Couch to 5k

lettuceb

tttthumper,
Best of luck with your attempt to quit smoking! I bet you'll feel a lot better once you start feeling the effects of quitting. Lol, well I have never even smoked a single cigarette, but my dad has been a smoker on and off.. started when he was a teenager, quit around 25 but then picked the habit up again at 35 or something. A couple of years ago he "quit" again - two months smokefree but then he started again. Oh well, that was a bit off-topic...

I'm SO happy today! I managed to finish the fifth week today which means that I did run for 20 minutes Yeah, me, I did it. I still can't believe it, haha :noway:

fanta014 Congrats on running for 20 min! That is great! I am doing day 2 week 4 this evening!

kdanderson05

I am going to be starting this today probably! Depends on how much homework I get completed, because I have to work this afternoon, so I willl probably be doing it this afternoon. Anyways I am very excited to start this program, and a friend of mine is going to start running more often too. We are hoping to do a 5k marathon this fall, as I have always wanted to do one, and I feel this would be the best way to train for one. I used to love jogging in high school, and I want to get back to that point, and then hopefully my husband and I can do it together one day too. I am going to be doing a marathon probably when it is snowing here in MI, but that is okay. There is one in Detroit for Thanksgiving, and I think it would be so cool to do that one, such an accomplishment for me. I am oging to make this work. Anyways I wish everyone the best of luck, and here is to me just starting out.

fanta014

How have you guys been doing with your running? I amazed myself today by completing Week 6. 25 minutes was tough but I made it! I felt like such a super woman afterwards :happy:

chrissyh

Hills are my next task - I finished the program on a track - so now it's time to tackle the terrain.

Yeah, I ran at the beach this past weekend where it was nice and flat and I went a lot farther and faster. You don't realize how hilly some places are until you run on them. Still, finishing is fantastic!
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I've been tackling the terrain and doing great! Haven't timed myself but I really don't care about the speed so much as being able to say - I jogged up that hill!!

lettuceb

Having a set back with knee swelling and pain. This is very frustrating! Never thought I would get so upset about not being able to run :sad:

mommared53

Daughter and I are back doing the couch to 5K again. We finished week one and will start day 1 of week 2 tonight. I'm so excited. Hope we don't have any more setbacks.

Lettuceb, I hope your knee gets better really soon. :flowerforyou:

fanta014

Is your knee any better, lettuceb? It must be really frustrating - trying your best to wait until the pain goes away but at the same time wanting to go on with the program.

If I go on this way, running every second day (which makes one week 6 days long instead of 7), I'll be done with the program a day before I go on holiday! I finished Week 7 today so only 6 more runs to do and at the moment I feel like I'll be sure to finish the whole program

sheilamatt2005

just tagging this thread

iRun4wine

I too am doing Couch to 5k- I will finish week 4 tomorrow. I just want to remind everyone that Couch to 5k is meant to be run 3 days a week. I run on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Friday. Of course, you can choose to follow this or not- just a friendly reminder! I don't want anyone to become injured from pushing too hard when your body isn't used to running:ohwell: . Here's the link to where it explains Couch to 5k if anyone wants/needs it: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

It explains:
"Each session should take about 20 or 30 minutes, three times a week. That just happens to be the same amount of moderate exercise recommended by numerous studies for optimum fitness. This program will get you fit. (Runners who do more than this amount are doing it for more than fitness, and before long you might find yourself doing the same as well).

Be sure to space out these three days throughout the week to give yourself a chance to rest and recover between efforts. And don't worry about how fast you're going. Running faster can wait until your bones are stronger and your body is fitter. For now focus on gradually increasing the time or distance you run."

Happy running :flowerforyou:

Nlongenecker

I just finished Day 1 Week 5. I tell you what, I never thought I would get this far. I am really proud. On day 3 of this week I am supposed to jog/run 20 straight minutes. My thought is, "Yikes, I don't know if I can do that." But everytime I have that thought, I prove I can do it. Now I can actually see the goal in sight, in 4 wks I will be running a straight 5K. Who would've thought!!

sheilamatt2005

Just started the program on Monday! yay for me! I was pooped after 15 mins but I did it!

I was wondering what pre-walk/jog stretches ya'll are doing to warm up?

I have read conflicting info on whether it is better to stretch before or not...any thots??????? I always stretch afterwards, tho.

thanks!:flowerforyou:

fitgal411

I just finished Day 1 Week 5. I tell you what, I never thought I would get this far. I am really proud. On day 3 of this week I am supposed to jog/run 20 straight minutes. My thought is, "Yikes, I don't know if I can do that." But everytime I have that thought, I prove I can do it. Now I can actually see the goal in sight, in 4 wks I will be running a straight 5K. Who would've thought!!

