wow, 5 minutes of jogging, good job uncontentgirl! I can't wait to get there. I know alot of people use this as a template and tweek it to fit their needs. At your level I'd start off at week 4 of even week 5 and go from there. I really like this program because I know I'm working towards something and I can go at my own pace.

I capped out halfway through week 6 (last week). But, part of my problem is that I run on a treadmill and get bored during long runs. So I have kinda hopped ships to my own program for the time being - 1 12 minute run (1 mile for me; I run @ 5mph) then 5 minute walk, 3 minute run, 3 minute walk, 3 minute run all surrounded by a warm up and cool down of course. Being able to run a streaight mile is important to me. When I started seven weeks ago, I struggled through all the 1 minute run reps, so c25k definitely worked for me. It was just that from the last day of week 6 through the end it's all long runs with no intervals and I dreaded it. I made it through the 20 minutes of w5d3 just barely, so I might be able to do it, but it's hard to make yourself do something you dread. Soo... I'll get to that goal more slowly than c25k progresses past mid week 6 and focus on distance instead. I don't really want to run even slower to make the c25k times and find it just makes my calves tight and sore to do so anyway. My total interval run design is 1.5 miles running @ my pace. I will add three minute intervals on to 2 miles as it starts to feel easier and then combine the first two...

Anyway, that was my experience with the later weeks. I'm a c25k dropout but not a running drop out. :)

Changergirl I did make it there eventually. It really killed my mood to not make it thru that one. I'm back at it, took two weeks for W3, and did W4D1 on Sunday. Going to try D2 tomorrow when I wake up. What I learned is that you have to make this the priority of your workout schedule and that for me at least, past W3 I am unable to do it on consecutive days without taking too much out of myself. I am not taking full rest days in between, but I am trying to keep it to walking or other light cardio followed by weights. If you thought the 3min jog was bad, wait 'til the 5min in week 4. It got easier to make it to that point, but the last 5 I had to leave it all on the treadmill, no reserve.

I REALLY want to do this eventually. I hate running :lol: but I want to be able to do it. It's been literally years though since I've run, and until a few weeks ago I did no regular exercise. I'm going to get more comfortable with my walking on the treadmill over the next few weeks, and then give this a try. I'll be terrified to have other people see me (try to) run!

I'm doing this.. have the scary week 5 day 3 run tomorrow- the first non-interval 20 minute run! Have been dreading it, but managed to extend the second 8 minute run on day 2 to 12 minutes, so now I know I CAN run 20 minutes, just need to leave the safety blanket of the walking interval in the middle behind! :)

I absolutely love C25k- it makes me really excited for my jogs every week and I've got several 5k's entered for the summer! I'm already considering what I want to do after the program, looking to building up to one hour running? Or 10k?

For anyone thinking about doing the c25k.. do it! It's amazing! :)

I run at 5 or 5.5. I noticed that if I run slower than 5 it makes my calves hurt too. I was wondering if it was because I end up actually manually pushing the treadmill.

I am at nearly the same point in the program. Today will be my second day of week five. If I make it through that 20 minute straight run on Friday, I am officially signing up for a 5K on March 13!

woohooo, I made it thru W3D2 without stopping, an accomplishment for me definitely! I did have to do the running at my slowest speed to date, I was around 4.8, but I upped my walking to 3.7. Good job to the rest of you. I really can't wait to get to the point where running for 5 minutes doesn't seem like a nightmare.

I really want to try the C25K but I think I need to wait until I lose weight. The arthritis in my knee is pretty picky, and I think I would kill it if I tried running on it. I don't doubt that when I am 50 or 60lbs lighter, it would be a lot easier for my knee to take.

You will definitely make it through! I hope your run yesterday went well! It's great having someone else at a similar point in the program, hopefully we could try and motivate each other through it. :)

I just completed the 20 minutes! Feels like I've overcome a complete mental barrier, but physically I feel very fit and my legs aren't sore at all! :carrot: Very pleased and excited to move onto week 6 now!

:D

You will do don't worry! I remember thinking the one minute runs in week one were tough!! That's why I love the program so much!

