couch to 5k

ajhugz
ajhugz Posts: 452 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I want to run a 5 k in october because there is a zombie race with obstacles and I love zombies. I have a hate hate relationship with running so someone suggested couch to 5k. I live in chicago so I have to run in the cold. Any suggestions for running in cold weather? Which couch to 5k app do you use?

Replies

  • Guamybear
    Guamybear Posts: 1,061 Member
    I use the Zombie 5k app... you become part of the story.I have never run so this is a beginner app but I think the Zombie Run app is for more experienced runners.
  • drchimpanzee
    drchimpanzee Posts: 892 Member
    I used the one by Guy Hoffman on Android. It worked well and at the end of the program I was pretty much ready for a 5k. All I really did after was work on some bigger hills since I ran the program at a track. It was a pretty quick adjustment though. As far as the cold not sure my idea of cold (I'm in NC) is the same as yours LOL. What people have suggested to me though is to always start off slightly under dressed since you'll heat up as you go. I use gloves and a head band with ear covers since a full hat burns me up like crazy.
  • ripemango
    ripemango Posts: 534 Member
    i am doing a modified version of C25K. I don't use an app. I just keep slowly increasing my time spent jogging and decreasing my time spent walking. If you don't get the answers here you are looking for you may wanna checkout the MFP C25K group. I run inside, but there are plenty of ppl in the group that run outside in cold weather w lots of info. btw, i'm pretty sure there is a C25k zombie app.

    Is the zombie race of which you speak in Chicago?
    I want to run a 5 k in october because there is a zombie race with obstacles and I love zombies. I have a hate hate relationship with running so someone suggested couch to 5k. I live in chicago so I have to run in the cold. Any suggestions for running in cold weather? Which couch to 5k app do you use?
  • mjbell642
    mjbell642 Posts: 229 Member
    I used the active.com one. But Zen Labs has a really nice one that you can use on your smart phone. When I run outside I use RunKeeper, but I have to program in my intervals. Having the ones with GPS is nice, because you can see where you have to go to get the distance.

    GOOD LUCK !!
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    bundle up. a lot. champion sweats are warm. get some good thermals, a hat, and gloves. maybe a scarf to protect your face.

    http://www.active.com/running/Articles/4-Cold-Weather-Running-Tips-for-Beginners

    and i'm not a fan of couch to 5k. just go out and run. go a little further every week.
  • Wantmy2dollars
    Wantmy2dollars Posts: 13 Member
    I had started doing that once, but not in the winter. I'm a few hours west of Chicago, so It's about the same climate. On the plus side, by the time you finish it should be nice out. I just couldn't take the pounding on my shins. Being a little lighter now I have been thinking about it again.

    I was using an app back then where you could use your music for different intervals. I think it may have been the "official" app. If so, it should be even more updated now.

    http://www.active.com/mobile/c25k

    There are tons of apps for intervals and GPS/route running, but for $1.99 I would suggest just using this one as it is specifically for the program. Huh...there is even a Zombie trainer feature :)
  • DebHutton55
    DebHutton55 Posts: 48 Member
    I did the c25k last year, loved it. I was ready for a May 5K. Registered for same race this year and am doing c25k again. I live in NE Wisconsin and have no city streets, just country roads. Ice and snow is my life right now so I do it carefully, sometimes trails. I run in the 5 finger vibrams w/wool socks. Dress for how you are going to feel in 5-10 mins because you will heat up quickly. I love running in 25 degree weather, so much nicer than hot and there are no bugs.
  • ajhugz
    ajhugz Posts: 452 Member
    thanks everyone
  • ajhugz
    ajhugz Posts: 452 Member
    bump
  • nicarey19
    nicarey19 Posts: 126 Member
    I did couch to 5k and loved it. I am now training for a 10k and looking at next year at running a marathon. I live in MT so I understand cold:) We have winter for like 9 months out of the year! I found a few really good articles about running in the cold. If you want I can send them to you. And two things i have learned is start by running into the wind (I also live where winds are crazy can get up to 50 mph and there is hardly a wind free day) this way you can finish running with the wind. And dress like it is 20 degrees warmer even though at first it can be cold usually by the end I am so glad I did not put more layers on because I am so warm. Good luck to you! :)
  • happyheathen927
    happyheathen927 Posts: 167 Member
    I just started the Zombie 5K app last week; it's really fun! I'm in the south so I have zero advice about running in the kind of cold you're dealing with. I'm a big ol' wuss when it comes to cold weather; it's been in the 50's & 60's here and I'm walking/jogging on the treadmill.
  • Laura42012
    Laura42012 Posts: 180 Member
    I don't use couch to 5k or apps for my running. I write out a training plan according to my current abilities. The goal is to run the whole 5k. After you can run the whole 5k without stopping, the goal is to beat that time.

