I tested out Couch to 5k today...

sakuragreenlily

That's great! I remember the first time I did c25k I was averaging a 16 minute mile and I thought I'd die once I got up to the 3 minute jogging parts!

Now I'm averaging just under 10 minutes per mile. It's taken me almost a year to get to this point but I've really grown to love it! Hope you'll stick with it. You'll be amazed by what you can do!

Be11adonna

Good on you! I like your attitude.
I started with C25K and failed the first time round, as week 7 scared the hell out of me running for 28 min non-stop :noway: After a good talking to myself, I restarted and finished it last May. I LOVE running now and do 5K three times a week and looking at bridge to 10K

Keep at it and good luck.

Ange352lm

I never played sports or did any running/jogging before. I started the couch to 5K program this past August and I ran my first 5K last Sunday! The key is to jog during the program NOT run! You start off slow and build your endurance. I remember doing week one and thinking, "I will never get past this point" but you do and you CAN!! This program really works and it helped me lose weight and shape-up!! Good luck to you and anyone who is starting the program!!

wiscck

Awesome! I just finished the 8 minute runs in week 5 and I feel like a rock star. The trick is to jog really really slowly at first. I don't jog much faster than I walk (and if I'm going up a hill, I jog slower than I walk.)

bethanytowell

I encourage you to stick with the program. I have never been a "runner" and week 1 day 1 was a nightmare for me. I finished the program and needless to say, I now call myself a runner! It was hard. Extremely hard. but i stuck with it and am so glad that i did. It still is very hard for me, especially the first 10 minutes or so but i continue hoping that soon it will become easy. Good luck and keep it up!

stumblinthrulife

I started C25k this time last year. When I started I couldn't run for the bus, and at the end of almost every workout I felt like I was about to have a heart attack. But I got through it.

12 months on I can run a sub-24 minute treadmill 5k, and a ~25 minute outdoor 5k (on hills). I recently started running 10ks too.

The program works, if you trust it. Repeat weeks if you need to, but just keep at it. The results will come.

inspirezme

I just started (and finished) week one yesterday. It surprised me how much I enjoyed it! I've signed up for a holiday 5K on December 8th so that I have a set goal in mind and invested in having my stride analyzed to buy a really good pair of shoes. I think my biggest challenges will be adapting to being outside as it gets colder/darker after work and having the energy to lace up the sneakers after a tiring day at work. Good luck to you!

kjoy_

great job! i started with this program in august 2012 and now i can run 11 miles straight! you can do it!!

lilbearzmom

I just finished the 1st week (I am going slow- I have been doing each day twice before moving on), but I am LOVING it. Never thought in a million years I would like running. It's funny, during the run I'm like, OMG, WTF! Then when it's over, I can't wait to do it again.

I usually run either on the fairgrounds track or our local walking trail, but went to the gym to use the treadmill one time last week because I had to put it off until after dark. I'm going to be sad when I have to move it indoors, but if it's over 40 F outside and not snowing, I will be outside!!! Good luck and so great that you have reached this point!

-Kendra

CountryGirl8542

Good for you!!! I am just finishing my C25K challenge (only 2 weeks left)! Just a tip if your interested... don't focus on speed... just jog lightly and focus on your breathing. Also.. the first 4 weeks might seem impossible to you but honestly week 5-8 and easy!!! You can do it!!

carblover79

There are numerous C25K training plans. I know that the one I started with years ago started in much smaller increments. If you can make it through the 1 minute intervals to start with, GREAT JOB! If not, look for another training plan that isn't as intense at the begining.

TMLPatrick

Good for you!!! I am just finishing my C25K challenge (only 2 weeks left)! Just a tip if your interested... don't focus on speed... just jog lightly and focus on your breathing. Also.. the first 4 weeks might seem impossible to you but honestly week 5-8 and easy!!! You can do it!!

^this. Go slow... the constant switching between running and walking is deceptively difficult. Once it switches to long runs with little if/any walking (weeks 5-8), it gets way easier.

Booda101

Can anyone recommend which app they are using? I started on Saturday with an app by Zen Labs. However it has twice force closed while using it.

I am going to try a C25K by RunDouble tomorrow and hope this will be more reliable.

