essbee maybe you just need to go slower... I read that its most important to just complete the intervals and not worry about running really fast or anything...

Oh, definitely! I just joined a gym so am getting exercise there, but I still need to train myself to run too. I've decided that once it starts to warm up a little (at least in the mid 50's in the early morning before work), I'm going to give it a shot outside. I'm guessing that within the next 2-4 weeks it should (hopefully!) start to warm up and then I can go at my own pace which I'm sure will help immensely. Depending on how motivated I am, I might even try sooner than that as my gym has an indoor track. The only thing with that is it's kind of small (22 laps per mile) and I'm really wanting to do it in the morning before work. Yes, I know it sounds like excuses even to me... I have to learn to run though and I will! It's just a matter of when at this point.

What is your experience with the running portions? I know you said you were really struggling with them, but I'm curious about how your body was reacting. When I was doing it on the treadmill, I was huffing and puffing so hard I was wheezing and I think I might have panicked a little which is why I stopped. I could hardly breathe and my chest felt tight, etc.

I felt the same way... I was/still am huffing and puffing and grunting and on Week 1 run 1 I really felt like I was going to throw up on the side of the road... My running really isn't running its more of a lurching lol.. So far, I have actually been able to complete every single run in its entirety although I almost collapse at the end of each one... but I'm not running fast, I'm jogging at a slow pace although I definitely notice I'm picking up the pace more and not having a many problems... I think a lot of it is mental...

I just got home from week 3 run 1 and I was able to do it!!! Week 3 has two 1 1/2 minute runs and two 3 minute runs. I never thought I'd be able to do it... I was able to do both 1 1/2 minute runs and the first 3 minute run without stopping, on the second 3 minute run I paused for 15 seconds 1/2 way through... then finished it... I think that was mental and I would have been able to finish it without the pause if I had pushed harder...

Wow, that is awesome!! I'm seriously going to have to kick my butt into gear! Excuses, excuses. Don't be too hard on yourself though. You'll totally nail it on your next run!

Back when I was a freshman in high school, I went to a boarding school where they wanted us to jog a 10 minute mile. I never was able to do that, but I remember how sick I felt trying and that's kind of how I felt attempting that first run of the program. I remember it totally killing my appetite too which is kind of strange since I've been working out at the gym the past three days and have been ravenous after. Guess I'm not working hard enough? Or the C25K is TOO hard? I don't know... Ugh, spring hurry up and get here!!

I never thought to look for a C25K thread!

I finished week 3 yesterday. I've done the C25K before, actually did a few 5K runs a few years ago but then got out of the habit of running, so I'm starting over. This is the first time doing it that I had a phone I could actually get a C25K app, which is so convenient. In the past I used a recording program on my computer to make my own recordings with music and my voice commands...I definitely prefer hearing someone else The program I'm using now has a little different intervals than what I've used in the past..I think this one is a little easier.

Can't wait to move on to week 4 tomorrow!

Hi everyone Just dropping in for an update:

W1R1 2/1/12 1.75 mi, 16:15 min/mi, 28:30 mins incl. 8 mins running
W1R2 2/4/12 1.69 mi, 17:47 min/mi, 29:42 mins incl. 8 mins running
W1R3 2/6/12 1.98 mi, 18:22 min/mi, 36:07 mins incl. 8 mins running
W2R1 2/9/12 1.85 mi, 17:43 min/mi, 32:39 mins incl. 9 mins running
W2R2 2/11/12 1.87 mi, 18:07 min/mi, 33:51 mins incl. 9 mins running
W2R3 2/15/12 1.74 mi, 18:43 min/mi, 32:35 mins inc. 9 mins running
W3R1 2/18/12 2.20 mi, 18:20 min/mi, 40:07 mins incl. 9 mins running
W3R2 2/22/12 1.41 mi, 19:38 min/mi, 27:18 mins inc. 9 mins running
W3R3 2/26/12 1.59 mi, 17.37 min/mi, 27:52 mins incl. 9 mins running
W4R1 2/29/12 1.68 mi, 18.32 min/mi, 31:01 mins incl. 16 mins running

I was literally *shocked* that I was able to complete W4R1. This includes 3 mins running, 5 mins running, 3 mins running and then 5 mins running. In the second 5 mins running I did stop for about 15 seconds (literally) in the middle. When I was done I could hardly breath and for a few seconds I thought I might throw up. But, I did it and felt AMAZING when I was done.

