There's no need for a stopwatch even without a podcast. A running watch with a countdown timer, like this one from Timex (on sale for $15 at Campmor.com), takes care of the timing.

Thanks Maria, I have one already. What I meant was that I hate staring at the numbers, I like having someone tell me when it's over, it takes my mine off the fact that I'm running

I did day 2 of week 4 this morning. It went well even with a few hills thrown in here and there.

A running watch with an interval timer will beep when the intervals are up. You don't have to look at it. But Ct5K doesn't have regular intervals so it might not work for that. I use one and run the same intervals throughout the run.

Jax

I would have a hard time with a watch. I've been running at 4:30 AM and it's too dark to see the road, much less a watch. Besides, I also wear contacts and they bounce around a bit as I do and so things aren't as clear as I'd like. I guess you can get one to program to each week's particular interval schedule, but how loud is it? I'd be so afraid of missing a beep that I'd be constantly looking at the watch. With the podcast, you can make it as loud or as soft as you need. Besides, I like the words of encouragement--cheesy as they may be!

They're pretty loud. Also, they have lighted faces.

OTOH if the podcast works for you, why bother?

Hi everyone! I love reading your posts, they are all so encouraging!

On Friday, my husband and I did D2 W2- I was doing really well. So well that I got cocky and decided I could do a full lap around the track. Big Mistake! The next day, my knee was feeling strange- not hurt, just strange. Then, on Sunday, we started on D3 of W2- I was fine until the last running set and I couldn't finish. Now my knee hurts! ACK!

I have never hurt my knee before! What should I do? We were thinking I should take 2 days off then try D3 of W2 again... any advice from you veterans?

Hi everyone! Thanks for the welcome! I did day one on Friday going 3.8mph for walking and 4.8mph for running, I think I did okay. I started out with 4.0/5.0 but it was too hard and I didn't want to overdo it. I talked my fiance into doing it with me too, but he is much faster. I guess that's the advantage of treadmills, you can run with a companion who can go way faster than you.

Maria -- I thought c25k would be a slow-paced program since it is designed for people who are out of shape? If the distance increases are more than 10% maybe I will just add some in-between stuff . . . My knees are almost entirely better now, since I found the real secret to knee-health for myself: wear supportive sneakers all the time. If I wear sandals or heels or anything else for more than a day or so, my knees start to hurt. But as long as I wear my sneakers, everything's fine! Pretty weird. Luckily I can wear sneakers to work.

Allison - I'm using the time and distance displays on the treadmill instead of podcasts or stopwatch. I guess that's one advantage of running on a treadmill instead of outside! I didn't have any knee problems until I'd been running for about a year. I think after I made it to the three miles, I probably jumped up too fast to 4 miles, then 5 miles, plus speed training, then it was too much for me.

Onthetee -- I like to chat but at the gym I usually just plug in my iPod and blast the music. In the past I found that I can go farther if I have music on loud, because I can't hear my own breathing! If I hear myself breathing hard than I'll think it's tougher than it is. Of course now I'm trying for a slower pace so I don't hurt my knees so that's kind of beside the point. I don't think I'll be ready for a 5k soon though, since I'll be increasing at a pretty slow pace (plus I'm going on a honeymoon for three weeks in October!).

After Friday's workout I did some leg strengthening and my legs are still a little sore! Plan is to do W1 D2 tonight, more leg strengthining tomorrow.

Hi ladies! Not new to 3FC, and not new to C25k, but new to this thread! Mind if I chime in?

I started C25k a few weeks ago... I'm repeating Week 4 this week because I don't think I did quite well enough with it last week to move on. Frankly, Week 5 has me shaking in my Sauconys! I'll plod on, though - because there's a 5k that I will be running on November 3. I might come in last at a blistering 13-mile minute pace, but I WILL do it!

Since I have started running, I have become an exercise junkie. It's very out-of-character for me, but I like it! Anyone experiencing anything similar? Do your friends think that you've lost your mind? (mine do!)

OH - and paperclippy - I read something on Cool Running recently that said that strength training for your hips may alleviate knee pain.

I wish I could wear my sneaks to work.

I have a feeling that I'll be doing this too. I'm totally scared for week 5!

No, no one I know thinks I've lost my mind....well, that is except for me! I've NEVER enjoyed exercising! And I've NEVER been able to run before (and I'm 44!). I actually look forward to this! Who knew?

Well week 7 started out poorly. Got 5 minutes into my run and I wasn't feeling right. My left shin was sore but I figured it just needed a warm up (I had already stretched) then it hurt so bad I had to stop. I was so upset. It hurt to walk on even, although now hours later it seems okay. So I am going to try to repeat it tomorrow if it's feeling better. Big time disappointment though

Cakses--hang in there. Some days it comes easily and some days it is not meant to be. I downloaded the podcasts for week 7, and I was already to go. However, I get so fatigued at the beginning of TOM. I just cannot get to the gym tonight. I never lie down after dinner, but I had to tonight, even after decent sleep last night.

Plan is to hit it in the morning tomorrow before I succumb to the symptoms of blood loss. We FINALLY have a dip in humidity here, even if it is still darn hot. I may run on the road tomorrow. Crazy thought for me.

I went back out this evening for a nice slow 2 mile walk with my kids and I felt better. So now I am off to stretch and do some toning while watching a movie and I am going to try again tomorrow and pray for the best!

Pain--in a specific weight-bearing body part--that's sharp enough to make you stop isn't just a bad day. Something's wrong. You need to figure out what the problem is.

The general rule of thumb is that when it crosses from discomfort to pain, you've got a problem that needs to be solved rather than ignored.

Day3 of Week3 is complete....On to week 4 on Thursday!

I was on my second set this morning and had it in my head that the first run of the second set was 3 minutes.....it ended and I was like "wow, that was 3 minutes?!" Then when I was more than half way through the REAL 3 minute part, it dawned on me!!! Too funny. I look forward to week 4, but I'm really, really thinking that I might do that week twice. We'll see.