couch to 5k

I used the one by Guy Hoffman on Android. It worked well and at the end of the program I was pretty much ready for a 5k. All I really did after was work on some bigger hills since I ran the program at a track. It was a pretty quick adjustment though. As far as the cold not sure my idea of cold (I'm in NC) is the same as yours LOL. What people have suggested to me though is to always start off slightly under dressed since you'll heat up as you go. I use gloves and a head band with ear covers since a full hat burns me up like crazy.

I used the active.com one. But Zen Labs has a really nice one that you can use on your smart phone. When I run outside I use RunKeeper, but I have to program in my intervals. Having the ones with GPS is nice, because you can see where you have to go to get the distance.

GOOD LUCK !!

I had started doing that once, but not in the winter. I'm a few hours west of Chicago, so It's about the same climate. On the plus side, by the time you finish it should be nice out. I just couldn't take the pounding on my shins. Being a little lighter now I have been thinking about it again.

I was using an app back then where you could use your music for different intervals. I think it may have been the "official" app. If so, it should be even more updated now.

http://www.active.com/mobile/c25k

There are tons of apps for intervals and GPS/route running, but for $1.99 I would suggest just using this one as it is specifically for the program. Huh...there is even a Zombie trainer feature

I did couch to 5k and loved it. I am now training for a 10k and looking at next year at running a marathon. I live in MT so I understand cold:) We have winter for like 9 months out of the year! I found a few really good articles about running in the cold. If you want I can send them to you. And two things i have learned is start by running into the wind (I also live where winds are crazy can get up to 50 mph and there is hardly a wind free day) this way you can finish running with the wind. And dress like it is 20 degrees warmer even though at first it can be cold usually by the end I am so glad I did not put more layers on because I am so warm. Good luck to you!

I don't use couch to 5k or apps for my running. I write out a training plan according to my current abilities. The goal is to run the whole 5k. After you can run the whole 5k without stopping, the goal is to beat that time.

Look up interval training and decide where you want to start to get you to where you want to be.

I'm using the Zombies, Run! 5k app as well and I love it. I am NOT a runner. I can hardly walk at a reasonably fast pace, but this is getting me moving and I am loving it! If you love zombies, I'd recommend this app.

I'm using C25K Free. I just finished week 3 day 2 this morning and I'm loving it.

bump

I did the Couch to 5K last year, I started about this same time. I live in Ohio, so it is cold here as well. Dress for weather about 15 degrees warmer than it is outside. I usually wear thermals, shorts, and a hoodie in addition to glomits, a warm hat, and a face mask. This Christmas I got a hat/face mask/neck warmer combo that I used for the rest of winter. I personally enjoy running in the cold more than I enjoy running when it's hot, but it's something you have to get used to. The biggest thing is get out of the cold fast when you are done, you're body temp can drop a lot when you are done running and are standing around in wet clothes. I didn't use an app, I just used a pedometer. I measured distances around town in my car so that I knew where 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and 1 mile were. After the weather turned better I started using an outdoor track at a local park. The hardest part was the first few weeks where you are running for a set amount of time, rather than a set distance. For that part I used a stopwatch on my phone.

The only other thing I would recommend is try and train for being able to run 4-5 miles before you do your 5k. Don't worry about doing it at your race pace, just be able to complete the longer distance. The increased endurance will help you with the obstacles, and you won't feel completely dead when you are finished because you just ran your maximum possible distance. It makes things go by faster for me because I can say to myself "I go for 2 hour runs, this 30 minutes is nothing compared to that."

I just started the Couch to 5K program. I think it will be a wonderful program with realistic goals! I wonder how many calories you burn along the way though? Does anyone have any idea?

Running generally burns between 100 and 125 calories per mile. I think that within the first 3 or 4 weeks you are completing a total of 2 miles per work out by combining running and walking. So on the low end probably 175 to 200 calories and working up to a total of 300-375 calories per day. - I meant to reply to this specific question!