Hi I just started the c25k program and so far Im loving it! I am working out on my treadmill and my question is whats a good pace to begin jogging? Also Im still a big girl 240lbs should I even think that I could do a 5k race in July? Is that too ambious of a goal for me?

The pace you should start at is the pace you can go at, you can't start at someone else's pace, we're all an experiment of one, so just go at your own pace and workout yourself up...At your weight you most definitely can do a 5k.... Just take your time and finish it, doesn't matter what your pace is... Go for it

I'm thinking about trying the C25 program. I have three questions:

1. When I've exercised in the past, I always found it necessary to eat first so my blood sugar wouldn't drop. Will it be ok to eat before running? Any advice or suggestions?

2. How do you keep track of distance, speed, calories burned, etc.? Any recommendations for techie equipment stuff I should buy?

3. What kind of pre and post workouts should I do?

TIA!

1.) eat lightly and something easily digested. Peanut butter toast or maybe 1/2 banana with PB. It may take experimenting to see what you can tolerate.

2) I wouldnt spend a lot of money off the bat, shoes and a good bra. If you want a cheap watch to track time you can, but honestly tracking speed is very unimportant. If you want to track distance you can use a site such as http://www.mapmyrun.com/ or http://www.runningahead.com/maps

3) You can warm up/cool down by walking. I think that is kind of built in to C25K Maybe some light stretching after

this may sound weird, but lately ive been drinking a slim fast as my PRE work out nutrition....lots of carbs, some fat, and protein..in liquid form! Its perfect for me!

Sounds good, but someone here told me once that it made them constipated, and I did eventually end up with the same issue. So if you have that problem, know it may be the Slimfast.

Thanks for the answers and suggestions!

I don't want to do SlimFast because of the artificial sweetener but I might try a protein shake. And bananas and peanut butter? I'm all about that!

Also thanks for the links, ennay. Running Ahead is GREAT!

Ok, now I have more questions. Sorry...I'm totally new to this!

1. How do you carry stuff (water, keys, phone) etc. with you? Please don't say fanny pack. I hate fanny packs!

2. When doing C25K, you have to alternate running and walking for a certain length of time. How do you time this? Stopwatch? How do you use a stopwatch without losing stride or falling on your face? Yes, I really am that uncoordinated.

3. I read that some people run barefoot. Is this really safe? Don't you need all the scientific supporty stuff of a good shoe?

I know there are belts that you can put water bottles on. I haven't gotten one yet, though. There are arm bands for iPods that you may be able to put your phone in.

I used to use my phone as a timer until I got a cheap watch with a timer built in. It's relatively easy to use.

No idea about your last question.

Now my question...I've been working on the C25K for about a month, and in that time, I've developed an SI joint injury. I went to the doctor, and he said that I need physical therapy. He didn't say whether I could continue running or not. Has anyone had this problem before? Some days, it feels fine, and other days, it feels like someone is stabbing me in my lower back. Would this have been caused by poor running form, or from the high impact, or not by running at all? I know that I have high arches and subpronate, but I got shoes to help with that. Lastly, what kind of things can I do to help strengthen the muscles around the area? I know I will learn this in physical therapy, but I don't go for another week, so I'm curious.

Thanks!

rochester
1) I carry as little as possible. You really dont NEED water during the workout although there are ways to carry. There are also varying carry devices depending on what you like. I have a house key I put in my key pocket and that is it for most days.

2)One of the reasons I am NOT a fan of C25K is this reason. If you have an expensive watch you can program it to count the intervals for you. There are some affordable watches you can set to count down I think. I personally would just walk for awhile, run for awhile and each time try to go longer. I always did it by landmarks such as lamp poles.

3. The debate rages on. There are some injuries caused by barefoot. There are some injuries caused by OVERLY supportive shoes. Since as a society you have probably worn shoes most of your life you are probably less at risk by going the expensive shoe option.

anne - I would wait until PT and have him tell you. Find a PT that is generally supportive of running. The severity of the injury may impact the answer to all your questions. I had an SI injury from falling down stairs and the treatment was pretty therapy intensive more than exercise intensive (massage, ultrasound, astym etc.)

I have heard that it is better to run barefoot IN GRASS or sand or other natural terrain. It's not for me!! I have the most sensitive feet on earth. One little pebble will find me crying in pain.

Thanks ennay!

There are tons of free downloadable podcasts for Couch to 5K too!

i'm new to this too, and am wanting to download a podcast for this.....which is your fave? I'm a christian and prefer to not have a lot of vulgar language to deal with that's my only stipulation

Ok, so I'm needing something different, and I did try running for a while on a treadmill back over the winter. Can't do the treadmill at ALL - it makes me motion sick. The feeling of moving and going nowhere messes with my head, stomach and everything in between.

So a little over a week ago my husband and I hit the local track. We stretched to warm up, walked a warm up lap at a good pace, jogged a minute then walked a minute (repeated a couple of times) then finished out to about 25 minutes with jogging the straight 100s and walking the curves.

I was SORE for a couple of days. Took Sunday off, then back to the track Monday (Memorial Day). It felt good to run, though walking hurt (my shins especially). Afterward I was sore another couple of days. I went a third time Friday when I thought I wasn't as sore, and started having this shooting pain from my left hip down into my left knee. Gave it up after about 10 minutes and went home to the elliptical.

So...hip pain? The shin stuff and overall soreness I can understand. But is the hip pain something I should worry about? I want to incorporate some running/walking intervals a couple of times a week, but I'm kinda scared to go back to it...