C25K for those that have never jogged before

lilRicki

Ok so I am VERY far from being a jogger...in fact, I`ve never jogged. I can walk fast, but after while my *kitten* and hips start to hurt. Has anyone out there done the C25K who has never jogged before? I get the "go slow" advice...but is there anything else you can offer me? Where do you put your cell phone (I downloaded an App for C25K that helps me track my intervals). Where do you put your water bottle? Am I going to die in the middle of the ravine on the biking trail? I'm scared spitless to do this, but I think jogging would be super cathartic...

FruitLoop05317

i am wanting to start c25k but i feel like i need to lose a bit more weight so im not trying to carry all this extra around with me...i havent ran or even joggged since the 8th grade when we had to do the president fitness test thing and run a mile so its gonna be slow going...but on the phone thing, walmart has these great danskin now tanktops that have a media pocket on the right shoulder/chest area and my phone fits perfect and i think i paid like maybe 8 bucks. hope that helped!!

BobbyDaniel

Unless you slip and fall into the ravine, you should not die there! For me, I wouldn't say I was a runner when i started the program, but had tried running before...but usually failed at it. The go slow advice, yep...do it. Don't try to run sprints or beat the pro-runner who might fly by. As for the phone, I usually kept it in my hand and tried not to keep looking at it, you can also look for a runner's wallet that attaches to your arm to hold it. I usually kept my water at home or in the van when at the track and saved the drinking for when I was done. You can usually make it at least 30 minutes without water if you have enough prior to running.
Congrats on getting started and God bless on the program! I did C25K last fall and today I finished week 3 of the Bridge to 10K, so it does work if you stick with it!

momofcole

They make running clothes with pockets for things like iPods, cell phones, etc. As far as the water goes, it was not worth it to me to carry a bottle around- I just drank when i was done. I have a friend who would just carry it though- I can't carry things when I run!
I was not a runner at ALL when I did C25K a few years ago. You can do it!

justann

I completed the C25K program. I used the app on my itouch and I carried it the whole time. As for a water bottle, I didn't bother with one until after I was finished with the run/walk.

sofaking6

Well I am FAR from an expert..here is what I've learned so far..

On the treadmills at the gym, there's a place for everything. Easy-peasy! Outside, of course, not so much.

I got an armband holder for my ipod...of course now I need one for my phone. Actually I use a velcro wristband that's for motion sickness but luckily it will fit on my upper arm, then I just clip the ipod case to that.

I leave all my keys in the car except the remote keylock, which I safety pin to my pants.

So far I have just been leaving my water in the car...in the gym I really need to drink but since I started going outside I'm not as parched. Even in the desert. When I start being able to go longer distances I will have to figure something out. Maybe one of those hats with a straw?

You'll have a great time and you'll do a great job!

CaptainGordo

Has anyone out there done the C25K who has never jogged before?

Here I am!

I hadn't run since high school football many, many years ago -- and always hated it.

I finish Week 3 tomorrow and love it. I never thought I could jog for three minutes straight, and I'm doing it.

Where do you put your cell phone (I downloaded an App for C25K that helps me track my intervals). Where do you put your water bottle?

I don't use an app -- I use the free podcasts on my mp3 player. I was using Ullrey's podcasts (http://www.ullreys.com/robert/Podcasts), but recently switched to the NHS Choices podcasts (http://www.nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/couch-5K-running-plan.aspx). It's that British accent -- love it. The NHS podcasts come with helpful advice while you go too, including tips about form to keep you from getting injured or burning yourself out.

I drink water when I'm done. No need to carry any.

FEAR NOT! YOU CAN DO IT! Heck... if this 260ish lb guy can do it, anyone can!

acable178

Hi! I'm in the process of doing the C25K now. I have NEVER been a jogger in my life. In high school, we were supposed to "run the mile"... yeah, it took me 20 minutes. I could only run for 15 seconds at a time. Now I'm 30 years old, and the C25K program has got me running at 20 minute intervals!! That's about 2 miles for the pace I go!! I love the app for my iPhone as well. If you don't feel ready to move on to the next level, you can redo any day. They even have a GPS feature that you can add that tells you how far you've gone, how fast you've gone, and how many calories you burned along the way!! It's super!

