Couch to 5km Graduates!!!

mommared53

JPrice, how did you do on your 5K?

JPriceGA

I ran it in 39:30. So I'm a little faster than I was last October when I ran it in 41:05. Sure seems like I'm faster than that now, but I wasn't Sunday! One big difference is that now I KNOW I can run the full 5k - that's a nice feeling!

mommared53

Congratulations! That's great. I need to really get my butt in gear if I'm going to run a 5K in July. I wish I could get my running partner to start running with me again. I think she goes out on her own now. :frown:

jlbay

Hey all.

Well, I think the last time I ran was end of January. The knee injury has taken much longer to heal than anticipated. I've been testing out with a few minutes of running here and there, but last Friday I had my first run. It was short and slow - 12 minutes of running with walking breaks every 3 minutes. Still, no soreness or swelling and the knee felt good. If anything my opposite leg really ached (think I was subconsciously favoring the uninjured leg) that night. So, I'm going back to running three days a week this week - but keeping to the very slow 12 minutes of running. I want to build up slowly for the first couple of weeks.

Good to see so many familiar people still on this thread.

maddiebabe

YAY JAN!!! Thats so great that you did so well! We knew you could do it!

I managed to get in a 3km run before my hour of strenght training with my trainer today. it felt good to get another run in. Im slowly building back up to the 5km.

I cannot wait to be able to do it again. There is a race on April 18th that I would like to run in so that gives me just under 4 weeks to get back up to snuff!

Thanks for keepign the post going ladies. You always inspire me!!!

JPriceGA

Hey all.

Well, I think the last time I ran was end of January. The knee injury has taken much longer to heal than anticipated. I've been testing out with a few minutes of running here and there, but last Friday I had my first run. It was short and slow - 12 minutes of running with walking breaks every 3 minutes. Still, no soreness or swelling and the knee felt good. If anything my opposite leg really ached (think I was subconsciously favoring the uninjured leg) that night. So, I'm going back to running three days a week this week - but keeping to the very slow 12 minutes of running. I want to build up slowly for the first couple of weeks.

Good to see so many familiar people still on this thread.

Been there, done that - take it easy as you get back into it :-)

JPriceGA

Maddiebabe - I know you can get from 3k to 5k in four weeks! You've done it once already :-)

This week has been a total wash on running/exercising so far. I've got a lot of work stuff going on - competing demands that HAVE to get done on a timeline. I've tried not to let work get in the way of working out, but I haven't done ANYTHING since last Saturday exercise-wise. Not even the Wii for 30 minutes! Arrgghh.

JPriceGA

Hi everyone! Just wanted to report in that today I had my longest run EVER at 4.5 miles! Get this... I ran to the gym, then did the last mile on the treadmill!

mommared53

Well, I've decided to start the C25K program again. I ran over a week ago and my legs were sore for several days. That's not good. So I decided that since I'm so out of practice running, I would just start the C25K again so I don't injure myself. I should have time to finish it and still run my 5K in July.

JPriceGA

Sounds like a good plan - it will go faster this time around. I use the C25 podcasts quite frequently still. I find them to be helpful for interval training (earlier weeks) and for my longer runs too (weeks 8 & 9).

maddiebabe

wow!!! 4.5 miles! Thats so amazing! keep up the great work everyone!

I weighed myself and I gained 2 lbs but it is all muscle which is so great I am finally getting intoa new groove where I can fit running 3-4 x/week again and im SOOOOO excited for it

cant wait to check in again soon. sorry that this post is so short!!!

jlbay

@ maddiebabe - know what you mean about the groove - it feels good when you know you are getting back into the swing of things.

So, Monday I ran again. I'm still being very cautious. I'm doing (3min run/2 min) walk x 5 this week at a very slow 12 min mile. I'm not even breaking a sweat at this pace and interval, but I've read a lot on-line about how regular walk breaks can prevent injury. Also, the one day last week I got cute and tried to push the speed up on the treadmill, my knee was swollen the next day. So, I'm building up distance now and not speed. I'm going again today to run. I'm doing the treadmill so that I can monitor my pace better and not get ahead of myself.

I've been seeing a physiotherapist and she's giving me a lot of exercises to do. I decided that, since I can't go all out running, I'm going to work on my strength. Even after working out for several months now (since last August, consistently), I still have a LOT of weak spots. So, I've started a heavy strength training routine for the whole body. I think it is time I build up some muscle strength with heavy weights. Once I'm able to get back to my running training routine, I will focus on runner specific strength programs.

