Couch to 5K running plan...has any tried it?

[corinnak]

Hello again! I was printing off the C25K plan to try to coerce a friend.....and wanted to give her the podcast website as well. So I googled a bit and found this - thought it might be of interest because it gathers up a lot of the c25k resources into one handy location.

http://www.c25k.com/

 

[swim-mom]

Well, my new years resolution is to have more "ME" time and to use that time to train and complete a 10K. Maybe even a 1/2 (not holding my breath, but if I can do a 10K a 1/2 is in reach).

Anyway tonight in my jeans and reg bra and sneakers I started up with the C25K once again! The reason for the reg clothes was because I had the intention to start very basic. Well, once I got going after the warm up I wanted to see how week 3 was.....................I DID IT

I was sweating like a PIG, but hey it just proves my body was working rather than just sitting!!

I hope many others will join in my hope to complete this program and move towards a 10K!!!!

 

[swim-mom]

Ok, looks like I am the only one doing this

So......I have now completed w3d2 and I was fine!! Tomorrow is a REST day even though I know that I can do day 3.

 

[Desiree]

Hi everyone. I'm thinking that I am going to give this a try. Is it recommended that you lose a bit of weight first? I'm about 70 pounds overweight and am currently working on that but I just wasn't sure if it was a good idea to start it now or if I should wait a bit until I drop a few more.

to all of you who have completed the program! I can't imagine running anywhere right now!

 

[corinnak]

Good for you, swim-mom! The more you post, of course, the more likely it is that someone else will get on the C25K bandwagon with you. You're doing great, already through week 3, day 2!

Desiree, welcome! I would say it probably depends a lot on your own situation, i.e. What is your current activity level? Do you have any knee or foot pain currently? Have you asked your doctor?

For me, I started at about 50-60 pounds too heavy and decided that it would be a lot easier if I lost some weight as I went, but it was nice to be losing to make running easier rather than losing to "look good" or whatever. YMMV, of course. You can always give it a try and stop if it is just too much. The initial jogs are fairly brief, but you could always decide to walk more and jog less and work up to jogging even more more slowly.

That said, this training program is amazing. Last year at this time, I couldn't imagine running anywhere, either!

 

[corinnak]

P.S. Desiree, I think for us big girls, proper shoes are even more important, if that's possible. It's hard to go into a genuine running store when you don't really look like a runner, but they really do tend to do the best job of making sure you have a shoe that will prevent injury and make running SO much more comfortable and easier, even. Not to sound like the resident know-it-all......I think the other graduates are busy with other stuff at the moment. Yeah. That's it.

 

[Desiree]

Thank you Corinna! That's good advice already! I think I may give it a try and see how I feel. I've been doing a steady 30 minutes on the elliptical and walk regularly already. So I feel like I "should" be able to start this.

As far as the shoes go, I got fitted at the local New Balance store for some good Cross Trainers. Do you think those would be ok to start running in or do you think I should actually purchase a running shoe?

 

[corinnak]

Desiree,
It sounds like you are already in better shape than I was when I started c25k.

As for running in cross-trainers, bear in mind, I'm only about 9 months more experienced at running than you are today, and I would say you probably could try starting in them, but the concern would be that they are designed for a lot more side-to-side motion than a running shoe (for things like basketball and tennis and aerobics, maybe?) and running shoes help with running because they are designed strictly for forward motion and help correct for physical issues (most commonly overpronation) that can lead to knee problems, among other thigns. My shoes are "motion control" shoes, which seems like it's maybe kind of the opposite of a cross-trainer? Though cross-trainers are obviously designed to be used for a certain amount of running within the cross-training realm, I don't think they are any substitute for a proper pair of running shoes. I do think a lot of people start the first week or two in less than ideal shoes, though, and yours are probably better than what some others have started in. Is that a dodgy enough answer for you?

 

[Desiree]

LOL that's good enough of an answer for me! The reason I went with the cross trainers initially was for walking, step aerobics and tennis. Now since I've been slacking on the step aerobics and tennis part I figure I could be doing something else with them!

