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

please please please dont be self conscious..hold ur head up high and just do it. To hel with what others maybe thinking....just have the mindset that no one is looking at you.

is there anyone that will go with you? I sorta had the same issue I was fine walking (have dogs so had to) but going out running in public terrified me...I have a super fit sister, who dragged me out..I expected to feel really humiliated..but no one took any notice and I expected my sister to be mean (she is military she can be very mean) but she was incredibly supportive..so dont be afraid to make friends at the ymca and see if anyone wants to help you out..most fit people like to see other people making the effort and are nothing but supportive

If this isnt an option. Then stick some loud music on plug your earphones in and ignore the rest of the world, you are doing something hugely positive in your life and anyone that takes notice really should try getting a life of their own..be proud. Honestly apart from some dumb teenagers who barely have a brain cell between them I have never had anything but encouragement even people walking dogs always have been nice and encouraging. I have wibbles about it now..but I ask myself, is worrying about what other people think more important to me than what I am trying to achieve and the answer is absolutely not!

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 did the same thing. I walked for about three months before I started running. I did my own C25K by running from driveway to driveway, or lampost to lampost. I was about 230 when I started adding running into my daily walks.

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.

Agree with that 100%. Form and breathing are key (Youtube is your friend). Dont be afraid to repeat days or even weeks if the next session is to much. While the program has a set number it weeks, everyone is dif. Slow and steady wins this race.

When I started jogging I was in the 280's but I also could care less what anyone thinks. Like others have said, you are doing this for YOU! You might get the rare smart azz comment from kids, but overall people will smile, wave, or even give you a thumbs up. What a lot of folks dont think about, that they might be inspiring others to go out and do the same. One of those, "Hey, if they can do it, why cant I? "

Im not sure if its been mentioned yet (skimmed post sorry) but there is a C25K group here that is very helpful.

http://freew67.blogspot.com/