us with the next step. We'd like to try to build up to a half-marathon length, but are not sure where to go from here. This program worked so well for us, I'm wondering if there is something similar we can follow to get us ready for our next big step. Or, do we just keep trying to make our runs longer and longer??

Thanks everyone for your support, tips and advice! Good Luck with the program and keep running!

 

[mom2princesses2]

Congrats on finishing!! And good job on sticking with running!

I am 5 runs away from kicking C25K's butt but am having major pain in the top of my foot! The Prednisone I've been taking for the last almost 3 weeks has stopped controling the pain and I'm just praying I can keep the edge off enough during runs to finish the program. I did W8D1 this morning and it was rough...felt like I could run faster and longer if it weren't for the pain in my foot. We are going to WDW in early Nov and my next concern will be getting everything resolved so I can actuallly walk the parks for 10 days!

As for next steps, a friend of mine is doing the C210K so I'm recommending that to you.

 

[mom2princesses2]

Five runs away from completing C25K within 9 weeks and I have gotten doctor's orders to take a break.

Yes, where C25K failed to break me, an inflammation in a joint on the top of my foot has. I've been running despite it and was taking prednisone which worked really well for a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, last Friday the pain came back and I headed to my podiatrist again today. He has been so encouraging and knows how motivated I am to run but he finally had to tell me to take it easy. He gave me a cortisone shot and wrapped my foot for 7-10 days. The foot hurts worse than EVER right now because of the shot and I'm just praying it settles down soon.

The pain was getting so bad even when I walked, I was beginning to worry about our upcoming 10-day WDW trip in two months. I know what taking a break is the best thing right now but I can't help feeling a real lost in not reaching this goal. I keep telling myself there will be another day because this pain WILL go away but it still feels sucky right now.

 

[DonaldDuckFamily]

I just finished week 4 day 2. It was a little easier than day 1. My running pace is 5.5 at 1.5% Am I running to fast? My walk pace is at 3.6. My knee is a bit sore but a have a floating platella so I need to do more strength training to reduce it.

Does anyone have issues with gettinga stitch/cramp in there side when running? It happened to me on day 1 this week and I wasn't sure how to get rid of. It makes the run harder so I am glad it was on my last run interval.

 

[itsbaker]

@indimom there is a bridge to 10K program too to help you increase distance and I've seen quite a few "easy" half marathon programs. coolrunning.com is a good site and there are pretty active forums at runnersworld.com, especially the beginner forum, with people from c25k'ers to ultra marathoners.

I attempted W5D1 yesterday, but my knee pain returned and I wasn't able to finish the runs. I'm going to take a week off from running and stick to non-impact cardio to see if the pain goes away. I might just still be too heavy to run without pain. Definitely disappointing, but I'm trying to keep a positive attitude.

 

[GaRain]

I have taken a break this week since my toes started hurting after finishing up week 4. I am hoping to start week 5 at the gym tomorrow morning.

 

[ColleenG]

Five runs away from completing C25K within 9 weeks and I have gotten doctor's orders to take a break.

Yes, where C25K failed to break me, an inflammation in a joint on the top of my foot has. I've been running despite it and was taking prednisone which worked really well for a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, last Friday the pain came back and I headed to my podiatrist again today. He has been so encouraging and knows how motivated I am to run but he finally had to tell me to take it easy. He gave me a cortisone shot and wrapped my foot for 7-10 days. The foot hurts worse than EVER right now because of the shot and I'm just praying it settles down soon.

The pain was getting so bad even when I walked, I was beginning to worry about our upcoming 10-day WDW trip in two months. I know what taking a break is the best thing right now but I can't help feeling a real lost in not reaching this goal. I keep telling myself there will be another day because this pain WILL go away but it still feels sucky right now.

Hang in there! I got to week 9 day 1 and had to take time off because I got tendonitis in my knee. I hated not being able to run for 2 weeks but it was the best thing in the long run. Once I started back I had to ease into running and that took about 2 weeks before I felt comfortable that I wasn't doing more damage. We all have set backs at some point. Follow your doctor's advice. If you can tolerate walking or biking, try that just to keep up your cardio. You will reach your goal. It just has a speed bump in the way.