I bought an armband for my phone, so I just wear it there. As for water- I drink up before and after the run/jog. It works out pretty well for me. If you still need water, I've seen belts you can by that bottles could attach to.

Good luck!! :-) Running is 50% physical, 50% mental.

One other quick thought... if you're really serious about it... sign up for a 5K in a few months from now. It can give you a goal to work toward, and it helps you to not give up... I'm running my first on April 30th! :happy:

Mom2Emery_Liam

I tried it last spring but didn't get very far. I too was not a jogger/runner by any means. I think I made it to wk 3 before horrible knee pain set in. I mean, so bad I could barely get around my house. I have flat feet and so not having the proper support is probably what caused the pain. Regardless, it was easier than I thought and I would love to try again one day. I really enjoyed getting up early in the morning before my boys woke up and having 30 mins to myself to enjoy being active and watching the sunrise. I really didn't need my water (it gives me major cramps during activity) but I left it on my front porch so I could run back by and grab a sip if needed. Of course this wouldn't work if you were driving to jog somewhere or weren't going in circles.
I did jog on the walking trail behind our neighborhood which is gravel- didn't kill myself and it was easier on my knees than concrete.
Even if you have to repeat weeks, stick with it if you can and you're not in pain. If you feel any knee/ankle pain slow down and begin to walk instead. I think I ended up injuring my hip in one way or another b/c now the joint there hurts on occasion, especially when the weather changes.

vicidoesstuff

Oooh yay!
I started C25K after New Year and finished it at the beginning of March (right on schedule!). I wasn't a runner at ALL at the start. I went out for a test of day 1 before I started but that was mainly because I was so excited about my new running shoes.

Advice:
-Make sure you have the right running shoes! The general advice is to go to a specialist running shop BUT that isn't completely necessary. You can do a test at home with a paper sheet (or grocery bag) and some water: http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-240-319-326-7152-0,00.html
Once you know what kind of feet you have, you can go to a shop that sells running shoes and they should be able to point you in the right direction. I went to JJB Sports and the girl working there knew what I meant when I said I had a high arch foot.

-On the running itself... don't sprint! I found it difficult in the earlier weeks (probs week 1-5) then it got easier as my body adapted to longer distances. Keep the pace at whatever you feel comfortable. I ran with my boyfriend to begin with and he got frustrated because his longer legs ran faster but I wanted to stay at my own pace rather than catch him up. Remember you're training yourself up so don't try and go faster if you think you're slow.

-Don't cheat! Try to stay with the timings of the c25k plan. Your body should be ready for each step up. If you're struggling, you probably started out too fast so you should slow down (but don't start walking til you're told to).

-Podcasts to help - I used podcasts to help me because the guy who made them has done the plan himself and uses music to keep you at a steady pace. He also tells you, in the slightly longer runs, when you're half way through. That's a good help so you know you've got less time left than you've already run (so you're closer to finishing... if you get me) http://www.c25k.com/podcasts.htm

-Water... As long as you drink a glass (two cups in American measurements) of water an hour before running, you should be fine. Drink afterwards (and have a protein rich meal like eggs or meat). Towards the end weeks (7 maaaaybe, 8 or 9), you may need to bring a bottle of water with you. Get one with a sports cap so you don't splash everywhere and so it's easier to drink on the go. Generally speaking, if you're running for less than 30 minutes, your body doesn't need water during the run. Maybe have a drink ready for you when you get back to your car or your house.

looby1968

Ok so I am VERY far from being a jogger...in fact, I`ve never jogged. I can walk fast, but after while my *kitten* and hips start to hurt. Has anyone out there done the C25K who has never jogged before? I get the "go slow" advice...but is there anything else you can offer me? Where do you put your cell phone (I downloaded an App for C25K that helps me track my intervals). Where do you put your water bottle? Am I going to die in the middle of the ravine on the biking trail? I'm scared spitless to do this, but I think jogging would be super cathartic...

Well, I attempted this programme 2 years ago, without any kind of fitness level, and I failed!!!!

I've lost around 39lbs since really putting in effort on this site, so I decided that my New Year's Resolution would be to run a 5K, here in the UK, at the end of June. It's for charity - Race For Life.

