starting C25K tomorrow! =)

thinktank32k

I am on my second round of C25K. This time i am working on speed. My advice would be to followthe program as designed because it works.

mamarose685

Hey there! I have used the C25K program and LOVED it!! I genuinely went from the couch to a 5K in exactly 9 weeks. I ran my first 5K in July of 2010! It was hot and awful, but I made it through! Just follow the program to a "T" and you will have NO problems. Remember even if you want to stop running keep going...you are only cheating yourself if you stop and I promise you, you will not regret pushing through pain/exhaustion to make it through the leg. I was lucky enough to have friends who run. They were my inspiration to keep pushing and I can't be more grateful for their help and encouragement. I only made one mistake in the program and that was not maintaining my core muscles. I would recommend that anyone who is doing this program ensures they work on their core muscles on the days you are not running. Unfortunately, I have not ran since last year due to injury (plantar fasciitis and hip injury) this is a direct result of not strength training. I am looking forward to running in April with my girls. I have started strength training and will start interval running next week (just like the C25K program). I would recommend you visit the C25K website for more information on the program...best of luck to you!

Interval running Site: http://www.momontherun.net/running-workouts-for-beginners/
C25K Site (if you scroll down on the site there are podcasts that you can download and run to that have music and verbal queue's to run/walk) : http://www.c25k.com/

phoenix1030

I plan on starting tomorrow, also, if I . have the energy. My current job has me unloading 18 wheelers manually, so once I am done with that and a full day of work in retail, I may not have the energy. If I miss Monday, then I will absolutely start on Tuesday. The app has been loaded for months, but I've made excuse after excuse. No more excuses-time to start. I would love to run a marathon (at least a 1/2) by the fall. Good luck to all who are starting this journey, and thanks to all those that have posted encouragment.

xgg2rs

I started this program a little over 2 years ago. When I started I had walked alot each week but could not run for more than 10 minutes before being out of breath. I just ran about an hour ago I ran 10 miles and that was not even a challenge for me anymore.

I remember being faced with the 27 minute straight run and no walk breaks and thinking there is no way I am going to be able to do it (When that week actually came, I completed it no problem and was really excited about doing it) .I ran my first 5k after completing the program in around 30 minutes. Last year I ran my first 1/2 marathon and am currently training to complete my first marathon.

When I started the program I did not have a smart phone and just had my ipod, I found preprogrammed dance music for free on the internet that had the interval tones built in to tell me when to walk and then run. After I completed the 5k program, I progressed to strart a 10k program and so on. Now if I was just starting I would probably get that app for my iphone. Personally I can not run without music, it would not be fun to me at all.

The best advice I have ever seen about the program is to stay focused on completing the intervals and don't get caught up making sure you get the distance goal. Your pace WILL improve over time and all of our bodies are built differently and we are all at different fitness levels. The interval times are universal though imo, and that is why the program is so popular. Also make sure you are taking your rest days, you can over do it. I would highly recommend following the program as closely as you can.


As far as weight loss, I will tell you at first I was not losing weight on the program, over time I have lost quite a bit running now. There where times that I stalled and then started losing again. Don't get discouraged if you don't lose weight the first week or 2 though. You will eventually lose weight from running. (assuming you are reasonable with your diet)

I love running now and couldn't imagine living without it. I will tell you alot of times when I start running now, the first mile my body is trying to give me every excuse to not run, but after that first mile I get in a grove and start to get into it. My favorite part is the calmness and the endorphines that I get after exersizing.

Good luck.

Rose200

Hi Everyone. I have completed W4 D2. Today I will be doing Day3. And this is the first week I'm going to repeat as the 5 minute intervals are the hardest.

I log week 4 for example as 16 minutes running 5.0 minute mile and 16 minutes of walking 4.0 brisk pace. Usually I walk more.

I don't like the music on the podcasts so I wear and stop watch and just glance at that while running/walking and listen to my own, much more motivating music. I NEED to be motivated. I find the podcasts are a bit to elevator music for me.

I would love to have more c25k friends. Please add me. Similar goals keep me motivated and I will do the same for you.

Keep it up!

muggs1090

I'm starting week 6. The first few weeks were hard. I think I tried to run to fast to soon and ended up with shin splints. I backed off on my speed and it went much better. I actually enjoy it (once I've done it)! I do weights after my runs and have been doing Zumba a few times a week also. Good luck!!! PS I also used the active.com c25k app.

nickyeatrunread

I didn't have the smart phone app when I did C25K so I found a podcast that I liked and downloaded it to my mp3 player and used that. Either I held my mp3 player or put it in my pocket. I wasn't running real fast, so it wasn't much of a hindrance to me. It is a great program and I hope you find much success with it! Just try not to say "I can't" and make a goal to run a 5K as soon as you can!

That's what I did. By the end I was tacking on extra time after finishing the workout, ran my first 5k then started training for a 10k. I had never been a runner before C25K and it completely changed my life. I wanted to give up that first time they have you do a 20 min run (week 5?) but I read an article saying that people either gave up at that week, or ended up completing the program and I was determined not to quit.

