I was just wondering if anyone has had any success with the couch to 5k program? Im starting tomorrow! I've decided I need to get a hold of myself and FORCE myself into the gym and try and give running a good crack. If anyone's done it i'd appreciate any comments, would you recommend it? Have your tried it? Love it, hate it? Let me know!! Below is a link to the plan!

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

My wife followed it to the letter and was running 3 miles after nine weeks. 2 weeks after finishing it she ran the Pat Tillman run at ASU 4.2 miles she averaged 10 min miles. I on the other hand did not follow it quite so well. I'm now on week four after starting again with some conviction this time, It's hard but I feel great after my runs.

awesome, good luck! We'll see how it goes tomorrow.....

I'm doing C25K for the second time in two years. I completed it the first time, then got out of running when winter came. I didn't run at all last year, but got a treadmill recently so now I have no more excuses. Almost finished week 8 right now. I really like it. Before I lost weight, I could barely walk, running was out of the question, so it feels like a victory every time I go for a run.

Good luck with it!

I went through c25k at the beginning of the year and it worked wonderful! By the end I was running for 30 minutes but not quite 3 miles. Only about a month after that though I was running almost 4.5 miles straight. Just stick with it and you'll master it! Some weeks are harder then others but you can do it!!

I just finished a couple of weeks ago. Its a cool program because it systematically increases time/distance. I am now going the Galloway Method and doing 2 minute intervals to increase my speed/distance. At lunch I did 3 miles in 38 minutes - which is great for me!

Yep! My only problem is that I had a hard time distinguishing between the time vs. distance component. I suggest going for time, which may mean running at a slower pace and therefore running a little less distance than an actual 5K. Once you can run for 30 minutes straight, then you can work on speed. That's my advice.

i made it to week 7 last summer but then fall hit and it got cold. it took me about 10 weeks to get to week 7 because with vacations and getting sick and such i was knocked off schedule. i'm planning on starting it up again this weekend.

i must say, i LOVE this program. i used to despise running, but now i really enjoy it.

I tried it two years ago and was able to definitely increase my endurance and work on my breathing, but never finished it. I'm starting it again - IMHO and for the time I did it, it works! Good luck!!

I started this week, it is hard so far but doable, I am going to stick to it. I played lots of tennis until 3 years ago when I had several surgerys and could not even walk, let my weight get away and now its like starting from scratch. I will keep you posted. Started the fat smash diet 3 weeks ago and am down 7 lbs so far. Know it won't all come off this fast but it is a nice start.

oh godness! A 5K! I pushed myself HARD and managed 0.5miles in 9 minutes and my calves hurt sooo bad I can barely walk 2 days later!

This sounds like it would be fun though!

Yep. There's a long post going on over in the general support area. I'm in week 3. It works, but you have to stick with it. No wimping out. Fortunately, they consider even the smallest amount of jogging "jogging" or I wouldn't be making it at all. I can feel my stamina improving though, and my muscles building. It's hard, but worth it.

I'm actually super excited to start this. Normally I would HATE any type of physical activity like this.. but for the first time in my life, I am actually looking forward to running!

When I started I really wasn't sure how I was going to do... I've had to go at my own pace due to illness and other obligations but I've stepped up and I am now on week 6! I recently ran 28 minutes straight - a personal best. I'm not so concerned with speed right now... I think once I'm actually running 30 minutes straight on a consistant basis I'll pick up the speed and start the program again at say, week 4.

That is EXACTLY what I'm thinking!

Can someone please post a link to the Couch-to-5K thread? I can't find it.