Oodles - That's amazing, well done you, you should be SO proud of yourself!!!

I am absolutely ecstatic after just getting back from my run outside today. I started off thinking I will just try to run for 3 songs on my ipod which I knew should be about 10mins, as the most I've done non-stop before outside is 7.5mins. At the moment I run around two football pitches on the local playing fields and one half of the lap is downhill, the other uphill. Anyway, when I got to the end of the 3rd song I found I'd done 13mins! At this point I'd done 3 laps of the pitches so decided to try to do another lap which I knew would take me to about 17mins. As I went along those uphill bits were getting harder and harder, but I kept telling myself I just had to get to that corner, then the next, then I kept saying it's a downhill bit now, you can do all the downhill bit before you stop. In the end when my legs really couldn't manage any more and my heart rate hit my high limit I had run for 24mins non-stop!!!!! My Nike+ says I did 3.46k in those 24mins. Now I don't think it's very accurate, but it's about 2/3 of the way through a 5k!
I am just so happy with what I've achieved today. I proved to myself yet again I could do something I didn't think I could. Running for me really is a mental thing, if I just focus and keep telling myself I can do it, I actually can!
My legs have definitely worked MUCH harder today running outside than they do on the treadmill, and I'm thinking I will probably ache later, but now I know that with 10 weeks to go to my 5k race if I just add a minute a week to my time and with a real push on the day, I should be able to run the whole race, which is my dream!!!!

:carrot::carrot::carrot::carrot::carrot::carrot::c arrot::carrot::carrot::carrot:'

That is JUST SO UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!

LM-- this is just so fantastic! I KNEW you could do it! Oddly enough, I had just the opposite experience yesterday-- I decided that I could run 20 minutes and instead, I ran 17.5 outside.

Do you like the NIKE chip? I would love to know how far I'm running.... I just go by time.

Thanks Uber, I really am so proud of myself, still can't believe I actually did it :carrot:

I don't really know what I think of the Nike+. I've tried to map the area that I run and if I've done it correctly then the Nike+ is a little inaccurate. I've callibrated it a couple of times like it says to do, but it doesn't seem to make much difference.
Going on my mapping it seems to overestimate outside, but underestimate on the treadmill, but it helps me to watch the pace mostly and make sure I'm not going too fast when I start, and whether or not the distance is accurate it's motivating to see it growing.
I've actually got the new Garmin Forerunner 110 watch on pre-order and can't wait for it to be released and arrive, hopefully the end of the month or early next. I've wanted one for SO long, and now I'm actually really getting into running and haven't rewarded myself along my weight loss journey, I've decided to go for it.

Oh my gosh! I totally need that watch! Thanks for the tip. Are you getting the one with the HR monitor?

Congratulations Oodles and LovingMe!

ubergirl - I go by time but after the run I'll go on mapmyrun and figure out how far I've run so I can work out my speed and stuff.

It looks fab doesn't it, I can't wait to get mine and start using it. It will be SO good to be able to accurately track my runs by route, distance, speed and time.
And yes, I am getting the one with the heart rate monitor. I have a basic HRM which hubby got me for christmas last year and I love it, but it only does heart rate and cals so I'm ending up wearing that and my Nike+ at the same time which is a pain.
I will still use my current HRM in the gym but really want the watch for running outside, which I hope I'll be doing more and more of over time.

Switched it up with a treadmill run-- I did the 5 minute 8 minute 5 minute interval from week 5 but I ran between 4.5 and 5.0 mph with a little sprint to 5.5 at the end. I was happy to see that I can kick up the speed a bit.

I ran for 5 straight days this week. Yikes.

It is nice - there is just something about running with the sea and open sky on one side, and the smell of the surf in the air. They have recently rebuilt and smartened up all the promenade where I live also so it is a very nice run.

