W5D1 done today!! My running is slow (4-4.5) but was able to do the 5 minute segments each time!

Still waiting for weight loss to kick in.....

WTG wiginn!!! Don't worry about your speed at least you were able to complete the running. By the way...your running way faster then I am!!

I'm about to start w3d1 today. I can't believe I made it to week 3!!

I am running week 9 this week!!

I just finished w3d1 and I found the last 3 minute run to be pretty difficult. I actualy wasn't able to make it though the full 3 min, so I split that one in half. I'm hoping that day 2 I'll be able to make it through completely. I'm trying not to feel to disappointed since I ran the same amount of time as it called for...

Did anybody else have a hard time with week 3?

Congratulations everyone, you are doing so well!

Zephyr - I did find week 3 difficult. In fact, I was scared to move on to week 4 because the 3 min runs weren't getting any easier for me. But I just made myself move on and I was able to do the 5 min runs in week 4 and the 3 min runs didn't seem so bad anymore. Good luck!

Zephyr, I had different times that were really hard, if you need to go back a day to make sure you are ready, just do it. The program is a guideline, you need to adapt it so it works for you.

The last day of week 8 was harder for me than the 1st 2, Just an off day, I guess. Today was my W9D1, about 1/2 way I was sure I couldn't do it, but I did!!

Hang in there!

I'm thinking I'm going to do a week in between 2 and 3. I think I'm going to keep the 90 seconds the same but decrease the 3 minute run to 2 1/2 and see how that goes on Wed.

Hey ladies. So it was raining yesterday and my Mom came into town, so I didn't get my run in. Since I'm going to be out of town next weekend as well I figure I'll just do my runs MWF for this week and next. I'm a little concerned that the extra day off will make my run more difficult, but I'm still going to go ahead and try W4D1 today.

oh, and Happy MLK Day everyone!

Edit- Made it through my run! I definitely took it slow. There's this one big hill on the trail that I've been fortunate enough to only have to walk up on previous weeks. But today I hit that hill right in the middle of the first 5 min run, ugh! It was warm today too, 55 degrees. That's the first day so far that I needed a cold shower after my run. It looks like it's going to be warm all week. Time to break out the short sleeve shirts (just for running that is, it's not THAT warm here)!

Zephyr - W3D1 was hard for me, too. I ended up slowing way down during hte last 3 minute run to a point where I was really just walking very fast. D2 and D3 were much easier.....hang it there - you can do it!!

Well I got sick last week and never got past W5D1, so I'm going for W5D2 tonight. I hope those few days off won't affect my runs. I am a little nervous but I am going to try to make it through without stopping.

W5D2 - DONE!! :carrot: Those 8 minute runs were tough but not like I thought they would be. I honestly thought doing 3 5-min runs were harder than the 2 8-min runs. Go figure. Wednesday is the big 20 min run. I'm going to try even if I have to stop and walk in the middle of it.

Way to go Cabinwife!! I am one day behind you - I am doing W5D2 tomorrow. I hope I do as well as you!!

sigh... should have done my last run on Sunday... here it is Tuesday. Going to try to do it tonight, but got my period unexpectedly yesterday and that threw my game all off. ; ;

W5D2 done!! 8 minutes wasn't so bad, but boy does W5D3 have me psyched out. Cabinwife, I'll be watching for your update after that run!!!

LOL! Ahh the pressure! I will definitely let you know how it goes. I know I'm going to be so nervous before I attempt it.

cabinwife and wiginn- I'm glad you ladies are a week ahead of me. Helps me prepare for what's to come. Good luck with W5D3, that's a scary one!

I'm glad you are all ahead of me too; lots of positive and detailed reports :)

W2D1 redo (tried this weekend but ran out of road 1/2 way through...dodged traffic for the rest :)) - Not too bad, got it done, but boy were my legs sore after each run; hoping that swimming tomorrow will ease any tightness...

I just checked the weather and saw it's supposed to be raining for the next few nights here...which would put off W5D3 by a few nights and I really don't want to do that. I'm thinking about going ahead and trying it tonight even though I did W5D2 last night. What would yall suggest?

Sorry, can't give you any guidance on that one - I'm doing this on a treadmill....figured I'd get through the program and then, hopefully before entering into a real 5K, would start to do some running outside. Keep us posted and good luck!!

Cabinwife- If you aren't feeling sore or anything I supose you could give it a try. Fortunately I have a gym membership, so I'll just switch to the treadmill for rainy days. Good luck! Let us know what you decide to do.

Well girls...I kicked that 20 min run's butt! :carrot: I know yall will be able to do it! I could tell my legs were a little weak from the run last night, but nothing I couldn't push through. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be at all and I think I could have made it 25 mins. Wiginn - I will be waiting on your update! I know you'll surprise yourself just like I did! Good luck!!

HELLOOOO ALLLLLL

Just finished W1D2, I feel incredible. I mean, I'm sure in the morning (a few hours lol) I'll feel like **** because my muscles are angry with me but IN THIS MOMENT I feel good. I started on sunday and it was tough to get through because this is the first time I am doing this or any running program ever. I was also running outside because it was nicer out but my throat killed after because I'm having trouble breathing "like a runner." I'm sure I'll get it eventually. I wont be able to do W1D3 until saturday morning but I'm going to try to use my elliptical a little each day just to keep my legs working.

Just a quick question, do you stretch before, during or after your run each day? I read that you should never stretch cold, so after the warm up maybe? I just don't know if its a bad idea to stop what I'm doing while my muscles are warming up to stretch then get back into it. Hope everyone's doing well with their work outs! Your all so inspiring! that 20 min run is hanging in the back of my head... I can only DREAM of doing 20 min straight.