My 5K training started at the end of February. I don't use an app, I use the Robert Ullrey podcasts (I'm not so keen on the music). I have to carry my ipod but don't take a drink.

The advice to take it slow is excellent. I will finish week 6 tomorrow (should've been today but it's too windy), which is a 25 min run, no walking intervals!!!! Last week, on the 3rd day, I managed a 20 min run, no walking intervals.

I am amazed that I have been able to run/jog for any length of time but, honestly, take your time! You can work on speed and distance once you have 'graduated' the programme (at least, that's what I'm going to do. I'll have 2 months to make it to 5K!!!!).

I'd also recommend getting some GOOD running shoes. I went to a shop (again here in the UK) and had to run/jog on a treadmill. I tend to 'over-pronate' so was given several shoes to try, chose a pair and they are fantastic!!!!!!

If you want an example of how much I detest 'running' - as a student at high school, when it was 'cross-country' running, my friend and I would jog part way round the school field, then find a hedge to hide in. We'd then sit and read our teen magazines until the the rest of the class came back. We'd then join on the end, and jog back to school!!!!!!!! ABSOLUTELY HATED RUNNING!!!!!!!

Can't say I love it, even now. But once I've finished, I feel a great sense of achievement.

And I will RUN that 5k in June!!!!!!

LouiseXXX

Davali

I have never run before.......I started C25K this week and am sooo unfit, I couldn't even manage the 2nd 60 second jog on my first day. Today though I got to do 4 of the 8 jogs. I'm looking at it that I'm adding another couple of weeks into it, so having a 2-week run-up (no pun intended) to officially starting week 1. In the UK we can download a set of podcasts - one for each week - which seem to be very useful. I am determined to be able to run - but I think I'll have to lose a lot more before I can do it properly.

Kellee_76

When I used to jog (before I gained all this weight) I used to use something like the runners belts found on this website: http://www.sportsunlimitedinc.com/runpacwat.html

I've found them cheaper (and way cuter!) than this site but you'll get the idea. I hate running without water and I can't hold it in my hand because it messes with my balance. If you go with a belt like these, try to find one that fits securely and doesn't bounce. On my own one, I wear the water on my back because I can't stand the bounciness if I wear it the way it was designed. And there's a little zipper pocket for my phone/MP3 player.

Losing2Live69

For the water....what about a camel pack? Those come in all different sizes and because they are worn like a back pack it would keep your hands free. I have to have water when I jog/ run. I take a medication that causes cotton mouth and if I don't have water with me my tongue literally sticks to the roof of my mouth!!:laugh:

WomanofWorth

bump

lilRicki

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so does this mean we're doing this together? lol you have to give me until at least May for the snow to melt...we had an epic winter this year

scottb81

I agree with what many others here have said about water. you do not need to carry it. Just stay hydrated throughout the day and you will be fine. Once you get in shape you will be able to run hard for at least an hour in the middle of summer without having to carry any water.

Nikstergirl

I had never ever EVER ran a mile before last spring. I am 38 years old and did C25K with the Podrunner Intervals podcasts downloaded on iTunes. I put them on my iPhone, put the earbuds in, my phone in my pocket and took off! It was SO hard at first but I stayed on track and finished in the exact amount of time it was supposed to (I was really surprised by this) and did my first 5k race last July! Did another in October and shaved 5 minutes off my time!! Now I'm training for my first 10k.. I'm up to running 7 miles at a stretch (once a week, not every time, there's a training plan I'm following) and I can honestly say I love running! Lacing up the shoes and getting started can sometimes be difficult, but I do it because I know that when I get done I feel so invincible!!!! There's nothing I can't do now, and I know that! I have so much more confidence, much more endurance, and overall feel amazing! I've lost weight before, but never at this weight can I wear some of the sizes I can wear now. I'm trying on tops that are size M and they FIT! As a larger chested girl this has never EVER been an option for me, but my tummy is so far down that I actually can wear some of them now, and I know this is due to the running. Controlling the food has been an ongoing battle for me, but with my running, I know that if I eat certain things I will have a tummy ache during tomorrow's run, so I can skip the fried food much more easily now!

If you're going to try it, JUST DO IT!!! Get fit for running shoes, buy at least a couple cute outfits (they make you feel so much better about how you look out there) and go for it!!!