It's hard to go from the Couch to being a runner, but it's so worth it. Stick with it and you might see some weight loss (depending on how much you eat too), but I know I DEFINITELY noticed a lot of toning and slimming down, even if the scale didn't move too far. Good luck!

kaned_ferret

I started it a few weeks ago, then stalled thanks to ice and snow, and then fell completely on my proverbial face with a big upheaval (losing my job). I have still been doing my other fitness activities and keeping eating in moderation, so I'm hoping it won't be too hard getting back on the C25K motivation wagon...

Long story short, I'm starting out again tomorrow! Let's hope I can keep with it this time!

kaned_ferret

As for help, I've downloaded the NHS podcasts for the programme, it gives you spoken cues for jogging and walking intervals, a bit of "you can do it" motivation without being corny, and also has good tempo music to work to, so I love it.

As for logging, I just count the minutes run and walked and log it on mfp, the options are there

mollyonamission

Starting tomorrow going to. Do mon,wed,and Friday.add me people

xSophia19

I have to wonder how u would track this on MFP.

oooh the app is free!

and im going to wear my hrm, soo i will then know exactly what my calorie burn is then add it to the database myself

whencynstops

I was planning on starting tomorrow so this was good timing. I have followed C25K before and it really works but about week 5 I had a major life change and got away from it. So, here I am getting ready to start it again. Thank you for all the tips. I like the idea of the verbal ques on the aps. I feel like if stare at the time it feels longer.
Anyone please add me, I need super motivated positive friends to help me! thanks!

btb079

I, too, am doing this with my iPhone. W4d2 finished today. I use Pandora on my phone and the program at the same time, I really do love it and hope that I will continue to improve. You can do it and you will see and feel results.

Summersadiva

I did W1D1 today, but I don't like the app I have for my Window Phone 7. It kept starting over. My bluetooth headset doesn't work with my iPod Touch 2nd gen so I need to figure out a Plan B.

frogman4591

I have completed 7 weeks of the C25K program. It does work. I am 57 years old and I am running 6 mph for 25 minutes, which i can hardly believe. The way it starts slow and builds each week is really neat. If this old guy can do, anyone can.

bisforbrandy

I just downloaded the APP myself, and plan to start today. I don't think one days difference will really matter.. I'm on board!

glp724

I just got back from w1d1 and feel great that I did it. Good luck!

rlittle2

W1D1 was great. Ready for W1D2 on Wednesday!

ummmsorrybutno

I need a way for some extra cardio.... I think I will join you all.

kaned_ferret

Proud of myself for getting out there yesterday to do W1D1, even totally hung over from the previous night's 10 glass wine extravaganza!

Looking forward to day 2 tomorrow, hope everyone's still on board!

whencynstops

Proud of myself for getting out there yesterday to do W1D1, even totally hung over from the previous night's 10 glass wine extravaganza!

Looking forward to day 2 tomorrow, hope everyone's still on board!

I did W1D1 yesterday as well. I did a lot better than I thought I would. I downloaded the C25K app from Zen Labs and used that. Seems to work pretty well since I don't have to watch the clock as much. Day 2 will be tomorrow!
Good Luck to everyone!

Schmiegelette

I just restarted yesterday. I completed the entire program about 2 years ago... but then got bursitis in my hip and couldn't do much of anything (any jogging set it off for over a year). Just decided to retry it this week, no pain after yesterday (at least not in my hip, still sore from yoga on Sunday)... and I've got prescription strength naproxin for nite-time. My goal is to be able to run with hubby during his short runs .

KellyKAG

I was doing really well with my running (including doing a few 5K runs) up until november of last year then i slugged out. Just decided to start over with teh C25K program. Started yesterday to get my endurance back. Good luck to you!

rataliek

I'm on W1D3 tonight! I'm finding week one to be a little too easy so I've added on a fourth day a week as well as jog half the warm up and cool down. I'll probably add the fourth run on week two as well, but I don't see it being likely for the further weeks as they get fairly difficult. I've always hated running but I have a feeling this program will change that. I'm also pairing this program with Jillian Michael's 30DS.

kseacrist

i'm starting w1d2 this afternoon! i really really WANT to like running, but so far, i just don't. i have a major mental block about my ability to run for any length of time without stopping - and i'm hoping that this time it will click for me too.

you're all giving me great motivation to make running my friend.

kpittman0612

I started the C25K Program last week. Tomorrow I will start Week 2 and I am stoked. I don't feel like I have a "runners body" at all and although there are many times I want to stop and just walk I make myself push forward and keep going. I am barely in to it but so far I love it. I'm contemplating a 5K in April. I hope to be able to complete the run by then! I haven't seen any results since I just now started but I hope I see some soon!!!

Reckabek

I just started c25k by zen labs today, loved it! I am sweating like i did a jillian michaels dvd! I love that!

ummmsorrybutno

I did w1d1 today. I'm so proud I didn't have to quit., I'm using the app called RunDouble. What I like is I can upload my run to their website and it tracks everything and includes a map...

Today I did 2.17 miles in 28min 24 seconds (included Warm up and cool down) and burned 334 calories Day 2 is on Thursday.

kaned_ferret

getting myself ready for w1d2 this evening - only just got back from a woodland hike with the dogs, so part of me REALLY wants to just stay in now, but I'm going to make myself do it!

Not sure my running buddy will be so impressed at my perseverance - she thinks she's done quite enough exercise for the day! (My running buddy is Fudge, my 7yo Jack Russel)

rlittle2

I completed W1D2 this morning! It definitely fells great to start to run again!