C25K anyone?
 

So, based off a mini conversation between Feral and I in the weekly thread, I figured I'd start this. I want to run a 5k by Memorial Day (13 weeks) and know I need to have some crazy training time because I HATE running. I've done c2k5 once already and made it to week 7 but then it got too cold and I didn't have access to a treadmill at the time.

For those of you who don't know, C25k is a running program that takes you from the Couch to 5k in 9 weeks. Check it out http://www.c25k.com/.

If anyone is interested, feel free to jump in. I'm going to be starting with week 1 on Tuesday (once ice melts and I can get to the gym). I've also found it super useful to d/l the podcasts they have available with music that changes when you need to switch from jogging to walking.

Keep checking in after every run so we can all be accountable to eachother!!

LOL Guess if we're putting it out there we can't back out huh?

This week it starts!!! :) They also have a C25K app for those you with an Iphone. It will allow you to play music through your Ipod on the phone AND run the C25K app.

Thanks for posting this Amyleigh!

I've repeated week one over, and over, and over again since the end of January! My cardiovascular system just doesn't want to get off the couch! There's a 5k for breast cancer here in June that I'm running with my MiL - so hopefully I can get to it by then!

for iphone? really? i don't like when they make it that easy for me....taking away my excuses. grrr.

ps-feral, sorry if i put you on the spot. it was not intentional.

Amy - don't feel like you did (I didn't take it that way); in fact I'm glad you posted it. And yes, they have it for your iphone! It was worth the few bucks I did pay for it! :)

I did this back in the summer. While I still can run 5k outside, you can forget about it on a treadmill. So maybe I should do the c25k on the treadmill, since the outdoor weather right now is hit or miss.

UT girl, do you find running on the treadmill more difficult?

You can use it on your iphone or your ipod touch ! I plan on starting the program this week coming up and downloaded it to my ipod touch and it's great ! Good luck everyone

Actually, this thread is really relevant to me b/c I just started C25k yesterday. I have attempted it once before, last spring/summer I believe, but I didn't make it past Week 4 due to the running bothering one of my knees.

Fast forward to yesterday. I'm down 20 lbs from when I first attempted C25k and I have been doing 1 hour of run/walk intervals every day for the past several months, which has helped to get me in pretty good shape. I started C25k yesterday, 2/25, on Week 3, Day 2. I decided to skip the first 2 weeks b/c I already do run/walk intervals every day. Unbelievably, it was actually a little too easy for me, thus why I'm only doing 2 days in Week 3 instead of 3. Best of all is that I do not have any knee pain so far. I actually felt like I could run much farther. It was a very freeing experience. I'll do Day 3 tomorrow and then start on Week 4 on Monday.

I don't have an mp3 player or a fancy iPhone to use for it, so I am using my cell phone's stop watch feature. Seems to be working OK for me so far. :)

Thanks for starting the thread. I really could use the accountability to finish this time. Good luck to everybody else. :)

Thanks for the motivation, chicks! I just finished Week 2 Day 1 after several weeks of dread! And I'm still alive!

Yes, I do. I hate running on the treadmill, yet I love running outside. I don't know what it is, but I feel running on the treadmill takes a lot more work. I live in East Tennessee, where it is very hilly. I would rather jog on these hills everyday that to jog half the distance on a treadmill with no incline.

This sounds like a great program! I will definitely try it this summer when I have access to a treadmill or can run outside. There's no treadmill in this community's gym, and it stays frozen and snowy until late May.

I've always wanted to run a marathon, but I've never stuck with diet or exercise long enough to build up the endurance. Now that I've been on plan for 7 months, I feel like this time it will stick and I can finally start reaching some of those goals I've had!

I started this a few weeks ago, using an app for my iPod Touch (it makes it soooo easy!) Unfortunately I'm still stuck on Week 2. I've been letting the weather be an excuse not to go run outside, or go to the gym...I really need to get back on track!

I've been wanting to do it, but my class schedule this semester means I only make it to the gym on Mondays and Wednesday. I've been going to a spin class with a friend though. I'd like to do C25k but I think I burn more calories in spin....

I've also heard the opposite so I think it depends on the person. I've heard that it's harder for some runners who run on a treadmill to run outside because not only are they dealing with a different "terrain" of sorts, but they're also up against the weather... i.e. humidity. Sometimes that is a MAJOR adjustment. I mean, not that I would know FROM running, but I've read a lot about it. ;)

I've been considering starting this plan for a while now...maybe I'll actually start, hmmm.

