Congratulations mothermavis!! That's awesome!

Thanks for posting the 1 hr runner program! I'm definitely going to look into that!

Well I did W6D1 last night and I felt like that was harder for me than the 20 min run. I think I do better when I'm not stopping and starting. W6D2 is Saturday, then the 25 min run is Monday. I am actually looking forward to it!

Cabin - I also noticed that I did much better when I was running straight, and not pausing in between to walk. I think it might have had something to do with my heart rate going up so high and then going lower so quickly, a few times in a row. I also actually felt that doing W6D1 was harder than W5D3, but it all evens out in the end. Congrats :)

I did an extra day of week 3 today outside. I made it completely through without having to stop through any of the 3 minute walks. I'm was still really difficult doing the 3 minutes though. I'm torn on what to do next week though. I'm feeling like I should do another week 3 again since I really struggled. It was definately easier today though! I wonder if that has anything to do with running outside though? More things to see then just the wall or tv when I'm on the TM.

zeph - I'd suggest you try week 4 day 1 out, and see how it goes from there. If you have difficulty, then you can repeat week 3. I have a feeling that you'll do just fine though!

I personally had to redo week 4, but I did it just to work on my speed. If I had kept going, I would have been fine.

For me, running outside is more difficult because I can't regulate how fast I'm going, so I tend to go faster than I'd like. This is why I prefer jogging on a treadmill. I'm also a little OCD about keeping track of my distance/speed, but that's a different story altogether O_o

zephyr - I repeated week 3 because I didn't feel like I was ready to move on to a 5 min run, but even after the second week I still didn't feel ready. Those 3 min runs just never got any easier for me. So I just made myself move to week 4 and I was able to do the 5 min run. So maybe just try it out and see how it goes. I also run outside. It seems to go by faster for me that way. I don't do well on a treadmill because I get so bored. Plus it's better if I can't see how much time I have left.

Well I'm about to head out to do W6D2 before the rain hits!

C25K Graduate!! On to the one hour runner on Tuesday!!

WTG mothermavis!! After finishing this last week I'm really excited to be done with this program. It's a neat feeling already just being able to look back 3 weeks ago and see how far I've come. So exiciting!

I woke up this morning with pretty sore legs. My shins especially hurt though. What should I do to help them feel/get better. I'm thinking it's shin splints. Ice or heat? Should I keep going or take a break until they feel better? Do you know if there are any stretches/exercises I should be doing to help?

Zephyr, I would say rest it for a bit & Google shin splints, for treatment suggestions, everything I found comes back to Rice.

Are your shoes good? By that I mean not old and are they running shoes? I have awful hip and knee pain when my sneakers are not right. I tried running one night around week 7 in old sneakers, thought I would fall down the stairs the next am because I was so lame.

Zephyr - I second the good shoes suggestion by mothermavis. When I first started this program, my shins and knees were both killing me. After a few weeks, I decided to invest in a good pair of running shoes. The difference is amazing. Of course if you already have a good pair, this doesn't apply to you. :) I know there are some stretches or exercises out there you could do to help with shin splints.

mothermavis - Congratulations! Keep us updated on how the one hour runner is going. I am thinking of doing that once I am a fellow graduate!

So, I woke up this morning and my legs/shins felt much better a little stiff and sore yet but nothing to bad. So I figured I'd give week 4 a shot and stop if they got to sore or tight. I made it through the first 3 and 5 minute runs and half way through the other 3 min. one they started hurting so I stopped. I never thought I'd be able to even do as much as I did and if my legs weren't so sore I think I could have finished it out!

W6D1, done. Like the others of you who said this one was hard, I agree. I think mine might have been due to too many rest days in between runs....I had a busy weekend and didn't get on the treadmill at all.

Good job on finishing, mother!

Zeph - definitely get better shoes if you don't have decent running ones. I had to get new shoes around week 3 because my shins were hurting. Haven't had a problem since. I also started taking vitamins around that time, a multiV and a calcium pill. Stretching helps.

Today was D1W1 for me. At times it felt easy and at others, it was a chore. I have not "jogged" for probably 30 years - high school. I did download the podcast from ullreys and found it helpful. I walk indoors on a rubber track around an indoor ice rink. Not very scenic but Spring will come eventually.

upnorth - I remember struggling through W1D1 and thinking there is no way I will ever be able to run for 30 minutes. I was barely able to make it all the way through some of those 60 second runs. I have never been a runner, even when I was in shape and a little size 8. But just hang in there, you will surprise yourself again and again. Keep us updated with how it's going! You will find lots of motivation in here!

