C25K Summer time!
 

Hey everyone... this thread seemed pretty popular so I thought I'd start a new one. Here are the last few posts from the other thread....

kellost
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!!!!!!!

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

Aunty Jam
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.

BluCypressLily
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.

Now keep running people!!! :D

I've been wanting to do this. I got to Week 2 with my little brother... but by that point... I couldn't do it anymore due to my stupid urticaria stuff. ARGH. I was enjoying the running... until I couldn't do it anymore because I felt like I was going to faint in my spot and my entire body felt both on fire and extremely EXTREMELY itchy. :(

And now is a bad time for me to start... with it being Texas... and nearing summertime... :p Yeah... heat + me = BAD. I find myself breaking out really bad just walking from one classroom to another at school. Running? Out of the question. I really hate this. :( I would be OK if I had a gym to go to... somewhere with AC... but... I don't. Maybe in a couple years when I go to college... because my grandparents don't have one...

Am I able to do the running in-place? Or... not at all?

Hi everyone I have done this a couple times on the elliptical I know it's not actually running.....which I want to do but the weather has not cooperated with me so I compromised:) It is a really good workout on the elliptical and can hardly wait to try it outside. I plan to start officially with it on June 3rd as my workout on a road trip. I look forward to getting to see all of your progress.
Which version do you all use. I looked on itunes and there are many.

I started C25K last week...I have to say, it makes me feel so good afterward! I've never been a runner either, but I know now that I'm working myself up to the point where I can be. A friend recently told me, if you run, you are a runner, so no matter how slow you go, you're getting better at it...one day at a time.

hi all I started the program this week and loving it!! There is a 5k that I wanna do its in about 7 weeks so not quite a full 9 weeks like the program, my question is what could I do to be ready for the 5k sooner?

Urgh... I had to go to church with my mom this evening... and realized on the way home that I had neglected to make sure my Zune was charged. And I use my Zune in order to help me run... otherwise... I mentally just can't do it.

So now... I probably won't get to run until 10:15 PM at the EARLIEST... since my Zune takes around 20 to 30 minutes to charge to a point where I can use it for 30 to 40 minutes straight.

Hi! I'd like to join in on this. I just finished Week 2 Day 1 a little bit ago today, and I'm absolutely amazed at how much less scary the idea of running is even just a week after starting...

Hey there..so I was posting on the last thread and last updated that I was going on vacation. I ended up taking the week off (my leg is thanking me!) I figured I'd come back and start week 8 today but I got on the treadmill and ended up going all 30 minutes. So I've decided I'm just going to skip week 8 and work on week 9 and graduate Friday! I'm only running about 2.7 miles during the 30 minutes but after a short walk, I am able to run to finish out the 3.1. I plan to finish up and then go back a few weeks and do intervals with running faster to try to get under a 10 minute mile.

Just finished Week 1 Day 2. Feeling great. :) I'm going to be doing four days of Week 1... running on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. ;)

I'm feeling good... tired... sweaty... but good. :D

Just finished Week 2, Day 2. Was actually very comfortable with the pace -- my breathing was fine and I didn't get tired.

But holy shin splints! I felt like my shins might break when I stopped running. I know that can happen when you increase your distance (and for me, it's been 0 miles to about 6/week over two weeks).

I'm icing them and taking Advil. Is it ok to keep running?

Yay! The thread's been resurrected! Today's my non-run day (I run M-W-F before work), so I'll be hitting the pavement again in the morning. Hope the rain holds off :)

Yay, I run MWF as well. I do 30DS on my non-run days, so here is hoping for a good workout tonight.

It's weird, but I've started to actually get EXCITED about running... I used to dread it!

Hi! I just wanted to say that this thread gives me enormous inspiration. And I need a lot of inspiration.

I completed C25K last year - on a treadmill (averaging 4.5 mph). I then worked up to run/walk 5Ks, still on the treadmill. Then I fell off the wagon 'cause I didn't have any schedule or structure to my plan.

I have used the W1D1 intervals to work on speed in the interim, but not regularly.

This weekend I started the program for real again. Outside. It's a completely different activity, at least for me. I knew it would be harder but I am shocked at how much harder! I have to start at the very beginning - no skipping ahead for me. I have my work cut out for me.

Just finished W1D2. I did NOT feel like going, but I read this thread and then just did it. So :thanks:

Looking forward to progressing through the steps - again - with all you other lovelies who are becoming runners. :D Go, us!

Just completed W2, D3. Hasn't gotten too tough for me, except my shins and calves are kind of killing me.

I'm looking ahead and it seems to me like the jump from W3 to W4 is kind of big. You go from longest run of 3 minutes to longest run of 1/2 mile? I don't know about you guys, but 1/2 mile is taking me considerably longer than 3 minutes -- more like 6 minutes.

How did that transition go for you guys?

Hi all! Well I had to take a few weeks off due to my back. I'm going back to week 2 and will see if I can continue on. I'm afraid that the excess weight is what's causing my knee and back pain, so, perhaps I may take a very long hiatus from C25K. I've been on the recumbent bike for the past week, so at least I've been building some muscle.

