C25K

I just started on C25K.
Week 2 day 1.
I do all mine on a treadmill.
At 24 degrees I am not going outside to run.
I have over 100 pounds to loose and my knees are not the best.
All that said I am doing it and so far so good.
If it gets too difficult I will just slow down.
I think it's a good program and I will stay with it.
Try it and see how you do, you will probably be surprised.

This is my 4th round with C25K, I do it every time I stop running for a while as it helps to get me back into it. I'm not a runner but I like to do a 5K every year and this helps with that. I'm at 200 and I have found through past experiences, if you don't feel good about completing a week and moving forward then just do that week again and again until you feel ready, that way you aren't pushing too hard too fast. I'm pushing for a 10K in April so I'm back at it again, I hope to continue this go around and not stop once the race is done, that's what I have found myself doing in the past. So I have planned other races all through the year to keep me in training mode and help me stick with it and have goals to reach. I think it's a great stress reliever.

There are several apps if you have a smart phone that will track your progress and tell you when to change from one to the other. You can download the podcast and just listen threw and mp3 player also.

I myself use Runstar lite to track it and I have the C25K podcast downloaded to my music so I choose that to listen too.

I started C25K in November and then quit at Week 3 because I was intimidated by it. Last August I couldn't even walk down the driveway to the mailbox without being out of breath. I kept walking and running some on my own, but wasn't improving so I went back to it at the beginning of this month. I started again on Week 3 and just completed Week 6, Day 1 this morning. Two 10 minutes runs. I have never been a runner. I never played sports in high school or anything. I never imagined I would make it this far and now I think I might be able to complete it.

I am a 37 yo female and still have 90 pounds to lose. I run on a shock absorbing treadmill and wear good shoes. I have run outside a couple of times and notices my knees hurt a little when running on the road so keep that in mind. I am hoping that will get better as I lose more weight. Do good stretches for shin splints and hamstrings and make sure you use your rest days. I just walk on the off days, no running.

The hardest part for me is getting out of my head and believing I can actually do this. I keep sabatoging myself into trying to stop or re-do a week because I am intimidated by the next day. But so far I will just keep going until I can't complete a day and then I will do that day until I can do it and move on.

It's a great program. There is also a C25K discussion group on here as well, so check that out. Good for it and good luck.

I've done it. It's a great program. Stick to the schedule (meaning you really only need to do it 3X/week, do your regular walking workout on other days), repeat days when you need to (if you feel you weren't quite ready when you did a given day for example), and just do your best. It's a great program. Get outside when you can. That's where I found I was most successful and where I fell in love with running.

I started C25k already at my goal weight. Still, I was a complete non-runner. I'd spent 42 years saying the only reason to run is if you're being chased by zombies. That being said ... I started the program Labor Day weekend 2012 and finished hte last weekend of December 2012. I took a week off here and there for illness, Disney vacation, etc. Thinking back, I remember those 60 second jogs during week 1 being the new definition of my own personal hell. I would count backwards from 60 to keep the end in sight. But each week, as the jog times got longer, they also got a little easier. Now, I enjoy running. I have moved onto the 5k to 10k program.

For both C25k and now 5k to 10k I use the active.com mobile app. There are audio prompts for each interval. The "trainer" I use is an encouraging cheerleader type. "keep going", "you've got this" etc. My preference is to run outside. Now that it is winter in New England, it isn't always possible. AS long as the sidewalks are clear enough to be safe, I will run outside down to about 30F. I tried once in the 20'sand that was just a little too cold.

You can do this. Just listen to your body. There is nothing wrong with adding in an extra walk break to catch your breath. I never repeated a week just because the next week looked hard. It is supposed to get harder, but you are also getting stronger. My best advice if it seems too hard is to slow down. Speed will come with time. You need to build your endurance first.

Once I hit week six and longer runs, I started using my iPod. I made a running mix with upbeat songs I loved and knew all the words to. It helps to keep me out of my head.

Good luck!!

Hi there. Congrats for starting C25K!

I started the program at 200 pounds. I was fitted professionally at a running store and they put me in a shoe that fit my gait and body frame. At first, I started the first week on the treadmill but quickly switched to running outside. Yes, I was intimated by people seeing a 200+lb woman run/walking for 30 minutes. But the fact is, I am lapping everyone sitting on the couch eating bon bons! So who gives a rats @ss what they think! Plus, races are ran outside (not on the treadmill!) And when you run outside and beat all of the elements, you will be ready on race day for ANY kind of weather!

I fell off program at week 6 because I did a 5K before I graduated the actual program. I eventually just ran until I needed to take a walk break and repeated that until I could run for 30 minutes without stopping. Eventually 30 minutes turned into 3 miles... 3 miles turned into 4.... 4 turned into 5 (so on a so forth).

C25K makes an app that takes you through the program for the 9 weeks. Once you've graduated, you can switch to another app like Nike+ (my favorite!)

I'd advise you run outside also! I see some people saying it's cold out. They make some awesome cold running gear guys!

Feel free to add if you want a running friend!