Starting C325K on Monday w/ Boyfriend - Any Tips?

I never have great success doing anything new or athletic with my husband. We are both very competitive. I started with C25K 3 years ago in order to run with him (he has always been a runner...mostly for soccer conditioning). Now I run half marathons and he doesn't run at all. Even when I do manage to get him out with me I feel like I am holding him back with my pace (even when he is the one gasping for breathe).

Know your personalities and be careful that running together remains a fun free activity and not a chore, and not something you fight over.

I won't even tell you about the time he tried to teach me to snowboard lol

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Success story! I had never been a runner! Switched from basketball to volleyball in high school because there was less running involved, and I could stay on my own side of the court.

I started c25k in late January of last year, and I'm still running and enjoying it. I used the c25kFREE app by Zen Labs and it worked great for me. Sounds like you're off to a good start with the shoes. Only advice I would give is stick to the plan even on days when you feel like you could go farther or longer, or do extra days. Go as slowly as you need to with the running intervals - slow running is still running! Don't worry about the distance, just complete the time each session. Once I had completed the last session, I started making sure I was hitting the 5k distance - had to prove to myself that I could do it! Free apps like Runkeeper or Nike+ will track your distance and routes, and you can run them at the same time as the c25k app if you want to.

Only other thing is maybe find a local 5k race or fun run in your area that's at least 10 weeks out and register for it! Nothing keeps you motivated like a race on the horizon!

Good luck and have fun!

The version I had allowed you to run it in the background and still use Pandora. It would also allow you to use the music on your phone (I have an iphone).

If not at first, by week three, you need to know this:
When you start out, it’s HARD! Even if you think you’re fit, running is so different to anything else you’ve done before you will get out of breath quickly. Stick with it. Can’t manage a minute? Go slow. Still can’t? GO SLOWER!

Don't be afraid to repeat a week if you found it tough.

Here are my other musings on beginning to run:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/BerryH/view/20-things-i-wish-i-d-known-about-running-when-i-started-103936

I haven't done C25k before but I am someone who never, ever thought they could run at all, much less enjoy it, and I'm running my third 5k tomorrow and just registered for a 10k in June. I literally thought I would never be able to run a mile without stopping to walk. When I first started running, it was with my boyfriend (who actually hates running but did cross country so he's good at distance running anyway) and the first time, I ran maybe half a mile before I had to walk. Over time, I just slowly added more distance. Once I got comfortable with a mile, I thought, "Wow, I can't believe I did that," then started trying for two. Once I mastered that, I thought, "Maybe I can do 5k" and I started working toward that. In my experience, it's more mental than anything. I had to get it in my head that I could do it and, as my boyfriend told me, get it in my head that I wasn't going to stop until I was done, whether it was a timed run or distance run. For me, my mind gets tired and wants to walk before my legs actually do. That being said, do listen to your body and walk when you need to. I had to walk a bit during my last 5k because I started out too fast; I didn't want to walk but that time I knew I needed to. But you will get better over time and then it becomes a fun contest with yourself of beating your best time or distance. Good luck and have fun!

I just completed the C25K last week. Great program! Start off low and increase your speed weekly. You will be amazed at the change you made on speed. I'm now working on jogging 5 miles straight.

Oh, I could be C25K poster child. I'm 49 and I have been sitting on that couch for so long, you just wouldn't believe. But I began and that first week, I thought you would be peeling me off of the ground. I thought there would be no way that I could go to W2, but I did. W3, scared me to death, but I did it. And last week I officially graduated from this program and began the 5K to 10K. I have yet to run in a 5K but that is on my agenda to do. Don't give up or quit. If anything, repeat a week when needed, take it slow and steady. So much of it is a head game. You just think you can't do it. I surprised myself so many times, it was unbelieveable. It helps, to find C25K friends on here that are doing it at the same time as you. I have a few and we just encourage each other on and have a little bit of competitiveness going on. Feel free to add me if you would like.