I wish all of you the best, and congratulations to all for completing which ever level they are on :)

Good morning everyone!!

I failed my first attempt at week 4 on Sunday. I tried again yesterday without anymore success and I just gave up.

Well I felt terrible all day.

I don't want to give up on myself ever again! I was so mad at myself.

So this morning after walking the kids to school and finishing the housework I jumped on the treadmill and made myself think about all the people in my life that have been terrible to me because of the way I look. About all those people I have never been good enough for, about the kids that were so mean to me growing up, about that one kid who kicked me over and over again in the shins when I was 9. And i kept thinking about them all the way through my run.

I guess I owe them some gratitude since I made it through week 4 day 1 because of them.

I am so proud of myself.

No one will ever tell me again that I can't do something physically.

Especially myself.

~Nancy

Good job Nantucket! W4 D1 is the one I'm worried about looking forward too. Did you do it based on time or distance?

Hi, I'm new to this website. I started the C25K. I am on Wk.3, and the three min. run is harder than I anticipated. I'm supposed to do my second run, like, now...but I'm afraid. The last time I did it, I got heat exhaustion and almost passed out. It's been really hot around here. It's cooler now by about 10 degrees, but I'm still afraid.

I've also been having back pain that I'm going to see the doctor about. Personally, I think I have scoliosis from one leg being longer than the other, but we shall see tomorrow. Hopefully, something can be done so that I can keep running. Running causes me the most pain.

The weird thing about running is that some days I love it, and other days I can leave it. I'm not quite sure how I feel about it yet. Some days, I feel really invigorated, and other days are a struggle to get through, even if I'm doing the exact same thing! Not sure why that is.

Urgh... I want to go out and do Wk 1 Day 3 (I'm doing four of these).

BUT... I forgot to charge my mp3 player... so I have to wait until it's charged enough for me to use it for an hour straight... (I also have to run by Blockbuster to return a movie)

Time. I'm not really concerned about distance at this point. i run at 4.5-5.0 and walk at 3.0

Hi. Wow I am glad I found this thread. A couple of months ago I started the C25K & completed W4. I got really sick & couldn't exercise for about 2 weeks. I wasn't happy with my speed or running form so I visited a running shop & got pointers on what I was doing wrong. Wow what a difference. I decided to just start the program over & increase speed & run with better form & it makes the run go much better. I will be finishing up W2 tomorrow & starting W3 on Monday.

Dee

I did this program last fall and got to about week 4 before winter hit and I wasn't able to get outside to run anymore. I'm going to start back in the morning...I can't wait!

Hey everyone, new here! My mom and I will be starting the C25K on Monday! From what I have been hearing, it looks more intimidating than it actually is. Wish us luck!! :D

Hi All!

I have been running for a few weeks now, trying to tone up and lose some weight. Usually, the max I run without having to stop is about 5 minutes, so I figured C25K is definitely a way to build up my endurance! I am going to see if I can do W4 today. If not, I will just start with W3. I want to push myself :-) Good luck ladies!!

Did week 4, day 1 today and it totally kicked my butt! I've been fine on all the other days, but I couldn't finish today as hard as I tried.

It's been pretty hot here and I didn't sleep well last night, but I feel like it was just a big step up from W3 (longest jog segment 3 minutes, total jogging/day 9 minutes) to W4 (longest jog segment 5 minutes, total jogging/day 16 minutes).

Did anyone else have a problem with this step?

Jenny I prefer W4 to the first three weeks, to me the longer runs are easier to do then the constant changing especially on W1. Hang in there it does get easier.

Changed up my schedule so did W3 Friday, Sunday & Tuesday. Going to start W4 this evening. I prefer to run in the mornings but our weather has been real stormy for a few days & I walked outside this morning & it felt like a sauna, I chose to put it off & I will run in the rain this evening.

Good luck & keep running everyone.

Dee :running:

I'm resurrecting this thread back to the first page. I start week three tonight, and I'm a little nervous, but excited!

Wow, I had a more than 10-day lapse - walking and yoga but no running. Got back to W1 D3 last night. It's still pretty challenging to run outside for me, much more so than I thought it would be, seeing how I can still run 10 minutes straight on a treadmill. I guess I'm running too "fast" (in quotes because it is definitely not fast!) but I don't really know how to slow down more outside... it will be like I'm just bouncing up and down in place!

I will try Week 2 tomorrow.

Kudos to all of you who did C25K outside!! I am really embarrassed at how hard it is for me, even at this early stage of the program :o

But whatever - I'm gonna keep huffing and puffing along - at some point it will presumably get easier.

I finally downloaded the program on my ipod--today is day 1 week 1, does it matter it's Tuesday? I live on 32 acres of up and down hills, nothing is completely flat, is this going to work for me or against me? There is a local high school track less than 10 minutes away--should I go there?

I think it depends on your current fitness level and how steep the hills are. My fitness level is pretty dang good for my size, but I'm brand new to running and I definitely notice the difference with even a slight incline on my route.