TMLPatrick

I never had any trouble with the Zen Labs one.... although I might have been using the pro version and that might make a difference? I don't remember. I also haven't used it since upgrading to iOS7...

happyheart15

Some bad news. Endurance-wise, I feel up for the challenge, but my knees are REALLY hurting from the jogging. I know I can get knee braces and get fitted for running shoes. (Getting fitted and getting new shoes won't happen for a while because I don't have the money). I want to continue, but I don't want to blow my knees out.

smaka578

Hello, all!! My name is jess. I just had a baby boy, on 9/6/13. Prior to that I had started c25k and stopped more times than I care to remember. I am now back to my pre-pregnancy weight, but still have the 54 pounds I was carrying around before my son, to lose. However, I am really feeling inspired and motivated...my son's birth has given me new reason to want to be healthy. I just completed week 3 and started week 4!!! I couldn't believe that I was able to run 5 minute intervals!!!! I am really loving how I feel after doing this...for the first time , in a long time, I feel like I CAN change my life and wellness...and my body too!! I feel like I actually believe it too..which is a big change in and of itself!! Please feel free to friend me, lets keep each other going!!! Good luck and happy jogging!!!!

Oh, and if anyone has any recommendations for sore feet and knees...and possible stretches to help, I would be most grateful!!

HazenAllen

I completed C25k last year and the way I did it was during my run intervals I did a slower pace jog. I was able to get through all the weeks pretty well. Maybe you can turn it into an 18 week program with the light jog being your fast pace for the first 9 week interval, and have the light pace jog be your slow pace for the second 9 week interval. You don't want to go too gung ho and exhaust yourself by going too hard too fast

ladybugfrenzy

Like many, I started and never completed the program. I always had an excuse. It is tough! But one day I was walking and an older woman flew by me running. I had NO excuse. (nothing against age) I'm getting up there myself. So I just kept telling myself if she could do it, why can't I. So now I"m on Week 7 day 3! I feel so much more powerful! It is addicting like people say. You see the daily checks on the app and when you review how far you've come, you want to push harder!

Now I want to do the C210k. You can do it!

MrsH1987

My next workout tomorrow will be week 1 day 3. I did day 1 on Monday and I almost gave up on the last 60 seconds of running but as I went to stop it told me to stop running anyway.

Yesterday was day 2 and I managed the 60 second runs just fine, I really surprised myself. Day 3 tomorrow!

Keep up to good work. My first 5k is in March!

Wilmingtonbelle

WTG!!! :flowerforyou:

I started C25K two weeks ago although I'm still on week 1. Each time I get closer to finishing all of the running parts so I know I will get there.

Sláinte! :drinker:

AmyMgetsfit

It took me 4 months to complete the program because I did some weeks or days over. I am 58 years old and thought my learning to run days were over. I needed a new challenge with my workouts and decided to give it a go. One of my MFP friends did it and gave me the inspiration to try it with her day by day logs. I can now run over 4 miles without stopping. It has also improved my walking speed.

stacie915

Well, I got inspired by everyone that started doing this and succeeded so I thought I'm going to try this myself. I did it today thinking I would NEVER make it through the first day's regime, but I did it and am so happy!! I'm so excited I've downloaded the C25K app on my phone and synced it with My Fitness Pal. I hope my legs and hips can endure it all, but I'm going to take it slow and not push myself...If I have to repeat I will. I'm 48 years YOUNG and know that the exercise will only help. Thanks to all of you who have motivated me in this!!

nielsonfam

I'm on Week 2, Day 3 myself...I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

annamc18

I started the C25K program back in April -- did waaay awesome & didn't miss a day....then when week 4 came along so did the high temps and humidity (here is Georgia)...and I ended up quitting

I have decided to restart it & have done week 1 a bunch of times since last month my sister and I were meeting up to workout. Now that is becoming harder and harder to do since our schedules are all over the place, so I just started doing it again myself this week.

I started on Tuesday with Week 1 again -- and it was waaaaaay too easy. I did Week 2 yesterday -- and that actually seemed pretty easy as well.

I think I might try Week 3 on saturday to see how it goes...it'd be amazing to think I have kinda kept up the endurance I gained back in April -- but I feel like if I not stuggling it's not hard enough! lol.

I think you will love it!!! My best suggestion, though, is to pay the money and go get fitted for running shoes. I had such horrible foot pain by the end of my workout, I wanted to stop. But i got the right running shoes and haven't had a problem since.

Good luck!!! Feel free to add me if you want!

shainafay

That's so great!! I started c25k at least four times before this one, and now I'm one week 4, day 2! Never have I gotten this far before, and my first day was just like yours Keep it up, you've got a lot of people rooting for you!!