On my off days I usually walked a couple miles - I just didn't push it too hard so I could recover. Now that I am riding my bike to work, I sometimes don't add workouts on my non-run days. I'm pretty beat as it is.

I exercise 6-7 days a week. I do strength train 4x per week, and cardio 6-7 days.
Some days are lighter than others, it all depends on how the previous day's workout made me feel.

Today is Day 1 of Week 4!

Wow fiberlover. So great you're getting in exercise 6-7 days a week. You're a good model for me. I hit three days pretty consistently, but would like to increase that over the next month as I get stronger.

I'm just starting the c25k program. I'm walking/jogging (mostly walking) a 5k this Sunday to get an idea of where I'm starting. I've signed up for another 5k in 10 weeks so I can gauge how fit I've gotten over the course of the program. So excited to start!

Last night was W5D3!!! It went really well! It was one of those really good runs, where every step feels really deliberate and efficient. I totally zoned out for a big part of it... so nice and relaxing. Once I was done, my legs were exhausted, and my quads were burning, but I was so happy, lol.

Did week 9 Day 1 on Thursday, day 2 will probably be today but may get pushed to tomorrow. I may need to repeat for a couple weeks before I start moving on to the half marathon training.

I can run for 30 minutes in a row! It's still hard, but I can do it!!

I finished W5D1. It was a little hard at first. I wasn't able to run at all this past week and most of the previous week. It had alot to do with my cold. I survived even though I forgot to upload my W5 podcast. But, again, I had my other Ipod and just played upbeat music.

All of you who are in the advanced weeks are such an inspiration to me! Thank you!! I know I can do this, even if I have to repeat weeks.

Today was W4D2 - got up early to get it in, ugh. I normally do this in the evenings, so a morning jog was not super fun. My body was like WTF - where's the coffee?? :coffee:

I just ran for 30 minutes again!! I had to get up and do it b4 work, because it is supposed to pour here for most of the day and into tomorrow.

Fiberlover, talk about inspired!! I can't seem to get to 20 pounds lost and look at you! That rocks!

I finished Week 7! Tonight I am going to start Week 8 and my 28 minute runs! Yippee!
Can't wait to do a 5K! I never would have guessed I could do it. About 4 years ago I had a roommate who was training for a marathon and she tried to talk me into training for a 5K and I said no, because I didn't think I would ever be able to run that far. Now I know that I will be able to do it!

W7D3 today. It wasn't horrible. On to W8 on Wednesday! Wow.

I did W6D1 today. I thought it was going to be one long run, but its actually broken up into running and walking. Nice of the writer to give us a break after that long 20 minute run! I ran 5, walked 3, ran 8, walked 3, and ran 5. I bumped the speed up a little bit.

The running part felt GREAT. I never thought I would say that about running, but I actually enjoyed it! By the end though, I was pretty tired. I'm actually excited for the next day I can run!

W6D1 last night. It was tough because my legs were still sore from doing lunges two days before, since I haven't been doing any lower-body strength training lately. But I did it!

Look at all of us! We are really doing it!

Finished W5D2 last night. I was a little confused because I thought D2 was 5-8-5 runs. But, it was two 8 min. So, that was cool! I am really enjoying the running. :carrot:I know I need to pick up speed. But, I think that will happen post Week 9. Honestly, I need to drop a little weight first.

I was a little annoyed yesterday by people just randomly STANDING in the middle of the track. At one point, I had to run through them. Oh, and the hurdle people never put the hurdles away. That's so annoying. So, I have to keep switching lanes.

On a side note, I told one of my associates about my running plan. She was super excited and supportive. She runs ultra-marathons and talked about how addictive running was. I can see it.

So today will be W6D3 - I meant to do it this am b4 work, but my hamstrings are still sore from a weekend of yardwork. I didn't have the heart to do 25 min on screaming legs. I'll check back in tonight to let you know how it goes!

Ha! We must be running on the same track, Foodie! I also feel you on the speed - the program apparently wants us to run a steady 6mph (to complete the 5k in 30 minutes, if my math does not fail me), and that ain't gonna happen for me any time soon, methinks. Bah, who cares - I'd never thought I could run for 25 minutes straight, so who am I to complain?