Download the c25k app on ur phone or ipod and start from the beginning even if u can do more. Then after 9 weeks you will be set

I started c25k in late January of last year, and I'm still running and enjoying it. I used the c25kFREE app by Zen Labs and it worked great for me.

Awesome! I already have the app on my phone downloaded and that's what I was going to use for this! I'm having my BF download it too that way we can both keep up with it

I might need an arm band for my phone or something though, i guess....or I could just hold it - IDK but I'll figure that out when I get started and see how I like it when Im actually doing the workout.

I've also heard that you can use another app like Pandora at the same time as the C25K one. Anyone know if this is true by chance? I have an galaxy android phone

I used an armband (still do!) - picked one up at TJ Maxx for less than ten bucks. Marshall's also often has decent running gear, small waist packs, water bottles and things like that.

I believe the app does let you play your own music - I didn't at first because i was just concentrating on my surroundings (I run outside) and keeping myself upright and breathing. But once I did add music when I felt more comfortable with my running, it helped with pace and keeping me going.

well i was 206lbs when i began the program.

my tips!
1) listen to your body! if something hurts, try to figure out why. i tried to force my runs with an injured IT band and had to stop for a week while i healed up. don't do that!
2) conquer your mental blocks. for me, my brain always screams "can't go anymore! stop stop!" but my body can do it. just push through those tired feelings. i like to have images in mind, running a race with some hot guy next to me (always makes me lift myself up and run more upright, and lengthen my stride hah!) or zombies chasing me
3) stretch afterwards, always! reduces risk of injury, feels good, less soreness the day after

and be proud of your accomplishments! every week you run further, and for longer. relish in the strength and muscles you're developing. because you're earning the hot body you'll soon have!

Started C25K in late Dec / early Jan. Stuck to the programme. Found W1D1 an absolute killer - thought I'd have a heart attack and the next hardest was W4D1? No idea why but it nearly killed me again. But kept at it.

You'll be shocked at how quick your fitness builds up.

I ran my one and only 5k race on the the 23rd Feb. And I did it in 36 mins 22 seconds.

Need to keep it up now. Beginning of March was hectic so I have got out recently, but I aim to try another 5k in May/June when the weather gets better for training outside.

Do it. Definitely keep to the programme. And don't think about the time. Just run when it says and walk when it says to walk.. When you start thinking about - "oh god, I've to run for 5 mins straight today!" you start to doubt yourself. Don't doubt, just do. Amazingly, it works..

Go for it. You'll be so chuffed when you complete it..

Started in September of last year. By November I ran my first 5k race! I now have a 10k race on April 6th, and a half marathon on May 5th! Friend me if you'd like!

Tips - start off slow. Then you can work your way up. If you have a smart phone, download an app like MapMyRun or Nike Running+ that will monitor how far and how fast you go so you can see progress. Good luck!

I second the advice to register for a 5K at least 10-12 weeks out. Then, tell everyone you know that you will be running a 5K on whatever date.

This is the only thing that kept me going some days. I knew that people were going to ask me how my 5K went and I didn't want to say, "Umm...I didn't train so I didn't do it."

I did C25K in 2010. I completed the program - going by time - and then slowly added distance. I was never able to gain much speed though. So don't be discouraged if you aren't as fast as you want to be. I've kept running occassionally and the past 6+ weeks have been focused on gaining speed through sprints and other speed interval runs. I'll be running a 5K May 11th.

Good luck and have fun!

Tips,

let the BF "win" if you are faster take half steps if you have too. At least until he is hooked on running.

I'd honestly wait on the shoes till week 2 or 3. I mean if he doesn't like running your out $100.

Seriously..don't skimp on shoes. if you run in tennis shoes/basketball/general sneakers etc, you can seriously hurt yourself! you don't have to spend $100 to get a half decent pair...you can find plenty of reasonable deals online.