Oh ho, that is totally neat! The map for my area came through beautifully. And you can track off-road stuff?!? Wild. I'm going to enjoy playing with that.

In this house, Santa traditionally brings me a single bag of gummi frogs every year, but maybe he can be persuaded to bring me something a little more high-tech and a little less caloric next year. Thanks so much, Ilene.

Welcome, LittleGreen! Are you going to join the 1000 mile challenge?

Depends on how many years I get to finish the 1000 miles....
:-o

I'll post more in the 1000 miles thread, so as not to clog up the FAQ!

Good morning all!!! I have never gotten into running but am starting the couch potatoe to 5k program...wish me luck All the people I know who run say they love to run!!! Hope that happens!!!

I am completely game to try this C25k thing! :) I used to run when I was younger/smaller but I do remember having that runners high and feeling oh so good.

I need to get new shoes first.

Happy running everyone!

Is it possible to begin on an Elliptical? I really want to run but it's almost impossible for me to go out and run in my area with my kids.

You can start cardio training on any machine, but an elliptical will not be the same workout as running, not even close, it's like comparing apples and oranges, they are completely different. If you have a treadmill on the other hand, it's the closest to running outside, but then again still not the same. If you do run on a treadmill you should also put it on an incline of at least 1%...

Tonyia - It wont translate exactly and if you are doing an elliptical I would go by time not distance (which is pretty much what C25K is) Just pick an effort that you think is "walk equivalent" - something you could do for maybe 45-60 minutes straight and an effort that you think is run equivalent and go for it. The basic structure can translate to any kind of cardio if you are trying to get used to working at a higher level.

But if you do at some point start running, even if you have been doing run equivalent effort for 30 minutes, that doesnt mean you will be able to run for 30 minutes. Elliptical will build up your cardio and some of the muscles but wont prepare your joints and tendons for the impact and uses slightly different muscles. But it will make the transition to running easier.

I LOVE to run. I'm not to the point where I'm ready to try C25K...I wanna give myself time to work up to that physcially. But I want to know that the breathing will get better. That's always what stops me, is I can't catch my breath, and it feels like I can't take a deep enough breath. As long as I know that this is normal and will go away with time I will keep going! :)

I think you're going out too fast, hence shortness of breath, go slower and take it easy and you will breath easier too... C25k is beginner so you should not have to workout yourself up to it... If the first week you can`t run the whole minute just do 30 to 45 seconds, make it fit to you... Hope this helps, keep us posted on your progress :D

Now that I can run a 5K, how do I increase my speed from tortoise to hare? :D I was thinking sprint intervals...

Just started C25K this week and so far so good! I think I'll be sticking to the Week 1 training schedule for more than one week, just to get my endurance up. The thought of being able to jog (albiet slowly!) a 5K this fall is all the motiviation I need right now! My next major purchase will be really good shoes, as mine are a little old and could use an upgrade.

Thanks to everyone for their advice on this thread...and good luck to my fellow newbies!

What is the difference between running on a treadmill vs. outside?

I can walk for 30 mins on a treadmill at a 3.6 mph speed - what's a minimum speed to try running at? Is 5.0 too fast, too slow? I'm also wondering about how to start running when the treadmill's going fast - i.e. do you literally just jump on and start running? That sounds so silly, I know, but I'm slightly scared of falling off the treadmill.:o Any other suggestions? Thanks so much!

It is easier on the treadmill because you have the belt propelling you forward. If you want to simulate outside running it's a good idea to put the treadmill on an incline of 2 or 3%...but it's still not the same. But I did use the treadmill for a year before running outside, now I refuse to run on the dreadmill, as I call it :lol:

The minimum speed to start running at is, what you are comfortable with, just start putting the speed up gradually and eventually you won't be able to walk you'll have to jog... do that jog for a minute or 30 seconds, whatever YOU can do... This is how the Couch to 5k program starts off... Google it and you'll see the slow progression of running up to a 5k...

Hope this helps :D

Thanks Ilene! I'll muster up the courage to try this.