Well everyone, I finished week 6 tonight. That 25 minute run was TOUGH, but I made it through it. I seriously don't think I could have run for a minute longer. Luckily week 7 doesn't go any longer than a 25 min so I'll have a week to get used to it.

Achilles Tendonitis
 

I didn't have as big an issue with breathing and stamina (it is only D1) but the tendonitis is another issue. I really want to do this program but my husband is skeptical and afraid that I'll do more harm than good. I just got a prescription for Meloxicam - an anti-inflammitory. So I am hoping that with good stretching and the meds, I can move ahead. Does anyone else have the same issue? I also have hallux limitus in the right toe joint but that has not been bad since I bought Avia's Motion Shoes. A nice "rocker" shoe - probably more for walking than running.

I refuse to use some foot issues as an excuse to do nothing and just sit around.

So until I do D2 tomorrow I will visit the Wii for some yoga and maybe a few balance games.

I did w4d1 again today and this time was able to get all the way through the program! I did the run outside and really feel like it's easier for me then running on the treadmill. It definately passes the time alot faster. I'm not sure what mileage I should have had today but I was able to do 2.2 miles.

WTG zephyr! Maybe it's the treadmill that's contributing to the pain in your shins??? I just know that I cannot run on a treadmill to save my life. It seems like the last time I ran on one I had shin splints. Who knows? Just keep running outside when you can and maybe that will help.

It really good be something with the treadmill. With that i have a hard time finding the right speed. I feel like I'm either going to fast or slow and can't find just the right speed. Once my hubby is off of over time I plan on running outside in the morning before he goes to work. Hopefully by that time it won't be so cold outside!

W2D2 today, and I'm having a kind of weird issue; when I finish a run segment, my legs tighten up immediatly after I stop running and feel like they are cramping up. Almost wants to make me keep running to avoid it...

are you cooling down before you stop completely? and are you stretching after running? Weird... I hope it gets under control soon!

Upnorth, check with the Doc who gave you the script, see what they think. Good luck!!

Zeph! :carrot: :carrot: !!

Shea, are you slowing down too much or not enough? Maybe try a different walk speed. Hope you get it sorted out.

Cabinwife, I agree, hate the treadmill too , but its my best option in the frozen north til at least March!!

W1D1 OHR, in the books!!

Wii Run
 

Has anyone tried this with the Wii's Free Run? It is only 10 degrees here and the indoor rink in not heated. I don't think it too wise to run in that temp as such a beginner. I'll try the podcast while on the Wii and see how it goes - besides being a lot warmer!:?:

upnorth - I have done the free run on Wii but haven't tried it with the C25k. I'm not sure how it would work out. Will you be running in place or around the house? Let us know how it goes.

What is C25K?
 

I'm new to this forum and am trying to get a feel for stuff. What is C25K? I understand there is a week number and a day number, but where do your get the information? Help! please.:?:

re: What is C25K?
 

the Couch to 5K (C25K) program is on coolrunning.com Just google it and you'll find it. You can also download C25K apps for iPhone and iTouch, or download podcasts on iTunes. I run with the Ullreys podcasts. Essentially it's a 9 week program to train you from being a non-runner to running a 5k. You run three days per week, weeks 1-4 you complete the same run each day of the week. Starting week 5 you'll have a different run each day.

Hey ladies. I ran W4D3 today...kinda. I was supposed to run W4D3 last Friday but decided to take some time off. I re-injured my knee on the leg press Tuesday of last week, and further aggrivated it with my run on Wednesday. So today was my first day back to running but my knee still isn't 100%. The pain is minor but I'm afraid of pushing it and making things worse. I skipped one of the 5 min runs and avoided the hill today.

I'm just really afraid that if I take too much time off I'll lose all my progress. I was feeling my leg muscles last night and thought: if I'm not running and not doing the leg press this is going to turn into mush in no time! I don't want to lose muscle weight! I'm just so torn on how to handle this. I kind of want to talk to a doctor about what the best course of action is, but my insurance is crap. And I feel like all he'll tell me is to lose weight and stop running. I don't want to put off running until I reach goal; that's too far away!

Thanks for the info. I'm supposed to be training to walk a half marathon in April but have yet to start!! haha:o Maybe this will help me...Jess

Aclai~ Can you slow down a little and not push so much right now? Just think if your knee isn't ready for you to keep going you may be off of running for longer then if you rested your knee for a little while longer. Good luck though!!


I feel like I'm lacking motivation(maybe) or something.. I'm really having a hard time running on the treadmill. The treadmill has worked just fine for me up until this week and I feel like now I'm just having a really hard time. I tried w4d2 this morning but didn't even make it half way...I quit. I do plan on doing the run this evening outside after my husband gets home and can stay with the kids. I'm confident that I can get through the run outside with no problem!!

