couch to 5k--anyone starting now or success stories??

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Replies

  • rhonswan
    rhonswan Posts: 26
    I started running a year ago with this program. I timed it to finish with my first 5k last December and have been hooked on running ever since. I have ran numerous 5k's and 10k's, 2 half marathons and 1 relay team on a full marathon. I am now training for my 3rd half marathon and planning on completing my first full marathon in 2013.

    This is a great plan to get started. Good Luck!
  • lveh8lve
    lveh8lve Posts: 162 Member
    I just started week 1 day 2. I have really tight calves and Im feeling it today. Then again I probably shouldnt have done 2 days back to back without a rest day in between.

    Feel free to friend me if you want some support!!
  • OddballExtreme
    OddballExtreme Posts: 296 Member
    I'm also giving this thing a try because as much as I enjoy walking, I really want to be able to run, but safely. I've completed week 1 already, but I've stalled going into week 2 because of personal issues (no, nothing health-related, but having to help family and work-related). I'm going to be on it today, tomorrow, and Saturday. Just need the temperature to warm up a little bit.

    I do like this C25K program because it's a good way of slowly learning the correct jogging methods without getting injured. I really want to be able to run 30 minutes by the time the new year rolls around. :wink:
  • crimznrose
    crimznrose Posts: 282 Member
    I just finished it last month. When I started, I could barely run to my mailbox without getting winded and I got a stitch in my side for the first few weeks of the program, but I stuck with it. Now I run every other day (yep - even in darkness and 30 degree weather now that it's turning into winter). I have three events I'm registered for in the next four weeks and have completed four 5k runs, a 3 mile obstacle course run, and my first half marathon.

    The biggest thing for me was that I found out I enjoyed it. I was happier and felt better after my runs even though I didn't necessarily feel like starting the run that day, I always felt better after I finished it. I'm not a fast runner by any means, but I am absolutely proud of the fact I can run at my pace and keep it up for miles and miles.
  • emtjmac
    emtjmac Posts: 1,320 Member
    When I first started I could barely finish the 90 seconds of running. I graduated about 3 weeks ago or so and I've run for an hour straight twice since then. My runs now are between 30-60 minutes and I run 5 days a week. The program really changed my life. I couldn't live without running now. It also doesn't hurt that my legs are now rippling with solid muscle. Pretty awesome lol.
  • melindadunston
    melindadunston Posts: 157
    I have ALWAYS hated running. I didn't play basketball in high school because of the running aspect...lol. This past spring I started the C25K plan. It took some time but I started to LOVE it. Don't get me wrong it wasn't overnight. I struggled to stick with it and it wasn't easy. I ran my first 5k in June then a HALF MARATHON is October. Now I have to run. I don't run every day now because I'm not training. I run usually a mile+ on the treadmill and lift 3x through the week then on Sat and Sun I run outside, long runs. This Saturday I am running 8miles and I can hardly wait:) Sunday I will probably only do around 4:) Yes now I say only 4...lol At the beginning of this year 4miles may have well been a marathon. I love it! Feel free to add me for support and any questions you may have on your journey. Oh...and I've lost 31lbs. I still have about 15-20 to go but I'm doing it. Running has changed my life!
  • crimznrose
    crimznrose Posts: 282 Member
    I just started week 1 day 2. I have really tight calves and Im feeling it today. Then again I probably shouldnt have done 2 days back to back without a rest day in between.

    Feel free to friend me if you want some support!!

    Definitely DON'T overdo it. You're training and strengthening your leg muscles by easing into it with short intervals and if you do too much too soon you can tear something. When I first got into weeks 4-6 I thought I could start doing back to back days, but got that painful tight sensation in my legs. Luckily my stepdad is a marathoner and he told me to stay off my feet for a day then ease back in with an easy day so I didn't hurt anything. You are essentially putting your entire body weght on one leg when you fun and the impact of the landing is more than 2x your body weight on that leg, so it's not going to gain strength quickly - it is a slow process and I still have to take a rest day after two days back to back. Try switching it up with a training run day, than a light walk/slow jog on day 2 with rest on day 3 and alternate your workout that way.
  • metram
    metram Posts: 3
    Glad to see so many positive posts abot C25K...I plan on starting C210K in January after ankle injury is healed.
  • loseweightjames
    loseweightjames Posts: 360 Member
    I am not the world's best runner but I know I can, my knees hurt and I do not pace myself very well. Anyone been successful on this program? Anyone starting now???

    yes i did it last year, finished my first 5k race in 5 years last October

    it works great, but i had to redo several weeks because I wasn't ready for the next week sometimes if I couldn't run the times i should have been running and every time I skipped a day it put me back.

