c25k Question - Anyone a Genuine Convert?

girish_ph
girish_ph Posts: 148 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I have started c25k and complete Week 3. From hating running, I have been converted to "tolerating running" (I do it, but do not really look forward to it). I plan to do running as part of my lifestyle. Here is a question to you -

Has anyone started c25k hating running and ended up LOVING running? How long did it take to reach there? What did you do?

Thanks
«13

Replies

  • asarwe
    asarwe Posts: 73 Member
    I was a swimmer, then got injured, and then stopped exercising all together. Then I got the crazy idea of "I will do a mini triathlon", so I had to run. I used to hate running, really, really HATE it. Now I love it and have to constrain myself so I don't over do it. I'm working on the C210k (or something like that) to get back on track after some knee issues.

    I never actually did the c25k, but I definitely went from hating running to loving it. Actually kind off bummed about a cold I'm having right now keeping me away...

    In the future: Try mixing the running with some other cardio (and of course strength training). Running is rough on the knees if you are not used to it, and if you don't like it you will not look forward to doing it.
  • millyvanilli321
    millyvanilli321 Posts: 236 Member
    Hi, I'm currently on week 8 on c25k and I'm definitely a convert! At first I couldn't run for a minute without feeling awful and I hated it, but I stuck at it.

    What changed it for me was that first 20 minute run at the end of week 5. I was dreading it, I thought "how on earth can I go from running 8 minutes in a row to 20?!" but when I heard that beep I literally jumped up and down! I couldn't believe I had done it, and felt like I could have gone on much longer! It was a great feeling.

    I love running outside, I've never run on a treadmill and I'm dreading it now the weather and nights are closing in. Even if it's a bit wet and windy, it's not awful and I find it's a great time to just have to yourself and it really clears my head.

    Get some good tunes going, wave to as many people you pass as possible (they will start waving back eventually lol) and relax in to your stride and pace.

    Just my 2 cents :)
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    I didn't do the C25K program but I am a former running hater (it may have had something to do with sadistic coaches making you run as punishment and the pain inflicted by 1970s era army running shoes) who grudgingly started running about 5 years ago and discovered that looking at running as "play time" made it absolutely joyous. I'm in training for my 4th half marathon next January and first full marathon next May........
  • Josedavid
    Josedavid Posts: 695 Member
    When I started c25k at week3 i was almost dying everytime... i hated running, no fun, only suffering and suffering... later on i started to feel excited about the next training... after a while i started repeating the routines everyday instead of 3 days a week... i graduated, i joined a running club. I becamse personal trainer... I use c25k as a part of my program with my clients (all of them for weight loss purposes)
    A lot of them graduated with me... I love to give them a big applause, shoot some pictures to get a memory and to give them a small giveaway when they reach the 30min non-stop.

    We could say that i "converted" because I run around 40km per week in a regular basis, 10km sessions. I ran my first Half Marathon in Feb2012 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (weather in not friendly here!!) and I will try my second one in Abu Dhabi next 9 November.

    So, yes, we could say that I "converted"... and i feel great when i see how the running just bloom in others... is not easy, its hard, but is worthy!
  • katcunock
    katcunock Posts: 664 Member
    i'm on week three of c25k too, feel free to add me

    i'm starting to go from tolerate to enjoy now. I think part of it is being outside. What i noticeed is that i miss it when i don't go - so i realised it must be doing good for me :)
  • ecgwood
    ecgwood Posts: 7
    I am a genuine convert and really a disciple! I did C25K well over 2 years ago and I haven't stopped running since. I think it is the absolute best way to get anybody running and I tell everybody I know that they should do it! I have converted my husband who is now a runner like me as well as my 20 year old son who was a complete couch potato. Since I built up to my very first 5k with C25K I have run 9 5K's, a 7K, a trail run and I just did my first 10K about a month ago. My husband and I are now training for our first Half Marathon. We are both 47 years old and healthier than we have ever been. Stick with it, don't give up. If you have to repeat certain days or weeks do it but just keep plugging along. Once you get there and run your first 5K you will be a convert, too. The sense of accomplishment is beyond words.
  • charliehefferon
    charliehefferon Posts: 223 Member
    I'm due to start week 5 tomorrow and I have to say its getting easier... I used to hate it. It was so hard to get motivated! I've never been a "runner" so I do struggle quite a lot with it, but after I've ran and can see my distance improving, it makes it all worth while!

