Completed W2D2 today! It felt so easy today but I'm definitely scared for that 20 min run down the road. I can't stop thinking about it!

Anyway, does anyone else have any pain in their upper body when they run? Sometimes my right shoulder has some sharp pain when I'm running. I try to shake out my arms and shoulders during the walk times but it doesn't seem to do much. I guess I'm tensing up or something? I wanted to see if this was a problem others had.

Happy running!

W5D1Today. Did fine with the 5 min runs today!! Little concerned about the 8 min runs on Wed. But EEEK, on Fri I am terrified of the 20 min run.. This week is a little scary to me.. I'll let you know how I do.

Happy running everyone

Vulpix! Isn't it fun when you can just bask in your achievments? I sure do!

Laura, can't help you with the upper body pain... Maybe ask over in the exercise forum? They've got lots of seasoned runners who may know what's up with that!

Sha25 - You can DO it!!! I know, because I did it last week! None of it is quie as scary as it looks. Which isn't to say that it's a total breeze and easy - Because it's not that, either, but I'm sure you can make it through! Keep us posted!

@sha25 I'm so jealous. I can't wait until I get to the later weeks.

So, I did W3D1. I was kind of nervous about the 3 minute run last night but I completed it! I actually felt like it ended too soon! I'm liking this week!

Hooray pink sparkle!!! You'll get to the later weeks in no time! They're fun, I have to say... Which is SO weird to me!

I just got back from W6D1! It still seems weird to me to go back to intervals after the 20 minute run, but my mom's theory is that it gives you a physical and emotional break after the first big 20 minute hurdle. Either way, I got through it just fine. Looking forward to seeing how I feel about the 25 minute run on Friday, since ALL of next week is also 25 minutes! I can't believe I'm already so close to the end... It seems like this goes by so fast!

Hey everyone!

I'm new to the thread. Today was W1D1. I'm very excited for this. All my friends are runners, and I've always wanted to partake but never had the stamina. I'm a big time walker, and am really hoping this can boost me in the right direction. Anyway today was great, I felt awesome afterwards.

I do have a few questions. 1-Does it matter what pace your run is? It rained today so I was inside on the treadmill and was running 5.0-5.5mph. If I didn't feel that tired should I increase my pace? 2-Is anybody seeing a difference on the scale? I'm having a real hard time breaking out of a rut and was hoping that increasing cardio would help.

Thanks!

@Laura - My first guess would be that the pain is from tensing up. But it could be just about anything. The body is all connected and pain doesn't necessarily mean the problem is where the pain is. I mean, knee pain can be caused by a hip problem.

@KScrooge - Welcome! Pace doesn't really matter. As long as you run the 90 seconds (or 3 minutes or 20 minutes or whatever) it doesn't matter if you run it like a turtle.

And hooray to everyone on their fantasterrific accomplishments!

the shin splints discourage me from ever getting past Day 2 of this program. The pain is unbearable for me. Maybe it's my shoes, maybe it's me...I dunno

JMfan, it very well might be your shoes. I knew before starting this program that shoes were one of the things that anyone that runs agrees is important... SO I went out and bought a good pair for me before Ieven started. I have no basis of comparisson to my other $15 walmart shoes I wear for any other exercise, since i never wore them to run... But I know I've had no problems with shin splints at all since starting. Just some hip/knee pain, which has gone away since I learned a couple of stretches. Just some stuff to keep in mind!

ninepaw-thanks a bunch. I definitely will look into some shoes. I want some Kswiss tubes but I may go for some Asics or New Balance. I really can't afford anything crazy expensive (read: over $100)

Heck, I'll just go to The Sports Authority or somewhere so they can help me choose.

Yeah, I didn't want to spend a ton of money on shoes when I bought mine, either. Mine were like... $45 at Famous Footwear. A lot of people say you should go to a running store and have them meaure your gait, blah blah blah... I just tried something on and, as silly as I may have looked if someone was actually paying attention, jogged in place a little bit. I thought I knew myself well enough to make a choice on my own... And I was right! Hooray for that! My shoes are Saucony Grid Cohesion 3's and I love them dearly.

JMfan, I used to ALWAYS get shin splints when I tried to run but I haven't since starting C25K because I'm really strict with warming up and doing the stretches here: http://www.halhigdon.com/15Ktraining/Stretch.htm and here: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_1/126.shtml.

Also, I bought new shoes specifically for C25K because the other shoes I had were not appropriate. I honesty didn't spend much. I went Kohls and bought some kind of Nike "running" shoes that were on sale for about 40 or little less?

Anyway, good luck. Shin splints are the worst!

Note to self: Take ninepaw and Laura's advice. Quite practical.

I sooo had no intention on spending over $60 anyway. Thank a bunches ladies. You just gave me an excuse to go to the mall tomorrow. Woohoo!

Yay for the mall! I was there today.... But for reasons totally unrelated to running. More like... I wanted make up...

Any excuse to go is a good one as far as I'm concerned

Girl 1: "I need a pair of underwear."

Girl 2: "Only ONE pair?"

Girl 1: "Yes. A single, super special, utterly cute pair that I can only find in the mall"[quickly runs out of front door]

Time to go draw up a C25K chart. I like charts and sticker (such a dork, i am)