We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!
Starting C25K On January 2nd-Tips?

Allik623
Posts: 5
So, I have been trying to find motivation to get back into working out. I heard about the Couch to 5K program and decided to check it out!! I have decided that with every week I complete the workouts without stopping, I will reward myself (not with food). And every 5 lbs lost do the same. My small town has a 5K on the 4th of July and my main goal and I want to reward myself with a new Ipod!! Anyways, I would love people suggestions, tips, advice, input, anything!!
Thanks!

0
Replies
-
Congratulations on making the decision to start! My only tip/question is this: Why wait for January? You could start now and already be in Week 3 when the new year rolls around.0
-
That's so interesting that you said that!! This morning my brother (my C25K partner) and I decided that we are going to start tomorrow!! I am super nervous!! I Have never been a runner!0
-
Run outside.
Focus on controlling your breathing.
Do not focus on speed. At all.0 -
That's so interesting that you said that!! This morning my brother (my C25K partner) and I decided that we are going to start tomorrow!! I am super nervous!! I Have never been a runner!
This is the perfect program for making runners out of non-runners! I am at the end of week 6 now, and I never would have thought that I could run for 20+ minutes, but I can! The program has really helped to build my self-confidence. I feel like if I can do this, I can do anything!0 -
Run outside.
Focus on controlling your breathing.
Do not focus on speed. At all.
I don't know if I will be able to run outside since it's so cold out!! I do have a gym membership so I think I am going to start on the treadmill. When I make it through the first 9 weeks, maybe the second go round I will do it outside!0 -
I don't know if I will be able to run outside since it's so cold out!! I do have a gym membership so I think I am going to start on the treadmill. When I make it through the first 9 weeks, maybe the second go round I will do it outside!
I know it's horrible out there (had to use treadmill this morning as roads were icy and did a lovely wheelspin driving to the gym) BUT definitely worth trying outside as well as indoor running. I found when I started that while I could run for 20 minutes or so on the treadmill, when I went outside I could manage about 2 without getting puffed.
Watch out though, you are likely to get hooked on running! I started C25K in June and have signed up for a 10K in February - madness!0 -
<snip> I found when I started that while I could run for 20 minutes or so on the treadmill, when I went outside I could manage about 2 without getting puffed.<snip>
I discovered the same thing! I was able to run for 10ish minutes on the treadmill and was barely able to do 2 outside. I think if you completely finish the program indoors and then do it again outdoors when it starts to warm up, you will be fine. I am not sure where you (the OP) live, but don't discount running in the cold. Once I get going, I barely notice! I imagine it will be more difficult to run in the heat than in the cold...0 -
Congratulations.
Tips? Run slow. Try to run slow. Lots of beginners try to run too fast, and can't maintain their too-fast pace.
Have a smartphone? Log your runs. Sportypal, MapMyRun, and Endomondo are all great tools.
Give yourself rest days -- your body needs them as it adjusts to new stresses.
Stretch well after running.
Go get 'em, tigers.0
This discussion has been closed.