[augeremt]

I'm starting C25k/C210k (haven't decided which one yet) tomorrow and I'd love to join this group. I've tried doing the program many times now but I can't seem to make it past week 5 or 6. I really hope I can stick with it this time.

I love running in the cold so it's one way to look forward to the winter.

Originally Posted by Learning 2 Live

I guess the real reason I'm writing this long post is to find out if other people out there are doing the C25k strictly by themselves. And if so, how do they motivate themselves to do that? Do you ever feel anxious and awkward about it?

When I did C210k last winter, I did a lot of the runs on my own and I did feel awkward at first. I live in a very thin town so I stick out like a sore thumb as is. But running around made me feel even more out-of-place. I especially felt like a pansy the first week or so because the program only had me running for a minute at a time and it seemed so little!

But once I got through that and was running for longer distances I was huffing and puffing too much to care what anyone else thought about me. For the most part, my motivation stemmed from not wanting to lose all the fitness I had worked so hard to get.

Each time I stopped the program I had a decent reason (shin splints the first time, cut off part of my finger another year so getting my pulse too high was extremely painful, and a knee injury last year stopped all forms of exercise for a couple of months). Getting restarted from scratch really sucked, and it took a long time for me to get to the point where I somewhat "enjoyed" running.

So not wanting to go through that beginning stage of suckage is motivation enough to keep going. Keep at it! Focus on your pace or listening to music and you'll be able to block out the feelings of anxiety.

Originally Posted by Kitcherella

I decided I should reward myself with a nice long-sleeve top for the winter. Any ideas/suggestions?

I bought all my long-sleeves at Marshalls. They tend to have a decent selection of off-brand gear that is just as good as the brand gear. They sometimes carry Under Armour if you look carefully enough. I'd suggest looking there first.

[IsabellaOlivia]

Completed c25k W8D3. Had a nice run in the rain followed by a Pilates DVD.

[Thedollylala]

Almost done with week 8 I can't believe I'm almost done with the entire program! I plan to re-do it and see if I can make better time than this go thru

[IsabellaOlivia]

Ran W9D1.

Is there a c210K program? I don't know how to keep up the running after I'm done with the podcasts.

[CelticHarpie]

After 2 weeks off due to work schedule and illness, I just did W9D1. What a difference. It was hard, but I made it through and stepped on the scale to find myself down 1.2 lbs.

I can't wait for the time change so that I can run in the mornings again.

[Riddy]

I ran my first 5k race today!

I was a little slower than at home alone, but I was caught in traffic, and with a friend who hadn't trained. I decided having company was more important than a good finish time. A few friends showed up to cheer me on, and I am so proud of myself!

And IsabellaOlivia, I know Zen has a couch to 10k app if you have a Droid or iphone.

[Kitcherella]

Hey all!
nice to hear you are doing well. This will be my graduation week.
Riddy - Good job! You were on mind, I am happy for you. I will run a 5k in April but today there was a night half marathon and a 5k in my city and I went to cheer on the runners. It was fantastic.
IsabellaOlivia there is also a 5K+ podcast series for Couch to 5K graduates for NHS.
Thanks augeremt.
Have a nice week

[IsabellaOlivia]

Kitcherella: I checked it out. I think I'm going to attempt the NHS 35 minute podcast and also the speed podcast after this week.

Jogged W9D2 today.

[Thedollylala]

Starting week 9 day 1 today! I can't believe I'm here! I plan to re-do it afterwards to improve timing and speed

[augeremt]

Originally Posted by IsabellaOlivia

Is there a c210K program? I don't know how to keep up the running after I'm done with the podcasts.

There is indeed a C210k program, although I don't know if they have podcasts for it. You may need to get a free interval app and add in the days and intervals manually. I've been following the plan this way and so far it's worked great for me.

There's also a Bridge to 10k program that is meant for people who have finished C25k and want to move onto a 10k program. It's 6 weeks long and uses the same principle as all the "Couch to..." programs in that it alternates running and walking.

Here are the links to Bridge to 10k and C210k that I have on my blog. I don't remember where I got the plans from otherwise I'd link to them directly.

[masterptr]

Good job everyone...
I only walk these days due to IT band injury and PMS... double whammie

[augeremt]

I did W1D1 of C210k yesterday and it wasn't nearly as bad as I anticipated. I'm glad I started from the beginning, even with exercising pretty regularly the last few weeks and I'm actually looking forward to W1D2. Totally shocking because I dislike running.

Congrats to all you ladies finishing up!

[eyre13]

Hello everyone! I hope its ok to just jump in....

I started C25K a couple years ago, but injured a foot and had to stop. I decided to try it again now, and yesterday was my Day 1 Week 1. I'm so tickled that I actually made it though without a problem! I was sweaty, but I wasn't as out of breath as I thought I'd be. Really looking forward to keeping on track this time!

[IsabellaOlivia]

I completed the programme today!

On W1D1 after running 60 second straight I thought my final hour was upon me, thus I NEVER thought I'd manage to finish the podcasts.

It's funny because runnning 60 seconds straight that very first week was so much harder than running 30 minutes straight today. It doesn't make logical sense that the latter is easier.

Augeremt: I checked the links out. Too bad that they weren't ready made podcasts. I find it very convenient to be told when to run and when to walk so I can solely focus on my running.

[augeremt]

Originally Posted by IsabellaOlivia

Augeremt: I checked the links out. Too bad that they weren't ready made podcasts. I find it very convenient to be told when to run and when to walk so I can solely focus on my running.

That's a bummer they don't have podcasts! I thought they would since the programs are so similar to C25k.

And major congrats to finishing the program!!! That's amazing!