    At the end of the day, C25k is generally under a hour of work 3 times a week.... If you're committed to getting fit and losing I'm sure you can put put with it!! Just make sure you have some good music on and just let your mind wander!!
  • lulabellewoowoo
    lulabellewoowoo Posts: 3,125 Member
    LOVE C25K. I couldn't even run a block without crying for 30 minutes. Now I am up to 9 miles at a 9:00 mile pace. I have even used it with my 12 yo daughter and 10 yo son, and the other day they completed 6 miles in 1:13, which was pretty impressive, and have run 30 miles this month. So yup, definitely a convert.
  • czmmom
    czmmom Posts: 236 Member
    Started and finished C25k almost 2 years ago(in January - my only new years resolution I kept! :wink: ) and just ran my first half marathon last week!

    Yep I love running now. It took me about 9 months to really love it and feel the runners high. However I really liked the way my body was changing and looking, so I stuck with it. I am glad I did!
  • determinedbutlazy
    determinedbutlazy Posts: 1,941 Member
    I did C25K once all the way through on a treadmill when I started going to the gym in January.
    I HATED running so much... I struggled with the 1 minute runs. But as I got stronger and stronger I got more into pushing myself to reach that next level.
    I graduated university and couldn't afford the gym any more (I was using the cheapo uni gym) so I started c25k again around the end of July... This time outside! I got back to week 7 day 1 and then stopped. I can now run 5k in around 35 minutes, outdoors.
    Outdoor running is much better for me, I enjoy the fresh air and seeing scenery whizz by stops me from getting bored. It's a totally different feeling to the treadmill.
    I can't yet say I "LOVE" running... I love the way it has shaped my body and mind, given me something to aspire to and something to work towards... But pulling on my shorts every other day is still a bit of a "Awwww, REALLY?" moment. Once I'm out there, I normally feel better.
  • krnlcsf
    krnlcsf Posts: 310
    hey,

    for those of you using C25K on Android... which one are you using? I see there are about 4 or 5 different FREE ones, and then there are the ones you can pay for. any thoughts on the "best" one?

    Thanks!
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    I used to hate running.. and now thanks to C25K, I'm an addict.

    I knew i loved running when I was only going to do 3 miles, got half way around the lake where I run, and went well If I'm already half way, I might as well finish it. So I did, and then went well I'm almost to 4 miles, might as well finish that... and so I did.
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    hey,

    for those of you using C25K on Android... which one are you using? I see there are about 4 or 5 different FREE ones, and then there are the ones you can pay for. any thoughts on the "best" one?

    Thanks!

    Best one is Simple C25K. It's free, and lets you pay your own music.

    Thats what I used, and I loved it... No need to pay for anything with that one.

    I then used Endomondo to track my distances.
  • Lyra89
    Lyra89 Posts: 674 Member
    I did it, and I've already completed a 10k race...I'm addicted to running and joined the college jogging club, we train twice a week and I do an extra run alone on Sundays!
  • cmacphee3
    cmacphee3 Posts: 278 Member
    Hi, I'm currently on week 8 on c25k and I'm definitely a convert! At first I couldn't run for a minute without feeling awful and I hated it, but I stuck at it.

    What changed it for me was that first 20 minute run at the end of week 5. I was dreading it, I thought "how on earth can I go from running 8 minutes in a row to 20?!" but when I heard that beep I literally jumped up and down! I couldn't believe I had done it, and felt like I could have gone on much longer! It was a great feeling.

    I love running outside, I've never run on a treadmill and I'm dreading it now the weather and nights are closing in. Even if it's a bit wet and windy, it's not awful and I find it's a great time to just have to yourself and it really clears my head.

    Get some good tunes going, wave to as many people you pass as possible (they will start waving back eventually lol) and relax in to your stride and pace.

    Just my 2 cents :)

    I am also on Week 8! I have been doing this since July though and have repeated weeks and had two times when I had to take a week (or two) off because of vacation and moving.

    I wanted to say that I run on a treadmill because my asthma hasn't yet allowed me to run outside as it is a lot more difficult, and I sometimes listen to good tunes, but I also sometimes use it as a time to watch movies and shows I wouldn't otherwise take the time to watch. I watch my guilty pleasure, Boy Meets World, while I run, and I only allow myself to watch it when I"m running that way it feels like a treat.

