Anyone starting the C25K?

LeonnieH

I did my first podcast today, found it challenging as I'm very unfit. Is anyone else out there starting it and in need to support and encouragement? If so please add me as a friend, it would be nice to do this with others at the same place in their fitness level

JennyDuffy

I've done 2 days of it so far! It is hard as I'm not a runner, and tend to jog more than run. But giving this a go! Hoping I build my stamina gradually. Feel free to add me so we can help encourage each other!

MrsPixelbark

Afraid I'm on the opposite end of the stick (I graduated last week), however good on you for getting started! It's a fantastic program, and it's certainly changed my life. I really struggled with week one initially, being very unfit (much like you), however I'm now training for a 10k run and feeling a lot fitter for it!

Just be warned, if you're anything like me, you may become slightly addicted to running. Are you planning on doing it on the treadmill or outside?

AwesomeOne66

good on you! I honestly thought I was on the edge of death the first time I ran, being over 30kg heavier than I am now...I spent the first 5 weeks icing my knees after every run...it was worth it.

now I think I am on the edge of death because I have a running injury that's preventing me from training for 10km!!

Go for it, you'll soon love it! Good luck!

twonkieone

i soooooo want to be a runner - they always look so healthy! however, i'm in pretty good shape - take double spin classes, zumba, cardiosculpt - but am overweight. i always feel like i can't breathe when i run ~ probably totally mental ~ anyone else have that happen??? i need to kick it up a notch cause i have not lost much weight in 3 months even though i go to the gym 5 times a week. I'm In!!!:happy:

LeonnieH

Thanks everyone for the great encouragement I'm running it outside. There's a track through the forest where I walk my dog, it's a fairly hard dirt track and reasonably level which should be good for jogging along, it's just over a mile in length so a little more than 2 miles total if I go to the end and back. There is a 20 minute uphill (not too steep but certainly not level either) walk to get there so I'm using the walk up as a warm up and then doing the jogging bit along the level track, walking back downhill as the cool down. One day (here's me being optimistic haha) I can hopefully go off track to extend the length and that will also involve up and down hill sections and varying terrain. I'm not sure if perhaps the walk uphill to my starting point made this first run more difficult for me today but I shouldn't think so because usually I walk this several times a week with my dog so the walking wasn't any more than I'm used to although I did do it a little more briskly today.

writinwater

I'm currently doing week 4 and cant believe the difference a month has made!! I was strugling through the 60 seconds at the start, and this week I've run the 5 minute intervals and thought 'hey, I could definately run further than this if I had to!'

If my poor lungs can pull through it, so can yours!! Just go as slowly as you can and go for it!

LeonnieH

Thanks writinwater, that's encouraging. I find breathing not too difficult but my legs start feeling like lead weights! I'm sure I can get through that though, just need to keep at it

chelseyyy90

I am starting it today! Never been a runner but definitely looking forward to becoming one

Almiten

I'm on week 2 now .. It's going ok so far

dad106

I'm doing Week 7 Day 2 tomorrow.. and the best advice I can give is stick with it.

It may seem challenging at times, but you can do it... and adjust your pace accordingly. Go as slow as you need to in order to finish the interval.. Speed will come with time as will distance.

peggers4325

I just finished week 1 yesterday. What I can't believe is even in a week my energy levels have jumped! It's crazy! I'm so ready for week 2!

Itssojen

Starting this today...I'm also doing Jillian Michaels' 30DS, so hopefully they complement each other pretty well. L1D4 of 30DS and W1D1 of C25K...we'll see how it goes!

sexikc

I have not ran in a couple weeks maybe...so I may need to just start over...I really hate that I am not further along...and I agree it is HARD....but I have done it before and it really helps you to get in shape more swiftly so I am gonna get back to it..any of you can add me..

msmith2020

I've done 2 days of it so far! It is hard as I'm not a runner, and tend to jog more than run. But giving this a go! Hoping I build my stamina gradually. Feel free to add me so we can help encourage each other!

I consider "joggin" as running. You dont have to run at 5moh or faster to be considered a "runner" running is running, slow or fast. If you run a mile whether its a 8 min/mile, 12 min/mile or a 16 min/mile its still a mile and its till running.

I'm currently in week 5 day 2. Which I guess I can skip since instead of running the 8 mins last night I ran 20 instead... But anyways. Its great, motivating and I LOVE IT!

jkeeling39

I started the C25K program a little over 2 months ago. This past weekend I ran my first 5k race and was actually able to post a personal best below 30 minutes. I really enjoyed it and felt like it was paced great. As with any workout program there are times where you struggle and part of working out is learning how to work through that.

