Couch to 5k...start today?

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  • kate2004rock
    kate2004rock Posts: 223 Member
    I re-did W5D2 today...I just couldn't psych myself up for the 20 minute rune...but the 8 minute intervals were definitely easier than before. But I haven't given up!!
  • Lavmann
    Lavmann Posts: 54 Member
    Did Week 6 day 3 on Saturday morning at the cottage and smoked it! I really had to slow myself down to pace myself. The last 4 minutes were even uphill! I was so psyched afterwards!
  • 481471
    481471 Posts: 95
    still havent attempted w6d3, i know ive been really busy but i think i have been avoiding it since someone pointed out there are no more breaks any mores. ...!
  • TheMrsBee
    TheMrsBee Posts: 226 Member
    Hiya everyone! Firstly....I want to say WELL DONE to everyone who is keeping up with this! I'm still on Wk5 but i have been running i just haven't been logging.

    I did my 5K Race For Life on Saturday gone and did it in 41 Minutes i am so proud of myself! i just need to train for my half marathon in August now!! VERY nervous about that one!!
  • Ping_A1C2U
    Ping_A1C2U Posts: 91
    still havent attempted w6d3, i know ive been really busy but i think i have been avoiding it since someone pointed out there are no more breaks any mores. ...!

    *whistles innocently*
  • rat70
    rat70 Posts: 129 Member
    The lack of breaks freaked me out a bit too. I started W7D1 on Monday at the gym (so cold, windy and horrid outside) and I could only do 10 minutes! I did, however, do a 10km walk on Sunday (pacing it out pretty well too) so my legs were tired. I gave myself an easy workout day yesterday and I managed the 25 mins very well today. Friend just sent through the registration information for the Canberra Times Fun Run too - eek! There is a 5k option but the 10k is the main run...
  • TheMrsBee
    TheMrsBee Posts: 226 Member
    I still need to do W5D3 and i'm putting it off at the moment because of my "runners knee" that i've got and it's very painful whn i walk. So yesterday at the gym i did lunges with 1kilo weights in my hand and also leg press with both legs then with 1 leg at time, then i went on the bike for 30 mins. it kinda helped but then i walked round Tesco (English food shopping place) and i had to leg it (I ran!) o the loo and that's when BOTH knees started hurting. So i'm giving myself a few days off of running and i can't believe i'm saying it but i really just want to get back out there!!

    Well done to everyone too, you are all awesome! x:smile::flowerforyou:
  • yusineddy
    yusineddy Posts: 457 Member
    BUMP
  • Ping_A1C2U
    Ping_A1C2U Posts: 91
    So the last time I ran was friday July 1st until today. I had a very busy weekend, and 2 days turned into 4 into 5 and blah.

    So i forced myself to get out and run tonight. 3 minutes into it i looked at my watch and thought there's no effing way i'm going to make it.

    3 minutes later i looked down and couldn't figure out why it said 6 minutes and not 10.

    6 became 10, 10 became 12:30 (halfway?!), and i kept plugging along, somewhere between the speed of a turtle and someone on crutches, but not walking. 12:30 became 15:00 (ding, 10 minutes to go), and it became kind of apparent that i could probably do this, even though i'd taken more time off than i wanted to.

    at the 7:30 to go mark, i decided i should probably turn around, or i'd have a couple miles to walk back. 20 minutes down, the app told me i had 5 minutes to go, and i just kept smiling at people who ran past me, even a couple who walked toward me at a higher walk speed than my run cadence.

    Somehow, 25:00 elapsed, and I still hadn't stopped jogging. I wonder how far I can go. Lets see if we can do 27:00

    27:00 came, oh hell, lets do 28, i'm going to have to do that later this week anyway. done. still jogging. I'll stop at 30:00

    30:00, still going. huh, this is strange. I feel alive, not dead. I am sweating like crazy, but my breathing is not ragged, and my heart rate is around 140. Apparently, I'm not going to die. wonder if i can hit 33:00

    33:00 - wow, why am I doing this, and why don't I stop? I feel so sore, but euphoric. I wonder if i can run 35 minutes. I'll stop there. My breathing is finally starting to get harder - not ragged, just harder. My body is really working. I focus on my cadence and form. I'm going to make it to 35.