Is anyone else sticking to the plan? lets hear some updates!!!

I am new here, but a fairly novice runner. I did the c25k in the fall of 2010, and with sporadic running I am still able to go for 3 miles.

One tip I have is to keep at it, and go your own pace. Also, if you aren't up to running/jogging yet at all, just do a lot of walking. I can walk for hours. That made me realize that I could run for 30 mins at a time.

Anyway, I found it to be a great program. Anytime I tried to run before this, I would get discouraged because IT WAS SO HARD!

W1R1 2/1/12 1.75 mi, 16:15 min/mi, 28:30 mins incl. 8 mins running
W1R2 2/4/12 1.69 mi, 17:47 min/mi, 29:42 mins incl. 8 mins running
W1R3 2/6/12 1.98 mi, 18:22 min/mi, 36:07 mins incl. 8 mins running
W2R1 2/9/12 1.85 mi, 17:43 min/mi, 32:39 mins incl. 9 mins running
W2R2 2/11/12 1.87 mi, 18:07 min/mi, 33:51 mins incl. 9 mins running
W2R3 2/15/12 1.74 mi, 18:43 min/mi, 32:35 mins inc. 9 mins running
W3R1 2/18/12 2.20 mi, 18:20 min/mi, 40:07 mins incl. 9 mins running
W3R2 2/22/12 1.41 mi, 19:38 min/mi, 27:18 mins inc. 9 mins running
W3R3 2/26/12 1.59 mi, 17.37 min/mi, 27:52 mins incl. 9 mins running
W4R1 2/29/12 1.68 mi, 18.32 min/mi, 31:01 mins incl. 16 mins running
W4R2 3/2/12 1.73 mi, 18.32 min/mi, 31:40 mins incl. 16 mins running

I did my last week of week 5 today...yay! It was the 5 minute warm up, 8 minute run, 5 minute walk, 8 minute run, 5 minute cool down. The second 8 minutes was rough towards the end, but it actually went really well. The first 8 minutes really kind of breezed by (the second most certainly did not). The 10 minute runs next week make me a bit nervous, but bring them on!

I am on week 2 of C25k.

Never been a runner but today I signed up for my first 5k... and it's a mud run. so it has 12 obstacles in the middle of it, yikes!!!

Little worried about how overweight I am and being able to actually get it done, but I'm not a quitter. At least I don't think I am since I've never been an athlete either.

So on the rest days I have to do strength training.. which I guess isn't a huge deal since it's mostly upper body stuff. Right? Right.

What was I thinking???

Bring on the 10 minute runs!! You can do it

All you have to do is get it done, that doesnt mean you have to get it done the fastest!!!

True LittleBrownBike! I saw a poster online that said "No matter how slow you go you're lapping everyone on the couch".
Also, your updates are awesome! thanks for sharing them!

I know this has been asked before, but did you still lose weight while on this program.

For example, what did you lose week to week? Week 1? Week 2? etc.

People are always asking me how much weight you are supposed to lose on this program... a lot of people I encounter on a daily basis seem surprised I would do a "program" that isn't designed for magically fast weight loss... and my answer is, this isn't a weight loss program.. its just a fitness program but obviously you are going to lose weight if you add in extra exercise you weren't doing before. I have not been tracking my weight week to week but I have lost 12 lbs since I began the program.

In addition to the program, I also changed my diet but I am not dieting. I am eating more sensibly. For example I've significantly cut down on fast food and coke but I'm pretty much eating whatever I would usually eat.

But I also *feel* a lot better... and I find the running getting easier as the days go by...