On another note...I signed up for my first 5k races. It's on April 17 and if all goes well and I don't have to repeat any weeks I'll be finished with C25K end of Feb./beginning of March. I'm so excited!!

W6D2 completed today. I've been feeling sluggish this week, but did get through my run today!!

I'm just jumping in here. Is this a muscle injury or a bone/cartilage thing?
I've had a quad injury that has plagued me for the last 2+years and prevented me from accomplishing any of my fitness goals. Finally I was ready to do it my body's way. I wish I could have afforded the 3 weeks of therapy my Dr. suggested. Instead I searched the internet for various physical therapy exercises to help strengthen that part of my muscle and I stretch. I tried doing a warm up before stretching, but that would set it off too. So now I stretch before, during and after any workout involving my legs. I also do a mile cool down after any running- and then stretch! If I get that warm, not so fuzzy feeling, I use RICE, and take a couple days off. I'm a week & 1/2 half behind on my C25K, and I might not make the March race I was planning on, but there's another race in May. Its the only I can keep moving forward.

Do what your body needs. MODIFY! Knee injuries are nothing to mess with!:hug:

Ashley, I too have a wonky knee. Try to let it heal, if you miss a couple runs, you may need to go back a week, but you will not lose all your progress. Take care of you!!

Hey guys I have a question about C25k. Does it matter if I do it outside or on the treadmill? Cos it's a little more convenient to do it on the treadmill for me. I finished W1D2 today and it seems fine. I'm just wondering.

For some reason today I felt all emotional every time I finished the run segment.. the entire time I was doing it I was thinking about how badly I want to achieve my goals. It was like a motivational speaker was in my head haha.

I don't smoke anymore so running isn't AS hard as it used to be, but I've never been a runner. I know people who complete the program say it all the time... but I'm still scared of not being able to do it or something. Like when the longer runs come along, and I won't be able to push myself or something. I dunno. I'm diggin this so far. My only complaint is the back of my calves are a little sore, but I expected that. Yay C25K!

oodles~ It doesn't make any difference whether you do it on the treadmill or outside. Whatever works better for you. Just take one week at a time and you'll get there! The longer runs to scare me too, especially since I should be moving on to w5 next week.


I gave w4d2 another try last night. I almost completed it. I ran outside and the first 5 minute run was into the wind and I didn't have it in me to do that all in one shot. I got throug the first 2 minutes and then had to walk for a little while but then went right back into the 5 minute run instead of the 3 minute and then got another 3 minutes in at the very end. So, I guess I did complete it just not exactly like they said to do it. I'm not sure whether to go onto week 5. This whole week has really been a challenge...

Zeph, I would probably repeat it. What ever you do will be right for you!

Another question- at what point do you start worrying about how fast you're going (or in my case, not going). I'm doing C25k on a treadmill and I'm lucky if I can get up to 4mph when running. The rate I'm going now, it'll take an hour or more to finish a 5k.

Encelia, I think it's a personal choice, I used all my worry about doing it first, but I try to run a bit faster each time, I have finished C25K but am still upping my speed each time, trying to get to and maintain 6.0 for the whole 30 minutes. I'll get there.

I just finished Day 1 of C25k yesterday and going on Day 2 tomorrow, so I wanted to say hi to all you girls!! I'm so excited to burn off my poor eating decisions this weekend (yuck).

So far, so good. I actually did half of the run on an inclined elliptical machine because all the treadmills were taken so I like to think I got a little extra burn that way ;) So great to join everyone in fitness in 2010!

Man I finished W1D3 yesterday, and to my utter shock and amazement, I felt like I could have kept running. I just stared at the same spot on the wall and listened to the music and focused of my breathing.

I've never actually finished the first week of C25K, and though it's not much, I'm still really excited!

I've decided I'm going to try W5 this week. I know that it's going to be a challenge but I'm up for that and feel like I could do the 5 minute runs. We'll see how it goes and if need be the rest of the week will just be W4..

Wish me luck this morning...



ETA: Ok so I just finished W5D1. I can't believe I was able to complete it! It felt like a little bit of a push but I was able to push through the hard times and complete it. I'm not sure that I'll be attempting d2 since I had such a hard time last week and even today wasn't "easy". I feel like if I can get outside for D2 then I may be able to do it. We will see what happens though!

Good job zephyr! I took a bit of a break so I'm doing W7D3 tonight. That 25 min run is still hard for me. It literally takes every ounce of energy I have in me just to finish it. And to think...the 28 min run is coming in two days!!!