Just got back from our visit to the coast and I'm still on a high from this morning.
I set off running around the promenade and experienced the toxic ten minutes I've heard people talk about. I just couldn't get my breathing right and my legs hurt.
Then I seemed to get into a better rythym and tried to take note of the waves I could see and smell and the clear blue sky above. It was really hard but I kept telling myself I'd just get to the next corner or whatever, and eventually I reached the other end of the promenade which was a great feeling. When I got to the end I had intended to stop and walk back, but I found myself turning around and carrying on running back the other way.
I looked at my watch and had done 18mins at that point I think it was, so I decided I would try really hard to get to 24mins like I did on grass on Friday.
Then when I got to 24mins I decided to just do another minute so I'd beaten my best outdoor run. Then I decided to try to get to the next corner, and once I'd done that I could see in the distance where I'd started and I just knew I had to carry on somehow.
I put every ounce of energy I had into it and I made it back to my start point at the beginning of the promenade. And the time on my watch when I stopped running.... 35mins 45secs :carrot::carrot::carrot:
I had run around the promenade AND back without stopping, had beaten my outside running record, AND beaten my treadmill running record all at the same time :carrot::dizzy::D
I then stood for a while whilst my legs stopped feeling like jelly and breathed in the sea air, watched and listened to the waves and felt totally at peace with the world and myself. I'd just done something I never imagined I'd do, in fact only 12 months ago I couldn't even WALK one way without being exhausted.
I THINK I ran about 4.7k in total, so SO close to the elusive 5k, but I know now I'll be able to do it when the time comes.
Tonight my legs ache, my knees especially, from running on the concrete which I'm not used to, but it's worth it to know just how far I've come in the last 3 months, I really am a runner now! :carrot:

Wow, such inspirational stories from so many! Congratulations everyone!

I tackled a big road block for myself... I've been scared to leave the dreadmill...but, this morning I did W2D2 OUTDOORS! I was so scared to be outside for people to laugh at the fat one, but instead, I was greeted by SO MANY MORE hellos, good mornings, nods, and smiles than I ever do while taking my walks on the same path. I loved it! I can't wait to run outdoors again, and, aside from weather issues I don't ever want to go back to the dreadmill. And yippee for me, I actually had to pass people (of course they were walking) but this is a first. Usually I'm the one hearing "passing on your left!"

If anyone is scared to run outdoors, don't be. Just go do it. I will say that yesterday I did a lot of weight training on my quads and hamstrings, did 25 minutes of mid-level resistance on an eliptical, and then a very long relaxing stretch of all my leg muscles. I think it helped. I had no soreness and none of the "it's so much harder to move my legs outdoors" symptoms.

I'm on cloud 9.

I started the C25K program today!! I it went well - I made it the whole way through the W1D1 workout. I did it at a local paved trail. I don't think this is something I want to do on a treadmill. I am really excited about the prospect of running my first 5k. :)

AWESOME!!! Stick with it. Congratulations on completing the entire W1D1 workout! :carrot:

Congratulations Loving Me! So glad you were able to get past your outside running hurdle.

Welcome to the new C25ker's - you can do it!

My DH and I completed W9D3 on Friday. Whoohooo! What a sense of accomplishment. We are hoping to complete our first 5K on May 15.

Soooo, I found my first 5k :eek: :eek: It is in 6 wks so I should be able to run the whole thing. I am so happy that I found this program, I am really falling in love with running.

I am SCARED!!!!! (but in a good way ;) )

LM!!!!! I got chills reading your post!!!! You are so unbelievably awesome! I can't wait to hear about you FINISHING THE 5K!!! Just wonderful!

I'm happy to read about your accomplishments, it's inspiring.
Today I did W1D1... my first day...
I tried in the past this program, but I made it just to week 4, then I got lazy...
I hope this time around it will be better and I'll finish it.
Great to read your posts, it will help me.

I'm excited to report that I ran 37 straight minutes today.

Well done Uber, that's brilliant! :carrot:
I had a bad workout yesterday. Think I pulled my achilles a little when running on saturday and it was complaining yesterday. Went for my step class at lunchtime and although my heart rate was ok I just found it SO hard, was really tired.
Got one of my long workouts today and really don't think it's going to be a good one as I'm still tired, although my leg feels a bit better.
Not sure what to do about the running, whether to try to do my full time at a slower pace or do some intervals or something.
Guess I'll see how I feel when I'm there...