I have a lot of very steep hills and I've been able to come up with a route that avoids the worst ones. Personally, I think I would get bored running around a track (it helps me to look around), so finding a route that worked for me was great. But I think the best answer is to choose the option that you'll be able to do...if the hills are too steep and kick your butt to the point that you think you might give up, go to the track (you can always try to tackle the hills when you're stronger).

Good luck! I'm really enjoying the program so far, although I think I'll have to stay on week 3 til I can get better shoes on payday (I tried week 4 yesterday and my shins are killing me!).

Hi everyone! Today is my W2D1 so I'm anticipating some soreness tomorrow. I've switched to running outside so I can be prepared for my race in August. I made the mistake if sticking to the treadmill too long last year - I paid for it after a (too soon) attempt at a 5k.

I did Day 1 on our property...there is one killer hill I avoided, the other one which isnt as bad fell during the walking. I can't say I ran, but I jogged..it worked out well with the flatter paths used for "running/jogging". I am thinking I would get bored with the track too and at this point I don't want anyone watching me.

On a side note, my two dogs came with me and everytime I broke out into my "run" they took off too, the first time was hilarious...they were like what the heck are you doing....

What shoes does everyone use? Did you invest in running shoes? Any particular brand?

Hi Everybody!

Had a great run this morning although our humidity is a killer out there today.

Jules - I wouldn't avoid the hills completely, walking them rather than running on the hills will still benefit you. I would go absolutely insane on a track. I can easily run great distances & if you put me on a track I might manage to get a 1/4 mile before I think I am dying and have to stop. I know it is mental for me but tracks are so boring. Both of my dogs run with me everytime I go out. I went to a running store & was fitted for the proper running shoes for my feet & the way I run, I got asics gels & I love them.

Dee :running:

Planning your walk stretches for the uphill segments is a great solution! Lol, I can't really say I "run" either...it's definitely a jog by most standards...but to me it feels like I'm racing the wind :)

Too funny about the dogs!

For my shoes, right now I'm just using my reeboks (can't remember the "model"). They're ok and fairly new, but I bought them for general workout shoes not for running (Never thought that I'd be a runner!). I know I need more shock absorption--I definitely plan on getting my feet fitted and my gait tested before investing in some quality running shoes.

I saw this a while ago but I don't know if anyone answered... I'm no expert, but when I was part of a C25K thread last year there were several people who ran 5Ks before they finished the program. I can't remember if they ran the whole thing or walked part of it.

So - if you do the C25K program by time intervals (rather than distance)... you will cover 5K (3.1 miles) in the 30-minute program ONLY if you end up running more than 6 mph (10-minute miles). When I finished, I was at 2.25 miles in 30 min, running 4.5 mph. For most people, the program should be re-named: "Couch to Running for 30 Minutes Straight."

Anyway, to prepare for your 5K race, you could

1. Do C25K using the distance intervals so you are working up to running the full 5K. I found that annoying, since I had an iPod app that gave me time intervals and made it mindless - just what I needed, hehe.

Or

2. You could just start adding on run/walk intervals to your 30-min. C25K program until you get to 5K, so you are used to that distance. That's what I did when I finished the program the first time. I think it took me around 42-43 minutes to run for 30 minutes straight, then run/walk to make it to the distance of 5K - and that was on a treadmill.

You'll do great either way, just figure out how to pace yourself (I still haven't gotten that down yet when I'm running outside). :goodluck:

I've been traveling for work and slacking big time, unfortunately. But I got back on the program last night and did my W4D2 run. It was tough -- definitely tough -- but not killer and I'm feeling so motivated again!

My girlfriend is a serious runner, so I can't wait until I can at least go for 20 or 30 minute runs with her without having to take walking breaks...

W4D3, here I come!

I'm not done the c25k program and I've already done one 5k and I'm planning another one for August. I'm in week 7 - JOGGING 25 minutes at a time. I think it's really unrealistic for most people to think "Run", that's just what it's usually called, not what you're actually doing. I don't even go a whole 5k and I run SLOW. I'm planning to restart the program somewhere around week 4 and run faster once I actually finish it.

Anyway, my 5k was a city fun run thing and it really gave me incentive to get going and work for the run in August! I didn't run the whole thing (and knew I wouldn't) but I did manage to finish in 40 minutes. I was ecstatic with my time (it was a personal best after all... hahaha) and how much I was able to run. The environment really helped with that, all the people cheering and running with me. I was pretty sore the next day, the tops of my legs just weren't ready for that much running and the sprinting to the finish didn't help... darn those cheerleaders for suggesting it and egging me on!!! But the experience was wonderful and everyone I know tells me how proud they are of me.

There is a thread in the support form somewhere with all of my woes and elation somewhere if anyone cares to look it up. The run was 2 weeks ago now.

Really, keep your expatiations realistic and just go for it!

(And for shoes, I like New Balance, but I have really wide feet and I need extra support (I over pronate)).