Couch to 5K Week 4.....who knew

akaMrsmojo

So I have a story that I must share for all those beginning runners.

I have never ever been a runner. I did not really believe I could do it. Well on my March 18, I tried to run and it was a complete disaster. I thought I was going to vomit when I ran one minute.

Well my wonderful MFP family turned me onto Couch to 5K. I downloaded the ap and tried again. I was determined not to have this thing beat me.

I am on week 4 and I have worked up to running 5 minutes. That was the longest yet. I thought I would cry.

Well I was curious what would happened without it, so today I was on an off day and I wanted to see if how long I could run without it.

So I got on the treadmill, walked 5 and then started running.

I did 7 minutes running, another 5 minutes walking. Then I turned off the time where I could not see it. I ran 10 minutes. I wanted to cry. So it is really working.

I felt I must share, because this application really works. So for all you beginners get the ap for your phone.

Hype

Thats fab!!!! I am well jealous, but on my way to that too i hope! I have an ap thats 4 weeks to a mile - i am hoping i will have the same impact! Thanks for showing me there is hope!

hazeyskyy

I'm so glad you posted this! I downloaded the ap earlier today! I can't wait to get started! Running has always been a challenge for me.... I'm more of an water-sport type gal. Congrats on your accomplishment!!

MissAnjy

I started this on Monday so today was my day 2 of the program. I'm still somewhat struggling to run the 1 minute sprints. Monday was actually easier than today because I did the C25K right after I finished my CLX so I was already tired. Next time i'm going to try to break it up so I can recover in between.

I'm hoping by the end I can run for the 30 minutes but that seems SOOOOOOOOO steep!! I can hardly run 1-2 minutes at a time right now .... 30? CRAZY!!

amyrc12

I am on week 3 of C25K... and when she said "3 minutes" this week - I freaked out a little inside... ok... a LOT.
Before I knew it - it was over! Luckily no one was around b/c I actually pumped a fist in victory b/c I was still alive!

I cheat - and listen ahead .. dumb idea.. b/c knowing I have a 5 minute run next week scares the poo out of me!
But I will do it - and be surprised and proud of myself all over again. It's like a new NSV every week - what an ego boost!!

I LOVE seeing all of these posts with other C25K-ers that love it as much as I do!! Keep it up Peeps!! : )
We Rock!!

iamhealingmyself

What does the app do that reading the plan online doesn't? Considering you have to pay for it ($10 I think) I'd like to know how it's different or how it works with the information online. From what I read the plans are available online for free.

StaceyL76

Way to Go! You are doing it, just that is terrific!

Cnava01

Thank you so much for the info!! This is great and I am downloading an app as we speak.

I have been working from several different plans in MS Word but it will be easier to have it all in my phone.

Keep up the good work!

heymommy0

I am on week 3 I just did day 2 today and I am amazed at how I well I am doing at it, I love it so much. I love hearing stories of others that are doing the same thing. Keep up the great work

LynnBirchfield

So....at what speeds do you think you all run?

jcott28

Good to see others using this. I noticed a friend of mine on here doing a lot of walking/running and noticed his numbers kept going up. He told me he was using the same app. So I downloaded it today and plan on giving it a go! Good to see others have had success as well.

hush7hush

I'm doing the program without the app for my phone.
Just following the plan.

kate1975

What's the app called ???

akaMrsmojo

What does the app do that reading the plan online doesn't? Considering you have to pay for it ($10 I think) I'd like to know how it's different or how it works with the information online. From what I read the plans are available online for free.

On my phone, it tells me when to walk, run, walk and cool down. It keeps me focused and it keeps me from looking at the clock constantly. I can also listen the music. For my Iphone it was 2.99 and totally worth it. Every week you complete, it ups the game.

AdamATGATT

What does the app do that reading the plan online doesn't? Considering you have to pay for it ($10 I think) I'd like to know how it's different or how it works with the information online. From what I read the plans are available online for free.

$10? Mine was $3.

My app gives me audio alerts on when the warmup is done, when to run / walk, and then the cooldown and finish. For a whole $1 more, it tracks my cadence / pace, and gives me a map of where I ran afterwards, along with my time average speed per mile. All while I walk/jog/run to my own music.

I never would have known that yesterday, during W1D1, I covered 2.5 miles in 30 minutes. I LOVE that app.

CaptainGordo

Congrats!

I'm on Week 7 right now. Just wait... it only gets more amazing!

Allow me to share two pieces of advice, based on hard lessons I learned this morning:

1) Do NOT run two days in a row. I ran Mon, Tue and then today. Big mistake. My legs were worn out and I sucked.
2) Hydrate well on rest days. I wasn't able to yesterday, and it made things tougher this morning.

GO GET 'EM!

BrentGetsFit

What does the app do that reading the plan online doesn't? Considering you have to pay for it ($10 I think) I'd like to know how it's different or how it works with the information online. From what I read the plans are available online for free.

The app i use was only like $2 with a $1 in-app option to enable GPS. I use an app so I don't have to think, I just do what the lady in my phone tells me to do. It mutes my music when it gives prompts. The GPS option allows for accurate split times as well as pacing info and ties into Google maps. I also like the auto-publish to Facebook and Twitter options.

I got to week 7 of C25k and got a wild hair and registered for and ran my first 5k. I always hated running but this app/program was so gradual, before I knew it I was a runner

AdamATGATT

And MrsMojo...congrats! That's quite an accomplishment. You should be very proud of yourself! Goodluck with the rest of the program. You're doing awesome.

And goodluck to the rest of ya's.

akaMrsmojo

Thanks for all the support, I am really on a high right now.