I think I will give this a few weeks and see how it feels and how I do and if I can see myself sticking to it at that point, I'll go and get fitted for the running shoes!

 

[swim-mom]

On the 5th I did my w3d3 and I felt great!!!

Since I started with week 3, I decided to take today off. This way I can rest one more day too. Monday will be the start of week 4 and I will be back to doing it 4 times a week, like I used too!!!

So far so well,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and I have revised my eating too! No results yet but hey it is only 1 week!!!!

 

[swim-mom]

I started w4d1 and it kicked my BUTT!!!!

It took me 40 minutes to finish it, but I did it

Anyone else?

 

[swim-mom]

I started w4d1 and it kicked my BUTT!!!!

It took me 40 minutes to finish it, but I did it

Anyone else?

 

[swim-mom]

I started w4d1 and it kicked my BUTT!!!!

It took me 40 minutes to finish it, but I did it

Anyone else?

 

[DemonLlama]

OK, I posted a question about this on the CB and got pointed here by SeeDisney. Thank you!

I did Week 1 Day 1 last night. DH wanted to start with me but got snowed in at work, so I went alone. Grabbed the podcast thanks to this thread, so that can keep me company tomorrow morning when I move on to Day 2.

Those 60 seconds of running were hard, but I did it. That in itself is something I'm clinging to! I want to look back in a few months and laugh at this accomplishment.

 

[swim-mom]

OK, I posted a question about this on the CB and got pointed here by SeeDisney. Thank you!

I did Week 1 Day 1 last night. DH wanted to start with me but got snowed in at work, so I went alone. Grabbed the podcast thanks to this thread, so that can keep me company tomorrow morning when I move on to Day 2.

Those 60 seconds of running were hard, but I did it. That in itself is something I'm clinging to! I want to look back in a few months and laugh at this accomplishment.

Congrats!!!! Taking the first step is always hard, but you can do it.

that is what is keeping me going this time!!

 

[npmommie]

I just saw this on the CB. I am in.
I will be starting on the treadmill, this will be hard, I am so out of shape it isn't even funny!

 

[corinnak]

Those 60 seconds of running were hard, but I did it. That in itself is something I'm clinging to! I want to look back in a few months and laugh at this accomplishment.

You have just taken such a big step! And I don't know if you'll ever look back and laugh - I know that I sure haven't! Well, not in humor, anyway - maybe one of those amazed chuckles when you run your first 5K and marvel that you could go from 60 seconds being a huge challenge to being able to run for over 3 miles. Enjoy your accomplishment and know that there more on the way for you!

Also, Good for you for going even when conditions weren't what you planned. That's one of the hardest things and you did it on your first day!



Swim-mom, you are doing SO great. It doesn't matter how long it takes you
to finish, if you are doing the program for distance!

npmommie - welcome to you, too! The treadmill is a great way to do this program, I think. I think most people who start C25K are out of shape to one degree or another, so you are in good company. Don't be afraid to repeat a week if it seems too hard at any point. Some people have repeated a week a few times before they felt ready to move to the next one, and that is OK. You can do this!

 

[swim-mom]

I just saw this on the CB. I am in.
I will be starting on the treadmill, this will be hard, I am so out of shape it isn't even funny!

I too am on the TM, so you are not alone either!!

 

[tikilyn]

After seeing a thread on the CB, I thought I would come over here and take a look at this thread. C25K sounds great. I hate running, well because I can't run.. I suck at it really. So I'm going to try tonight W1D1. I'll update later tonight how it went.

I would really love to run with my dh. He's pretty go at it and it would be nice to have something atlethic in comon!

OMG I'm so nervious!

 

[DemonLlama]

After seeing a thread on the CB, I thought I would come over here and take a look at this thread. C25K sounds great. I hate running, well because I can't run.. I suck at it really. So I'm going to try tonight W1D1. I'll update later tonight how it went.

I would really love to run with my dh. He's pretty go at it and it would be nice to have something atlethic in comon!

OMG I'm so nervious!

You can do this! Glad there are others out there just starting. Good luck and keep us posted!