Couch to 5K Program

nikkit321

Finished W2/D3 this morning. Took the 10 year old dog (black lab), 14 year old son, 11 year old son, and hubby. 2nd time for the dog (haven't taken her since day 1), and 1st time for the hubs. Guess who came in last - me. Didn't even beat the dog. Well, I kinda did as she stopped to sniff at something, but she still caught me at the door. DS14 could probably run a mile fairly easily right now, DS11 could come close to 1/2 mile, hubs could go 1/2 mile. And I'm dreading the idea of attempting 3 minutes straight next week. Frustrating, but I'm not giving up...might not be pretty, but I'm doing it.

Any ideas on the breathing? My legs could keep going, I just can't breathe. I'm trying in for 2 steps, out for 2 steps, but it's not helping much. Perhaps extend to 3 counts instead of 2?

tamiesue2

I just purchased to C25K app on my Blackberry today for .99 I have been wanting to start it but I am a bit slow and out of shape so I have been walking for the last week. I am reading to start jogging now!!

I am doing Jillian Michaels 30DS too so I am hoping with the two I will shred the pounds and increase my cardio endurance.


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paulasuscas01

I just downloaded the C25K app for my iPod and I'm so excited. I'm planning on starting on Monday and hope I can stick to it, I hate that I can do certain workouts but when it comes to running I can barely do it. Time for a change!

MeganSWoods

Just finished day 1 of week 2. Did anyone else find it difficult to increase to the 90 second runs? I survived, though did slow down the jog speed in order to make it. Did the ending 5 minute walk, then even managed a little more jogging. A very little more.

I remember having a lot of trouble with that jump as well! I just finished Week 5, Day 3-- the jump from jogging for 8 minutes twice with walking between, to jogging 20 minutes straight! You'll make it, too! Keep with it!

blasab11

I can't imagine jogging 3 minutes straight, let alone 20! Finished W1D2 yesterday. Went well. Tomorrow is my last day of Week 1. Tonight is my first day of boot camp. Hoping that i'll be able to move, let alone do c25K tomorrow! yikes!!

nikkit321

Completed W3/D1 this morning! I was very nervous about my ability to go 3 minutes solid, but I made it! Both runs in fact! And we even threw in an extra 3 minute run after a 5 minute walk. We finished today in 40 minutes (2.7 mile is our total route), which cuts 5 minutes off last week's time (which was 10 faster than week 1). So I'm very impressed with us, but mostly with me as I honestly didn't think I'd be able to pull it off. Last week I was having issues with breathing (I was trying to breath in 2 steps, out 2 steps). Asked my husband how he handled breathing when running, and he said he just breathed however and didn't pay attention to it. So I tried it this morning and it went ok (no wheezing/hyperventilating) so am going to try that again Weds.

healthysew

Hi all I actually did week 1 last week, and did ok. think I am going to repeat week 1, since i barely made it on some of those runs, but kinda want to try week 2, so we'll see. im scheduled to run tomorrow.

Texas_Nana

I completed the C25K program a few weeks ago. I can't put into words how rewarding it was to finish that last run. I literally went from the couch to running 30 minues non-stop in 9 weeks!

I didn't wait until I lost the weight and I really believe it was the boost in confidence that I needed to keep me on my weight loss journey. With each run completed, I had too much invested to turn back or give up.

I continue to run and have added strength training between runs. My energy level is high and my weightloss progress is consistant....a very good thing for this cancer survivor and grandmother of four!

I pray for each one of you conisdering the program. May you be blessed with good health, strength and endurance to successfully complete the program.

Alegria79

I was having issues in W3D2 with breathing and I was getting stitches in my side. But I found a link on here that addressed that very issue, and they recommended "belly breathing" - making sure you use your belly, not just your chest, so you avoid wheezing. Also, the big thing was I had to slow down, not worry about going fast at all, and just work on jogging the whole "run" time.

