C25K

It is an 8 week program that helps you condition yourself towards running a 5K. I used an app called Run5k for iphone.

I was never a runner nor could I run prior to this app. So it is exactly as stated couch to 5k. It is great! If you have a smart phone this is a wonderful investment.

I kept seeing references to it and as I do not have a smartphone for the apps I just googled couch to 5k and coolrunning.com came up. It has a complete breakdown of each weeks workouts there are three per week. so before I head out I check to see what I have to do. I am in week 2 so its still fairly easy to remember. I will have to make a note in future weeks I think. I take a stopwatch and use timed method not distance. I am not on a track or treadmill so time is easier. good luck and feel free to add me if you like.

I just started it this morning. I got the iphone app called C25K Free and it is great:) You listen to your own music and it tells you when to Walk and run. I have about 20 pounds to lose so I am hoping this will get me headed in the right direction.

I was 320lbs when I started running, if you are heavy then keep an awareness of you joints etc, and form..and dont push if your bones and joints are telling you no. listen to what your body is telling you at any given time and you should be ok.

Everything good you've read about this program is true and then some. A lady posted the other day with pics under success stories - search under "I feel like a superhero" That's all I can remember of the title, but it was so inspirational. She was in the 300's when she started and has the best attitude.

The best thing for me with this program was the feeling of accomplishment and pride each time I moved up a level and after my first "real" 5k race.

One last thought....most everybody has to do a level for an extra week or two somewhere along the way...that doesn't mean your failing, it means your smart for recognizing what's right for you.

Best of Luck!

I was 320lbs when I started running, if you are heavy then keep an awareness of you joints etc, and form..and dont push if your bones and joints are telling you no. listen to what your body is telling you at any given time and you should be ok.

I agree with this excellent advice.
I'd also add that if you are currently totally sedentary, you'd benefit from "warming up" to the program by building up to 30+ minutes of walking most days and then transition to week 1 of the C25K.

I wanted to add that I did walk for several months before starting the C25K and even though I didn't do this purposely to prepare for the C25K, I think it helped. I wanted to step up the exercise and decided the c25K would be a good way to do it.

I also want to try doing C25K, but I'm thinking about waiting until I'm a bit closer to my goal weight before I start running.

Does anyone know if there's an app for androids?

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Also, forgot to say: welcome moeish! I'm friending you.

I'm an almost graduate of C25K(set to graduate Sunday!) and it is an awesome program.

I went from barely running 6 minute intervals, to running 30 minutes straight in 9 weeks.

My suggestion are to go super slow(esp if you are running outside!) and get good shoes!

You can repeat weeks. The training program is 8 or 9 weeks (depending on the program you choose), but most of them encourage you to repeat weeks if you feel like you need to. Go at you own pace, listen to your body, and be very proud of yourself for ANY effort you put toward it.

One poster out here called what she did 'wogging' since it was something between a jog and a walk. No shame in that. I wogged the first few weeks.

I started by walking first - for about a month, until I could walk 4-5 miles daily. When I officially began C25K, was in roughly the 230's. That work up front helped - most (not all) of my challenges have been breathing and stamina related - but this program is great to help you build up as well as learn to pace yourself. I'm in week 7 now, and adding enough walking to the end that I am exercising a full 5k 3 times a week. Like many others was never EVER a runner.

I used an app called joglog for the interval voice prompts on iphone so I didn't have to watch a timer. now, for the longer ones I've stopped that.

You can totally do it. Just listen to the feedback from your body, and like someone else said - it's ok to repeat weeks or change it to suit your individual needs.

There is also a c25k group on here, with a pretty active set of members and some good tips and advice. It is a great way to find others starting at about the same time as you.

Good luck!

KP