And I run really slowly as well- I've read its more important to run slowly and complete the times and then improve on speed later. :) There's no way I'll be able to do 5k in 30 minutes by the end of week 9, but I'll be happy just being able to run 30 minutes!

i also started c25k today, i got through the w1d1 totally out of breath and hurting but i am over 300 lbs so that is to be expected...and i smoke. but i am just glad i did it, the last 2 runs my legs hurt so bad i didn't think i could do it...but after i caught my breath and the pain died down...i have felt good the rest of the day..like alive good, and i have to say i am looking forward to my next day of it, which will be sunday. i did download a couple of versions of week one from different people, so i can listen to different music every time i do it. i started a topic of links for the podcast, or just mp3s so if you have any to add please do...i know it will help me to keep it mixed up to keep interest

ouch, just finished my 4th run of week 3 (I'm definitely doing this week twice), and my right calve started to really cramp up during the 2nd 1.5 minute run. I had to walk for 2.5 minutes to get up to the point where I could run again. I did finish the last 3 minutes, and things are getting better, but I'm wondering if there are certain stretches people are doing before they run. I normally don't stretch at all and this is the first time my calves started to ache.
Thanks in advance!

Completed W6D1 today! Felt goooood! Can't wait for the 25mins on Thursday (and never thought I'd say that!!) :carrot:

C25k
 

I was so thrilled to see this thread today. I am starting this program tomorrow. My goal is to do a 5k in May. Thanks for the motivation!
Has anyone tried the iPod/iPhone app for this? Opinion?

I'm aiming to start Wk1 tomorrow morning. I'll let you know how it goes! :)

hi ladies! I stumbled upon your great thread, and I was so excited! i did c25k for the first time in 2003. I have fallen off the wagon 2x in 8 years, and had to repeat the program to get back on track, but i have run 4 miles 3 times a week for most of the weeks in those 8 years. As long as I do that, my weight is pretty controlable. I am heavier than I would like at 165, but I fit into an 8 or a 10. When I stop running for 2 or 3 months, i shoot up to 180 and a snug 14...my advice to you and myself is grab c25k, and don't let go. I have never raced, or anything like that, but I have basic control of my weight with those simple steps three times a week.

my weak link is my shins/calves- they tire first...the weird thing is that, to this day, they still try to tighten up during that first half mile, but they are fine at one mile. make sure your shoes are tight enough to support your feet properly, b/c if your are unstable in the shoe, your shin/calf muscles try to stabilize you, and that can wear them out or make them cramp. you might get tight every run for the first half mile, but if you stopped there, you would never realize that your calves loosen up at the end of a whole mile...yyaaaayy c25k for keeping us running beyond that first half mile!!!!

sorry for the long post by an outsider..LOL...you all rock.....

I didn't do the C25K program, but a different running interval program. The one thing both of these programs have in common is that there is the big 20 minute run. Well, guess what? I just finished running for 20 minutes straight - YAY! This seemed more then IMPOSSIBLE just a couple of months ago.

I'm still running slow, but I am running!

Good for you! I, however, did not complete the full 20 minutes :( It was so windy out, I ran for just 12 minutes, then walked a 1/4 mile, then ran 1/4 mile. I feel like I could have done it if it weren't for the wind making me feel like I was pushing a truck on the back half of the run. I moved onto week six anyway, and will see how I do on the 25 minute run on Thursday.

I use a program for my iPod. It is the best tool. Tells me when to walk, when to run, keeps track of the days, and I can listen to my music at the same time.

Hi guys!! I just started the C25K today and it went well! Although I'm running outside so I have NO clue how fast I am running. Does speed even matter at this point or is it just about making it through the allotted running time?

I use an app on my phone that alerts me when it is time to walk or run.

Hi all, so thrilled to find this thread!

I just finished Week 5, Day 2 (run 8 minutes, walk 5, run 8) today, and I have to say that it felt great. Starting about W4D2, I've felt like the runs have gotten a lot easier all of a sudden and I find myself pushing my pace up and even tacking on extra minutes at the end.

When I started W1D1, I was really struggling to finish the run intervals, so I'm pretty pumped about my progress.

One tip that I thought might be helpful for others. I've tried to run in the past (even the C25K program) and found that I got really terrible shin splints. This time, without even planning to, I've done other low-impact cardio before every run -- usually the elliptical, but sometimes a stationary bike or swimming -- and it's such a thorough warm up that my shins have felt great and I think the runs have been easier too.

Just my 2 cents -- keep it up, all! I'm looking forward to my first 20 minute run on Wednesday.

Week six day two was tougher than I expected, but I did tack some extra minutes on. It might have been because I ran before I'd eaten anything this morning though. =/

I ran Week 6 Day 2 this morning on no breakfast too. The second 10 minutes for some reason seems easier than the first. I went 11 minutes shooting for a mile, but ended up at 9/10ths. I am looking forward to Thursday and seeing if I can hit that 25 minute mark! We have a foot of snow on the ground two days after the last foot of snow melting, so it is back to running inside for me.