So, here's hoping I'm finally on the mend because I won that ballot for the Great Northern Run (half marathon) middle of September and I'm WAY behind on my original training schedule. I'm starting to get nervous although my physio says I still have more than enough time. I don't know, I'm starting to feel nervous.

JPriceGA

Jlbay - injured you are faster than I am LOL! I bet your physiotherapist is right - take care of yourself and build stregnth and distance slowly, and you'll be rockin' by next September!

maddiebabe

ladies I am so excited!!! its 25 degrees out today....and expected to be like that all day! I cannot belive how gorgeous it is out! I am just heading out for a run tomorrow morning before heading to my fiance's parents for our first easter dinner of the weekend! I am so stoked to finally be able to start running outside again regularily!!!

what sorts of runs are you guys planning for this weekend? any exciting plans for dinner or road trips at all?

Jlbay my trainer is going through the same thing with her physio too. she just got told that she cannot run more than 2 min at a time yet and she is devestated because she is really strong physicially but wants to really start to burn more fat off through cardio, so we had worked out a deal that she will train me through weights adn I will teach her to run hehe!

I hope you start to be able to improve again soon

*hugs*

mommared53

I did week 1 day 1 of the C35K on Wednesday. I was goiong to run day 2 during my lunch hour but it's rainy, cold and windy so i didn't because I had to come back to work. I'll see about tomorrow. I hope all have a great Easter.

jlbay

Thanks for the encouraging words. I guess you can't be a runner without dealing with injury setbacks -seems like many here have been through similar bouts.

The good news is I completed my other two runs - still similar format run/walk x 6. So, I'm getting in about a mile and a half of running each session. Next week I will add one interval, but no speed. I think I'll be adding distance until I can build back up to 30 minutes of running then reevaluate from there.

Also, I think the physio and strength training are helping. For the first time in a long time, I'm not getting extreme soreness in my right quad and IT band. Soreness in my feet is also way down. Perhaps I'm turning a corner on these two nagging imbalances?

JPriceGA

Sounds like you're making good progress! Be gentle now, and you'll be better off in the long run!

mommared53

Ok, so I haven't been running during my lunch hour because it's always rainy. I'm going to try to start over again today. It's supposed to be rainy again today but it's not raining yet so I'll see how it's looks during my lunch hour.

maddiebabe

hello Graduates

I have officially joined the ranks of runners again! I went out today and purchased a new pair of running shoes and they are AMAZING!!!! I cannot wait to get out and run tomorrow at lunch! I wish I could get up and run at 5am but i just don't have that stamina just yet!!!

I am so pumped tog et back torunning 3-4 times a week consistantly! i have managed to get in 5km runs 2x in the last week but I really need to start increasing my distance again soon!

Just wanted to issue a little challenge to all of you graduates on here! lets start being regular again with our postings!!! i would love to see each and every time you all run and I will make sure to make a quick post every time I run too...starting with tomorrow

happy running this week everyone

*hugs*
carrie

maddiebabe

hmmmm where have you all gone????

mommared53

I found the thread again. Sorry Maddie to let it die but I revived it again. I've been running again. Today I finished week 4day 2. That second 5 minute run almost did me in but I finally made it. I bought new running shoes and they sure do make a difference. My ankles aren't killin' me now when I run. I hope the others come back to this thread again.

Happyoceangirl

Stayin' alive... Thanks for keeping this going! Not sure how, but I fell off this thread again. It's nice to see it back.
How are you all doing?

I was sick for a couple of weeks in March, but in April got my groove back. In the past week, I rocked my longest runs EVER!!! 4.5 miles, followed by a 4 miler. It felt AMAZING.

Hoping to keep it going, but could really benefit from having a support group to hang with.

mommared53

Smiles, great job! :flowerforyou: I did w5d1 today. It wasn't quite as hard as week 4. I'm pretty proud of myself. Can't wait to finish this again so I can finally run my first 5K. Thread's not dead yet. I hope we can keep it going.

davemc1971

I'm new to this thread. I finished the c25k last summer. I've ran a couple of 5k's and just this last weekend finished the Texas warrior dash 3.5 miles with 10 obstacles through mud, and chest deep water in about 37 minutes. I am currently training for my fist 10k and then follow that up with a 1/2 marathon. I love running, it's very relaxing especially with some good music playing.

