C25K Folks...What have you learned since you started??? Tip

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ksquared0710
ksquared0710 Posts: 36 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm finishing week 3 tomorrow. It hasn't been bad up to this point although I finally caved and bought a pair of Nike LunarFlys b/c my old running shoes were killing me.

Now...I'm going to lift Friday and I have classes alllll day Saturday so I won't start week 4 until Sunday morning, but...I'm actually nervous now looking ahead.

Anybody have any tips, pointers, words of wisdom?

P.S. If you're around the same week let's partner up for motivation!!!
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Replies

  • amsparky
    amsparky Posts: 825 Member
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    The biggest thing I learned is that I CAN become a runner! Stick with it, it's totally worth it!

    Good luck!
  • MADDIESMOMMY6611
    MADDIESMOMMY6611 Posts: 140 Member
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    The one thing I've learned is to repeat weeks when you have to and go at a speed you're comfortable with! If a workout is so hard that I dread it then I need to take it down a notch.
  • ProjectTina
    ProjectTina Posts: 85
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    I'm at week 9 now (almost done!) and three things that improved my running were:
    1. Stretching before running
    2. Focusing on proper breathing
    3. And knowing that you are much stronger than your brain thinks you are
  • Skeena4
    Skeena4 Posts: 209 Member
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    I am starting week 7 day one of one of the iPhone C25Ks (it's an eight week program) and I repeated weeks 4 and 5...also, I started out running my intervals at 6mph, which was too fast to maintain as the weeks went by and the intervals got longer... now I'm at 5.5 mph running... today will be my first full run (with no walk breaks) for 20 mins... yikes!
    So... yeah pace yourself, get good music and be persistent! Every time I finished i thought there is NO way I could possibly run one second longer next time and ... uh... yeah ... I DID.
    Also, if anyone is looking for good runninng music ideas... jog.fm is a good website (they list by your running pace and beats per minute)
  • ttkg
    ttkg Posts: 357 Member
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    This is my 2nd attempt at C25K...I gave up on my first try after week2. The best tip is to repeat a day/week if you need to - DO NOT GIVE UP. You need to outrun people when the zombie apocalypse happens :laugh:
  • alikat42
    alikat42 Posts: 213 Member
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    Week 3 was really hard for me. I was able to complete each run, but it was HARD. I considered repeating it, but decided to give week 4 a go. I'm finding it way easier.
  • t4bz
    t4bz Posts: 4
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    Hey all. I'm a C25K grad from last year, and complete a half marathon in October of '11. One tip I have is that once you've graduated, a natural transition is to move into the Galloway run/walk program to build up to longer distances, if you so desire. Keep pushing forward, and best of luck to you!
  • ksquared0710
    ksquared0710 Posts: 36 Member
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    Thanks all for the advice! I'm super excited about trying jog.fm and tb thanks for the next step info. I've never been a "runner" but would love to run a marathon some day. I'm going to start small and sign up for a 5k this May :)
  • t4bz
    t4bz Posts: 4
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    That's the way! Last year I did a 5K, 10K, and a 15K (yes...they exist!) in my build up to my half marathon. This year I'm doing some more half marathons and I'm going to try to run the Chicago Marathon in the fall.

    All from C25K...you can do it, folks!
  • Skeena4
    Skeena4 Posts: 209 Member
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    Week 7 day 3 - I'm just happy I didn't die! It was 5 min warm up, 25 mins of running (I did 5.4 mph) and 5 min cool down. I'm always a bit shocked that I did it without stopping as it was always my natual inclination to stop for whatever reason. Not anymooore!!! I'm so happy... and stinky... LOL.
    Trust me people, if I can do it... ANYONE can. If you really knew me, you'd know I hate to sweat, I hate being too hot, and I don't even particularly enjoy running... but I don't super hate it so it's what I do... wow that sounded really weird....
  • princeza9
    princeza9 Posts: 337 Member
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    Good running shoes and good music are so important! At least for me. I'm on Week 6 now (day 2 tomorrow!) and have loved it so far. I never thought of myself as a runner, but I've come to enjoy it now. Plus it'll be helpful in my quest to get back onto the soccer field, and a bonus for when the zombie apocalypse hits. :happy:
  • Meggles63
    Meggles63 Posts: 916 Member
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    I learned that so much of this is MENTAL! Obviously, endurance, etc. is important, but sometimes the only way I could move ahead was changing my mindset and determining that I CAN do it. I'm 48 years old, never ran before, with a rod in my left leg, and I'm in week 9!!
  • phillieschic
    phillieschic Posts: 615
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    I'll be doing W4D2 tonight. I was scared to start Week 4 but SOOOOOO proud of myself when I did it last night! Nothing like being done! Euphoric high! I even did an extra 3 miuntes of running at the end during cool down because I felt so awesome.