Now I need to get back on the horse. We were just at the World for a week and I didn't run at all. We stayed off site at a resort that was so tiny. I did try to do some walking in the pool. Tomorrow is a new week. I am hoping to start Bridge to 10k by the end of this week.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Hey all!!! Sorry I've been away, life has really gotten crazy here and something had to give. Unfortunately that was running, but school is back in session on Tuesday after Hurricane delays so I will be hitting the trails and treadmill once again.
My foot issues are just about resolved, I just need to follow up with the podiatrist one last time so that's good. I also got a really bad burn on my back that got worse with meds instead of better so I was on different meds which I had an allergic reaction too, blah blah blah. So I decided to take a more holistic approach and it is finally on the mend as well, in a few more weeks it should be as good as new, well maybe some scarring but it's better. My big issue right now is if I'm out in the sun, if it's humid or if I sweat it itches really really bad!!! I need to figure out how to keep that from happening.

Anyway, I'm rambling. So I'm going to start C25K over. I was at week 5, I think but I figure starting over would probably be the best thing to do.

At some point I'll try to catch up on the thread. Just wanted to congratulate those who have finished, encourage those who are struggling and cheer on those who are just starting out or restarting.

 

[GaRain]

I completed W5D2 at the gym yesterday after doing an upper body work out - my arms are KILLING me today. I still can't totally let go of the treadmill. I have to slow down when at the gym as their treadmills feel like they go faster - LOL!
I am a little scared of W5D3 - 20 minutes of continuos "running" or my fast walk....don't have time to do that this week before doing the Kaiser 5K for work this Thursday. Yup - I will be doing my first officiall 5K since starting C25K!! hmmmm, wondering if I should time myself somehow and try to "run" for 20 minutes....

 

[itsbaker]

After vowing to take a week off after my failed run last wednesday, I was able to complete W5D1 on the treadmill at the gym on Monday. I don't like running on the treadmill very much, but it does seem to be easier on my knees. I'm going to continue taking at least 2 or 3 days off between my runs until I can run pain free. I was planning on running W5D2 on Thursday, but then i remembered I have an appointment to get my bloodwork checked, so it'll either happen Thursday night or Friday morning.

This is a big checkup for me, as it's been 6 months since I was diagnosed with diabetes and 3 months since my A1C was checked last. It was under 6 that time. If its under 6 now, I'll feel a lot better about my nutrition.

 

[DonaldDuckFamily]

I just completed W5D1 today also . It didn't seem as hard as last week, but D2 and D3 really have me worried. I think I may be running to fast at a 5.5mph pace and yet I feel guilty if choose to slow down for D2. It is great to hear that it is working so well for everyone. Your posts are really keeping me motivated.

 

[Aulika]

I am comiting to this program as of this week. My aim is to get in a better shape
For those who work on a treadmill what speed do you select as walk/jog ?

 

[DonaldDuckFamily]

I am comiting to this program as of this week. My aim is to get in a better shape
For those who work on a treadmill what speed do you select as walk/jog ?

Hi Aulika. That is the same question of been trying to get responses to on also. I've been running at 5.5 with 1.5% incline on my treadmill. It was ok at first but I am now on week 5 and getting through the run is really difficult. I wondered if I was going too fast. Good luck to this program.

 

[GaRain]

I am comiting to this program as of this week. My aim is to get in a better shape
For those who work on a treadmill what speed do you select as walk/jog ?

This really is something that you have to figure out for yourself. You know your comfort level and how much you can push yourself.
Now, I started off slow, and I will never be a runner. The fastest I have gone is 4.2mph. I started my warm ups at 2.5mph and built it up every minute.
But now I am starting at 3mph for my warm up and building from there.
But you read about inclines and people going 5.5mph.....see it is really up to you.
I wish you luck - you will do great!