JPriceGA

Hi all!

I've been struggling the past few weeks. I've had my first weight uptick since last October. I have been sporadic about logging my food, and not so good about exercising regularly (I managed to stay off of the wii for 22 consecutive days!) I've also felt less connected on the message boards than I had in a long time, so all in all, I've not been at my best.

It's been kinda weird, because up until a few days ago, I felt really good. Then over this last trip, I had a really good healthy day, I ran and walked for over an hour and ate well, then I had three really long sedentary days where I didn't feel like I had much control over the food choices. Since then, I've felt like a blimp!

Monday I went back to the gym for the first time in a few weeks and swam for an hour. Last night I did a wii free-step for 30 minutes. I started off this morning on the wii and plan to go to aqua class tonight at the gym... but then Wednesday through Friday I'm on the road again!

I've been playing softball, but find I have to be really careful to really get enough exercise from playing and to not eat more than I burned being social with other ball players!

I was doing so well. I need to get motivated to get after that next 30 lbs. In my head, part of me doesn't believe I can really do it. And part of me has been really happy to be where I am now. I stayed right at the same weight for quite a while.

Also, I decided I wasn't ready for one of my goals (a sprint triathalon in June) and missed the registration for the 10k I wanted to run in July - so I have nothing identified to train for. I guess I need to fix that!

Ok, well, I'll get off the rant now and do the best I can the next three weeks. Travel will be over after that and I can get re-focused. This next three weeks, I'll concentrate on making better food choices on the road and getting in more exercise. Hopefully the needle will start to budge in the other direction again!

Jessica68

Hey there Jan..I've been thinking about you! So I decided to hunt you down and here you are! Girl..I"m in the same boat, I mean..yes i have registered for a run and yes I am still going to the gym to run on the treadmill but its not as before, and Im just feeling disconnected lately with MFP. I'm also not eating as well as i should therefore not losing any weight.

Tuesday I decided to just start again using the running podcast since I need to pick up my speed and get better at running. So just going to see where it gets me. I'm starting off with the Freeway to 10k since its interval training and I "feel" i can do it and I also know its going to kick my butt! But I that's what i need right now..a good butt kicking to get back on TRACK!!

good luck to you! WE CAN DO THIS! WE DID IT and can do it again!

maddiebabe

HEEEEEELLLLOOOOO AGAIN

How is everyone on here doing! I am so sorry that I have been away from the thread! I have missed all your updates and encouragement! How is everyone doing now?

i got back into it again ladies!!! I managed to run 2x this week adn Im off to do it again tomorow at 5:30 am! 5km here I come lol! Hope everyone is feeling better and getting back into it again!!!1

love carrie

JPriceGA

Hello all - Jessica did a great job of tracking me down and getting me headed back in the right direction! I really appreciate that by the way...

It does help to run with other people on a plan - I think that's why c25k works so well online - you run with a bunch of people even though it's not together and it's so exciting to get results it's easy to encourage each other. I miss that!

maddiebabe

YAY!!! Im so glad you are back, and hi Jessica Hope you're doing well as well. I agree that running with others even online makes a huge difference in what we can do!

I was so excited to get out and go for a walk/run with my fiance this morning! it was such a great way to start the day!!! I am so excited to really get going again. i got in 3x last week and hoping I can get in 3x again this week as well as 3x this week of strength traiing and a horseback riding lesson...gotta kick it into high gear now that I have 4 months to get ready for my wedding!!!

I cant wait to see if i can push myself to the 10 km this year before october I sure hope so! what is everyone else's goals...my BHAG (big hairy audacious goal) is to run a 1/2 marathon this october but Im not sure thats in the cards yet!!!

I'd love to hear everyone else's short and long term goals for running and exercise this summer....if you want to share and motivate each other again

hugs,
carrie

ccgisme

I'm coming up on wk 5 d1. I will join you all when I officially graduate.

If I may ask one question - did anyone incorporate sprints into their workout schedule while doing C25K? I'm playing flag football and need to develop some speed (at best I'm running a 12 minute mile... I know, it's not about speed). I'm thinking of adding one day of sprints on a local football field. I realize games are essentially long sprint interval workouts and I'm adding a day of rest after each game.

Thanks for any sage advice you can provide! :happy:

Chris