    In response to the original poster, I do not LOVE running now, but now there are times I really WANT to get on that treadmill and run, and I really really LOVE the feeling of making it through the run, and beating my personal record. I had planned to redo the 25 min jog on Week 7 yesterday, then got tot 25 and thought I would just see if I could push it 3 more min, and Tada! I am now on Week 8 :D
  • joakool
    joakool Posts: 434 Member
    I started c25k during week three of 30DS. After a few weeks of c25k I was way ahead phisically of what the program said I was supposed to be doing. I credit this to doing the 30DS first and having a strong cardio/strength base. I have been running for over a year and am definitely "converted". I have been consistantly running 3-4 days a week since I started the program over a year ago.
  • ReinasWrath
    ReinasWrath Posts: 1,173 Member
    I used to hate running a lot!!! Like HATE- I wouldn't even run in the rain to my car lol Before I started I could run oh maybe a 30 second interval and *****ing about it and huffing and puffing the whole time lol, but now I am on week 5 day 2, I am due to attempt running 20 mins straight soon but am afraid I can't do it. (I can barely do the 8 mins straight !!!) In any case I am still a work in progress and don't have any impressive times yet but I can say I have improved big time even on a smaller scale and if I have had this much improvement so soon I have high hopes for down the road.

    If anyone's got some tips or experience with the week 5 day 3 jump please message me!! I have been repeating week 5 day 1 +2 an extra week or 2 and really think day 3 is a little too big of a jump in time for me D:
  • ReinasWrath
    ReinasWrath Posts: 1,173 Member
    hey,

    for those of you using C25K on Android... which one are you using? I see there are about 4 or 5 different FREE ones, and then there are the ones you can pay for. any thoughts on the "best" one?

    Thanks!

    on my ipod I downloaded the C25K breast cancer version I believe. Its basically the same thing but it has a different skin (:
  • P05T5CRIPT
    P05T5CRIPT Posts: 285 Member
    Hi! I graduated C25K 5 weeks ago and ran my first 5K race 3 weeks ago in 35minutes. I'm now training for a 10K, running 2-3 days a week. I'm still not at the stage of loving running, but I do enjoy it, especially the runners high after a great run. I'm now up to 4 miles on a single run and trying to add 1/2 mile every 3-4 weeks to get up to 6 miles in preparation for a 10K next year.

    I graduated C25K a little early, as by week 6 I was already running for 30 minutes a time, but I look back at when i started and remember how I couldn't run for a minute. It's an awesome program and enabled me to train for a 5K, and put me on the path to becoming a runner.

    Stick with it! :smile:
  • 4d9r
    4d9r Posts: 111 Member
    hey,

    for those of you using C25K on Android... which one are you using? I see there are about 4 or 5 different FREE ones, and then there are the ones you can pay for. any thoughts on the "best" one?

    Thanks!

    I used C25K Free by Zen Labs, and it was perfect for me! The only warning I would give with it is that the first "long" run (20 minutes, think it was week 5 day 3?) went for 8 minutes, not 20. Luckily for me, I saw on another thread here that it had done that to someone, so I was prepared and ran accordingly. It's a great ap, trains you gradually to go the distance. I remember being amazed I could go for an entire 60 seconds after starting! Several 5Ks later, I'm still running. Thinking of trying a 10k trainer app next. Enjoy your training! :smile:
  • SaraBrown12
    SaraBrown12 Posts: 277 Member
    Hi! I graduated C25K 5 weeks ago and ran my first 5K race 3 weeks ago in 35minutes. I'm now training for a 10K, running 2-3 days a week. I'm still not at the stage of loving running, but I do enjoy it, especially the runners high after a great run. I'm now up to 4 miles on a single run and trying to add 1/2 mile every 3-4 weeks to get up to 6 miles in preparation for a 10K next year.

    I graduated C25K a little early, as by week 6 I was already running for 30 minutes a time, but I look back at when i started and remember how I couldn't run for a minute. It's an awesome program and enabled me to train for a 5K, and put me on the path to becoming a runner.

    Stick with it! :smile:

    I am at the exact same point as you. I can now run 4 miles without feeling like i am going to die. I got the bridge to 10k app and am going to start that this week. When i first started c25k running for 60 seconds make me feel like i was going to puke. I never ever imagined i would be able to do what i can do now. I am going to do a half marathon next year so i am trying to build up distance slowly :) Fellow runners please add me. My problem is... Drinking while i run ( i cannot do it) and not over training. I find myself wanting to run every day.
  • Coolhand1969
    Coolhand1969 Posts: 821 Member
    hey,

    for those of you using C25K on Android... which one are you using? I see there are about 4 or 5 different FREE ones, and then there are the ones you can pay for. any thoughts on the "best" one?

    Thanks!

