I've started the C25K program several times over and always seem to quit around week 5. I think maybe the reason is that I'm being unrealistic in my expectations, thinking I have to work out everyday, even on my days when I'm not doing the program. My question is, to those of you who are doing or have done C25K, did you supplement the 3 days a week with other exercise?
In a way I feel like it's almost necessary to do this to be able to finish the program in 9 weeks. Anyway just looking for opinions!
Many people take longer than 9 weeks to complete the program. I am only on week 3, but if I struggle really bad, I'll repeat a week. It hasn't happened yet, but I won't feel guilty if it happens. It's all on how you feel while you run.
I do workout 3 other days a week, but thats just a personal thing. I do my aunts akyrobics class (aerobics on trampolines. intense!) and I do a boot camp on sundays.
I do workout the other days of the week too. I do c25k on Mon/Wed/Fri.... then usually elliptical or something on Tuesday, Zumba on Thursday... another class on Saturday and try to do something active and fun on Sunday like a hike or something. (I'm kinda working out like a crazy person right now to increase my weight loss before my wedding - I have a deadline)
I would totally repeat a week of running if I didn't felt ready to move on. I'm kinda planning on it. A few of the weeks seem to be really big jumps.
I also think if you want to... you could do C25k running in the morning... its so fun to run in the morning when its quiet and the birds are chirping and not have guilt for the rest of the day.
Then do another workout at night... a little cardio some weights or something. By then you kinda forgot about the morning workout. Plus... my goal is to run a 5k in 30 min. SO just doing the 5k training alone isn't enough because I need to work out more like an hour.
Last edited by AllyBride2011; 04-07-2011 at 11:46 AM.
When I did the C25K program, I did not supplement at all other than occasional walking on the treadmill on days I felt the urge to run but were scheduled rest days.
The reason why I didn't supplement was because I really, really wanted to run in a certain race. I had exactly enough time to finish the program before the race. I did not want to risk injury by over doing it. I did not want to have to skip run days because I was too tired, or too sore, or too worn out. So, I followed the plan exactly.
Now that the program and my first race are done, I am running 4 or 5 days a week, and I added in about 20 minutes of daily squats, push-ups, sit-ups, with my favorite tae-bo and pilates moves. But during the 5K training, NOPE.
I did not repeat any weeks. I had no time for repeats. I didn't encounter any physical barriers, little to no aches or pains. Just mental barriers, which I kept forcing myself to push through.
I do not supplement. I do C25K every other day though, and take an extra day off only if I am really sore. I do a yoga class on saturdays, that I guess you could call a supplement but it isnt really cardio
I did great. It was a Saint Patrick's Day Race in Detroit. I ran the whole way, which was my only goal. I completed it in 34:09. I run a 12 minute mile at home. I think it averaged at 11.09 minutes per mile or something like that, so I was happy. Trying to decide on another one soon, so I can beat my time :0)
Those doing C25K...do you supplement?
