I have a C25k app for my iphone that tells me when to run and walk but plays my own playlist in the background. I agree about the music thing too. What I'm listening to makes a huge difference.

I know everyone is into different types of music, but I searched around until I found a podcast where I enjoyed the music and knew I could keep listening to. If I don't have good music, it seems to show. I personally use Carli's podcasts at www.runningintoshape.com, but I would definitely recommend searching around until you find one that you enjoy!

I managed to get through 25 minutes tonight. It's supposed to be nice here this weekend and I've got Saturday off so I'm gonna try to get an extra run in this week and really aim for 30 minutes on Saturday. I'm pretty excited that I was able to run for as long as I did tonight.

zephyr - Way to go! You're almost there! To be honest, I skipped the last 2 28 min runs because I felt like I could go ahead and push myself to do 30. I didn't think there was much difference between the two. I mean, really, what's 2 more minutes when you're already running 28? I say go for the 30 min. You can do it!

Hey everyone - I haven't posted in awhile, but I am still running. I made it successfully through week 5 and did do that 20 minute run, but week 6 has kicked my butt - several times over now! I have tried running faster, but run out of gas fast, running slower but that almost seems worse - my legs feel so heavy....so I've not gotten up to the 25 minute runs. I'm still trying to run at least 3x a week and am doing a warmup and then running as long as I can - generally 15-17 minutes and just feel like I can't do anymore and do a cooldown. Any advice for me? Is there hope for a 5K in April?? LOL.

I'm also starting to do some more leg exercises - lunges, squats, etc. to see if I can build up some strength.

And CONGRATS to all of you for keeping at it (especially you Cabinwife - for a time I was right behind you!)!

Zephyr, that's just fantastic!!! Good for you!

Well, I'm just about to go to the gym to try W5D1. I'm torn as to whether to listen to the C25K podcast and see if it's any better than Week 4's or put my own music on and just keep an eye on the time, which hopefully might motivate me a bit more. Guess I'll decide when I get there lol.

Yeah I think your right, I can do the 30 minutes. I think I'm push myself tomorrow and go for the 30 minutes.

I am SO happy! I went to the gym first thing and as soon as the Week 5 podcast started I felt different today. The music motivated me much more than Ween 4.
This being a new week with different runs on three different days, all dealt with in one podcast, I wasn't sure how it was going to go, but felt good starting my first 5min run.
I was so happy when about 3mins into the run I got the same endorphin rush that I had in W3D1 and suddenly felt like I could keep going after the 5mins, SO I DID!!! I ended up doing W5D2 which meant two 8 min runs with 5mins walking in the middle and am just so proud of myself.
The second 8min run was harder but I'm stubborn and because I'd done it once I was determined to finish it again.
I can't imagine being able to do a 20min run, more than double today, but then I keep reminding myself that only a week ago the 5min runs were so hard, and 8mins seemed impossible.
For the last 2 weeks I've really wondered if running was for me, but after today's run and getting the buzz back, all the hard work is worth it.

:c arrot:

Yay!!!! That is so awesome!!!! I'm so glad you got the endorphins again!!!

Plus, I think that means that you and me are in the same place now.

Are you going to try the 20 minute run next?

I'm supposed to meet with my PT today, and I don't know if I can do her killer workout and the 20min run on the same day, so if I skip it today, I'm going to try it tomorrow.... wish me luck.

Loving me - Oh my god! That's great! You'll be running 5k in no time

Cabinwife - I've downloaded the Week 5 podcast from Runningintoshape and there are a few songs that I would have chosen for myself (I have a thing for Katy Perry, she's fun!). Unfortunately I don't think it would work for me since I'm focusing on distance and I'm still a bit far from doing 1/2 a mile in 5 minutes...more like 5 and half minutes.

I don't think I will be trying the 20min run just yet . Tomorrow is usually a non-run day but we are going away in the evening for a couple of nights so will miss my usual weekend workout which includes my run.
I am planning on trying my first run outside whilst we are away, but that will be more an experiment than a proper run so not going to count it.
Depending on how I feel when I go to the gym tomorrow I think I may repeat W5D2.
I've also looked ahead and seen a couple of 10min runs in Week 6 I think it is, and wondered about trying that before the 20min run. Going from 8 to 20 mins in one go just seems so massive, I can't get my head around why we should do that and then go backwards and do 10 mins runs after.
I think I need the endorphins again to extend the 8min runs

Oh, enjoy your weekend away, and enjoy running outside. Running outside seems so official-- like what REAL runners do.... I know what you mean about jumping from 8 to 20... that does seem long... I had my PT today, and so I didn't try it, and I'm SO WIPED that I'll probably still be sore tomorrow. But I'll keep you posted.

Well, I had a big disappointment on the scales this morning, only lost half a pound when I expected a couple of pounds, so was near to tears and VERY angry with myself and the scale.
I even considered not going to the gym at all today I was so annoyed and having a sulk.
Anyway, I think the anger actually did me a lot of good, because I did the whole 20min run without stopping!!!! The first 10 mins were quite easy but each minute got harder after that, and the last 3 were a real struggle, but I did it and I'm so proud of myself.
I'm really happy that I managed to turn a huge disappointment on the scale into a success at the gym, and I proved to myself even if the numbers aren't co-operating I can still improve my fitness and hopefully tone my body some more.
So anyone who doesn't think they can do 20min in one go, I recommend getting very angry and it will be a breeze lol.

Time to get the exercise back in order again.