    35:00 - uh, i'm so close to 37:30, which would be 50% more than I was scheduled to do. Let's stop there, before we hurt someone.

    37:30 - I stop jogging, giggling to myself like a crazy person, slightly dizzy, either from the exertion or the endorphins, likely from both. I can hardly believe what i've done. I just ran over 2 miles - without stopping.

    In high-school, about the time i was 16, i weighed somewhere around 265-270. In april 2011, when i was handed insulin syringes and told that this is going to kill me slowly if I don't do something, i weighed 288 pounds. When I started C25K with you guys, I could barely jog the required intervals the first week. I was convinced that at some point I would give up - it's too hard, I'm too big to jog, I should wait until I lose more weight, I don't like how sore I am all the time, I could burn more calories if i just walked every day instead of jogging 3 times a week....the excuses were a laundry list. But - i never stopped.

    I never walked when I wasn't supposed to. I ran every minute of the workouts so far and then some. i have gone from not being able to run 90 seconds without being utterly convinced that I would drop dead of a heart attack or suffocation 7 weeks ago to being able to decide "let's just see how far I can run tonight". I crave it now. I look forward to the runs, because although i hate every single step, how they make me feel - mentally and physically - is something I hold onto tightly and do not want to let go.

    Wherever you are in this program - you can do it. Don't convince yourself you can't. if you can physically support your weight while jogging, you can do this. if you can get past all the reasons you think you can't - you can do this.

    If I can do this, anyone can do this. Thank you guys, so very much, for inspiring me to try something i was convinced I couldn't do, and holding me accountable to my commitment. in just over 2 weeks, i'll be running onto the 50 yard line at the San Diego Chargers' Qualcomm Stadium, on the last day of week 9, completing my first 5k. It won't be the fastest, but I know one thing: I can do it.
  • Lavmann
    Lavmann Posts: 54 Member
    @ Ping_A1C2U - What positive and inspriring post! Good for you! I wasn't brave to keep going, though I probably could have last weekend.
  • weeziews
    weeziews Posts: 162 Member
    If I can do this, anyone can do this. Thank you guys, so very much, for inspiring me to try something i was convinced I couldn't do, and holding me accountable to my commitment. in just over 2 weeks, i'll be running onto the 50 yard line at the San Diego Chargers' Qualcomm Stadium, on the last day of week 9, completing my first 5k. It won't be the fastest, but I know one thing: I can do it.

    Yes you can do it!!! GREAT JOB!!! That is such a motivating speech. I can't wait to hear how it goes in 2 weeks! We we will be cheering you on the whole way!!!
  • rat70
    rat70 Posts: 129 Member
    Ping_A1C2U Thank you so much for this post! It made me laugh out loud - "somewhere between the speed of a turtle and someone on crutches" - that is me too! Ha ha ha!

    Anyway, I'm just starting Week 8 and have to do a 28 minute run tomorrow morning in the cold and I was having doubts about whether I could do it. The run on Sunday (25 minutes) was so hard. I really want to get to the point where I 'love' running as so many people say they feel. I'm just having a wee bit of trouble seeing it happening at the moment! Your post has given me the motivation to get up and give it a go tomorrow. Overnight temperature will be 0 Celsius - still that is up from the earlier forecasts!

    Thank you! :flowerforyou:
  • Quick question: How do you log the first week in this program? Since you are walking for well over half the time, do you log it by total minutes walked and total minutes jogged? What do you guys do?

    I do it on the treadmill so I created my own exercise called 'C25K-w1, walking 3.5, running 4.6-5.0' and I used the calories the treadmill said I burned. :) Good luck everyone and have fun!
  • cobylea
    cobylea Posts: 194 Member
    Well on Saturday I was supposed to be doing W4D1 but for some reason my app got wonky and I ended up doing W3D3 over again. Doesn't hurt I guess considering I jogged outside for the first time (I've been doing the program on a treadmill) I am going to finish the program on the treadmill but I know I'm going to have some extra work to do to be able to complete the 5K outside. It's so much harder!! BUT I WILL DO THIS! Onto actually W4D1 tonight!
  • weeziews
    weeziews Posts: 162 Member
    Where is everyone? I don't see as many posts as before.