I'm happy to say that although I was really tired this morning and it was a struggle, I managed the goal I've been working towards of running 5k non-stop on the treadmill. I did it in 39mins 19secs I think it was.
There was a man on the treadmill next to me running at 14k an hour which made my 7.6k look like a stroll in the park, but I did it ;)
I think however I may have been pushing myself too hard this last week as my left calf and right hamstring are complaining daily at the moment. I really don't want to stop running for a few days as I'm scared it will be harder the next time I do run, but I'm also worried if I don't take care I'm going to make things worse.
Will see how I feel tomorrow morning I guess and decide whether to go to my step class or not. I really think I need to go for my swim on Friday which I've swapped for running the last two weeks.

Hi all! I thought I'd shoot out a quick hello... :carrot: I have been getting back into jogging lately and just found this program (thanks to a friend) and am excited to see my progress. I was even more excited to see this support forum. I used to turn to 3FC all the time and after falling off the wagon am looking forward to coming back. Yesterday I did W1D1... looking forward to day 2!

:carrot::carrot::carrot::carrot::carrot::carrot::c arrot::carrot::carrot::carrot:

I did intervals tonight. 5 minutes at 4.5mph 8 minutes building from 4.5 to 5.0 and 5 minutes building from 4.5 to 5.0.

Tomorrow, I'm headed outside.

w1d2 done :)

I can't wait to be like you girls, to run 30 min it's a dream :).

Thanks for the congrats Uber :hug:

Are you finding doing intervals is helping you improve do you think? Do you still feel you've had a good workout running for a shorter time than your normal runs?
I've done them sort of but have done them in with my normals runs, so haven't shortened my run time, have just done some minutes faster then backed off to my normal speed, but it's really tiring to do on a 30+ min run.
Could you explain to me how you do your intervals please? Is your treadmill programmed for them or do you manually do it? Do you do like 2mins at each speed? Eg what you said about, did you build up for 8mins to 5.0 then drop straight back to 4.5 and build up to 5.0 again in the next 5mins?
Sorry for all the questions, I'm just wondering if I'm actually not doing myself any favours by pushing myself to run for longer and longer each run. Maybe I should do one shorter run with intervals each week and see if that helps.
Today my legs are still hurting so I've decided to go swimming at lunchtime. I should be going to a step class but I think I really need to give my legs a break so will go swimming instead so that at least I'm doing something.
Much as I hate to admit it, I think I've been pushing myself too hard this last week and if I don't back off a bit I think I might end up having to take a longer break. I'm scared to change my routine because it's working so well for the weight loss, but I'm also worried if I'm not careful I could end up injured more and not be able to exercise at all.

Welcome! Please stick with it! I look forward to your future posts :)

Congratulations on completing day 2! Please stick with it, come back, and post. I wish more would come back and post. I'm lonely. :hug:

I know that I'm late to this game, but I finished Week 1 Day 3 yesterday! I'm really looking forward to Week 2 today. I even ran an extra minute in the cool down yesterday because I still felt like it. I think today is going to be good.

Aww, redsox, you are not alone. :hug:
Thanks for the support, i really do want to stick with it and this thread helps with the accountability.

What week, day are you, or are you a grad? Sorry if you've posted this info, the thread has too many pages :). :wave:

Welcome! Congratulations on completing week 1! :carrot:

Howdy! I should be completing W2D3 today, but, I don't know if I have it in me. My knee is cracking and I'm scared of injury. I did Jillian Michaels' 30 day shred this afternoon, so at least I got a workout in. I'll probably do a 2 mile walk this evening as well and attempt c25k tomorrow morning.

Don't apologize for not seeing my posted info. It's obviously impossible to remember where everybody is in the program. Is there a ticker for the c25k? I'd really like one.

