This week I started a very similar running program, the biggest difference I can see is that I go to a 'class' each week and the week schedules are slightly different.
Today was my W1 D2. My biggest problem is sore, sore leg and shin muscles. They hurt so bad but I will keep going. I got a watch and use the timer to keep track of the intervals. I do have to walk a little longer in between but the lady in charge of our class said the most important thing is to keep moving.
Today was a little easier than the first day, which I felt I was going to die, but I am sooo out of shape that I expected it to be hard.
I'm taking a few days off so I can get some better running shoes. I'm really worried that I'm damaging my knees the way things currently stand, but I don't want to stop doing c25k. I'll try to get back to running next week.
Just a quick note for those of you having knee/leg pain....try shortening your stride when you run. I found that any pain I was having in my legs and knees almost immediately stopped when I switched to using a shorter stride in my runs.
It's weird: I don't have knee pain while running. It's later, when I'm doing an activity like walking down stairs or squatting, that I get the knee pain. Having not run for a few days, that pain has gone (and it came on when I started running). I'll try shortening my stride, though. Thanks!
I am thinking about starting this. I am getting over bronchitis right now so no exercising for me. I was doing elliptical classes 3 times a week for 55 minutes and that was fun so I thought about alternating with running. Shall see how I feel once I stop coughing.
It's weird: I don't have knee pain while running. It's later, when I'm doing an activity like walking down stairs or squatting, that I get the knee pain. Having not run for a few days, that pain has gone (and it came on when I started running). I'll try shortening my stride, though. Thanks!
I was in physical therapy for several months for my right knee a few years ago. What I learned was (in my case) is that even though I was pretty active, the muscles around my knee were not equally developed. My PT said this was not uncommon for women.
When hiking and trail jogging, the knee wasn't being used correctly and as a result, there would be swelling and pain in the joint post-exercise. Ignoring this for many years caused some irreversible damage.
Things that help:
- taking an anti-inflammatory like Advil right before jogging
- icing my knee right after jogging and if not right after, that night, sometimes both
- running shoes that are right for my natural stride
and most importantly:
- leg strengthening exercises. Jogging doesn't really strengthen the muscles that stabilize the knee, so it really helps to do leg work on your off days.
Even if it's just while you're sitting at your desk. A great exercise is extending your leg so it's parallel to the ground, tense your quads and hold it for 60 seconds. Or several times a day just stopping and doing a set of heel lifts, go up on your toes and hold.
Well, the night before last, I decided that I'd skip my run yesterday morning. But, when 7am rolled around, and I was laying in bed, with a sore back, listening to my husband and girls argue, I changed my mind and decided to run after all. I am SO glad I did. I do NOT want to create a pathway for myself to quit. It would/could start with "I don't want to go today, so I will go tomorrow instead", and could/would end up at "I don't want to go today, so I won't". I went, I felt way better for having run, even though I didn't want to, and for sticking with it.
Well, the night before last, I decided that I'd skip my run yesterday morning. But, when 7am rolled around, and I was laying in bed, with a sore back, listening to my husband and girls argue, I changed my mind and decided to run after all. I am SO glad I did. I do NOT want to create a pathway for myself to quit. It would/could start with "I don't want to go today, so I will go tomorrow instead", and could/would end up at "I don't want to go today, so I won't". I went, I felt way better for having run, even though I didn't want to, and for sticking with it.
Week 3, Day 2 is done!!
Way to go!!! Good job on running after all!
I had one of those moments yesterday too. I was running out of time for my workout. Then I thought "nope, I need some me time and a run would be good". Part of it was that I was (again) scared of a new week. W5 seemed daunting after struggling through W4 last week. Anyways, I hopped on the treadmill thinking I can always stop if it gets too tough. I LOVED IT! I had no problem whatsoever! Last week running 5 minutes almost killed me. Yesterday is was just killing it! First 5 minute run and I didn't look at the time until 4 minutes were done. (That's how I judge how hard it is) And the other two 5 minute sections were ok too (looked at the time after 3 minutes each run). LOVED IT!!! Surprisingly I think this was the easiest run sofar. I was totally shocked and just bursting with energy after.
W5D2 will be tougher since they bump it up to 8 minutes. This is the first week where you don't repeat the same 3x. Will be interested how it goes on Tuesday.
I've read about it but I'm so afraid to try. I don't want to see how out of shape I really am!
I was scared when I started but they really ease you into it. Try it! I am sure you will love it too! I am/was a serious life-long couch potato before. Now I am not only running but also enjoying it.
After a week off program, I got my two miles in today, but I hurt. I took the week off because 1) hip pain and 2) working my son's camp so no time or energy. Now today I ran 2 miles and my quads are s-c-r-e-a-m-i-n-g. Walking around the grocery store this afternoon I was limping. Amazing how quickly we get out of shape! Hope I recover in time for my run on Friday and more cardio tomorrow *bites nails*
I guess I would be on Week 6 , Day 2 of the C25K program.
ETA: The next morning my legs feel much better. Today will be a light cardio day (walking & step) and hope to go for my 2.25 mile run tomorrow *fingers crossed*
Last edited by NTexas; 06-14-2011 at 09:00 AM.
Reason: Update
