couch to 5 k alternative??

dragonflyjill

Hi everyone. I downloaded the podcast for the couch to 5 k and I have to admit, it seems a little harsh to me. I remember some years ago I found a "beginner's running" program that started off much gentler. I think the first week was something like walk 7 minutes run 1 minute, alternating for a total of 30 minutes. And you still completed it in 10 weeks! This was before the days of podcasts so I just timed myself on the treadmill. My question is this: Does anyone have any suggestions for an alternative to couch to 5k? And if they do, how did they go about timing it while outdoors? Thanks!

DrBorkBork

Try the C25K program at www.coolrunning.com
It starts at walk 5 mins, run 1 min, walk 1:30, rinse & repeat run/walk intervals until you get to 25 mins, then a 5 min cool down walk for a 30 min work out.

Pod Runner pod casts drove me bananas. Now I just push myself to grow and rock out to good tunes

SammyLynn010

I have a different pod cast without the voice if that might help you... the way it sounds you are looking for a totally different program, but if you are interested in just the music and the counting down then this one is helpful!


http://gonicoleyourself.blogspot.com/2008/06/couch-to-5k-podcast-page.html

iplayoutside19

how did they go about timing it while outdoors? Thanks!

Get a stop watch, or HRM, and do your intervals however you want.

workingitout

I made my own running playlist for my ipod using music I love. I took slower songs and used 2 to 3 of them as a warm up, then I did a sequence of 2 or 3 faster songs for running, one slower song for walking, 2 or 3 faster, one slower, etc ending with 3 slow songs for a cool down. Itunes tells you exactly how long each song is, so I could make the running/walking portions measure out however I wanted. After I used the first playlist 4 times or so, I was ready to make a new playlist where the running times got longer and the walking times got shorter and fewer. I loved it because it was all songs I loved a lot. I bought a lot of songs from my teenage years that I hadn't heard in a long time!

dragonflyjill

This is great info, thanks! Seems like the couch to 5 k is a great program. I should just get over my fear and go for it!

laurenk182004

This is great info, thanks! Seems like the couch to 5 k is a great program. I should just get over my fear and go for it!

Me too, running has always scared the crap out of me though. lol Not sure why!

Iceprincessk25

Couch to 5K is AWESOME! It totally works and is SO do-able. I have NEVER been a runner and now I can run 20 min straight no sweat. Had to slow down a little during the program because I got plantar fasciitis but I still love to run now!