Doing Day 3 tomorrow!!!!!!! (of Week 5)

I almost couldn't last through Day 2. I was at my limit, but I knew if I just held on for onnnne more miniute, I would be proud of myself. And I was!:bigsmile:

Nlongenecker

I just finished Day 1 Week 5. I tell you what, I never thought I would get this far. I am really proud. On day 3 of this week I am supposed to jog/run 20 straight minutes. My thought is, "Yikes, I don't know if I can do that." But everytime I have that thought, I prove I can do it. Now I can actually see the goal in sight, in 4 wks I will be running a straight 5K. Who would've thought!!

Doing Day 3 tomorrow!!!!!!! (of Week 5)

I almost couldn't last through Day 2. I was at my limit, but I knew if I just held on for onnnne more miniute, I would be proud of myself. And I was!:bigsmile:

Good Luck! Let me know how it goes, I'll be thinking about you.

re_define

I just did day two of week one today and I'm so incredibly excited to keep going. I'm definitely looking for a 5k I can do by the end of this and then I'd love to move into lengther runs. I have some wild hopes ahead of me

vanessa915

I tried to do W1D2 today, but I just couldn't keep up with it for some reason. I've been recycling through the first week for a while now because I can't seem to stay consistent with it. I'll do fine for a week, then I miss a week, etc. Or like this week, I did Monday just fine, and it was almost easy, but today was killing me. Ugh. I really want to get into this whole C25K thing, but my body isn't liking it much.

Vanessa

fitgal411

I tried to do W1D2 today, but I just couldn't keep up with it for some reason. I've been recycling through the first week for a while now because I can't seem to stay consistent with it. I'll do fine for a week, then I miss a week, etc. Or like this week, I did Monday just fine, and it was almost easy, but today was killing me. Ugh. I really want to get into this whole C25K thing, but my body isn't liking it much.

Vanessa

How fast are you running? Sometimes it's good to start off at a slower speed and then gradually work up to about 6mph. Do you have enough time to commit to a program like C25K? (20-30 minutes, 3 times a week) Also, are you exercising at different times? Sometimes that may have something to do with how well you exercise.

vanessa915

I tried to do W1D2 today, but I just couldn't keep up with it for some reason. I've been recycling through the first week for a while now because I can't seem to stay consistent with it. I'll do fine for a week, then I miss a week, etc. Or like this week, I did Monday just fine, and it was almost easy, but today was killing me. Ugh. I really want to get into this whole C25K thing, but my body isn't liking it much.

Vanessa

How fast are you running? Sometimes it's good to start off at a slower speed and then gradually work up to about 6mph. Do you have enough time to commit to a program like C25K? (20-30 minutes, 3 times a week) Also, are you exercising at different times? Sometimes that may have something to do with how well you exercise.

I have the time, and I'm pretty consistent with my exercise. My girlfriends and I go after work on Mon, Wed, and Fri and often on Sat too. (I only do the C25K on 3 of those days). I think the trouble is that we're also doing a small group personal training on Mon and Wed. So on Mon. this week, I did my C25K workout for 30 min (alternating between walking at 3.5 and jogging at 4.5) and I did just fine. But then we worked out for an hour w/ the trainer doing lots of different squats and a variety of other things. So I think my muscles were still a little worn out today. I guess maybe I need to ease into it a little more since I'm coupling it with the other class.

Vanessa

nueta1922

Quick question to the other C25Kers...

I am on my second day of week 4 and I cant make it through the 5 minutes. I can only make it to 3. should I go back to week 3 or just keep doing week 4 until I can finish the full five minute run?

Let me know,I kind of feel like a big huge failure.

fitgal411

Quick question to the other C25Kers...

I am on my second day of week 4 and I cant make it through the 5 minutes. I can only make it to 3. should I go back to week 3 or just keep doing week 4 until I can finish the full five minute run?

Let me know,I kind of feel like a big huge failure.

You are not a failure! Most everyone has some trouble with the plan sooner or later. If week 4 is tough-but-doable, then keep repeating the week until you can complete it. But if week 3 seemed hard for you too, then I would suggest going back to get some more practice. Just go slowly, and you'll be fine!

Oh, and the whole point of becoming a runner is to have fun! If you're sick of doing a week over and over, try changing the speed or doing a higher incline (if you're on a treadmill) If you're running outside, try a different route.

Good luck!:flowerforyou:

pettmybunny

I would go back to week 3. Push yourself a little during the runs. You can complete the times (thus not feeling like a failure), and because you're pushing yourself more, when you retry week 4, at your regular pace, it'll seem like a piece of cake. There are several people on this site who have had to redo weeks. One lady on the runners thread said it took her an extra month. I'm on week 3 right now, and am having trouble with the last 3 minute run, so I know I'll be repeating it for sure!

fanta014

nueta1922,
You're not a failure at all! If I were you, I might do a special 3½ week designed just for myself Perhaps something like replacing the 5-minute-jogs with 4-minute-jogs. That should be a little easier but I think it would still require pushing yourself and trying hard.

I need to share it here.. I completed the program today, about 2 hours ago! I actually did an extra minute speeding up so that I could really feel it. It was such a great feeling, finishing the program

Just keep at it, you'll do fine :flowerforyou:

nueta1922

fanta014 congrats what an amazing accomplishment. I can't wait to say that too.

