Boy do I hear you there! I was thinking that this morning as I was doing W5D2. I guess my next run is 20 min - whoa! It seems like just yesterday I was freaking out about 90 second runs!

Today was pretty good, actually. My legs were a little stiff which is unusual, but I was able to relax them during the runs. Still no shin pain, thank goodness! I like these morning runs now that its getting light earlier, and I really like my route which keeps me out of traffic on busy mornings. I also realized today marked my half-way point on C25K, which is really exciting!

Keep up the good work everyone!

Hi everyone!
Did W2D3 today. My legs felt like dead weights, not sure why. No problem with the runs, though. I think I am ready for week 3.

I still have a hard time believing I can actually do this. It's really not any worse than doing the hard core hour long cardio workouts that I can do - I just can't get past the mental block.

I did W4D2 today. Walk on 3.5 mph, run on 5.5 mph (except the last 5 minute run, I did on 6.0 mph and I felt considerably more out of breath). I'd like to do W4D3 on 6.0 mph for all of the running, but we'll see how I feel.

Fiberlover - I agree with you on the mental block. I've never thought of myself as a runner, so when I run for longer periods of time, I feel like I need to stop and rest. When I look at my heartrate while running though, its about the same as when I do cardio on the elliptical. We can do it!

W6D2 today...the second run interval was rough but I managed to finish it. Wow.

25 minutes on Friday!

Great job to all the running chicks out there!

W4D3! It was tough, and I felt slooooow. I was supposed to do it yesterday, but I had a headache so bad I could barely stand, let alone run! Next time I'll definitely move on to W5D1, because it doesn't look that much worse than week 4, heh.

I am back on the wagon! After a poor start a month ago (i managed W1D1 and that was it.. too many excuses and bad weather:^: ) I finished W1d2 today.. and it was EASY (though i know after this week i won't be saying that) tuesday, when I re-ran w1d1 i thought I was going to DIE.. only made it 45 seconds a lot of the 60 second runs... after I did it i rethought what I was doing and realized I was doing it all wrong, and that's why I quit - I was walking briskly for the walks (this is all outside) and then running like a bat out of you know where for my runs!
today I took my time, ran like a normal person for the runs - lol - made it through without stopping or quitting.. and i'm looking forward to doing it again!
I've NEVER been a runner, but i always ran before my WG, in the form of some kind of team sport, etc... and I know that that exercise was so good for me.. why on earth did i ever stop?!
I feel GREAT right now!

BernerDoc - I have my 25 minute run on Friday also - argh that's tomorrow! I am sure it will be fine. If I can do 20 mins I must be able to do 25. Last night I did 10mins running 3mins walking and then 10 mins running. Towards the end I looked at my watch and realised I had finished and then I look up and saw a shooting star. Made it all worth it! Maybe my pre wish of 'I wish this 10 minutes was over' was granted.

My boyfriend has been telling people that I can run 20mins straight and people are really impressed and everyone claims that they couldn't possibly do that. I feel like a sales person for c25k. Is there a scheme where I can get a commision for each person I get to take it up :)

Whew, today was W6D2 for me, so I'm in for the the 25 min run as well...

Saturday or Sunday...

I liked how the beginning of this week eased up a little, after that 20 min. whopper (thanks for sharing my excitement, btw! :)) it seemed so very doable, and indeed it was. And like you said dubh, if we made it through 20 minutes we can do 25, too... hopefully ;)

I did W4D3 this morning outside because it was so pretty. I ran on a bike path that runs right along the river - it's beautiful! I think I ran kinda slow, but that's ok. I'm getting really scared about that 20 minute run!!

Just a quick question about little aches and pains while running - the inside of my knees sometimes hurt, usually most when I'm impacting on the ground. I try to run on the grass when I can, though. Also, the inside of my hips hurt sometimes too. I should note that I have loose (hypermobile) joints, and this might have something to do with it.

Hey ladies~
I just finished week 6! Last night was my 25 minutes run! I did it!
After about 5 minutes I was getting tired and started thinking that I was never going to make it to 25 minutes, but I just told myself I can do it! And I did. I did run so very slowly, but I ran the whole time. Now I need to work on getting my speed up a bit. I see a few of you are up to the 25 min run as well, and hope you made it! It really does feel good, doesn't it!
Beth

Bernerdoc - wow 25 minutes! Great job

mayness _ I can't believe you could run with a headache. I am such a baby, I probably wouldn't have LOL

karmuz - it is surprising how quickly it becomes easier to do, isn't it?

dubh - how cool to see the shooting star! That's what you are getting through the run!

heffalump - great job!

Shades - you might have a bouncy gait. Have you had anyone watch you to see if you bounce a lot? That can be really hard on the knees.

Beth - 25 minutes! You ladies really inspire me that I *can* do this!

Today I started W3D1, I was worried about the 3 minute jog - but they were no problem at all. I wasn't even winded. My thighs were what felt it the most. I hope it gets easier on them with time.

Thanks, Fiberlover...it was actually today that I did the 25 minutes.

