W7D3 done. Easy run this morning. Clear skies, plenty of shade. No problems. (I feel so boring: it was just a standard, run-of-the-mill run)

I'm really loving getting on the scale after a morning run though. Saw a new low. 16.2 lbs lost.

W4D1- I got back from a trip weekend trip to Michigan and Cedar Point tonight. I was worried the weekend would throw my off my c25k schedule, but I got home today earlier than expected, so it was still light enough to run. I tried a new podcast, and I did not like it, so I think I will go back to Ullrey on day 2. I thought I would never pull through the 5 minute runs.. I was not panting, I was breathing easy,my legs were not tired, but I wanted to stop. I had to tell myself, its mind over matter, your body can do it, keep going, your doing great, etc. I am so happy I completed the workout. I never thought I could jog 5 minutes straight, but I did! I need to keep telling myself over and over that it is mind over matter at this point.

W2D1 is done! I still can't believe how much my body has acclimated to running in just a week. Running for 2 minutes straight still sounds impossible, but I just know that I'll be able to do it next week. I'm really loving this program!

W1D1 - I was only able to do 15 min. It kicked my butt! I am so out of shape. Maybe I'll do better on Wednesday.

W8D1 done. Only 4 more workouts until my 5K race.

My heart rate was a little higher than normal this morning. I don't think my body was ready to be awake yet. When I stopped running, my legs were infused with that lethargy again (the same I got after my first 20 minute run). I made it though.

ok... W2D1 done last night. I was nervous and thinking that this week I would repeat week one...and then I stopped doubting myself, sucked it up and went for starting week 2 and can't say i had any more problems than week one! I'm trying to work through the pain in my shins...assuming this is what is meant by 'shin splints'. It's not awful but it definitely slows me down. I really have to push to get through the runs but hey, for as overweight and out of shape as I am I'm happy with my progress!

The loop I'm running is only 2 miles long and I'm just making that distance with each podcast. I'm hoping with time as I get faster I'll be able to cover more distance and get to the 3 miles/5k.

I'm feeling very good. Tonight is a 90 minute hot yoga class (stretch it all out) then tomorrow will be day 2. I'm down 2lbs this week, am finding myself less hungry and seeking out junk less and am on day 11 with no smoking and no alcohol.

Week 4 day 2 done! I went early this morning before it got to hot. The first 3 minute run I thought would never end, but it was a mental hump I just had to get over. About 2.5 minutes into it I felt fine. I am back to using Ullrey's podcasts, I like them so much better. I am really slow, but right now I am not worried about time. That can come after I can master a 30 minute run.

To everyone else, keep up the great work.

W8D2 done. Very muggy this morning. Already 80 degrees by the time I left the apartment at 8:15. I wanted to stop and walk so many times during the first half of the run. I kept telling myself that I didn't really *need* to walk, I just *wanted* to walk. So I didn't. Mind over matter. I made it through and was FAR more proud of myself for jogging the whole thing.

I've got to figure out something for the sweat though. Tons of sweat droplets (yum!) were running down my face during the cool down walk. When I got home, I grabbed a paper towel and promptly soaked it wiping my forehead.

I'm going to start TODAY. I've always hated running, but I think that's because I always felt lame and unathletic in PE in middle school. If I'm running by myself at the gym without an evil PE teacher looming over me, I think I'll be okay.

I seriously felt the same as you Rosekeet but it is actually sort of empowering to know YOU are deciding to run and you CAN do it...even if i'm really REALLY slow :-) W2D1 tomorrow! I am already seeing some improvement and there's a real sense of accomplishment in doing something that seemed so intimidating to me. Nothing's easy that's worth doing!

I just joined the site a couple of days ago. I'm so glad there's a support forum for this too! I started the program last week after years of not running and I was really afraid it was going to be horrible. The last time I tried to "become a runner", I got horrible shin splints that changed my mind. I don't think I stretched properly or enough last time, so I made sure to spend a good chunk of time to stretching before and after this time around.
Week 1 was pretty challenging, but I was surprised I was able to get through it and I think the stretching really helped because I wasn't sore at all the next day.
Did W2D1 yesterday and it wasn't too bad. Seeing how many of you have stuck to the program over the last few weeks and months is really inspiring! I hope I can be in the same position 7 weeks from now.

Ruby, I'd look at shoes and front-of-calf strength before I'd assume stretching as a cause for shin splints. FWIW.

I've had to hit the pause button. I did not make my run yesterday for W2D2, as long as it is not down pouring this evening I will go. There has been a sudden death and I must attend services tomorrow and Saturday so my 'schedule' cannot stay as planned. I am going to try to get out today and will most likely just keep plugging and repeat W2 next week.

Sorry to hear about your loss YogaGal. Hope you and your family are hanging in there.

I finished W1D1 yesterday. My right hip really hurt and so did my knees. I think I need new shoes. I've had the same atheltic shoes for 4 years!! And I got paid today, so I'm going to a running store and getting some proper shoes. I also ran on a treadmill. It just felt weird and awkward, so I think I'm going to use the track next time.

W8D3 done. Very sunny this morning. Still muggy (84 degrees when I passed the middle school marquee). I'm wondering if I'm capable of getting out of bed an hour earlier for cooler weather. The 6:45 AM that I've been doing the last several weeks is awfully early for me.

I had none of the "just want to walk" thoughts that plagued me on Wednesday. In fact, I actually tried to sustain a slightly faster pace. In past runs I've continually told myself to keep it slow and conserve energy. This time I stopped holding back and just let it happen. I doubt I was that much faster, but the halfway point was further down the road than Monday and Wednesday.

Two 30 minute runs left before the 5K. THIRTY MINUTE RUNS! WOOHOO!

Yogagal08 - Sorry for your loss. Just a reminder, you don't have to repeat an entire week unless you feel that you need to. I would just continue on with D2 and D3 next time you are able to run. So what if you get out of sync with the actual "week".

Congrats to the people just getting started. It's an awesome program!