Couch to 5K Program

kendradl

Oh yeah!!! I just finished week 7 today I can't wait to start week 8.

I ran 3.14 km today... for those that know math, that is pie lol, I guess that's as close to a pie as I'm going to get for a while lmao

For those just starting, it was REALLY rough in the beginning, I was really terrified to do week 3, but just trust yourself and do it.

My daughter also suggests don't look at what you're doing for that day until it's time to run, so you don't sike yourself out. Just do it, it'll get better.

Today was the first day I didn't look to see how much time was left, I just concentrated on my form, my breathing and my music and I made it!!! I can't tell you how happy I am to have learned about this program.

That is awesome!!! Keep up the great work!

Alegria79

I just did W5D3 and ran for 20 minutes!!! I was nervous and excited about it, but I totally did it. I took a 40 second walk in the middle to cross the road and drink some water, but otherwise I managed to run the whole thing. I'm on a total high right now and it's great.

I hope everyone else is having great runs today!

nikkit321

Just got back from W5/D1. Finished it in good shape, took a 5 minute walk break, then ran another 3 in an attempt to build some endurance. Right now, I'm proud but mostly just glad to be done for the day. Still trying not to freak out about D3 (20-minutes!) but Alegria, you are my inspiration!!

Alegria79

Just got back from W5/D1. Finished it in good shape, took a 5 minute walk break, then ran another 3 in an attempt to build some endurance. Right now, I'm proud but mostly just glad to be done for the day. Still trying not to freak out about D3 (20-minutes!) but Alegria, you are my inspiration!!

Nikkit321 - You can totally do it - just remind yourself that you are much stronger than you think you are, and when you're tired it's all mental. If you're doing W5D1 & D2, you're physically able, and you'll jump the mental hurdle. I'm glad I'm inspiring someone - lots of people have been inspiring me.

I'll be cheering you on this week and I can't wait to hear how D3 goes...keep us posted!

kendradl

Just got back from W5/D1. Finished it in good shape, took a 5 minute walk break, then ran another 3 in an attempt to build some endurance. Right now, I'm proud but mostly just glad to be done for the day. Still trying not to freak out about D3 (20-minutes!) but Alegria, you are my inspiration!!

I am doing W5D1 this evening and I am actually looking forward to it. But now you have me freaked out about D3, a 20 min run - oh crap I hope I survive that one

nikkit321

So reporting in for W5/D2. Managed the first 8 minute run ok, but the second 8 minutes was bad. Managed 2 minutes, then had to walk a minute, then ran another 4, and ended it walking. The problem was lack of oxygen, not leg fatigue. I did suck it up and ran 3 minutes after a 5 minute walk, so completed the 16 minutes. I'm going to have my 2 boys move on, but I'm going to repeat today's run until I can complete it. I'd like to be able to move on to week 6 with them on Monday, but I have to concur W5/D2 first, then attempt D3. So my plan is to run D2 again tomorrow and see how it goes.

I'm quite proud of my boys though (14 and 11) - they are handling the program very well and are definitely ready for the 20 minute run. I think my oldest will complete it without any walking, the younger will probably walk a little but will be determined to stick with his brother.

jtp5184

good for you nikki!

i just did w5d1 today. i found it easier then w4 but i will see how i do with d2 tomorrow or friday. if not ill repeat it with you!

KrisPage

Finshed W1 for the third time feel like i can move forward now without feeling like my chest may burst. But concerned my hrm shows me in 90% range of my max heartrate when running not sure that is very good. Much of the work out is in the80-85% range, afraid my ticker might blow but I dont normally have high blood pressure. Any thoughts?

kendradl

Completed W5D2 today and when you have to run in the heat and it is muggy, even with a small breeze out it didn't really help. I found the first 8 min hard but the second 8 min went very smoothly. I almost thinking that I may need to do an extra 5 min of warmup before actually starting the C25K warmup just to get the juices flowing properly.

You are all doing awesome by the way!!!

nikkit321

2nd attempt at W5/D2 went just as badly as the first time. I've decided it's all mental. I took a 2 hour break, then attempted another 8 minutes. When I started I had an idea of where my time would be up, then when I hit that point and looked at the time, realized I still had 3minutes to go, I walked. Again. Why do I just stop without even thinking about it? If my brain would function at all I think I could talk myself out of it. I'm really frustrated.

On the positive side, my boys (14 & 11) ran D3 for the full 20 minutes without stopping!! So very proud of them. The youngest was sure he'd have to walk, but they started cracking jokes halfway through and kept going.

So tomorrow will be attempt #3 and I'm going to ask my boys to do it right beside me. Hopefully I won't quit if they're there.

nikkit321

Wow, think I was upset/frustrated yesterday?

Happy to report that the 3rd attempt of W5D2 was a sucess. I DID IT!!!!! My son (14) went with me. Told him that I was ok for the first 8min run but for the second I needed him to encourage me every 10 steps and make sure I didn't quit. Also had him in control of the pace (he's good at maintaining a steady speed). So we were very slow, made it thru the first 8min and the walk, and started the second 8. I did want to quit, but I didn't. And if I were to be completely honest, I could have gone farther than the 8s. So excited! I plan on doing it again all next week to build confidence for the 20min. The boys are ok with repeating the 8s and the 20s instead of moving on to week 6 without me as soon as I told them there would be a 25min run at the end of week 6.