I feel like...WHOOHOO!!! :D

I accidentally hit the emergency stop on the treadmill at about the 20 minute mark so I ran to the end of my last song to 'make up' for that 15 or so seconds - total of 26:36 minutes. I decided to do the whole thing at a fairly slow pace (5.0mph/12 minute mile) instead of my 6.0mph/10 minute mile that I've done for most of the shorter segments. I'm glad I did it that way since I'd done a rough day of HIIT yesterday and didn't want to die ;-)

Anyway...I'm rambling. WTG Everyone, especially my fellow (now) W7-ers :woops::running::woops::running::woops::running:

I did W5D1 today. For some reason I thought that the longest runs were 8 minutes, so I got myself all prepared for that. I looked at the plan again before I went to the gym, and to my surprise, they were only 5 minute intervals. I think because of that the run felt much easier.

I have a funny story though. When I got to the gym and started on the treadmill, I looked down and realized I had 2 different gym shoes on! I felt pretty silly, but I figured no one would notice or care. I didn't feel a difference in the heights of the shoes, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to run once with them.

And week 6 is DONE! Did W6D3 today, and although I must have looked like Myrtle the turtle next to all of the *real" ;) runners on the track, I finished my first 25 minute run ever.

Pacing myself was actually the hardest part, but it did pay off - no stitches, no gasping, hardly any ankle or knee pain. Très nice! :)

So, on to week 7, huh? Wow.

W5D1 today. It wasn't too bad... I guess because I already did 5 minute runs last week, and technically it's a little less running and more walking than W4. So, as much as those 8 minute runs scare me, I'm moving on next time!

Shades - 2 different shoes LOL! That sounds like something I would do

heffalump - congrats on finishing week 6!!

Mayness - I kind of feel like this with week 3. Only 4 runs instead of 6, even though 2 are longer.

Today I do W3D2.

I ran 20 minutes today!!!!!! I wasn't too bad, the time flew by until I stopped the tredmill with 5 minutes left, then I got out of my groove- lol. Can't wait to start the next week wednesday!

I finished W7D1 - my second 25 minute run! I ran a little bit faster than I did the previous time.
I can't wait for my 5K!

Beth

Hi all! Humpdty dumpdty dumped a winter storm on us this weekend, so I didn't get out for W5D3 - I'm looking forward to and am scared of that big 20 at the same time. I'll try to do it tonight! Yay caitbeans! I am so inspired! Shades and Mayness - I'm glad y'all are truckin along with me! We can do this week 5!!!!

Update - well, I did it! 20 minutes and I survived!!! WOOt!

WTG everyone!

I did W5D2 today... that means the big 20 minute run is coming up next! I'm pretty nervous for it, but I think I can do it. The 8 minute runs weren't too bad today; hard but definitely do-able. I find that putting a towel over the time on the treadmill helps the time go by faster because you can't watch each second go by.

And I managed to get 2 of the same shoes on today!

Sorry for being really thick here but I don't understand what your all following/talking about when you refer to letters and things.
Someone mentioned this thread or maybe a different one where you aiming to run a certain amount in a certain period of time and I'm looking to do something like that to have something to aim for etc but I don't really follow what your all saying in this thread...like what does W5D1 mean?

Could someone possibly point me in the right direction? :D
thankyou

Hi Lupin & welcome to the C25K thread! :-)

The C25K or "Couch to 5K" outline can be found here: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

Posters are referring to where they are in the program - it's broken into 9 weeks with 3 days of running per week so...W5D1 would be Week 5, Day 1.

Hopefully that helps explain some things for you. This is a great group of new runners, please feel free to ask any questions.

Now I'm off for W7D1! :)

Ahhh thanks for replying and explaining it. :D
Right I shall be starting at 9:00 when I can flick on tv between 'The time diets forgot' and 'Katie and peter the next chapter'.

Yay just completed W1D1 and wasn't as bad as I expected thankfully.
But this is only because I got a treadmill a couple of weeks ago and started off on not being able to even jog for 30 seconds without nearly dying and been jogging a bit more each time.
I like now how its I only go on it 3 times a week and know before I start exactly what I'm doing and for how long etc.
Just got to find other activities to do now on the other days :D

hmmm wander if I'm still saying this in 2 weeks time.:chin:
aaaand I didn't eat 2 butterfly cakes that I spent all day yesterday searching for :broc:, because mum hid them from me before
I'm ready for it, bring it on (i so won't be saying that by next week:p).

W7D1 completed today. Yay! I was really unmotivated and feeling really sluggish today but I did make it through. I only jogged at either a 11:30 or 12 minute mile pace but I figure the speed will come in time.

:D

W7D1 here as well - I had a harder time of it today, probably due to the newly warm weather and my bad pacing. I had mild side stitches almost from the beginning, which developed into outright pain after I foolishly (but oh so gloriously, heh) decided to sprint the last minute... ouch, ouch... :D

I ran a little more than 8 laps, which for 25 minutes would put me at slightly over a 12 minute mile, right? I guess it's working on speed for the rest of the week then... :^:

Oh, and the other thing I have to work on is a decent soundtrack - now that there are no intervals to think about anymore, the podcast has become really boring for me, which was kind of a problem today, too... so I'll put together a nice playlist for days 2 and 3 now, maybe even buying a couple of fun new songs... :carrot:

Woohoo, WTG everyone!

