Howdy! I am Jim and I am on Week 7. I finished Day 1 today. I am building up to do at least one triathlon this year. I got a couple (*cough* 40) lbs to lose and I love the way ZR!5K builds you up.

I did a different C25k a couple years ago and it was BORING! ZR!5K makes you look forward to the run!

Jim

Can you start this as a beginner? Or does it require some running experience? Last summer I jogged once or twice a week, but its something i'd like to build some confidence in doing! I would deffo be starting be fitness from scratch as i've been out of the fitness loop for a bit!

Do you build up to the £5k in the app? Or should be be able to do that as it is?

Thanks

Still lost, is it an app for a mobile? Or a game? Thanks

This sounds so neat! I am totally getting this app- as I want to start getting into more running this summer.
Cant wait to start next week! (or maybe this week )

I've got a few questions: ...I'd google for answers, but all sites zombie related are blocked here at work, including the dev site for the app...

You know who the Zoms will eat first? People who set up your firewalls!!

How frequently are we suppossed to accomplish these runs? Everyday? As in is everyone running everyday, or on some other schedule like weekends off or every-other-day?

The recommended freq is 3 times per week. This takes you from being able to walk for a little while and builds you up to be able to run a full 5K. Most people on a C25K plan are building from ground zero, so running every day would cause injuries. A rest day is HIGHLY recommended unless your already VERY fit.

There are 3 runs per week in the program. People usually refer to them as W2D3 for Week 2 Day 3. I do my runs every other day and then take an extra day off between weeks. Sometimes I am supposed to do a run but get called in for work or something and I don't get to run. No prob. That is my extra day off.

Are they even strenuous enough to warrant a recovery day?

For me, YES! I am a big boy and running ain't easy! I think if people are on a C25K plan, they will find running a bit stressful. It doesn't get much easier, you just get better at it!

Week 1 started with this....

10 min walk

Then 10 times you do this..
Walk 1 min
Run Slow 15 sec.

So you have done a total of 150 seconds running but have plenty of time to recover.

THEN you have a 5 min freeform run. The freeform is where YOU decided what you can do. If you feel like walking the whol thing, go for it. If you wanna do a little more running and mix in some walking, no prob. If you wanna run the whole thing, good on ya!!

The freeforms give you a chance to challenge yourself and lets the program meet you where you are. When I started, the 15 second runs weren't a big deal at all, but I could only do 3 min without a walk break.

Each week they get a little tougher. HOPEFULLY they will be challenging.

Thanks for any info!

No prob! Ask anything about it!

And there was another thread with some decent info here... http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/953917-zombies-run?page=1#posts-14546813

Jim

Jim,

Awesome responses !! Thanks much, it was exaclty the info I was looking for. I anticipated off days, but didn't know if the program included those (for instance on a recovery day it just had you do a 30min brisk walk).

I hate running. It beats me up. The problem is I am also very stubborn and strong willed. I'm can't stand the thought that of all the things in my life--something that I have so much control over--it is my physical fitness that doesn't meet my expections. At some point I decided I will be a good runner, stop punishing the pavement, and hope to complete a full marathon (Perhaps next year's Air Force Marathon).

The end result of that confilict in abilty vs. will--a seemingly infinate loop that in which I over train, injure myself, lose time in recovery, then push hard to make up that "lost" training--resulting in an injury.

Knowing that the program has worked well for you on the schedule you described is a great comfort. I anticipate a similar schedule. This way I can also continue my weight training.

Congrats on your progress, and thanks again for the support!!

AF Marathon? You may be in MY neck of the woods!

I don't think you have to beat yourself up and be down on yourself. You just need to decide, like weightloss, like being sucessful at anything, like anything worth having, it WON'T HAPPEN OVER NIGHT.

I ran for 2 years before running the Marine Corp Marathon when I was stationed in DC. That was 10 years ago. Last year when I started C25K I couldn't run 3 minutes straight. I pushed too hard and got injured. I remember running at mile 22 and getting a second wind and I FORGOT that I wasn't in that shape anymore. I am STILL recovering from that injury. Sound familiar?

I started this C25K on a treadmill. I am 50+ lbs overweight and if I go and push too hard on the pavement, I'll get injured like last year. So every chance I am on the treadmill. Less impact on the knees and I can SEE how much I am pushing.

I say do the ZR!5K. Do it on a treadmill. If you have to, walk during your 'free form runs.' Just getting out and moving is going to help. Once you finish the thing, do it again and RUN the free form runs.

Just believe in yourself and cut yourself some slack for not doing it overnight! If you want to be stubborn, be stubbon in NOT missing a workout. Don't be stubborn in running every possible second or running MORE than your supposed to on the plan!

HTH. Hope I am not just spewing stuff nobody wants to read! I get wordy some times!

Let me sign off and put in a couple quotes from my motivational hero, John Bingham, also known in the running world as "The Penguin"

Jim

•"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start."

•"It was being a runner that mattered, not how fast or how far I could run. The joy was in the act of running and in the journey, not in the destination."

•"If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run."

•"I am a runner because I run. Not because I run fast. Not because I run far. I am a runner because I say I am. And no one can tell me I'm not."

•"Believe that you can run farther or faster. Believe that you're young enough, old enough, strong enough, and so on to accomplish everything you want to do. Don't let worn-out beliefs stop you from moving beyond yourself."

•"For me, like so many others, running is the answer. Out on the road it is just you, the pavement, and your will."

•"Frustration is the first step towards improvement. I have no incentive to improve if I'm content with what I can do and if I'm completely satisfied with my pace, distance and form as a runner. It's only when I face frustration and use it to fuel my dedication that I feel myself moving forwards."

•"What distinguishes those of us at the starting line from those of us on the couch is that we learn through running to take what the days gives us, what our body will allow us, and what our will can tolerate."

Agree with the posts saying how it is much more motivating than other approaches- I tried the more formulaic running programs and always gave up after a few weeks, With this I found it much more addictive to go out and run (although I did make the mistake of starting with the app for people who can already run 5K without too much difficulty - that first run is tough!)

Good to meet you too, Kerry! I bet you'll have fun with the app! Well, I bet it will be more fun than running without it!

Did you get the app and start?

Hi All!

Didn't know this group existed. Just finished Week 7 Workout 3. Love this app.

I had no idea they had this app. I am stoked to try it tonight!

I've been loving the program and haven't found myself dreading the workouts at all. I struggled with W3D1 though and then had a week off with the flu. Started back again today but re-ran W2D3 instead of progressing. The ZombieLink site now has the option to manually record your distances if you run on a treadmill which is cool; no more blank spots on my logs

Hello all! I just completed the intro today. Im not much for running but it got me going for a few seconds at least. I was surprised that I made it without wanting so say nope and jump off 15 mins in. Im exited to do my first actual day tomarow.