If anyone needs any support, add me. I just cannot even believe it.

BrentGetsFit

What's the app called ???

The one I use is called C25K and has a green logo of a guy running. I previously used once called "Couch to 5k" but it doesn't have the GPS option. It has a brown 5k logo

TheGoktor

So I have a story that I must share for all those beginning runners.

I have never ever been a runner. I did not really believe I could do it. Well on my March 18, I tried to run and it was a complete disaster. I thought I was going to vomit when I ran one minute.

Well my wonderful MFP family turned me onto Couch to 5K. I downloaded the ap and tried again. I was determined not to have this thing beat me.

I am on week 4 and I have worked up to running 5 minutes. That was the longest yet. I thought I would cry.

Well I was curious what would happened without it, so today I was on an off day and I wanted to see if how long I could run without it.

So I got on the treadmill, walked 5 and then started running.

I did 7 minutes running, another 5 minutes walking. Then I turned off the time where I could not see it. I ran 10 minutes. I wanted to cry. So it is really working.

I felt I must share, because this application really works. So for all you beginners get the ap for your phone.

That's really inspirational - thank you! My partner and I are starting C25K tomorrow morning, and honestly, I know I am going to feel like I am going to die...but I'm going to get through it and persevere! Thank you for sharing your experiences. :flowerforyou:

Shawnalee0703

So I have a story that I must share for all those beginning runners.

I have never ever been a runner. I did not really believe I could do it. Well on my March 18, I tried to run and it was a complete disaster. I thought I was going to vomit when I ran one minute.

Well my wonderful MFP family turned me onto Couch to 5K. I downloaded the ap and tried again. I was determined not to have this thing beat me.

I am on week 4 and I have worked up to running 5 minutes. That was the longest yet. I thought I would cry.

Well I was curious what would happened without it, so today I was on an off day and I wanted to see if how long I could run without it.

So I got on the treadmill, walked 5 and then started running.

I did 7 minutes running, another 5 minutes walking. Then I turned off the time where I could not see it. I ran 10 minutes. I wanted to cry. So it is really working.

I felt I must share, because this application really works. So for all you beginners get the ap for your phone.

great! Effort does amazing things! keep it up! You should definitely be proud! Congrats!

BobbyDaniel

Great break through! It was week 5 before I started thinking "I can do this!"

LarryPGH

What does the app do that reading the plan online doesn't? Considering you have to pay for it ($10 I think) I'd like to know how it's different or how it works with the information online. From what I read the plans are available online for free.

The app i use was only like $2 with a $1 in-app option to enable GPS. I use an app so I don't have to think, I just do what the lady in my phone tells me to do. It mutes my music when it gives prompts. The GPS option allows for accurate split times as well as pacing info and ties into Google maps. I also like the auto-publish to Facebook and Twitter options.

And, if all you're interested in is the "jog now" / "walk now" prompts, then take a look for one of the (many) podcasts that are available out there -- they provide the "audio", and they're free!

outersoul

Great break through! It was week 5 before I started thinking "I can do this!"

Same for me. After W5 I knew I could run, albeit slow, but damnit I can run! I'm finishing up W9 now and have my first 5K on Sunday! It works!

Mommyof3texans

I start week 2 tonight and I'm still scared to go from the 60 seconds to the 90 seconds! I can't even imagine running for a few minutes at a time! On a positive note, I do look forward to my training sessions

I also have the C25K app for android and it alerts me when to run and when to walk...it is so much easier to do this if you're not watching a clock.

Davali

I'm just starting week 2 this week after almost 3 weeks of doing (and re-doing) week 1. Never thought I'd come close to completing even a full day of week 1 and so am excited to be tackling the next stage now.

In the UK we can download the programme podcasts for free (NHS) and it seems to do the job fine.

BrentGetsFit

So....at what speeds do you think you all run?

I'm doing about 10 minute miles right now.

akaMrsmojo

I do run slow, but my friend who ran in a marathon told me that it is about training your body not to stop when your body freaks out.

I was doing about 4.2 on the treadmill. But I do not feel sick and I know the fast will come.

It love the stress release. It seems to clear my head for the rest of the day.

Monica_in_MO

So very happy for you! I experienced the exact same thing and I am wrapping up wk 9 now. Just wait until wk 5 when you do a 20 minute run. I never, ever would have thought that I could do that 4 months ago. I must have looked like an idiot in the gym with tears rolling down my face when I made it not only to 20 minutes, but 24!! More power to ya, girl!!

ColoradoRobin

I'm so happy it's working for you! Great job of sticking with the program!

C25k was going to be my plan. I had a goal to run in a charity 5k with lots of time to repeat weeks in C25K if I had to. I did the first three walk/jog interval days, although I was developing some soreness in my knees. Then came week 2, day 1. As soon as I tried to move from a walk to a jog I felt some sharp knee pain. I walked the first interval because of that. Figuring I just needed more warmup, I managed to jog all 90 seconds of each of the remaining intervals (5 of them?). The next day my knees were *very* sore on the medial side of my kneecap (the inside edge where your knees come together). My doctor x-rayed my knees, showing mild arthritis and some degenerative changes, and told me to avoid any high impact exercise. So much for that plan. =(

So I'm looking into biking now, and will try some stationary work first to see how my knees tolerate it. If I can do that, I can still work on getting in shape for a charity race. I'm jealous of all of you who can do C25k. I really had psyched myself up about it and was researching which new running shoes to get. As for C25K, I liked the Podrunner Intervals "First day to 5K" series. It is a podcast with the tempo incorporated. Good luck to all you C25Kers!!!! You can do it!