Couch 2 5k

I used it to get in shape 2 years ago and it was awesome. I stopped running after that and now I'm using a similar program to get back on it. C25k are awesome programs but the thing I love about tthem is that you don't have to progress every week to be considered "doing it right", You can stay on week 2 for several weeks if you feel not ready to move to the next week. (Like me right now, I've been working on week one for 2 weeks but added an incline to the treadmill to help with my stamina)

My sister in law used C25K and strength training to drop about 40lbs. She now does at least one 5k a month and is thinking about moving up to marathons.

If you want to get more you could try the book that I'm using. "Run your butt off!" (http://www.amazon.com/Run-Your-Butt-Off-Breakthrough/dp/1605294047) its by some people at runners world and I really love it. It had great tips about getting into running and how to progress. It also has extra stuff like testimonials from new runners and little things that I'd never have thought about (about shoes and clothes and eating and how to prep for your first 5k).

Start slow and take as much time as you need to progress. You can do it =D

Im on Day 2 of week 2. So far so good. I feel so energized while doing it, I want to keep running longer but I stick to the guidelines and its been going great!

I just started week seven today. I absolutely love the program. It has really showed me that I am a lot stronger than I think! It's more mental than physical for me, mentally I want to quit far sooner than my body does. Make sure you invest in some stuff to keep you comfortable, a good pair of shoes, socks that aren't cotton to avoid blisters, and proper clothing. The more comfortable you are, the less miserable it is getting started and the more likely you'll stick with it. I started to learn to run several times before I found C25K. It's the only thing that I stuck with! Good luck!

I just finished week 4 day 1 yesterday. I cannont belive that I ran for 5 minutes in a row!! The program for sure does work if you stick at it. A few things that others mentioned

1. Repeat weeks or do an extra day of a week if you feel you need to. I did 2 extra days of week 2 and week 3 and think this was really helpful for me.

2. Run slowly!! No way could l make it if I was running like I was trying to get away from the police or something!! I have to run a a slow steady pace.

3. Get the program on your iphone or droid. Run Double or Active.com both have cheap app's (under 2 bucks) and they are great. You can listen to your own playlist and it will tell you when you are half done.

Good luck!! You can do it!!!

I am on week 6 right now and I am thoroughly enjoying the program. Not only is it getting me fitter my self confidence is coming on in leaps and bounds. It seemed impossible a week ago that I could run for 20 minutes and the thought of it made me nervous. Now I have managed it I am raring to go and cannot wait to run for 25 and 30 minutes at a time.

It is worth doing and sticking with.

I've done it! I used the NHS couch to 5k podcasts with Laura. They are excellent. I graduated a while ago and now run 6.5km 3 times a week, hoping to increase that bit by bit.

...I have been a runner for a while, but used to do what I lovingly call "the survival shuffle". ...

:laugh: Thanks! Now I know what to call that thing I do toward the end of a marathon! :laugh:

Yes it does work. Stick with it.

THANKS, I just run outside and I feel like an idiot running and walking!

Truth is, no one can tell. I started running about 4 weeks ago on my own. It started as a walk during lunch, then a walk run... Now I'm trying to break 3 miles on my half hour break. when I first started I couldn't even cover a quarter mile without stopping.
Seriously, run/walk at your pace and you'll get there, it's been great for me so far.

I started C25K in Feb, I now run 5K 2/3 times a week and 10K once a month

Yes I've done it and completed it and I would reccommend it to any beginners for sure. I found it so hard starting to run, couldn't get my breathing right and felt I was getting nowhere sometimes but I stuck it out and I'm glad I did! I'm not exactly a runner - more a fast jogger but that's just the pace I like to go. I completed it in February this year and I'm still going strong. 5km is no bother to run now in about 28-30 mins. I did a 4 mile race this weekend (36mins). Did a couple of 10km runs this year (first = 77mins, second =65mins). Also did a 5 mile run (52mins).
All this started with C25k and now I'm geared up to do a 10mile run next week in Dublin. I'm gonna do a half mararthon next year I'm thinking

It works really well. I've just completed my 9 weeks and was stuck at week 6/7 for a while, but now I'm running a 5k in 36.5 minutes. And 3 months ago I was the types to collapse after 2 mins of jogging. It is superb. But find a way to keep running after you finish the program. That's when you really need to push yourself. Best of luck!

I just started yesterday. Made it through my first day! I can't imagine running for 30 minutes but I'm sticking to it no matter what. I'm really excited about it and have heard great things.

I did C25K in March and finished in May. Fantastic program! I second the RunDouble app for Android, best buck-sixty I ever spent. I've now moved on to B210k and am running 7km (4.4 miles) 3x a week.

A little advice from an ex-newbie:
1. Run slowly. Run as slow as you can and then from there SLOW DOWN. It's not a race. The further along you get the slower you will have to go anyways to be able to run the distances and starting off running fast is a good way to get injured. Most people find they aren't running much faster than they walk, this is ok! If there is an instance where both feet are off the ground, you are running, no matter what speed you are going.

2. Get fitted for good shoes. No one can tell you what shoes you need to be in without analyzing your gait. Skimp on spending money on t-shirts, shorts, tights, socks--but don't skimp on the shoes. I can't tell you how many people I have seen drop out between weeks 3 and 4 due to some kind of injury, usually due to crappy or old or inappropriate shoes (someone I know tried doing C25K in chucks!). It's not like buying weights or other equipment, even if you stop running you will still be able to wear the shoes.

3. Be consistent, run 3x a week but not more! I have found if I have 4 days or more between runs, my condition is worse than at the last run, i.e. it feels like I'm starting at 0 again. Running 2 days in a row has gotten me injured. You body builds up it's strength on the OFF days--recovery is at least as important as your running day.

4. Slow Down. If you can't slow down, refer to number 1.

Most of all, enjoy it!