And now I have to get my lazy behind out the door and take a stab at W8D1 - I'm less than enthusiastic because it's cold and rainy outside, but that's what my gym membership is for, right? And I also hope that my snazzy homemade "podcast" will give me a little boost... see ya all later, hopefully! :D

I need to learn how to do a podcast! Because homedude's music is killing me now. I'm using my regular Ipod tomorrow for my 20 minute run. Weeks 8 & 9, I want to have my own podcast.

I'm baaaack! :D

Just killed 28 minutes before they had a chance to kill me... not that they weren't trying, mind you!

Foodie, I also have no idea how to make a real podcast, I just "unshuffled" my iPod shuffle and put my specially timed playlist up front. I have a five minute song for warm-up (Hells Bells anyone?) and cool-down, with 28 minutes of fabulous music in between. I treated myself to some new tunes to keep it more interesting, and because I'm a *huge flaming nerdgirl* :dizzy: I put in short sound bites from the X-Files as time markers... yah. It just makes me smile to have Mulder say "Get those little legs moving" to start me off and Scully (about halfway though) "If I quit now - THEY win!" :p

Heffalump - your picture and screen name are adorable! And congrats on 28 minutes straight. I know c25k promises me I will be there in a matter of weeks, but it's still a struggle for me to run five minute intervals. The thought of running for 28 straight is intimidating, and it's good to know others are out there doing it.

I did it! 25 minutes!!! And my legs actually loosened up on the second half! I feel like a real runner all of a sudden. A slow one, but a runner nonetheless.

@makeyourownplans: ooh, thanks... :o ...and hey, you're right to be encouraged! I realize I'm gonna sound like a commercial right now, but it really is amazing how fast these 60-90 seconds turn into almost half an hour of running, even if you repeat weeks, as I and quite a few others have done. Before starting this, I've never ever run for more than, oh, let's say 5 minutes in a row in my life!

@Me_Amarie: :cheer2: Woohoo! Isn't that an awesome feeling? I'm noticing that, too - it actually gets *easier* after the first ten or so minutes now. How cool is that?

Where can I find those X-Files quotes! Those sound perfect. I think I'll work on my music today and finish Week 5 tomorrow.

@Foodie: I didn't have a specific source, just googled "X-Files wavs" and found a bunch of sites. :)

Heffalump - Yes, it is so cool that it gets easier! Maybe thats the "runner's high"?

I'm another person who before C25K never really ran more than 5 minutes at a time. In fact, I remember quite clearly the last time I was "fit" running and walking on a treadmill in 5 min intervals, and thinking that was amazing! Seems to me that I let that 5 min mark become a big mental barrier. The thing I've realized about C25K is that it not only trains the body to run, but the mind as well. I have near-panicked a couple times when I came across a big change in the run times, but it works. Each time I make it through. The program really does break down the mental blocks to running! Woohoo!

LOL Heffalump. I love it. BUT, the big question is...is Bree Sharpe's "David Duchovny" on your playlist? That song cracks me up but sadly cannot find the disc it's on! I know it must be somewhere in my house.

I did W8D1 tonight...it wasn't horrible. The hardest part was that my mind kept wandering but not in a good 'just listen to the music and run' way...it was weird. W8D2 on Friday. I cannot believe I'm almost done with this program. Even though I'm not running at a 10 min/mi pace yet, it's still amazing to me that I *am* running ~2.6 miles in 28 minutes.

Happy running, everyone :)

:carrot:I finished my 20 minute run! Woo hoo! I didn't think I could do it. But, I was more than prepared. I had a little side pain halfway through my run, but I kept running. I knew that stopping would not stop the pain.

Great job Foodie!!

I did W6D2 today - 10 min run, 3 walk, 10 run. It wasn't bad, but pretty hard since I pushed up the speed more today. I did the first run on 5.8 mph, and the second one at 6.0 mph. I really want to get my speed up to 6.0 mph for the final run so that I can be at the right pace. (I know the writer said that it doesn't matter what speed you run, this is just a personal goal of mine.)