    Look up interval training and decide where you want to start to get you to where you want to be.
  • CharityParham
    CharityParham Posts: 1
    I just started the Couch to 5K program. I think it will be a wonderful program with realistic goals! I wonder how many calories you burn along the way though? Does anyone have any idea?
  • NonsensicalSteph
    NonsensicalSteph Posts: 11 Member
    I'm using the Zombies, Run! 5k app as well and I love it. I am NOT a runner. I can hardly walk at a reasonably fast pace, but this is getting me moving and I am loving it! If you love zombies, I'd recommend this app.
  • mnishi
    mnishi Posts: 419 Member
    I'm using C25K and I love it. But I'm going to have to check out this zombie one.
  • Akdn
    Akdn Posts: 121 Member
    I'm using C25K Free. I just finished week 3 day 2 this morning and I'm loving it.
  • sherrirb
    sherrirb Posts: 1,649 Member
    To help you figure out what to wear when running in all kinds of weather, please use this:

    http://www.whattoweartool.com/

    VERY helpful tool

    Also, I use Active.com C25K app but there is also a C25K app that might be more appropriate for your training for that zombie run, called "Zombies, Run! 5k Training"
  • nyla23608
    nyla23608 Posts: 66 Member
    bump
  • steflbrown
    steflbrown Posts: 168
    I use the run mate app and i use the couch to 5k (coolrunning.com) program. As for running outside, there is some specialty cold weather gear that is helpful. I usually just use the long sleeve top and then a headband to keep my ears warm.

    Good luck!
  • jchite84
    jchite84 Posts: 467 Member
    I did the Couch to 5K last year, I started about this same time. I live in Ohio, so it is cold here as well. Dress for weather about 15 degrees warmer than it is outside. I usually wear thermals, shorts, and a hoodie in addition to glomits, a warm hat, and a face mask. This Christmas I got a hat/face mask/neck warmer combo that I used for the rest of winter. I personally enjoy running in the cold more than I enjoy running when it's hot, but it's something you have to get used to. The biggest thing is get out of the cold fast when you are done, you're body temp can drop a lot when you are done running and are standing around in wet clothes. I didn't use an app, I just used a pedometer. I measured distances around town in my car so that I knew where 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and 1 mile were. After the weather turned better I started using an outdoor track at a local park. The hardest part was the first few weeks where you are running for a set amount of time, rather than a set distance. For that part I used a stopwatch on my phone.

    The only other thing I would recommend is try and train for being able to run 4-5 miles before you do your 5k. Don't worry about doing it at your race pace, just be able to complete the longer distance. The increased endurance will help you with the obstacles, and you won't feel completely dead when you are finished because you just ran your maximum possible distance. It makes things go by faster for me because I can say to myself "I go for 2 hour runs, this 30 minutes is nothing compared to that."
  • jchite84
    jchite84 Posts: 467 Member
    Running generally burns between 100 and 125 calories per mile. I think that within the first 3 or 4 weeks you are completing a total of 2 miles per work out by combining running and walking. So on the low end probably 175 to 200 calories and working up to a total of 300-375 calories per day.
  • jchite84
    jchite84 Posts: 467 Member
    I just started the Couch to 5K program. I think it will be a wonderful program with realistic goals! I wonder how many calories you burn along the way though? Does anyone have any idea?

    Running generally burns between 100 and 125 calories per mile. I think that within the first 3 or 4 weeks you are completing a total of 2 miles per work out by combining running and walking. So on the low end probably 175 to 200 calories and working up to a total of 300-375 calories per day. - I meant to reply to this specific question!
  • KatRounds
    KatRounds Posts: 7 Member
    I used this program from prevention and it worked great for me. I didn't complete it in 8 weeks because I had to repeat weeks before I was ready to move on but when I could run for a full 30 minutes (which I had never done before), it was so worth it. I repeated it and increased to a 45 minute run for my 45th birthday. :happy: Hope it works for you.
    Here is the link: http://www.prevention.com/fitness/fitness-tips/walk-run-program

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