Did W5D2 today. Not too bad. Actually, the first 8-minute run was surprisingly easy. I don't know if I was going extra slow or what... it just wasn't bad! That second one was rough, but I think I'm ready to move on.

Which means, of course, that the 20 minute run is next for me. :eek: Good luck ShadesofGray... and congrats Me_Amarie, glad to hear you got through it!

Way to go everyone!

Today is W3D3. I went on the high school track the other night that is down the street. I have to say I like running that much better than the streets around my neighborhood. It gave me a much better sense of how far I was running in the alloted time.
I don't know if I can do that in the morning, not sure if they let people use the track during school hours.

:( I was not able to start Week 5 last week. I attended and worked a conference last week. So, I was BUSY from Thursday morning-Sunday night. In fact, I barely had time to retrieve my luggage from my car. Then, I was so fatigued and under the weather that I was bed bound from Sunday night until this morning when I dragged myself to the office. I have events tonight and tomorrow. So, I will not be able to start W5D1 until Friday:(. That sucks! The only good news is that after this week, my schedule will lighten TREMENDOUSLY! So, YAY! I can really concentrate on C25K.

Hi Foodie -

Don't add any more stress than you are already under! Shees, your schedule looks killer! I had the same situation twice since I started C25K. The trick is to get back out there when you can! Good luck!

I am just starting the C25K, I'm definitely going to have to repeat W1. I feel like such a schmo. I can only run for 60-90 seconds. I can usually get to 60 seconds, but more often then not I am DYING at 60. I feel like I can't breathe and my legs are burning. I'm only running at 4.0 mph too! Did anyone else have trouble starting. It gets better right?

Hi Jade and welcome to the C25K thread! My experience was similar - 60 seconds made my lungs feel like they were going to explode. It gets better, but taking the time to repeat a week is not a bad thing if you feel you need it (IMHO).

Well friends, today was W6D1. Eh. My body was not lovin it today. Probably due to my running partner TOM. Anyway, I survived and will keep on keepin on. Looking forward to my 2 10 min intervals next time!

Jade, something I did was to give myself permission to repeat weeks if I needed to, and to realize there is nothing wrong with that.
It does get better with time.

No reason to push past 4 miles an hour. Concentrate first on being able to jog the full time allotments, then you can work on speed.

Woohoo!! I lived through the 20 minute run!!!!!

I ran on 5.5 mph the whole time. I told myself that if I got too tired, I could turn it down to 5.0, but it really wasn't too bad. I put a towel over the time on the treadmill so that I could focus on my running and not the seconds ticking down. I think that made the running go by a lot faster.

To anyone scared about the 20 minute run... YOU CAN DO IT!!! I was terrified, but now that I did it, I feel like I was more than enough prepared for it.

Good luck everyone!!

Thanks for the encouragement! I am easily defeated, which is how I got to this weight. When things get tough I run for the chocolate chip cookies. I have almost convinced myself that I will be ready for the Komen 5k in September.

Another question. How often does everyone get to the gym? I go 3 times a week, I know I should go more and it would speed things up. But I find excuse after excuse as to why I can't go today. Do you do a lighter workout on your "off" days?

congratulations shadesofgray, 20 min running, definetly not looking forword to that :p !!!

I did my W1D2...was ok really :D

I'm thinking the same thing Jade, I need to find things to do in the other 4 days.
Something interesting and fun, I might join a class or something.:^:

Week 1 was difficult. As were weeks one-three. However, I gave myself permission to repeat a week. But, I always tried D1 of the next week FIRST. Once I survived, I realized I didn't need to repeat.

It does get better - and before you know it you'll be surprised how quickly you're able to progress. I have never been a runner. Ever. Never in my life could I run a mile - even if I were being chased, trust me. Like someone else mentioned, go at your own pace, repeat weeks or workouts if you need to but at the same time, don't let yourself *not* move on because you *think* you can't do it, just give it a go! :)

Edit: Oops, forgot the other part of the post. I do nearly all of my cardio at the gym so I'm there 5-6 days a week. I do 3 days of C25K and the other days I do a mix of stairmaster, elliptical or HIIT on the treadmill. I have free weights at home, which I do 3 times a week...I'm too much of a weenie to do any lifting at the gym. A few times week I'll walk 2-3 miles with my two dogs, which is always interesting.

W7D2. It was tough. Much like Tuesday, I was feeling rather unmotivated and just blah. I've had a crappy day but didn't want that to stop me from at least getting as far as I could in the 25 minutes. I "cheated" a lot on the treadmill by resting on the handrails but...I kept my feet moving. It's going to be an interesting transition when I do a modified repeat of parts of this program to actually run outdoors, that's for sure.

I try to get exercise 6 days a week. 3 days are C25K. Tonight will be W7D3. I run outside and then try to do sit-ups and push-ups when I get home. I try to go the gym 2 days a week, one day to a step arobics class/one day at least 60 minutes on the elliptical. Other than that, sometimes I do a Taebo DVD, sometimes go for a long walk. I'm actually having fun getting exercise!