    I graduate c25k in the spring. I used the rundouble app - and still occasionally use it for interval training and 10k training - although I've mostly switched to endomondo and runkeeper for general purpose running.

    In response to the original poster, I can't yet say I have a love for running - although I love it when I'm finished. I still usually have to drag myself out, and I normally question my existence and what the H I'm doing for the 1st mile or so - then after that it tends to get easier (2nd wind?), and it's all good...
  • millyvanilli321
    millyvanilli321 Posts: 236 Member

    If anyone's got some tips or experience with the week 5 day 3 jump please message me!! I have been repeating week 5 day 1 +2 an extra week or 2 and really think day 3 is a little too big of a jump in time for me D:

    As I've already said, week 5 day 3 was the best feeling!! I found that during the shorter intervals I'd be waiting and waiting for the beep, pushing myself and looking forward to walking. With the 20 minute run, you just have to go. Concentrate on your form, your pace and your music, keep yourself amused and the 20 minutes will fly by. It really lets you settle in to a pace that allows you to continue for longer, keep the pace nice and slow n steady at first, you don't want to burn out too fast because then you'll feel like you've failed, whereas if you'd been going just a little bit slower then you can manage it :)
  • Game8
    Game8 Posts: 442
    Running is probably the most over hyped, over rated physical activity. And it's by no means the best way to get in shape either.
  • cheaney
    cheaney Posts: 4 Member
    A year before I fell pregnant, I decided to get into running. I didnt really like it (mainly because I'd run to the end of my road and my knackered already!!)
    In the end I became addicted to it and could easily run 5 miles in just under an hour. (before I could not run a few yards - seriously!)
    I bought a Nike+ chip for my trainers and downloaded the app and set myself goals and challenges. I lost 2 stone in the end and felt physically and mentally better for it.
    I am going to start my road running again next week, just training on the treadmill at the mo and then I am going to go for it again. Theres nothing nicer than finishing a run and beating your previous time/distance! Love it!
  • evilmonkee
    evilmonkee Posts: 55 Member
    A convert here! I started C25k last October, and just ran a half this weekend.
    The key for me was to go at a comfortable pace that did not leave me wanting to die. Once I found my pace, got past running 3 miles and started running outside, I was converted. I enjoy the scenery, it gives me an opportunity to zone out with my thoughts, and I get a decent cardio workout.
    I still prefer lifting (and always will), but I sure enjoy going out for a run 3 times a week.
  • pabscabs
    pabscabs Posts: 61 Member
    I have started c25k and complete Week 3. From hating running, I have been converted to "tolerating running" (I do it, but do not really look forward to it). I plan to do running as part of my lifestyle. Here is a question to you -

    Has anyone started c25k hating running and ended up LOVING running? How long did it take to reach there? What did you do?

    Thanks

    Yes. I hated it. It was well after I got to 5K. What happened to me was I had just 1 or 2 runs where I wasn't gasping or uncomfortable. Then you would have horrible runs. I think it was a few weeks after getting to 5K.

    But once you get that one run where you completely switch off, you feel like you're completely connected to everything there's no turning back. You'll still have bad runs but they'll become few and far between. I've been running 3 years now. I'm doing my first ever marathon in 5 days time..... but the part I love most is having the time to yourself.
  • ChristyRunStarr
    ChristyRunStarr Posts: 1,600 Member

    Has anyone started c25k hating running and ended up LOVING running? How long did it take to reach there? What did you do?

    Thanks


    Me! I love running and crave it now, if I don't run one day I'm pretty cranky :devil: It actually didn't take me too long to start enjoying it, probably after the first week since I realized that I could do it. I loved it even more after I ran my first 5K at the end of September.
  • sevsmom
    sevsmom Posts: 1,172 Member
    Never did C25k, at least not the way they lay it out. I started as a non runner in July 2011 with a goal to simply run (without stopping) a 5k. Now, I train for half marathons. It took about 2 months before I was hooked and by October, I was sad when I'd see others out running on a lovely fall day and I was nursing a bum leg. So, it took about 4 months before I realized I had fallen in love with running.
  • scapez
    scapez Posts: 2,018 Member
    I never ran before starting C25K last year...never. I hated it -- could never figure out the appeal. I only started C25K out of boredom...at that time I was primarily doing Zumba and I needed a new challenge, so I figured I would give it a shot.

    Over a year later, I'm hooked. I've done a whole buncha 5k's, and I plan on doing more 5k's next year as well as some 10k's. I've also signed up for my first half and I'll start training for that soon.

    Who knew?!? :laugh:

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