Would love to join your thread. I just did w1d1 tonight. I've done C25K a couple times before and love the program- just seem to have a problem with keeping it up after I don't have a formal program to follow! lol The first time I did it my weight literally fell off...I'm heavier this time (265) but hoping for similar results. I did notice it was harder this time, but I did a 17.5 minute mile and feel like that's not *terrible* after taking a few months off of exercise.
Anyway- *go us!*

Lol.. wow, if I merely ran to my mailbox I would probably pass out! We all start somewhere and today is day one of changing my life by eating better and taking off this weight. The thought of running anywhere.. makes me smile at the moment, but hey.. eventually maybe I could do this too.

Well done!! :) I'm a bit nervous about tomorrow, but I'm sure it's possible, just have to have the right mentality!

I run indoors, but I'm thinking I might add one extra run a week outside- just an easy walk/jog for a mile or so. I eventually want to be running 4x a week anyway.

And welcome to everyone else joining! C25k is great- never thought I'd be running this much less than 2 months in! :dizzy:

I did it! Week 6, Day 3, 25 minutes straight, 2.10 miles! The farthest I have ever ran in my life. I ran track for one miserable season in middle school, but we ever ran more than a mile straight, two miles was an idle threat for punishment. As a reward, I get to sign up for the 5K on March 13th! I am excited!

Woo! Well done aimee! :) I completed it too this morning, though it almost killed me!!

Of course you can - I was exactly where you are 2.5 years ago - now I'm training for a marathon!!

Your body is amazing and you never know what it can do till you try!

I hadn't looked at this thread in weeks - awesome to see all the progress here!

My running partner and I finished C25k last week! Now we're starting a plan to get to 10k length. I *never* thought I would say that I'm training for a 10k. Ever. :carrot:

Congrats to all!!!:D WOW...I too am shocked at how quickly you all are progressing. Excited for you...and hoping all the best at your scheduled 5K's and with your future goals!:hug:

Runnnn...Forest...RUN!!:lol:

It almost killed me today. LOL Funny how it can seem so much more or less difficult from one day to the next. I stopped four times for a 15 to 30 second rest.

I had only told two people about wanting to run a 5K. When I finished the 25 minute run, I announced it to the world (AKA put is as my Facebook status LOL). I got a lot of positive feedback.

Thanks! I am excited too!

I also completed my 2nd 25 minute run last night - weirdly in some ways, I find it easier to just keep running then to start running again after a short walking break.

However, I am still running SLOW - I only did just over 1.5 miles in that 25 minutes. My short term goal is to get up to 30 minutes (2.0 miles) of running relatively comfortably and increase speed.

I'm never going to be a speed demon, but I would be happy if I could run at 5.0 MPH. Running at 4.5 MPH just about kills me, so that 5.0 seems like an impossible fantasy. BUT it wasn't too long ago that running for 5 minutes straight was beyond comprehension, so I'm trying to be positive.

I didn't think it was hard to restart, but maybe useless to stop since it didn't really help, sure I caught my breath, but I was huffing and puffing 30 seconds later, so what was the point of stopping? I don't care about speed one bit. I run at 5.0 to 5.2. I originally started at 4.7, but found it easier to run at 5. Anything less makes me feel like I am manually pushing the belt and makes my calves sore. A 12-minute mile, which is slow, but I don't care.

HI all -- I just started C25K today, and I loved it. I was so afraid to start, but I don't know why now. I didn't die, I didn't even pant that much, and I didn't hurt. I finished it and barely even thought of giving up. I'm so proud of myself, because I'm not a big fan of exercise...I find it really hard to get myself motivated and to keep at it. I'm so glad I found this thread, it will give me some good inspiration as the program moves forward for me.

Congratulations on starting! C25k is amazing. I started out feeling like running was completely unnatural and whilst I'm only on week 7, I feel like I've already conquered the program because of all the mental barriers I've run through!
I hope you continue and you enjoy it! Honestly you will be amazed at what your body can do! :)

Cherrypie - I'm the same way! Once I get going I'd rather just chug on through than take a walk break. I'm not fast either. I want to work on it too, but I figure for now running about 1/2 hour at a time is plenty to be proud of! :)

well, I did all 3 first week runs last week (T, Th, Sat.), yay- but I'm not quite ready to move on yet. I've put on 30 lbs since doing C25K before and I can really tell :( I'm trying to be really kind and easy on myself so I won't quit so I'll be doing this week over again starting again Tuesday :)