Keep at it and repeat a week if necessary. But push!

ashlinmarie

I am a recent graduate of the C25K so if anyone would like to add me, feel free! I hadn't "run" in 8 years prior to this and never more than a few blocks at a time. I started C25K in June and have ran in 2 5Ks in the last week. I am 100% hooked on running! If you had told me a few months ago that I would be doing this, I would have laughed in your face...it was that ridiculous of a thought for me. The first 2 weeks were a challenge, but I started running outside during week 3 and I would never look back on that decision. I don't go very far or fast, but I love every second I am out there with just me and my iPod. I hope you all feel the same whether it is right away or it takes a few weeks. Just trust in the program!

KatyE213

I started this a couple of months back but then stopped due to an injury. I'm starting again tomorrow, will have to go back to week 1 I think! Anyone feel free to add me for mutual support

allison0820

I just started C25K last week.. today I started Week 2

ashlinmarie

i soooooo want to be a runner - they always look so healthy! however, i'm in pretty good shape - take double spin classes, zumba, cardiosculpt - but am overweight. i always feel like i can't breathe when i run ~ probably totally mental ~ anyone else have that happen??? i need to kick it up a notch cause i have not lost much weight in 3 months even though i go to the gym 5 times a week. I'm In!!!:happy:

For me it was mental. Once I got proper footfalls down, I focused on my breathing. I take 3-4 steps to breath in and 3-4 to breath out. Just take deep breaths...and try not to breath through your mouth.

mattgreenwich

I'm hoping to start in the morning. It will be my first time running in well over 10 years!! I'm scared but it needs to be done!

dawnp1833

I'm starting my first day tonight after work. Friend request sent.
I've never run before so this will be a big challenge. I signed up for my first 5K in late September.

rchupka87

I am on W4D1 - And I love it. It was VERY hard for me at first. In addition to being over-weight, and out of shape - I am also a smoker. But I love it because every week when I see what I am going to be doing, how far or long I am going to be running, I get intimidated and nervous, and think about quitting. Then I push through it, and realize that I can do it. Whoever designed this program did it perfectly. Each week is enough to push you to the next level, without trying to kill you. I suprise myself with every workout, and it's been a great confidence booster!

lucor001

I just completed this about 3 weeks ago and ran my first 5k race 2 weeks ago. It's a great plan! I was surprised how similar in concept it was on the 0to1650 (0 to 1 mile) for swimming. I guess I shouldn't have been, I imagine building up endurance is probably much the same regardless of the sport . If I remember right, I think week 6 was the worst for me (when you all of sudden skip out on "short" runs) but I made it through. I'm now on to the B210K (Bridge to 10K) and so far so good!

ChristyRunStarr

I'm on week 4-and I love it! I'm going to send you a friend request, I update my blog each day as I do it. It's not as detailed as I always want it to be but if you have any questions just ask!

kmccormick42

I start week 2 today. I have never been a runner and I'm still not sure I can do this. I completed week one but I sure was out of breath after jogging just one minute at a time. Maybe this will help me loose my last 20 lbs.

2hobbit1

The nice thing about C25K is that you can adjust it for your level of fitness. Your intervals can be walk vs brisk walk if that is what you can do. Then it could be brisk walk vs slow jog. Next round it can be brisk walk vs jog and finally brisk walk vs run.

You can repeat the program as many times as you need to as you build up to being able to do the walk run intervals.

You may find that as you progress you are able to push harder with the difficulty levels. It is smart to use a heart rate target to help you as you improve. For the fast segment of your intervals try to keep yourself within the moderate intensity zone for your age - that would be 70-80% of you heart rate max. If this is too much to start then go for the lower end.

If you go out too fast at first you may not want to continue. Just remember to relax as you go - tensing up makes it much harder - shoulders back, head up, fists and neck loose!

There are several good calculators on line to help with you heart rate range/max.

http://exercise.about.com/cs/fitnesstools/l/bl_THR.htm

LeonnieH

Thanks for that info hobbit, I have ordered a heart rate monitor but have no idea how one works so will need to learn about that once it arrives

Thank you everyone who has replied, offered advice and support and for all the friend requests. I didn't expect to receive such great support and gain so many new friends. I am so chuffed and know that all your support is going to help me crack this, I feel very positive about doing this now

shawngm98

Today I'll be starting week #2. This is usually when I get bored & quit but i'm doing the 5k Turkey Trot so I'm sticking with it (crossing fingers!)

wendrobn

I will be doing week 5 day 2 tonight. I feel like I've been bitten by the running bug. It's hard when you're doing it, but it's amazing how well the program works. The first time I did it I felt like I was going to die after 60 seconds of running. Now I'm up to running 6 minutes at a time, and it's hard, but I don't feel like I'm going to die.

I signed up for the Disneyland 5k Fun Run in January and am so excited! I'm also going to try to find another 5k to run in September/October.

I'm thinking next year at this time I might be training for my first 1/2 marathon! But I shouldn't get ahead of myself, I really need to complete a few 5ks first!

Feel free to add me if anyone wants another run nut buddy!

RAQUELINATOVAR

I am on w3 d2 tomorrow. It has been fun. Hopefully it will become a habit.