c25k or insanity

Dsmcgrail

I plan to try my first 5k on new years day, (commitmentday.com, 35+ citys across the US) and I want to know your opinion. Before I decided to do this, I was gonna try to do c25k every other day, and insanity every other day. Now I'm not sure if I should just try to do the c25k and not worry about the insanity for now, to be sure I can get the c25k in for sure and be prepared for the 5k?

What would you do?

FluffyDogsRule

i would do c25k first, do your 5k...then do insanity. you'll find after you do insanity your running will be much improved! faster, easier, longer.

pgp90xer

I agree with katemarcus. I would do c25k first. And with both I would follow the program all the way through, don't break it up and do one one day and one the other day. C25k is a nice and progressive program... Insanity is NOT! Good luck on the 5K!

mlb929

I did a half marathon only doing Insanity/Asylum and running 1x per week. There are also people that do only cross fit and run marathons. I think your plan would work just fine. Just be make sure you still take your full rest day and do the recovery day and no running on that day.

liverup

I was never a runner but in January 2012 I signed up for a half marathon and printed Hal Higdon's novice 1 plan and started running. 2.5 miles was as far as I could run when I started and I was 205 lbs. Now I've got a half and a full and a couple 10 K's under my belt.

It's easy for me to say this after I've been running for 9 months but 3.1 miles is not that far. Personally I think you should do insanity and run a day or two a week. That darn insanity with even a small amount of running should prepare you for a 5K.

Just my 2 cents.

drgndancer

A lot depends on your current fitness level and your goals. Insanity is a 6 day a week program; if you want to "finish" it, you really need to do it six days a week, at least most weeks. C25K is a 3 day a week program. You're unlikely, unless you're in pretty good shape to start with, going to be able to do both at the same time if you do them "right". I would occasionally do a run on the same day I did an Insanity work out, but I was usually too tired to do both in the same day. if you're already in great shape, you might try doing them both, but for most people I wouldn't recommend it.

It's important to understand that getting ready for a distance run is more than simply getting into cardiovascular condition and building muscles. You also need to get your joints prepared for the impact. The best way to prep for a run is to run. Insanity is a great program though, and I don't want to discourage you from doing it. I'd recommend doing C25K to get ready for your first 5K, then while doing Insanity, run one or two days a week for short distances just to keep yourself in running shape. Once you finish Insanity I think you'll be amazed at the improvements in your 5K time.

Dsmcgrail

Thanks for all the replies! I would have said 5 weeks ago, I was in the worst shape of my life. 32 years old, 6'1" and 269#. My wife and I entered a weight loss competition county wide, and joined MFP. My sister jumped on the fitness bandwagon with us and some of her friends, and convinced me to sign up for the 5k on new years day. I had already done a week of c25k and 3-4 days of insanity. I think after careful consideration, I'll just try to do the c25k (maybe even join my BIL for some weights on off running days) then dedicate myself to the insanity after new years!

Thanks again all!