lights: congrats on almost being done! You're doing the exact same thing I'm doing! I walk at 3.7 and run at 5.2 (except when I want to dieeeeee and I lower it to 5.0) and I plan to do it again when I'm done with 5.2 as my slow and 6.2 as my run so I can get to 30 min 5k.

I just completed W7D2, it went a lot better this time. I completed it with ease and the first time I checked the timer it'd been 15 mins already! I added 2 minutes of 6.2 after a quick 3 min cooldown walk and it felt like I was FLYING. I'm not sure how I'll get to that point!! I've done the entire thing insidfe and I'm going on vacation next week so it'll be my first time outside. I've done it all with a .5 incline so I'm hoping it'll be a smooth transition.

On a good note, today I took Bayer prior to going for the run and my leg didn't throb to the point of tears! I just want to finish and then get it checked. I have tendonitis in my knee so I'm assuming that it's just an inflammed tendon that hasn't gotten used to the idea of me running.

I did week 5 day 1 last night I did 4 minutes of the first 5 minute run at the quicker pace but had to slow down for the last minute then kept it at the slower pace for the other runs. So I feel kind of crummy that I had to do it so slowly but on the other hand I did it... so.... I dunno. I think I'm going to be repeating day 1 for the rest of my week hah, not sure I'm ready for the longer runs.

Tomorrow I do W2D2 and I'm already worrying about it.

Does anyone else do that? I had a rough go of day 1 but when I stop to think it was actually easier then w1d1 was, but still I freak out.

If you were like me in the beginning which week did your confidence kick in and you woke up saying "i can do this!" instead of "Omg I hope I can do this"

Wow! I'm very impressed! I can't believe you did MORE than required. I'm dreading Saturday's first 20 minute run (W5D3). I bet it will be lovely running on vacation. It should give you a lot of energy!

I wouldn't worry about having to slow down. I'm considering running at a slower pace than I have been to do the 20 minute run. I'm very worried about it. The eight minutes I did today was really not bad, but the second eight minutes was torture! My heart rate is still just so high! It is coming down though, so perceived effort is definitely getting better.

I do not worry about it if the run is a repeat of something I have already done. I DO worry about it if it's new/longer!! I worry ALOT! LOL!

I didn't do the first three weeks. I just decided to see if I could run one day and I toughed out a mile with my friend riding the elliptical beside me encouraging me not to stop! I couldn't have gotten through it without her! Since I was able to run a mile I was able to jump into week four. So I've really only been running a few weeks.

I just finished W2D1 and it was so much easier than day 1! yeah-I feel great!

W5D3 DONE!!! 20 minutes logged!! Wahoo! I really did not think I could do it. I did the first 11 minutes at 5.0 and had to back down to 4.7, but I've always felt like 5.0 was really pushing it anyway. It was hard, let me tell you!

After that amazing victory, I had a lifting session with my PT.

After that...get this...I ran again! My friend and I hopped back on the treadmills and for 40 minutes I alternated running/walking every 2:00 with a run at 4.3. It was EASY. I think I could actually complete a 5K at 4.3. I'm itching to try it on Tuesday when I run again.

^Congrats on finishing the 20 minute run I just finished W5D2!!!! I'm not sure I can do the 20 minute run any time soon, maybe I'll do d2 a few more times before I try that one! (Then again, I did spend most of the day working in the garden and flower beds so I was already a little tired. My arms are sore from digging, weeding and edging!) I was really flagging in the last 3 minutes of the second 8 minute run... then the perfect song came on my mp3 player... I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor. I didn't have any breath but I was singing along firecely in my head LoL!!!!

I also noticed something, my stride is really short... if I lengthen it a lot my running speed is more like a really fast walk. Maybe if I lengthen it just a little I'll be able to speed up a bit. I think that may be why I run so slow... does that make sense?

Jam, I'm the same way with the stride. When I consciously tell myself to lengthen the stride it feels slower.

I was so confident with the slower pace I used later that I'm considering attempting the full 5K when I next run. If I can do it, and I really think I can, then it's not about endurance, it's about speed. I can work up speed by doing sprints.

I finished Week 2 this morning!! And with ease! I cannot believe how fast my body is adjusting. I had been worrying about starting week 3 and the 3min intervals but after this morning I know it will be fine.

Have I mentioned how much I love this program?? Who thought a 289 woman would up , running and loving it? lol

just did w1d1 around the block today. i'm feeling pretty proud of myself =] didn't think i could do it.

Hi C25K'ers! I am a recent graduate of the C25k program, and just wanted to report back here to let all of you know that I ran my first 5K race this weekend! I finished in 29:08, which was better than I was hoping for!

I just want to say, to anyone who is doubting themselves or wondering if they can really do this......you can! I struggled a lot with the program, particularly in the beginning and middle. There were many weeks when I thought there was no way I could finish this training. But I did! And I completed the race really strong. I've never, ever, been a runner. Now, I actually am a real, bona fide, runner! CRAZY!

Just want you guys to know you CAN do this. It IS worth it! I feel really great today. I keep staring at my medal and the pics from the race.

Good luck to all of you!!!!!!!

Started today! Can't wait until I can run consistently....

I did it... I seriously did it. I did week 5 day 3. I ran for 20 minutes straight. After carrying on a few days ago about how there is no way in the world I could possibly do it and how hard day 2 was I actually did it. Finishing day 2 made me bounce off the walls with joy... finishing day 3, I'm not sure, stunned disbeliefe is the closest thing I can think of. I actually did it. Of course during the last minute my husband came out and asked me if I was ok... LoL, but I finished. Then I did 30 sit ups and 30 push ups.

Oh I'm so excited to see this thread! I recently started C25K because the elliptical and spinning just weren't getting my heart rate up anymore. I'd never considered myself a runner (although every spring I'd look at the runners in the city with envy because it looked so invigorating), but I'm really enjoying it so far. I'm going with the time option as opposed to the distance option--I don't care if I'm slow, as long as I'm pushing myself and getting a good workout. I do think I need to invest in some higher quality running shoes, though...mine are ok, but I think I need some more support.

Please start another thread. This one is over 500 posts.

See http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/gene...ose-500-a.html