I've done it. It definitely works. I found out about it on the runner's world website years ago. Worked for me.

Well let me tell you I really - really want to be able to jog/run So i went outside did ok and them star snowing and snowing .. so I just going to wait a little be more them try again.

Actually that day I did pretty good.

hmm I can't really do couch to 5k because I've been running for a while but I still haven't done 3 miles in 30 minutes, more like 2 miles in 25 minutes. So I am going to try and do it/work up to it! Today I'm going to move up to 6.0 mph to get a 10 minute mile, instead of 5mph, and see how long I can go.

Anybody that is thinking about starting the C25k plan, I said GET STARTED TODAY! I'm in the group of people that never thought I would be able to run/jog more than 1 lap around the track (that was my record in high school). And then I started C25k. It took me longer than 9 weeks, and there were several times when I thought I would not be able to ever move on to the next week, but I always did and eventually I made it through. There aren't many things that make you feel better by accomplishing something you never could picture doing. It really can improve the way you see yourself and the self-talk you do!

So I say go for it, ladies! Looking forward to seeing your progress. Oh, and if you can't dedicate 3 days a week to the program, don't give up. Even just 1 day of running a week will yield significant progress, it might just take you a little bit longer to complete the program. But it's not a race (although it can train you for one).

I want to jump in. I attempted the c25k a few months ago and found it really difficult on my chest. I recently got an Enell sports bra for Christmas and I cant stop singing the praises about it. I have been wanting to get back to running but haven't got motivated to start back yet, so maybe all of you guys can help me. Im gonna try to start the program back on Monday. I found a few random sites with different c25k mp3 tracks if you guys want me to post them.

I was actually talking to my trainer about this...he told me to go for it! so i am joining in on the fun :)

I'm so glad to see a few others just starting out here, too. :)
I've been lurking but didn't start the program til this past week.

I'm 52 and have always loved walking and hiking but I've never been a 'runner'. So far I've only done week 1, runs 1 and 2, but I think this is really going to work for me. I downloaded some free podcasts, but I also bought the iTunes app and like that best because I can use my own playlists.

I'm so excited by the thought of being able to run 5K in 2010, even if I never do an official run. :lol:

I'll be starting day 1 week 1 tomorrow. WHEEEEE!!!!!

Good luck Feral! I'll be on your *** about it on GChat. By being on your ***, I mean asking you how it's going :) You can do it!

I didn't hear about the C25K until I had already set mile goals for myself so I guess I'm doing my own version of C25K but hope everyone who's starting this sticks it out!

So I finished up W3D3 yesterday afternoon. Walked an extra 10 minutes at the end and ran for a few extra minutes just for the heck of it. During the 3 minute runs I felt like could definitely run much farther. Very simple so far.

I'll take today off from the program and start W4D1 tomorrow. Looks like W4 won't be too bad--3 and 5 minute run intervals w/ some walking breaks thrown in. I'm really interested in W5D3--which is running for 20 minutes straight! Never done that before.

TOM started today but I exercise even w/ TOM around anyway so it shouldn't be a problem for me. I may feel a little more tired than usual, though. This TOM is really dragging my energy levels down.

Good luck to everybody starting today! Let us know how it goes. :)

w1d1 done!! running on treadmills blows a big one! i've never run on one before. last time i did c25k it was summer and pretty and warm. grrr. i did wear my reebok eztones when i did it, and let me tell you, my butt is BURNING haha. daisy dukes, here i come!!!

esperanza-week 5 is awesome. i didn't think i could go for 20 minutes straight, and when i was done i felt like a bada** hehe.

feral-good luck today:)

i'm excited because i got my co-teacher at school to start this program with me. she's gonna start up tomorrow so we'll be on the same run, and at the end we're gonna do some 5 k's together. hooray!!

HOORAYYYYY! I did it and I survived!!!!

Actually, it really wasn't as bad as I remembered it being. I think there are a few things that were important this go round and I'm going to share for those of you just starting.

I only STARTED this back in December and didn't make it very far into it. However, I remember feeling like I was going to DIE even after the first day. I made it through, but there were times where i really didn't think I could make it through the minute-minute and a half intervals and would stop short... Which was still good because I was pushing myself, but I was really struggling.

I run on a treadmill. I've never been a runner, quite honestly I'd be embarrassed even if it was just running around my neighborhood or the track up at the high school near my house. I find comfort in my treadmill in the garage. I'm also a nerd and I get prepared to go do this... and by prepared I mean I take my laptop out with me (I will put on a movie or some kind of internet streaming video) and my iphone (has the app and my ipod on it).

