Hi all - glad to see an active thread about this.

I'm planning on starting Ct5K on Monday morning (eek!), when I will hopefully be over this stupid summer cold! I'm verrry nervous, but reading this and seeing you all doing it is sooo encouraging!

alinnell and onthetee,
Thanks for all the support for Week 1. I thought I was being a big baby about the whole thing. Now I can look forward to Week 2

You can be a big baby. You can whine and moan and complain, and you will never EVER come close to being as whiny as I have been through this thing.

Day 1 of week 5 is complete! It was a lot easier than I thought and I really look forward to day 2 (two 8 minute runs). I actually felt after each 5 minute segment that I could continue on (and in fact, after the third one, I did keep going for another 30-45 seconds--it was all downhill!) I'm still leery about day 3.

Allison, I remember week five REALLY well - and I remember pushing myself because two sets of 8 minutes seemed easier than THREE sets of five!

Enjoy!

I did day 1 of week 6 yesterday and it went very well. I actually went a track this time that was .5 miles long so I was able to see how far I was going. I went 2.3 miles during the whole thing, so a little slow, but not bad.

Allison, I know you will do great on day3 !

marianne, it is challenging, but totally doable, keep posting here to let us know how you're doing.

teacher, way to go on completing week 1. I know how proud of myself I felt after it was done.

Thanks, Leeda - it's helping to read through these posts and see y'all doing it and toughing out the harder parts.

Does anyone use the Ullreys podcasts? What kind of music is on them?

I use them and love them! I wish I had used them from the beginning , they make it go so much faster. It's mostly like techno/remix music. I might do my own mix once I'm out of the intervals, but it was a lifesaver.

D1W3 Done! Whew! I didn't think I could jump from 90 seconds to 3 minutes, but I did it.

I took some extra time stretching because it was my muscles that felt tired, I wasn't really out of breath. Can't wait for Day 2!

Yay Archy!!! When did you get back from Peru? Any more good stories to tell?

I love Ullrey's podcasts. They are the only reason I decided to try this c25k thing. I knew I couldn't rely on my estimation of time or distance to do it alone. I suppose I could have gotten a good stopwatch, but I doubt it would have been enough motivation.

No, I run on a treadmill at my gym. Definitely too humid for outside!

Allison, I'm taking your advice about going to week two. We did D3W1 last night and it was really easy and comfortable, I even threw in an extra interval to get more of a workout and bumped up my "run" speed from 4.7 to 4.8mph. Tonight I'll try D1W2 and see how it goes.

I think I'm going to go buy some new running shoes this weekend. My very first pair that I bought a few years ago was Brooks Addiction 6, which I loved, but when they started getting worn out the arch supports gave me blisters on the bottom of my feet. I replaced them with the Saucony Hurricane 7, which felt good for a while but didn't have as much support as my old shoes. The past few weeks I pulled the old worn-out Brooks shoes out of the closet and have been wearing them, but they are terribly worn-out (and have a big hole over my toe!!). At first I thought fine, I'll just buy a new pair of the same Brooks style, but they don't make it anymore! So I'm going to find a local running store and see what they have.

Jessica~you'll do great on week 2. I swear, each week seems easier than the last!

I had such trepidations about week 5 (where I am now) that I honestly thought that if I succeeded in doing week 5, that I would just stay there. While I haven't finished W5 yet, I think I am prepared to move on. I am still mulling over the decision to go onto D3 of W5 from here. I just finished D2 (two 8 minute intervals). The first interval was HARD! Maybe it's my route--it's all uphill. The second interval was much easier (downhill--duh!). But I still have doubts about running a straight 20 minutes already. We'll see how it goes. If I don't feel up to it, I'll repeat D2 once (Tuesday) and do D3 on Thursday.

I do have to admit I have absolutely no idea as to my pace. While running uphill, I know I'm a lot slower than when I go downhill, and I know my route is over 2 miles, but I don't know my speed. Those of you who use a treadmill and up the speed to what cool running suggests may be getting a better workout that I am. But at least I'm out there doing it!!

Actually, you're getting the better workout. When you use a treadmill, the treadmill does some of the work.

Don't worry about speed. It will come later, and it's never a good idea to be increasing distance and speed at the same time.

(PS, if you need to hang out at 8-minute intervals for a week or two or if you need to increase from 8 to 20 in steps rather than all at once, that's okay. C25K is odd [and I think irresponsible, but that's just my opinion.] in increasing the intervals that quickly. The reason most new runners fail is injury, and by far the most common reason for new runner injury is too much/too far, too soon.)

Allison, I know you can do it. If I can, anyone can!

DH was up early this morning and watched the baby for me. Taking advantage of this opportunity, I decided to go running and do 25 minutes, or day 3 of week 6. It went SO well. I LOVE jogging without a stroller. I felt so free. I was a little unprepared, I had no pockets to put my keys in and nothing to hold my ipod. I just stood there for a minute with both in hand, wondering what to do, and then I stuffed them both in my bra lol. It’s SO much easier without the stroller.

I reached 20 minutes when I hit a rock in the road and fell on my foot the wrong way. It didn’t really hurt, but I figured I’d better stop. But I could’ve easily gone the next 5 minutes. It’s a good thing I did stop because my foot is sore now. No more running for at least the next 2 days. I think I will do a little yoga. I’ve got my foot in some ice right now…there’s no swelling yet, just soreness.

Stupid rock.

Congrats to all you wonderful new runners - it sounds like everyone is doing well! Renee I hope your injury heals quickly - be careful!

I am still nursing an injury in my leg, but today I am going to venture out a bit more and do some walking with my kiddos. Nothing too quick but enough to stretch out my muscles and see the extent of the injury. If it's still bad, I will be making a doctor's appointment.

Also, I found a gently used treadmill - this one in fact http://www.proform.com/webapp/wcs/st...29269_-1_21663 and it is being delivered from the seller either today or tomorrow! I found it on craigslist for $300 and although that's a bit for me it's worth a lot more and it's barely used. God bless PayPal rofl.

On Monday I am going to just start running and see how far I get then I will pick whatever week in C25K that it's close to and start from there. I'm secretly hoping I can make it 30 minutes and be at week 9 where I am supposed to be, but I understand that my body might have different ideas. I am excited to get back into it though. I just hope my legs feel the same way!

Have a great weekend everyone, happy running!!!