I stretch a little before my run and then more after. I do know it's better to stretch if you're already warm but I'm not stopping once I start just to stretch. I think when your muscles are cold you just have to be more careful when stretching.

W3D2 in a few minutes..I'm a bit nervous but I'm hopefully that it won't be as bad as Monday

Good luck Zephyr, you can do it.

K8, I stretch a bit before, then I do a warm up walk (warming up muscles!!) then I do a cool down walk and some stretching after. Esp hamstrings for me as they are my biggest hurdle!!

I did it!! It was still difficult but this time instead of walking half way through the last stretch I just slowed down my running a bit and managed to get through it. I'm so much more proud of myself for this run then the one on Monday!! Bring on Friday!

:carrot: Good for you Zephyr. What a great feeling!!!!

i just started this YESTERDAY i am so excited to be able to run when it gets warm here outdoors around the neighborhood or at the park or something without getting winded and feeling embarassed.

good thread btw i am happy to see it's a program that actually works!

Hey ladies. So as far as stretching, I only stretch after my run, but it's a good idea to stretch after warm up as well. My sister did marathon training last year and her coach told them to never ever stretch before your warm up for any exercise. A good tip I read in Runner's World today for all you outdoor runners: on really cold days, try doing your warm up inside, that way getting started isn't so miserable!

It's hard to believe I was running in 30 degree weather just last week. It was 60 here today and I was quite warm during my run. I completed W4D2 with a little more speed than day 1, but not much. This is the first week where my legs have felt tired later in the day. Weeks 1-3 were difficult as far as mental hurdles and learning to breathe properly, but week 4 is really starting to challenge my muscles as well.

Speaking of mental hurdles, the hardest part of running for me is the idea that it's hard. Some days I catch myself thinking "OMG this is sooo far, I don't think I can make it." And then I stop (my thinking, not stop running) and really assess how I'm feeling: do my muscles hurt? Can I breathe? What part of me is it that is struggling to make it to the end? And I'll realize that I'm feeling quite fine physically. Sure I'm a little tired, but not more than I would be doing any other cardio. It's my mind that is making this so hard for me. Anyone else really struggling with mental roadblocks in this?

Well, here it is January 20th.... and I am a C25K graduate!!! woot

Congrats!

YAY - W5D3 is on the books!! I am so excited - I never thought I'd be able to run for 20 minutes straight without stopping! Yes, I did have to slow my pace down a little bit for a few minutes, but then I picked it back up and finished strong! Thanks to everyone posting their progress here - it is helping me so much!!

Everyone - keep at it!! We'll all become runners yet.

Have a GREAT day!!

Congrats on finishing c25k!!!


I have found that my biggest problem this week is the mental aspect of it. I know physically that I CAN do it but my brain is telling me that there is no way I can complete it. I've heard over and over again that our head gives up well before our body does!

Oohpujie - Congrats! I know that's such a great feeling! Are you planning to enter any races?

wiginn - WTG!! It really wasn't so bad, was it? Now I'm confident that I will be able to finish this program!

Everybody is doing such a good job with the program and keeping each other motivated! Let's keep it up!

I forgot to ask this in my other post...

So if your not supposed to stretch before warm up do you stop after the 5 minute walk and then stretch. I hate the thought of getting through the warm up walk and then having to stop to stretch..

Zephyr - I do my stretching at the end. It seems to work for me.

Thanks for the well wishes! Nah, I'm not planning on running races yet. I am planning on working on my speed, and then doing the OneHourRunner program.... 10 weeks!

Don't let your mind talk you down - all of you can do this!

So I tried to run again tonight. It was really difficult. I was doing W3D3. I started out fine, got through the 90 second run/walk and then went in for the 3 minute. I just couldn't get past 90 seconds though so I walked again for 90 seconds then tried again. Same thing...so agian, I walked for 90 seconds before trying to run. This time I was able to manage to get to 1:45. I was so frustrated I just gave up and went to the couch. :( but after sitting there for a few minutes feeling sorry for myself for not pushing harder I decided to try again. Since my muscles were already warmed up I went right for the 3 minutes. I completed the first one and then the second one came around. I finished the one. I felt the need to push myself a little so I did a third 3 minute run and completed it without falling over or even feeling horrible!

I think I'm going to do one more day of week 3 on Saturday and see how that goes. I'm not sure whether to move on to week 4 or not. I think physically I can do it but mentally right now I'm having a hard time. I'm using the treadmill and it's getting boring. All I think about is the time..how much longer til I can walk.

Oohpujie - congrats to you on graduating C25K!! And thanks for continuing to post to keep the rest of us motivated. (I am sorry I didn't comment on that earlier - I was so anxious to post this morning!) :-)

I think you are a fellow treadmill runner? My plan is similar to yours - I want to get through the program (right now I'm doing it based on time, not distance but then want to be sure to get in the distance) and then concentrate on speed.

Can you tell me where you found the One Hour Runner program? I thought I'd seen it a couple of weeks ago and looked for it today and can't seem to locate a link.

Wiginn, yes I am a fellow treadmill runner... terrible OH winter weather = no way am I running outside haha! The distance is the biggest thing for me, I'm almost running 3miles but I'd like to get to that first before I actually start running in real 5Ks! lol

http://mindplunge.com/c25k/one-hour-runner.html

There is a link to the OHR plan. It's 10 weeks, much like the C25K, building you up 3x a week. Let me know if you decide to try it!

I will join you on Sunday!! Week 9 Day 2 today!! I am going to move on to the 1 hr runner with you!!