KmbRN84 Congratulations on completing the programme! I can't wait to be writing something similar in a couple of months! Go you! Did you take it week by week and always manage to complete the runs successfully? Which were your most challenging/rewarding parts of the programme?

I started last night for the second time. I started it a year ago, but had to stop in week 2 due to tendonitos. I was dumb, and ran cold.

I'm hoping to go Saturday and get fitted for better shoes.

Takingcontrol
I took the program week by week until week 5 repeating some weeks as I needed. I went to Disney during the program and that set me back a bit. Then one day I decided to just see how far I could go on my own and I went 15 minutes, so that was less than the end of week 5. Up until that point I was just doing the treadmill and when I switched to outside I found it a lot easier. I think it is due to distraction. I then just worked my way up to 30 min of running. So I guess I didn’t do the program exactly but I used as my base and it defiantly what got me on the path to being able to do 30 minutes straight. Oh when I say run I mean jog, I am pretty slow, but I figure I will work my speed up like I worked my time up.
Any runs I set out to do I did complete. Some were sooooo hard though. I remember week three really being a challenge to me, I thought I would die!! The most rewarding thing for me was just the feeling of completion. I have always thought of runners as being the pinnacle of fitness and dreamed of being one of “them”. I am going to run the Komen 5k in Columbus on May 14th and I can not wait.

KmbRN84 I'm running the Capital City/Commit to be Fit 5k in Columbus on May 7th! I didn't realize Komen was the following weekend. I am doing the same thing... using the program as a base, but kind of doing my own thing at the same time. I jumped in at week 4 last week, and have done week 5 day 1 so far (day 2 tomorrow). A few days ago though I decided to see how far I could go and I made it 15 minutes, too!

Just curious, about how long did it take you to go from 15 minutes to 30?

I woke up way too early this morning and this program popped in my head out of nowhere. I'd planned on starting it over a year ago but health and personal issues prevented me from pushing myself into it. Recently I've been lifting weights and a riding a stationary bike, but I've been wanting to mix things up so I'm wondering if it's time for C25K! I've already ordered some jogging bras in anticipation of getting my body to move more.

My main concern right now is that even though I've lost over 100 pounds total, I still weigh in at 250 (I've a lot of belly fat on a 5' 8" frame) and haven't been able to budge from it for over a year. I've never had a problem with my joints and obviously don't want them to become a one, but I'm wondering if this may be what it takes to finally break free of my plateau. Do I have cause to be concerned because I'm still at a high weight, or am I worrying over nothing? I've never been a runner but I feel that any progress I can make will definitely give me newfound confidence.

I'm a lot shorter then you and I started running in the 280's. Not very fast and not for very long, but I was running. I am now able to run 2.5 miles straight and I'm at 235. Make sure to listen to your body and stop if it hurts, but I don't see any reason not to give it a shot.

Tomorrow is the final Day of Week 1 for me. Yesterday, I some how got off track and ended up switching the 60 sec run with the 90 sec walk, so I ended up running 90 sec and walking 60 sec. This is Week 2! So, at least I now know I am capable of doing Week 2!

I'm dreading Week 5...I can't imagine running 20 minutes straight! I may take awhile to get through that one...

Thanks! I'm gonna check out the trails in a nearby park and am setting a goal to get started by April first. My bras should be here by then, there's no way I'm starting without them.

TakingControl - I know your post was a few days ago, but I wanted to say the jump to 20 minutes was hard for me too -- keep it up! If you're having trouble, take it slow, make sure you warm up thoroughly and make sure you're fueling your body! I had a very difficult time with the first 25 minute run, and I realized it was because I eat about half my day's calories over breakfast and lunch, then run in the evening (like 7, after work), and then eat the other half of my day's calories after the run. I reshuffled that over the last few days and front loaded my calories more before my run and 25 minutes was a lot easier today. In fact, I felt I could run more at the end.

ERHR - I've stuck with 5.2 since the very beginning of the program, but now that I'm getting to the longer runs, I'm occasionally dropping down to 5.0 for breaks mid-run rather than stopping.

KmbRN84 - Congratulations! I'm getting close to the end and hearing success stories is a big part of what keeps me going!

As I mentioned above, I did my second 25 minute run today and it was AMAZING. My last run was kind of a disaster, so I'm happy it went better today -- but mostly I'm just happy I didn't give up after a rough day.

My 5K is coming up quickly on April 20, so thanks all for the encouragement and keep it up!

Hi Ladies - I'm new to this site and to getting in shape. I've already lost 20lbs and have about 40ish to go. I'm 5' 2" and weigh 172. I've always wanted to be a runner, seems like it would be very stress relieving for me. I'm not sure if i'm even on the right thread, but, does anyone have tips for becoming a runner? What is a good "form" to use, seems like i don't hold my body in the correct position when trying to run. I'm excited for this new avenue in my life and appreciate any help I can get.
Oh, also this is probably a really dumb questions but where do I go on here to find the weight loss tickers?
Thanks

Just completed week 5, day 2. Yikes... that means the 20 minute run is next!

AriRuns It took about a week and a half to get from 15 to 30. Running outside helped me mentally alot!

jennsic, I would recommend the Runner's World website for any and all tips. I don't know that there is any hard and fast rule about form, but if there is, you'll likely find it there. There are also a number of stickies in this forum which might have some useful information for you. As for the tickers, I believe you have to be a member for a certain number of days before you can add one (someone correct me if I'm wrong), but once you've reached that time frame, it's under the User CP in the toolbar. Congrats on your weight loss so far!

KmbRN84, only a week and a half?! Wow, you've inspired me. Thanks!

Running day for me again, think i'm going to attempt week 5 day 2 again (fourth time lucky?!) It's relatively cool, I'm well rested, no pain, I'm not tired, I'm well hydrated, so everything is stacked in my favour, we'll see!

Hoping to find it all a bit easier when I get to the UK and humidity and 30-40 degree weather is taken out of the equation, and I'll finally be able to buy some decent running shoes, and have more places to run. So, whatever I achieve between now n then is good enough!

Ariruns Good luck on the 20mins, can't wait until I'm ready for it, just gonna keep plugging away!

Hello everyone. I'm posting this right now so I have to commit to it- I'm going to begin the program on April 1st(a date chosen in regards to weather) so I'll be looking forward to both that and joining in with all of you on this thread.
Cheers,
Horo