I finally downloaded the program on my ipod--today is day 1 week 1, does it matter it's Tuesday? I live on 32 acres of up and down hills, nothing is completely flat, is this going to work for me or against me? There is a local high school track less than 10 minutes away--should I go there?

I think it depends on your current fitness level and how steep the hills are. My fitness level is pretty dang good for my size, but I'm brand new to running and I definitely notice the difference with even a slight incline on my route.

I have a lot of very steep hills and I've been able to come up with a route that avoids the worst ones. Personally, I think I would get bored running around a track (it helps me to look around), so finding a route that worked for me was great. But I think the best answer is to choose the option that you'll be able to do...if the hills are too steep and kick your butt to the point that you think you might give up, go to the track (you can always try to tackle the hills when you're stronger).

Good luck! I'm really enjoying the program so far, although I think I'll have to stay on week 3 til I can get better shoes on payday (I tried week 4 yesterday and my shins are killing me!).

Hi everyone! Today is my W2D1 so I'm anticipating some soreness tomorrow. I've switched to running outside so I can be prepared for my race in August. I made the mistake if sticking to the treadmill too long last year - I paid for it after a (too soon) attempt at a 5k.

I did Day 1 on our property...there is one killer hill I avoided, the other one which isnt as bad fell during the walking. I can't say I ran, but I jogged..it worked out well with the flatter paths used for "running/jogging". I am thinking I would get bored with the track too and at this point I don't want anyone watching me.

On a side note, my two dogs came with me and everytime I broke out into my "run" they took off too, the first time was hilarious...they were like what the heck are you doing....

What shoes does everyone use? Did you invest in running shoes? Any particular brand?

Hi Everybody!

Had a great run this morning although our humidity is a killer out there today.

Jules - I wouldn't avoid the hills completely, walking them rather than running on the hills will still benefit you. I would go absolutely insane on a track. I can easily run great distances & if you put me on a track I might manage to get a 1/4 mile before I think I am dying and have to stop. I know it is mental for me but tracks are so boring. Both of my dogs run with me everytime I go out. I went to a running store & was fitted for the proper running shoes for my feet & the way I run, I got asics gels & I love them.

Dee

Planning your walk stretches for the uphill segments is a great solution! Lol, I can't really say I "run" either...it's definitely a jog by most standards...but to me it feels like I'm racing the wind

Too funny about the dogs!

For my shoes, right now I'm just using my reeboks (can't remember the "model"). They're ok and fairly new, but I bought them for general workout shoes not for running (Never thought that I'd be a runner!). I know I need more shock absorption--I definitely plan on getting my feet fitted and my gait tested before investing in some quality running shoes.

I saw this a while ago but I don't know if anyone answered... I'm no expert, but when I was part of a C25K thread last year there were several people who ran 5Ks before they finished the program. I can't remember if they ran the whole thing or walked part of it.

So - if you do the C25K program by time intervals (rather than distance)... you will cover 5K (3.1 miles) in the 30-minute program ONLY if you end up running more than 6 mph (10-minute miles). When I finished, I was at 2.25 miles in 30 min, running 4.5 mph. For most people, the program should be re-named: "Couch to Running for 30 Minutes Straight."

Anyway, to prepare for your 5K race, you could

1. Do C25K using the distance intervals so you are working up to running the full 5K. I found that annoying, since I had an iPod app that gave me time intervals and made it mindless - just what I needed, hehe.

Or

2. You could just start adding on run/walk intervals to your 30-min. C25K program until you get to 5K, so you are used to that distance. That's what I did when I finished the program the first time. I think it took me around 42-43 minutes to run for 30 minutes straight, then run/walk to make it to the distance of 5K - and that was on a treadmill.

You'll do great either way, just figure out how to pace yourself (I still haven't gotten that down yet when I'm running outside).

I've been traveling for work and slacking big time, unfortunately. But I got back on the program last night and did my W4D2 run. It was tough -- definitely tough -- but not killer and I'm feeling so motivated again!

My girlfriend is a serious runner, so I can't wait until I can at least go for 20 or 30 minute runs with her without having to take walking breaks...

W4D3, here I come!

I'm not done the c25k program and I've already done one 5k and I'm planning another one for August. I'm in week 7 - JOGGING 25 minutes at a time. I think it's really unrealistic for most people to think "Run", that's just what it's usually called, not what you're actually doing. I don't even go a whole 5k and I run SLOW. I'm planning to restart the program somewhere around week 4 and run faster once I actually finish it.

Anyway, my 5k was a city fun run thing and it really gave me incentive to get going and work for the run in August! I didn't run the whole thing (and knew I wouldn't) but I did manage to finish in 40 minutes. I was ecstatic with my time (it was a personal best after all... hahaha) and how much I was able to run. The environment really helped with that, all the people cheering and running with me. I was pretty sore the next day, the tops of my legs just weren't ready for that much running and the sprinting to the finish didn't help... darn those cheerleaders for suggesting it and egging me on!!! But the experience was wonderful and everyone I know tells me how proud they are of me.

There is a thread in the support form somewhere with all of my woes and elation somewhere if anyone cares to look it up. The run was 2 weeks ago now.

Really, keep your expatiations realistic and just go for it!

(And for shoes, I like New Balance, but I have really wide feet and I need extra support (I over pronate)).

Hello everyone! I just started C25k yesterday. It's been a goal of mine for a long time to be able to run, as I've really never been able to do so for more than a minute or two. I'm doing it on the treadmill, as I don't really have anywhere to run outside. My road has only a very slight grade to it, so it would be great for running on, but there's no shoulder and it can be busy with cars and dump trucks.

So I gave W1D1 a try. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, but I wasn't able to actually finish the whole thing. I got a cramp in my side around 10 minutes in, which went away when I was in the walking interval, but by 13 minutes it was really starting to hurt and didn't go away. So I decided that 13 minutes was a good first try and did a 5 minute cool down walk. So between the 5 minute warm up, the cool down, and the program, I did get 23 minutes of good exercise in. I'm hoping to finish the whole 20 minutes on my next try.

I started Week 1: Day 1 on Tuesday. Day 2 on Wednesday. Day 3 on Thursday. And did Week 2: Day 1 today. I am not sure I can get out this weekend. Hopefully tomorrow I can get in 25 minutes or so.

Is anyone else going through the weeks this quickly? I have been doing cardio 5-6 days a week anyway. Now I just do the C25K first and continue with the rest of my walk (60 minutes total). I don't know if this is too fast.

Hi All,

I'm doing Week 3 Day 1 today. I'm doing C25K on the treadmill though since I find I'm very sensitive to temperature and humidity outside. Once I finish the program, I'll go back and do the last 4 weeks or so outside in anticipation of a 5K on 9/11/10.

Sockerton : I also did the early weeks (W1-W3) pretty quickly. I think I actually did them in about a week and a half. As the distances started to increase and my shins got sore from the increase, I spaced the runs out and did other cardio on my off days -- swimming or a cross trainer.

Hi everyone! New to exercise in general, but starting out with C25K. I tried out W1D1 yesterday and it kicked my butt. I was able to get through it all though. I am using a treadmill. For walking I was at 2.5-3 and running was set on 5.

I live in a bad neighborhood so running outside is not possible. I want to run a 5K in the end of October. I am giving myself plenty of time because I know I will need to repeat weeks! I will move to outside perhaps at the end of summer.

I'm excited though! Running is the first exercise to interest me. ^_^