    We're basically at the same point...friend request coming! :)

    Good luck! :drinker:
  • neti_call
    neti_call Posts: 81 Member
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    1-Breathe in 2 steps, out 2 steps.
    2-You don't have to run fast.
    3-If I can do it, anyone can do it. I did C25K 2 years ago and I ran my first half marathon in January of this year.
  • BoxingAli
    BoxingAli Posts: 117 Member
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    I did c25k in November and December 2011. I did my first 5k in January, did a 4 mile in March and just this past weekend did a 4 mile obstacle course....The thing that I learned is that I can run! I am not a fast runner, but all of the races I have done, I have completed w/o stopping. I didn't give up during the program even though there were times that I thought "no way can i run for that long"...It is such a boost knowing that I accomplished something. I started C25K in preparation of the obstacle race. So knowing that I set a goal and reached it is an amazing feeling.

    Now, I am signed up for 2 more races and about to sign up for the Warrior Dash. It is addicting. I think if you have races planned, then you always have something to keep striving for. What I have also learned: I now have a hobby! :)
  • amcanzo
    amcanzo Posts: 418 Member
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    I just finished week 3 also...I've learned I am capable of so much more than I ever thought possible...I also learned that while I'm extremely proud of myself for running for 3 whole, straight minutes when I try to explain it to someone else, it sounds kinda lame...oooohhh - 3 minutes! Haha - :bigsmile: Might repeat week 3, not sure if I'm ready to jump to week 4 yet....
  • milf_n_cookies
    milf_n_cookies Posts: 2,244 Member
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    Clothing actually DOES make a difference, I was overdressing and feeling like death at the end of my runs, once I got good lightweight clothing and good shoes everything became easier and I did not feel horrible when I was done!
  • milf_n_cookies
    milf_n_cookies Posts: 2,244 Member
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    Oh and socks, I was just wearing stuff out of my drawer, found out that anything 100% cotton made my feet feel hot and gross, switched to a good moisture wicking sock and it made all the difference.
  • phillieschic
    phillieschic Posts: 615
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    I just finished week 3 also...I've learned I am capable of so much more than I ever thought possible...I also learned that while I'm extremely proud of myself for running for 3 whole, straight minutes when I try to explain it to someone else, it sounds kinda lame...oooohhh - 3 minutes! Haha - :bigsmile: Might repeat week 3, not sure if I'm ready to jump to week 4 yet....

    Agreed! Saying it outloud kind of does sound lame...especially to someone like my husband who runs 10 miles a day! BUT, this is MY journey...not his and last night when I completed W4D1, I was so incredibly proud of myself. I figured out that I ran for 28 minutes total (not consecutively and I added a few more minutes at the end because I felt so good). TWENTY EIGHT MINUTES!!! LOL...it's an awesome program and I'm so glad I'm doing it!

    Good luck as you progress, too! :happy:
  • conidiring
    conidiring Posts: 230 Member
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    I'm in W2D2 today. I've learned that I can do it! I don't run, was never a runner and tell people the ONLY way I would run would be if a tiger was chasing me! But I wanted to give myself a hard challenge (I'm crazy that way!) so this is it. I am signed up for a race at the end of May and will be completing week 9 by then (didn't give myself any time to repeat otherwise I might just keep repeating and not move forward). I agree it's a mental thing the first few runs in the grouping are difficult for me but by the 3rd and 4th I've convinced myself that I'm already half through and can do it. Each interval becomes easier and all of a sudden I'm in my cooldown! Yippee!! I'm still not "enjoying" the "running" but I will get through this and be able to run the race!! Go me (and the rest of you crazy people too!)

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