Are you training for a specific 5k race? I'm thinking about committing to one shortly (maybe July?) so that I'll push myself to stay on pace. I'm only doing the program two days a week instead of three :(

I recently started this program and just finished W3D2, I started it last week but am doing it more than the 3 days per week and am going about 4 or 5 days per week. HOWEVER i am not running, I am doing it on the elliptical for now and just trying to go at full speed during the "jogging" portions. After I finished the program on the elliptical I hope to try doing it again but on the treadmill. I just figured right now I am too out of shape to jump into running, i want to condition my body a little bit at least before doing so. This thread is really inspirational. I love the program and it is probably the most useful app I've ever downloaded on my iPhone. I know it will be much more difficult when I'm doing it on the treadmill versus the elliptical, and after the treadmill I want to start running outdoors as well which will be harder again. But this program really seems to help build you up to meet those new challenges.

What a fantastic idea to adapt c25k for the elliptical! Good for you! Congratulations on completing just about 3 weeks of the program! Keep us posted with your accomplishments. :carrot:

I ran one mile today! :carrot: I was quite proud of myself. Now I'm considering doing the C25k program, but I'm not sure where to start. I'm considering jumping into week 4-ish. My typical cardio, which I'm not giving up, is spin class three times a week. But I don't know...I just want to run.

Go for it Eliana!
I'd definitely recommend the C25K program, it got me from only being able to do three 1min runs to over 39mins non-stop last run on the treadmill.
Have a look at the program and see where you feel you're already at with it, and then start from there.
I'm ill at the moment plus already had some aches and pains, I think from running too much this last week, but I know what you mean about just wanting to run, I'm nervous but excited before every run I do.

Lovingme, I'm sorry you're sick! That's no fun at all. It's hard to derail exercise when you're sick. I just hate that.

Running scares me! :rofl: I'm glad to hear you're still nervous each time you face it. ;) There's hope for me yet! It's odd how you can actually mentally forget how to run. It's such a natural movement for our bodies, but mine has forgotten how. I have no mental picture of me running, if that makes any sense. I stared at the treadmill speeding by this morning before hopping on it and thought to myself, how on earth am I going to catch that? :rofl:

Eliana--I started C25K at the beginning of week 3 because I had been doing a little bit of treadmill running and a lot of swimming.... But then again, I had trouble in weeks 5 and 6 and had to repeat them, so in retrospect, I might have done better to start from the beginning. On the other hand, it sounds like you have a good cardio baseline.

Running rocks! It has sped up my weight loss and improved my tone more than any other activity.

W2D3 complete!

Oh my, I had to start over! I went on a lil mini vacation and then got sick. I ran 10 mins straight tonight. :) It felt so good to run! Ntm I found a motion and speed that works great for me! Keep it up everyone!

Congrats redsox33 for completing w2d3, you've made it.

I didn't find a specific ticker for C25K, I use the exercise ticker from tickerfactory.com, at units I wrote "Minutes" and at the short description I've put C25K and swimming because that's what I'm doing these 9 weeks, and I've calculated in minutes, how many they are for 9 weeks if I run(C25K) 30 minutes X 3 times per week and if I swim 50 minutes X 2 times per week, so my goal is in minutes = 1710... hope I explained ok...

I'm not preparing for a 5 K race... unfortunately we don't have those king of competitions in my area.

Anyway, I find it amazing how the weight loss is speed up by running, so I totally agree with ubergirl.

Moni, feel better! 10 minutes is great, especially after a hiatus! Keep up the great work! I can't wait to be up to 10 minutes of running!

Philosia, Wow, I didn't even notice you are from Romania! It always amazes me how people from all over the world are connected via the internet. That's too bad they don't have 5k races in your area. We should do a virtual race someday! Like everybody races on a particular weekend and posts their results (no fibbing!) We could have virtual trophies and everything... just a thought. I think it would be fun!

You explanation of your ticker was perfect. What a great idea to incorporate both your running and swimming into a workout goal! I too went to the ticker factory and made my units my workouts (for c25k only). There are a total of 27 if you stay exactly on pace. I guess if I repeat a workout or two, I'll just keep the ticker where it's at.

Good Morning to everyone! (Or perhaps Good Afternoon/Evening depending where you live!) :)