Another tip was to inhale for 4 beats, exhale for 4 beats, and make sure every once in a while you start your inhale on the other foot. So if you habitually inhale on the beat where your right foot lands, switch it up so you inhale on your left foot landing. I worked on that, which took my mind of running, and haven't had a stitch since!

Yesterday I jumped to W4D1 with 5 minutes of jogging and I was so happy that I was able to finish the whole thing! I stayed at a moderate pace, and I kept the breaths long, and when I was done, I wasn't dying - I felt great, like I could do more. I never thought I'd be able to run for 16 minutes (non-consecutive, but still!)

One day at a time!

ukhennin

I'm starting w3d1 today. I've noticed that the jumps between the weeks can be tough, but by the end of the week you definitely have made progress. I barely finished w2d1 but by the time I got to w2d3 I owned that routine. What a great program and what a great feeling seeing the progress. It makes me excited to do it.

Lanfear

I'm on Week 7 of C25k and will be doing D2 tomorrow - it's either 25 or 28 minutes, can't remember which

I'm amazed at how well this programme works, I really struggled on W1/D1 to do the 60 sec runs and now I'm up to 20+. Also amazed at how much I am actually enjoying getting out there at 6.30am and thumping round the lanes!!!

Hang in there everyone you can do it, just keep going and believe!!!!!

jtp5184

I love reading every ones posts! I am happy other people are as excited about this as I am. I cant wait go go home and do week 2 day 2 tonight.

thanks for the motivation!

nikkit321

I was having issues in W3D2 with breathing and I was getting stitches in my side. But I found a link on here that addressed that very issue, and they recommended "belly breathing" - making sure you use your belly, not just your chest, so you avoid wheezing. Also, the big thing was I had to slow down, not worry about going fast at all, and just work on jogging the whole "run" time.

Another tip was to inhale for 4 beats, exhale for 4 beats, and make sure every once in a while you start your inhale on the other foot. So if you habitually inhale on the beat where your right foot lands, switch it up so you inhale on your left foot landing. I worked on that, which took my mind of running, and haven't had a stitch since!

Yesterday I jumped to W4D1 with 5 minutes of jogging and I was so happy that I was able to finish the whole thing! I stayed at a moderate pace, and I kept the breaths long, and when I was done, I wasn't dying - I felt great, like I could do more. I never thought I'd be able to run for 16 minutes (non-consecutive, but still!)

One day at a time!

Thanks for the tips - I'll try it on my next run!

nikkit321

Just finished W3/D2. Not sure that it was any easier than the first run this week, but finished it ok. Did have a run-in with some dogs that kept jumping up on me, and run in front of me, but still got it done. D3 Friday!

jwhit31

I started a C25K program in April. I got to about week 4 and I had to quit. I injured my knee in November of last year and the running was aggravating the injury. It was getting to the point that I couldn't walk without a limp. I promised myself that once I hit ONEderland I would stat up again. Well, I've made it!!!! I'm starting it up again July 1st---Friday!!!! I can't wait to start. )

jwhit31

I completed the C25K program a few weeks ago. I can't put into words how rewarding it was to finish that last run. I literally went from the couch to running 30 minues non-stop in 9 weeks!

I didn't wait until I lost the weight and I really believe it was the boost in confidence that I needed to keep me on my weight loss journey. With each run completed, I had too much invested to turn back or give up.

I continue to run and have added strength training between runs. My energy level is high and my weightloss progress is consistant....a very good thing for this cancer survivor and grandmother of four!

I pray for each one of you conisdering the program. May you be blessed with good health, strength and endurance to successfully complete the program.

You are an inspiration!!! I You're post has touched my heart. I hope you don't mind me adding you as a friend? I need all the inspiration I could get. )

sjackson902

So encouraged by all of you that I started today! Woo hoo!

SabrinaJL

I didn't wait until I lost the weight and I really believe it was the boost in confidence that I needed to keep me on my weight loss journey. With each run completed, I had too much invested to turn back or give up.

Same here. I've never been a runner. Even in jr. high/high school, I was one of those kids that walked the track instead of running it. I thought at 234, I might be too fat to do c25k, but I decided to go for it anyway. Somehow it became symbolic of my weight loss. I knew if I could finish c25k, I could finally lose all this weight. When I finished the last day, I almost cried, I was so pleased with myself. I am now on round 2 of it. Doing it faster this time.

Texas_Nana

Thank you dear. Please keep me posted on your progress through the program! Week 4 is not easy, but for me, it seemed to get easier after that, as if I had gotten past a hurdle....running pun intended : )

Collinsky

I'm going to be starting on Thursday, if my knee doesn't act up, and I'm planning on doing two days a week (instead of the suggested three) because that just works better with my schedule. :-)

healthysew

today is supposed to be day 2 of week 2 for me, but i dont think i can do it...i sprained my ankle last night and its still kinda swollen. hoping i can do it saturday after some ice and rest. you guys all seem to be doing great!

kleeper80

I just finished Week 4! I start Week 5 tomorrow. I have to tell you, I LOVE it! It is such an amazing feelings every time I finish a run! I am aiming to run a 5K at the end of September. My 8 year old daughter wants to run with me. I can't wait! :-)

Good luck to everybody that is just starting out. Stick with it! You can do it!

Tayla08

I just finished Week 2 Day 2 last night! I got half way through the program a couple years ago when I got pregnant again, so I'm really hoping I'll be able to finish it and actually run a 5k!!! I've never been a runner, but I love this program!

Good Luck everyone!

jtp5184

Just finished week two. actually i repeated it because i was nervous about moving on. I am going to try week three tomorrow on the treadmill first to see how that goes.


I also started doing yoga again to help with stretching. sometimes i forget out tight my muscles can get.

hope everyone is doing well!

heather62803

I am heading out to do my first day in about 10 minutes!! I'm really excited about this, I have never been able to run for very long before so I am hoping this helps ease my body into it so I can make running a part of my everyday routine. I have done several 5k's in the past either walking, or walk/jog, but I have never been able to run the whole thing - I can't wait for the day I accomplish that!

nikkit321

Just finished W3/D3. Very humid today, which I think made it much harder than Wednesday's run. For the first time, my legs were tired before my breathing gave out. I think that's good, right?? I'm taking it that my breathing has improved, but I think we went a little faster. Camping this weekend, and my boys are moaning that I'm going to make us run Monday at the campground (actually, on the road outside the campground). I'm determined to stick with our schedule though!

Have a happy, healthy, and safe 4th weekend!

milehighcritic

I completed C25k few months back. I did my first 5k back in May. I have completed two more 5k races.
It's a great program to get you started into running. I would recommend joining the Face Book group. They post some interesting articles relating to running and health.

mjshetz2

2 years ago this Labor Day, I snapped my right ankle playing ice hockey. If you've ever watched someone ice skate with skates that are not tight enough and they appear to have "weak ankles", that's what my right foot looked like, it was at a 45 degree angle to the rest of my leg. As a result, I have a titanium plate and 8 screws in my ankle now.

This morning I finished Week 3, Day 1 of the program. I already have the Bridge to 10K application installed and I've signed up for the Houston Half Marathon in January.

For anyone struggling during the first week, it does get better. The key is to not skip a day unless you absolutely have to. But if you do, make sure you get back out there as soon as you can and don't let the time pass you by. I wish I had done this or something to build up to this 1.5 years ago after I was finished with, splints, casts and walking boots on my right foot.

pjrisher

I am going to start it! It seems pretty easy to follow

Alegria79

I just finished W4D3 today, and it went really well. I did all the running parts without needing a break or having a problem. I'm excited but nervous about the jump up next week - up to 20 minutes by the end of the week! I guess I'll take it one run at a time

I hope everyone gets in a run over the long weekend and has a great July 4th!