So for anyone out there struggling, there is hope, just don't give up!
- You may need to slow down (I did, I think that was part of my problem, ran the first 8 too fast and had nothing left for the second one)
- You may need a running partner (I won't quit if my kids are beside me, but if I'm behind them it's too easy to walk since they won't notice)
- You may need to break thru a mental barrier (I did, once I "failed" it made it so much harder to succeed on the next try).

jhungate

I started this program in 5/10 and now run 4-6 miles a day, 6 days a week. Down 37 lbs. since starting MFP, down 87 total.

Alegria79

Today I did W6D3 and ran for 25 continuous minutes! I wasn't sure I'd be able to do it, but I managed to run it right to the end. I'm pretty pumped about it! C25K works!

nikkit321

Congratulations Alegria! Keep running strong!

I have hopes that I'll be able to post about running 20 minutes on Friday.

abyt42

I'm really enjoying the NHS podcast for C25K. I'm on week two (again: pneumonia stopped the first round, then laziness lasted until 1.5 weeks ago...)

nickyevans

I finished week 9 about 2 weeks ago and ran the Race for Life 5K yesterday, I managed to run the whole 5k and did it in 40 minutes, I am slow but I was soooo proud of myself completing the whole run without stopping.

Congratulations on running the whole thing! I think it's incredible that you ran for 40 minutes without stopping. I'm a slow runner too and I keep reminding myself to slow down and find a comfortable pace! Are you planning another 5k? Are you going to start training for a 10k?

Sorry only just saw this. Well I am now training for a 10k but I want to start doing ParkRuns which are 5K runs held in different cities. There is one near me that hubby and I both want to do. They are every Saturday.

nikkit321

I DID IT!!!!! Completed the 20-min run for C25K!!!!! Second half was much slower than the first half, definitely could have passed myself walking, but I did it without actually walking! Very thankful for my two boys (14 & 11) who stuck with me every step, they were a great encouragement and help.

whouwannab

bump

Seanb_us

Day 2 of week 1 yesterday. This is not going to be easy. Day 3 of week 1 tomorrow.

I have good running shoes and am working into this slowly ... but have a history of shin splints. Fingers crossed!!!

Seanb_us

W2D1 finished. So far so good. Am not really loving it and not really looking forward to the longer stretches of running that happen over the next few weeks ... but I'm in this to succeed.

Am doing this on the treadmill ... so far, my shin splints have not returned. So, that's a win, too.

Cheers,

Sean

nikkit321

You're doing great Sean, keep it up. I must confess I'm not really loving it either. At the beginning I did look forward to the running days a little, but at this point I'm trying not to get sidelined with anxiety over the idea of the 25-min run I have on Friday (I'm on week 6). I'm hoping to start enjoying it more once I've achieved the 30 minute runs and realize they are getting easier. At least, I hope they get easier in time! I have knee issues and I think the running has actually been good for them. As far as shin splints, I'd suggest going slowly and work on speed later.

Alegria79

Nikkit321 - congratulations on finishing the 20 minute run!!! I know what it's like to dread the long runs, but keep in mind they are just goals - you don't have to meet them exactly or on any specific day. I've heard that some runners (who run marathons) prefer to run in 10 or 15 minute blocks, and have a minute of walking in-between each block. So if that works better for you, it might be the way to go!

I've "graduated" and moved onto running 5k's for my morning run, but the first couple of minutes are a walking warm up, and the last few minutes are the same. So I still don't go out and just run for 5k! I'm working on it though, and I expect to get there soon. I just take it a bit at a time. Today I ran for 25 minutes, doing speed intervals every 5 minutes. Speed intervals make me more tired, but I figure I'll be back to 30 minutes next week sometime, even with the intervals.

Sean - I don't always look forward to my run, but I did find that as I have success finishing a Day or Week on the C25K it got more fun. I also enjoy making new playlists and when I hit a milestone (like completing W5D3) I bought a new piece of running gear (i.e. garmin, water bottle carrier, new running shorts, etc).

And some days are just not good running days. I got 10 minutes into a run last week and called it a day. I was miserable, my legs were like concrete, and I couldn't find my pace to save my life. So I walked home and went out the next day and had a great run!

I hope everyone is having a great week!

nikkit321

Friday I ran W6/D3 (25 minutes) and it went much better than last week's 20min. I was faster even though I still slowed down in the last half, but my breathing was easier and my legs weren't as weak. "Faster" is still very slow, I managed 1.8 miles in the 25min instead of the 2.5miles C25K thinks I should have done, but I have never in my life ran farther than a mile so I'm excited. I may actually turn into a runner! Unfortunately I ran in different shoes and forgot to insert my arch supports (I'm getting old) so now my left foot is very sore. I'm taking Monday off but hope to tackle Week 7 on Wednesday.

Lanfear

Great job peeps!!

Seanb_us

W3D1 is today. Nervous. Will get it done tho.

Seanb_us

Thx!!

Sean - I don't always look forward to my run, but I did find that as I have success finishing a Day or Week on the C25K it got more fun. I also enjoy making new playlists and when I hit a milestone (like completing W5D3) I bought a new piece of running gear (i.e. garmin, water bottle carrier, new running shorts, etc).

And some days are just not good running days. I got 10 minutes into a run last week and called it a day. I was miserable, my legs were like concrete, and I couldn't find my pace to save my life. So I walked home and went out the next day and had a great run!

I hope everyone is having a great week!

Seanb_us

Got it done! Still not fun tho. W3D2 tomorrow ....

nikkit321

Week 7 is still on hold due to my foot but I have hopes of running Friday. I hope a week off doesn't make me backslide in endurance.