    I'd recommend it to anyone, after years of trying to find something that help me get me past 1 mile the couch to 5k app worked wonders.

    i'm still running, ran a 5k race last weekend and have another one this weekend
  • saraann4
    saraann4 Posts: 1,296 Member
    I'm starting it. I just did my day 2 of week 1 yesterday. Feel free to add!
  • doxylady
    doxylady Posts: 1
    I just did my first day today. BTW I am 53 and 100 lbs overweight, so if I can do it....ANYONE can do it.
  • xidia
    xidia Posts: 606 Member
    The best bit of advice I got was "If you can run any slower, you're running too fast".

    I went from no exercise to 8 mile runs in 5 months. I now do run faster (but not FAST), and it was a gradual thing. Take the first few weeks slow and easy and the programme really will work for you.
  • BobbyDaniel
    BobbyDaniel Posts: 1,459 Member
    I finished C25K just about 2 years ago and now I'm working toward my 2nd half and full marathons. Prior to starting the program I wasn't a runner and was desperate to lose at least 30 pounds and was hoping running would get me off the plateau. It did and more!
  • scapez
    scapez Posts: 2,018 Member
    Success story: Never ran, hated running. Just assumed I could never do it. Started C25K last year at the age of 44 and I was hooked. The feeling of accomplishment each time I could run further was amazing! I've done around 8-9 5k's since and have metaled twice. :drinker:

    I have more 5k's lined up for the future and I plan on doing my first half next year.

    The only issue I had pain-wise was shin splints, that was remedied when I was properly fitted for shoes at my local running store.

    Good luck to you! :flowerforyou:
  • nuttyfamily
    nuttyfamily Posts: 3,394 Member
    I'm a success story.

    I never ran in my life literally until starting C25k two years ago at the age of 42. I have run countless 5ks, around 5 10ks and trained for two halfs.

    I couldn't even slog a block when I started.

    My advice, is take it slow...if it feels too hard, slow down. Read all you can on running form, etc. on coolrunning.com or Runner's World's website. Get fitted for shoes at a running shoe store.

    If you feel the need to repeat days, go ahead.
  • sarbar71
    sarbar71 Posts: 191 Member
    I am just finishing my last week of C25K - I technically have 1 more workout left, but extended the last two runs to the full 3 mile mark because I felt I was ready - so I suppose that can say that I have "graduated". ! I don't have the amazing success stories as some of the others who are running 10k and such, but I will be running in a 5K Santa Run (in full santa suit) on 12/3 and can't wait!! This is the second time I have done C25K, and successfully ran a 5K last time too. I feel like super woman when I run - stick with it - the program definitely works!!
  • leslie0422
    leslie0422 Posts: 108 Member
    I completed C25K last year and loved it. It really did ease me back into running after taking a break for a few years to have my kids. I actually ran 4 to 5 days per week rather than the 3 days recommended in the app and I counted calories and during that time I lost most of my weight (50 lbs). Now I run 4 to 5 miles most days and I'm working on increasing my speed.
  • athensguy
    athensguy Posts: 550
    I started C25k in October 2011. I used my phone for it. Since then I have run 3 half marathons and one marathon along with a bunch of 5ks. I had never run more than a couple of minutes at a time prior to starting the program.
  • OMG_Twinkies
    OMG_Twinkies Posts: 215 Member
    I'm starting week 7 day 1 tomorrow. I had to re-do a couple of weeks because I got lazy in the beginning, but now I'm loving it! When I first started running, it was treadmill only. One day, I decided I was going to be an "outside runner," so I took off around my neighborhood and had no idea what I was doing. I couldn't even go 2 minutes without having to stop and walk. Last week, I went back to that same route and tried again; it felt so good to run right past all the places I remember having to stop before :)

    I had some angry knees at first, but I got new shoes, was properly fitted, learned to pay attention to how I was running and how my feet were hitting the pavement, and adjusted my posture (I tend to lean forward...I blame the double D's lol). Now the angry knees have shut up and I can enjoy my run :drinker:

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