I don't really remember the speeds I was running at before. I don't think it was anything incredibly excessive... and I'm pretty sure my treadmill is a little faster than the one I used at the gym. Today I was walking at a pace of about 3.3-3.5 and "jogging" (I think the J is silent) at a pace of 4.0.

I have lost about 17 lbs since I last tried time. I would say that has helped tremendously. I can tell a major difference.

I think the BIGGEST difference this time was that I didn't push myself CRAZY amounts. I took it easy and I took it slow. Don't get me wrong... I was tired at the half way point. My heart rate was up, my legs were definitely burning and I was breathing heavy, but I wasn't DYING and grasping for straws to keep myself going.

So... TAKE it easy. This is TRAINING, it's not a race. If you need to slow down it's okay. We'll all get there eventually, in our own time.

Keep checking in here (Thanks Amy for starting this thread). Not only are we in this weight loss journey together, we're in this fitness journey together too.

Hang in there guys! <3 Thank you all for your encouragement today. There are days when I get frustrated and want to throw in the towel and I think of everyone here and I keep going.

I also finished W1D1 today! It wasn't bad. I've been alternating running/walking since early January just not using this program so I didn't die or anything. I guess I should increase my speed a bit to make it harder? I did 3.5/4.5 today.

I agree with Feral. Taking it easy is totally the key! I pushed myself super hard last time and had to do week 1 three times. I think part of it was my music. I listened to techno and tried to keep up with the beat. Bad news. This time, I went hiphop/rap and kicked some arse. I walked 3.7 and ran 5.0 (4.7 for the first 2 intervals). I also find if I start my jogs a bit slower, I can increase the pace for the middle intervals and when it's too fast, slow it down again at the end.

I'm super excited to see all of your first official 5k times in 2 and a half months:) Go us!!!

Grats you guys on starting off so strong. Keep it up! I sure hope its easier now then I remember it too.

Ok so I didn't get to start my c25k today. :( I ended up working out in the garden for 4 hours planting new stuff for spring and by the time I was done it was too dark to run (no treadmill) I still did my normal daily workout after dinner so I felt awesome to have got 2 great workouts in today even though I really wanted to start today. Oh well there is always tomorrow :/

ooo!! I'd love to jump in on this! My boyfriend and I do this 5K near our house every July. I ran it in 32 minutes last summer and I'd like to beat that...along with all of his family members. Don't know if the latter is possible because one is a track member and the other a cop, but a girl can dream! LOL.

I'm already at 2.5 miles in 25 minutes..I've been working on that since January (started at only being able to run .5 and walk .5) This will definitely help me with my motivation to stay on the darn treadmill for longer! I'm in!

Hi everyone!

I started on Week 5 - Day 1 yesterday:)
I've been running for 15 min at 5.2 mph two or three times per week so I thought that week 5 would be manageable and I could increase my speed a little bit.
I did the whole 3.2 km, running at 5.6 mph and walking at 3.7/4 mph but I have to say it wasn't easy...I feel like 5.6 mph is as fast as I can go.

So, I'd really appreciate your advice: should I focus only on the distance and worry about increasing speed once I can run the 5K or should I try to build speed as I go through the C25K weeks (even if that means doing the same workout several times)?

I think from what I've read and heard people discuss.... forcus on the distance this go round... and then start over and work on speed.

That's what I'm planning on doing.

I love the c25k. I did it last summer, and now I'm running my second 10K in two weeks. I'm also running a half marathon in April. I'm addicted to the runner's high.

Thank you Feral! I'll follow your advice. :)
I think it will be easier to stay motivated too as I won't be repeating the same workout over and over.

I want to jump in on this!
Today will be my first day on the program.
I like the progression of it and I hope I can complete it.

Any advice on doing this program for a newbie??

Today is Week 2 Day 1 for me. Heading to the gym in an hour. I signed up for 5K on April 17th. I have done 5K's before but always walked (usually with a jogging stroller).

Wow! Okay, first off I'm brand new here, and am in dire need of support (i come from a whole family of skinnies who are the type who can eat anything and not gain any weight). I am so excited to find this program. I need/want to start running but I was one of those who always started off to fast and got discouraged by how out of shape I was. I'm going to do my regular work-out today after work but I plan on starting this tomorrow! Will check back in!

I start Week 2 Day 1 today too. I've been going to the gym after class at night to do this, it's so nice to have a running program that doesn't take an hour. I need to sign up for a 5K, might keep me from quitting. :carrot: