Couch to 5k challenge

Finnka

Having decided it's time to take control back of my body, I downloaded the podcasts for the 'Couch to 5k' challenge to get me off my backside and start running, I also downloaded this app for my phone thinking it would be a handy tool to track progress. Then when I came to the MFP site and started reading the posts and particularly the sucess stories I realised how many inspirational and positive people there are on here, and it's really given me a boost. Can't wait to get to a point where I can post my own before and after pics, and I'm hoping to pick up some tips and friends along the way.

:happy:

craftylatvian

Feel free to add me a s a friend! I just started the C25K yesterday and am excited to do it again tomorrow.

breakingthecycle

I am on W2D1 right now. Will do tonight when I get home.

Good luck!

SassyMissDasha

Add me too!! I am on week 2 day 2 tomorrow, and my first 5K is on July 4th!! We're getting ready. WOOT!

tawojcik

I had never heard of the C25K Challenge until today. And I just joined this website and already it is paying off big time! I might start the Challenge tonight or maybe see if I can find some friends locally to do it and start together!

This is such an encouraging place. Thanks everyone!

jenfunfur

Hi there,
I've just completed day 2 of week 1, it was hard work making myself go back for day 2! After day 1 (monday) i really suffered a lot of pain in my thighs, but after stretching & massage today i have very little pain. My advice is do plenty of warm up, stretch aftet & hard massage. Also you might want to google 'runners trots' i did'nt know it existed until it happened after my first run! If you want send me a friend request xx

LorinaLynn

I'm a graduate, and I swear by the program.

funfitfoodie

Keep up the good work! I'm a recent c25k grad and I strongly recommend it - keep going with it even when it gets tough!

Take a look at this tread: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/194519-new-couch-to-5k-c25k-thread-anyone-out-there-in-week-1 they are a great support community on there

jase111

Welcome and feel free to add me as a friend. I'm currently doing the c25k challenge as well. I'm in week 2.

momtozmc

Hi Everyone,

C25K is a great program... but found towards the middle, I could run longer than suggested... so do what feels good for you... along those lines... I repeated week 1 until I felt "good" about my running...

So suggest you listen to your body!!!! AND GO FOR IT!!!

If you go street running... runkeeper.com!!! A must!!! Great app - logs miles, elevation, time, mph, avg... you can also program C25K on it! And it's free!!!!

I'm not a marathon runner by far, just really enjoy running now and feel horrible if I don't!!!!

L.

funfitfoodie

If you go street running... runkeeper.com!!!

and if you are without an iphone mapmyrun.com is a lifesaver!

craftylatvian

Hi there,
Also you might want to google 'runners trots' i did'nt know it existed until it happened after my first run! If you want send me a friend request xx

Arrgh!!! My worst fear, having to go when there is nothing around. I ran in a neighborhood. I pray this does not happen to me!!

Finnka

Runkeeper looks fab, will download later, thanks.

missp2101

Hi
Good luck I went for my first run for couch to 5K in 9 weeks and I was suprised as it was easier than I thought and even managed a swim after
Hope you do well keep in touch on your progress..

Lindsayrob

Good luck with C25K - I'm in week 4 and think it's a brilliant programme. Feel free to add me for support along the way
I hadnt thought of using it together with Runkeeper - that's a great idea

jala9656

I did week 1 day 2 this morning. Feel free to send friend request.

captainfez

I'm doing it too - my sense of what a "week" is is a bit elastic, however. Erm. But yes, moving onwards, and pushing myself to run faster. I use the iPhone app because I can put horrendously loud music on to distract me from the job at hand - otherwise I'd be checking how long to go, all the time. Are we there yet?

I'm using a treadmill at the gym, but with a 1.5 gradient so that when I move to THE REAL WORLD it won't be that much different. Or, at least, it won't be a shock.

Leopardliz

I just finished day 3 of week 3. You can add me if u want some support. Its going great and the steady improvement is so motivating

A_New_Horizon

I will be start C25K on Sunday with a friend. I just bought my running shoes tonight, so I am ready. Feel free to add me if you want extra support/encouragement.

berriman

Excellent stuff everybody.

I'm a C25K grad too, and swear by it. I tend to harp on a bit, but last year I'd never run before, I did the C25K program and it changed my life. I've since run a 10K and half marathon and am running a full marathon on 22nd May

Wouldn't be possible without C25K!

I also highly recommend Runkeeper. You can enter your runs in manually on the web site so you don't need an iPhone/smart phone to get the benefit from it.

Good luck!

TheGoktor

We decided to repeat W2D3 today instead of going into W3. I'm really pleased we did because at last my legs feel like they are becoming accustomed to the running, and although they ached afterward, I didn't have the actual pain I've been experiencing. I can't tell you how elated I feel about that!

Jen - I am so pleased that your second run was better than your first.

Question for the more experienced among us; I'm finding now that 90 second runs aren't really making me out of breath. The first one is a bit of a panter but after that, while I do breathe more heavily, I'm not out of breath, and it goes back to normal within a few seconds of stopping. However, it's my legs which protest. I just don't know how to make them more....durable I suppose! I don't overstretch them at all, in fact, having looked at videos, it seems my natural running style is more or less the same as chi running. I keep up a moderate pace (until I get to the last run, and then even shambling zombies would overtake me!), not going too fast and overtaxing myself, but still, by the time I've been getting to the end of run 5, my legs are worn out. It's not pain - it's just a stubborn refusal to move much above a walk. I start run 6 and get progressively slower! But then the cool down walk is fine, and I'm sure I walk faster than I run!

Any thoughts? Thanks!

JLaSoul333

I am on W1D2! Doing it after work. Good luck to you!

Lindsayrob

We decided to repeat W2D3 today instead of going into W3. I'm really pleased we did because at last my legs feel like they are becoming accustomed to the running, and although they ached afterward, I didn't have the actual pain I've been experiencing. I can't tell you how elated I feel about that!

Jen - I am so pleased that your second run was better than your first.

Question for the more experienced among us; I'm finding now that 90 second runs aren't really making me out of breath. The first one is a bit of a panter but after that, while I do breathe more heavily, I'm not out of breath, and it goes back to normal within a few seconds of stopping. However, it's my legs which protest. I just don't know how to make them more....durable I suppose! I don't overstretch them at all, in fact, having looked at videos, it seems my natural running style is more or less the same as chi running. I keep up a moderate pace (until I get to the last run, and then even shambling zombies would overtake me!), not going too fast and overtaxing myself, but still, by the time I've been getting to the end of run 5, my legs are worn out. It's not pain - it's just a stubborn refusal to move much above a walk. I start run 6 and get progressively slower! But then the cool down walk is fine, and I'm sure I walk faster than I run!

Any thoughts? Thanks!

Perhaps you are expecting too much? It sounds like, if you are not experiencing any discomfort until the last run, you're doing pretty well to me! On the other hand it could be a head thing - if your mind is telling your body it's your last run, perhaps your body is beginning to wind down?
I've never found a run either easy or enjoyable but this is my second return to running, so it must have some benefits! I think I'm hooked on that feeling of reIief you get when it's all over ...

berriman

We decided to repeat W2D3 today instead of going into W3. I'm really pleased we did because at last my legs feel like they are becoming accustomed to the running, and although they ached afterward, I didn't have the actual pain I've been experiencing. I can't tell you how elated I feel about that!

Jen - I am so pleased that your second run was better than your first.

Question for the more experienced among us; I'm finding now that 90 second runs aren't really making me out of breath. The first one is a bit of a panter but after that, while I do breathe more heavily, I'm not out of breath, and it goes back to normal within a few seconds of stopping. However, it's my legs which protest. I just don't know how to make them more....durable I suppose! I don't overstretch them at all, in fact, having looked at videos, it seems my natural running style is more or less the same as chi running. I keep up a moderate pace (until I get to the last run, and then even shambling zombies would overtake me!), not going too fast and overtaxing myself, but still, by the time I've been getting to the end of run 5, my legs are worn out. It's not pain - it's just a stubborn refusal to move much above a walk. I start run 6 and get progressively slower! But then the cool down walk is fine, and I'm sure I walk faster than I run!

Any thoughts? Thanks!

To be honest, it sounds like you're doing really well and the achy legs are a good thing! You might be started the first runs a little too fast, which is tiring you out for the last runs of the session. Try to keep your pace steady through them all, which means starting slower at the start!

I think the leg ache is normal as it means the muscles are being worked. My legs constantly ache now, as I'm running 4 or 5 days a week. I'll start to worry when nothing aches as it means I'm not pushing myself!

DanceYogaRun

Hi everyone! I'm just about to finish week two and would love more c25k friends. I'll add you, Finnika.

I'm also considering a 5k in July. I'm not sure about the heat though!

I'm doing a 2 mile pub run with friends on June 18th! No beers for me.

Tarah40

Hi there,
I've just completed W2 D1 tonight. I agree with you about all the positive support on here, just what we need to keep us motivated xx

TheGoktor

Berriman & Lindsey - thank you. I really thought that maybe I've not been doing so well, but if this is normal and to be expected, then I shall stop being concerned and just go with the flow! I'll also try slowing down for the first run, because on reflection, I think this could be part of the problem.

I so want to go out today! However, it's a non-run day, and I don't want to jeopardise tomorrow's attempt at W3D1! :bigsmile:

Well done to everyone for keeping at it!

Lindsayrob

Feeling good - great run for w4d3 and ready for the day now. Iphone threw up some great music, including Coyotes by Jason Mraz which contains the line 'I wish you well with the walking and jogging'! Thanks Jason, I did it for you!

The Goktor - this is a perfect example of good days and bad days - at the beginning of this week I was ready to pack it in, now I feel grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat! Hope the C25K fairy sits on your shoulder tomorrow!

TheGoktor

Feeling good - great run for w4d3 and ready for the day now. Iphone threw up some great music, including Coyotes by Jason Mraz which contains the line 'I wish you well with the walking and jogging'! Thanks Jason, I did it for you!

The Goktor - this is a perfect example of good days and bad days - at the beginning of this week I was ready to pack it in, now I feel grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat! Hope the C25K fairy sits on your shoulder tomorrow!

Thanks Lindsay, I hope it does too! Go you for doing W4!

TheGoktor

We-ellllllll......not only did I do it, but I felt I could have done it twice! W3D1 - a breeze! Not once did I get out of breath, not once did anything hurt, and not once did I think, "Oh God, oh God, I'm going to die!" In fact, during the last run, for the last 60 seconds, I sped up considerably! And then ran up the hill to the play park, and whooshed down the giant slide....into the puddle at the bottom! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

There are no words to adequately convey my utter exhilaration and elation at not only being able to do today but being able to do it really well. It's as though something has now clicked into place. Today was definitely a good run day! :bigsmile:

DanceYogaRun

We-ellllllll......not only did I do it, but I felt I could have done it twice! W3D1 - a breeze! Not once did I get out of breath, not once did anything hurt, and not once did I think, "Oh God, oh God, I'm going to die!" In fact, during the last run, for the last 60 seconds, I sped up considerably! And then ran up the hill to the play park, and whooshed down the giant slide....into the puddle at the bottom! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

There are no words to adequately convey my utter exhilaration and elation at not only being able to do today but being able to do it really well. It's as though something has now clicked into place. Today was definitely a good run day! :bigsmile:

Awesome! That's so good to hear! I'm starting Week 3 Monday and just had a peek at the 3 minute part. I think I can; I think I can!