    I fell a little behind due to vacation! I completed week 6 on Sunday and admit I wasn't looking forward to the 25 minute run without any breaks, but I plowed through. The last 4 minutes were a little tough. Looking ahead to weeks 7, 8, and 9 without breaks, oh my, I am not very motivated.However, I am determined to finish what I started. After the 9 weeks, I'm thinking of start over at week 3 or 4 and trying to increase my pace and even do fast intervals. It is suppose to help with maximum calorie burn and help your speed. We'll see!!
  • Ping_A1C2U
    Ping_A1C2U Posts: 91
    i need to wrapup week 7 tonight - i was out of town, and although i took my running shoes with every intention of getting up early sunday and jogging, getting in at almost 2am sunday morning, having to be somewhere early, excuse excuse excuse, i didn't do it. So i'll finish it off tonight, then get week 8 knocked out by sunday.

    Week 7d2 was easy after what I showed myself I could do on w7d1. i still don't like my pacing, but it's slightly faster than i could walk for an extended period, so i'll finish off, then probably do intervals on my offdays past week 9. I want to be able to run a decent mile time. =)

    Here's to a good week, no matter which you're on, friends!
  • cobylea
    cobylea Posts: 194 Member
    Well finished W4D1 this evening> I gotta say my legs were on fire! It's starting to feel like I'm getting shin splints again :noway: which sucks!!! I know my running shoes aren't the great so as soon as it's in my budget I'll be purchasiing some good ones that are comfortable and will last. The thought of jogging without any break still petrifies me though....
  • TheMrsBee
    TheMrsBee Posts: 226 Member
    ok, it's time to start week 6 tonight! haven't done any running since Friday and i have been so busy, so time to work hard! i might even do W6D1 and D2 tonight as i need to see how long i can run as i have my half marathon coming up in August!! eeeek!! NERVOUS!!
  • weeziews
    weeziews Posts: 162 Member
    Finished W7D1 this morning! I think I am finally getting the hang of breathing now. I even added a couple of minutes at 2 different times where I increased my speed. Then I ended up walking a mile after the run was completed. I guess I just had a burst of energy this morning.

    Where is everyone else? Have they completed the 9 weeks already?
  • weeziews
    weeziews Posts: 162 Member
    Well finished W4D1 this evening> I gotta say my legs were on fire! It's starting to feel like I'm getting shin splints again :noway: which sucks!!! I know my running shoes aren't the great so as soon as it's in my budget I'll be purchasiing some good ones that are comfortable and will last. The thought of jogging without any break still petrifies me though....

    Hello fellow Knotty Girl teammate - Better shoes will make a difference. You will surprise yourself when it comes time to run without breaks. Just keep your pace and don't try to run too fast. This is from our fellow runners on here and it's great advice I took and it worked. You are doing awesome, keep it up!!!
  • Lavmann
    Lavmann Posts: 54 Member
    I am going to do W7D1 tonite. Between tweaking my shoulder and my knee acting up, I just couldn't do any running last week. My knee is much better and shoulder is on the mend (but couldn't hold a bar over my shoulders for my ewight class last night).

    Off I go again!
  • Ping_A1C2U
    Ping_A1C2U Posts: 91
    I wrapped up W7D3 Last night. W8 days this week and a 5k next saturday the 23rd to wrap up week 9. yay!

    I was able to avoid shin pain the first few weeks by running on the grass next to the sidewalk at the local park. It let my legs get used to jogging and the repetitive stress. Then i graduated to asphalt and that's where i do most running now, or on some hard packed trails. I still avoid concrete like the plague; i can feel the difference instantly.

    I also picked up some inexpensive Nike running shoes (they were like 50 bucks at sports authority) and they were night and day difference over my worn out new balance ones...i bought them 2weeks ago =)
  • TheMrsBee
    TheMrsBee Posts: 226 Member
    Completed W6D1 last night! was really good and ran for an hour did nearly 4 and half miles and burned roughly 500 cals! knees are completely buggered today though! :-( i just don't know how i'm going to run 13 miles in August!! i'm getting quite scared!!
  • TheMrsBee
    TheMrsBee Posts: 226 Member
    Where is everyone else? Have they completed the 9 weeks already?

    I have noticed that some of our original group have got "lost" and that some new people have joined, and we don't do the email thing any more.

    I think the main thing is we are still RUNNING!! :-)

    Well done everyone!!
  • phillytle
    phillytle Posts: 26 Member
    I'll be doing W7D3 tomorrow. I have two giant blisters on the balls of my feet and they are making it very difficult to jog. Up to this point my shoes had seemed fine, but this week they have been no help at all. I guess I need to get new shoes if I want to keep doing this...
  • Lavmann
    Lavmann Posts: 54 Member
    Ok I will admit that Week 7 is a real struggle for me. Part of the problem is I took last week off (from all exercise...*gasp*). I expected day 1 to be tough, but day 2 was brutal. I realize that a huge chunk of it is mental and am my own worst enemy, but still it just seems a really long run, that did seem that way when I did it on the road at the cottage. Perhaps it is the lack of change of scenery that did me in! LOL!

    Saturday morning, I shall run at my parent's place outside again, so hopefully it will be a success again, else, I will be repeating week 7 until I get it right. Darn it all!

    L.
  • Ping_A1C2U
    Ping_A1C2U Posts: 91
    Hi Everyone - i got 2 of the 3 days of week 8 done this week, i'm skipping the third due to the 5k coming up for me on saturday the 23rd - i had a busy weekend where i probably walked 10 miles overall, so while i could have jogged this evening, i'm just burnt out and sore and going to rest.

    So this week it's w9d1 monday, d2 wednesday, then a nice walk thursday and friday with no jogging, and w9d3 graduation via the San Diego Chargers Bolt to the Q 5k on Saturday.

    For the original group that started this together, who made it through all the weeks together and is graduating at the end of this coming week? SO proud of you all, and so thankful for being pushed and encouraged by you all, no matter where you are in the journey.
  • rat70
    rat70 Posts: 129 Member
    I'll be doing W7D3 tomorrow. I have two giant blisters on the balls of my feet and they are making it very difficult to jog. Up to this point my shoes had seemed fine, but this week they have been no help at all. I guess I need to get new shoes if I want to keep doing this...

    I've realised my shoes are wearing out too and not doing what they should be doing anymore. Definitely time to get a new pair (just waiting for the kids to be back at school so I can go shopping alone!) I think that is my highest priority at the moment. If I tot up what I could spend between new running shoes, a HRM, new scales - it could easily be AUD $1000! Having just spent nearly $800 on a 12 month gym membership too! I would love some good running gear too but that is really an extravagance particularly given I hope that it will not fit me in a couple of months. Perhaps I'll make that one of my rewards - to go to a proper shop (i.e. not Target) and by some great exercise gear. If I'm going to be running 5K races regularly, I want my new body to look great too!
  • rat70
    rat70 Posts: 129 Member
    I know I haven't been with you from the start but I did start the program around the right time so I wanted to say "Congratulations" to everyone who has made it through. I am embarking on Week 9 tomorrow. I had a gorgeous run yesterday in Sydney - yes, I chose to run on a weekend away - in fact I made it a priority! I am now looking forward to my runs - they give me such a feeling of achievement and I am still awestruck that I can, indeed, run! I hope you are all blessed with similarly warm thoughts about yourselves and your achievements! Where to from here?
  • horseryder77
    horseryder77 Posts: 224 Member
    I just ran my first 5k yesterday! Gosh this program is awesome. I did it in 37:10. Which isn't bad, but I had to walk a couple times just cause it was SO HOT out (even at 8 am it was 85 with 65% humidity).
    I'm going to do another one soon if I can. Just because the other day I did 3.4 miles in 35 minutes. I KNOW I can better my time for a 5k if it's not so hot/humid that I feel like tropical fish could be swimming in the air.
    I think I may be one of those people that just can't handle heat.

    Great job everyone! I definitely suggest everyone sign up for a 5k ASAP :)
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