Thank you everyone for your help and encouragement... I think I am going to keep doing week4 until I master it even if it takes a month. But I am going to master the 5 minute run.

cellorocker

Tagging this, I've bookmarked the page with the C25K program on it.

A quick question:
If you cannot successfully complete week one, should you keep trying it until you have mastered it?

fitgal411

Tagging this, I've bookmarked the page with the C25K program on it.

A quick question:
If you cannot successfully complete week one, should you keep trying it until you have mastered it?

If you're having trouble with week 1, then this may not be for you. It's just going to get harder with every week. And do you really want to have to do every single week over and over again?

cellorocker

Tagging this, I've bookmarked the page with the C25K program on it.

A quick question:
If you cannot successfully complete week one, should you keep trying it until you have mastered it?

If you're having trouble with week 1, then this may not be for you. It's just going to get harder with every week. And do you really want to have to do every single week over and over again?

Oh, well, I'm not having problems, I haven't even started it yet.
I just used week one as an example.
Let's say I had a bad week, when I was on week 7 or so. Would it be okay to do the Week 7 workout once more, just to make sure I've really got it before I move on?

And, for those of you with an iPod, or iTunes, there's podcasts of the C25k program, complete with music, and cues for when to run and walk.

fitgal411

Tagging this, I've bookmarked the page with the C25K program on it.

A quick question:
If you cannot successfully complete week one, should you keep trying it until you have mastered it?

If you're having trouble with week 1, then this may not be for you. It's just going to get harder with every week. And do you really want to have to do every single week over and over again?

Oh, well, I'm not having problems, I haven't even started it yet.
I just used week one as an example.
Let's say I had a bad week, when I was on week 7 or so. Would it be okay to do the Week 7 workout once more, just to make sure I've really got it before I move on?

And, for those of you with an iPod, or iTunes, there's podcasts of the C25k program, complete with music, and cues for when to run and walk.

Oh, I'm sorry! I was just saying what I would suggest to people who had trouble with week 1. If you don't feel like you really succeeded at one week, then yes, it would be good to do it over again for practice. Good luck!:flowerforyou:

cellorocker

Tagging this, I've bookmarked the page with the C25K program on it.

A quick question:
If you cannot successfully complete week one, should you keep trying it until you have mastered it?

If you're having trouble with week 1, then this may not be for you. It's just going to get harder with every week. And do you really want to have to do every single week over and over again?

Oh, well, I'm not having problems, I haven't even started it yet.
I just used week one as an example.
Let's say I had a bad week, when I was on week 7 or so. Would it be okay to do the Week 7 workout once more, just to make sure I've really got it before I move on?

And, for those of you with an iPod, or iTunes, there's podcasts of the C25k program, complete with music, and cues for when to run and walk.

Oh, I'm sorry! I was just saying what I would suggest to people who had trouble with week 1. If you don't feel like you really succeeded at one week, then yes, it would be good to do it over again for practice. Good luck!:flowerforyou:

Thank you!

pettmybunny

When I did something similar (it wasn't C25K, I think it was the Self program) a few years ago, I had to repeat several weeks. I know I'm going to have to repeat week 3 of C25K already. If it's worth doing, it's worth repeating weeks if you have to. I know someone who did each week twice before moving on to the next, just because she felt like it. I think the most important thing is to go ahead and try to push yourself, but at the same time be realistic about it. Like me, I can't finish the last 3 minute run yet, so I know I'm not going to be able to run 5 for week 4.

Fausttt

I started c25k a couple of weeks ago. I did not have proper shoes and tore my heels up (they were scary looking). So this was the first solid week for me. I was able to do w1. I even noticed my distance improved each time. I am a big guy (290 lbs) so i was expecting ankle, knee, whatever problems. So far my ankles/feet have felt great. I have not got shin splints either. My breathing/lung power needs to improve, but that's it. I will be repeating week 1 in hopes i can complete the entire week again with less difficulty breathing. Then I will move on to week 2.

It has been surprisingly more enjoyable than i thought. I never thought i would be lookin forward to running. But when i get home from work, i immediately grab the dogs (2) and go for a run. By the last 1/3rd of the run one of my dogs cannot keep up so i end up partially dragging him (upper body workout too!). As soon as I'm done i jump right in the pool to relax/cool down. So far I have not even really had much soreness. If my lungs/breathing were more fit I would be ready to move on to week 2.

chrissyh

faustt- you'll be surprised how you can continue to advance thru the program - each week I thought the next week looked impossible - just keep a positive attitude and tell yourself you can and you will. The breathing does get better - I still have to think about breathing when I am running but I figure every time I am out there I am getting stronger! There's no time limit to the program - you could repeat every week thru the program if it helps you - this is for you and you do what you feel is best!!

Way to go! Be sure you do the warm up and cool downs-I walk 5 minutes after I run then I stretch - I've had no injuries.