Going to start C25K tomorrow, any advice?

Just take it easy at first - don't try going for speed. Allow for rest days between runs. Realize that you'll have good days and bad days. And join the C25K group here!!

Good luck on your marathon goal. You CAN do it! I'm finishing C25K this week and hope to run a full marathon by next spring. Already signed up for a half later this year.

Just start running...and you'll get better. While a noobie google information on proper running form. There is tons on youtube and elsewhere.

I'm currently at week 5 of my own C25K, and my only advice is to run slowly - its not a race. And complete every step - if it says to run 3 minutes, then run 3 minutes, because I think part of the beauty of C25K is that each day that you complete gives you confidence that you can do the next day. And get an app for your phone that tells you when to run, when to walk, etc - much easier than trying to remember each individual step.

I just finished week 6 and it is going well, don't be intimidated when it comes time for longer spurts, you will feel like "no way can I do this!" but your body will settle into a longer jog.

The program is a good one, for those of us with no experience running/jogging it really builds up endurance. I agree with the others, don't worry about speed. I started jogging at a 4.5 speed, and am up to a 5.4 speed now, I just go with whatever feels like my body can handle. I am currently just on a treadmill and will transfer it to outside soon.

You may be tempted to push yourself, just follow the program instead, don't do the days back to back (hard on the knees).

i did that! started off with c25k and within 18 months ran my 1st marathon. and it prob only took me that long because i didn't know i wanted to run a full and got a bit lost after each training plan was completed.
i was also 116kgs or so when i started (about 80 now).
tips- go slowly. you'll learn what stuff you need as you improve, but at the beginning it's all about going slowly. also, get a good bra (or wear 2 bra's and a really tight tshirt under your running top).
and break it down. i think for me it would be way too daunting to not be able to run for 5 mins but plan to run 5hrs! i started with c25k, then did b210k, then hal higdons half, then hal higdons full (20 week) training. i just focussed on doing one of them without thinking too far into the future.
plan your races in to fit the training- you will need to do organised runs as they are what you're working towards!
when you reach a goal (ie completing c25k, etc) reward yourself with some new stuff. my 1st 5k i got myself a free tshirt with the race entry, got me some proper runners trainees and some proper running pants- made a world of difference. i also like gadgets, so for birthdays and xmasses got a nike sportsband and a polar hrm.

good luck. the MOST important thing about distance running IMO is consistency. just stick (mostly) with the training plans.

good luck

You will feel like you're running too slowly - go at a pace that feels comfortable for you. I still feel that I run far slower than I actually do.

Get an app that will tell you when to run and when to walk that plays over your music.

There's a big jump when you get to the 20 minute run, too big for me. At that point, I switched to 3 mins running, 2 walking for a week, then 4 mins running, 1 min walking, for 30 minutes. Then I just went for a 30 minute run and felt awesome, so I was actually at 30 mins running ahead of the c25k schedule.

It is not a waste of time. I used it to complete my first 5k last Saturday and finished 5 minutes faster than my best training time. I trained on the treadmill the whole time (because of the freezing weather and my work schedule). The hills during the race almost took me out but my legs were strong (because I did weights during my off running days) and my will was stronger.

One thing I did realize during the last few weeks, was that I needed to up my pace because the rate I was going was not getting me to 3.2 miles by the end of the session. The program (which I used through the app) has you running for a certain 35 minutes (in addition, 5 min for warm up and 5 for cool down) and it does not focus on whether you ran three miles or not.

Most of all, have fun during the race. I did.

I didn't read all the replies. But I'm in my 4th week of the Zombies 5k (which is a form of c25k, it is a little different from the traditional program and has a fun storyline, starts out easier too) and I went from almost dying running 30 seconds to today I was able to run a full 15 minutes. Which is HUGE for me, I've never been able to run like that, ever. And I'm 225 lbs at 5'3, so I'm not in shape by any means.

My advice, stretch before and after and stretch well. Don't risk injuries because they suck. I laughed about stretching and ended up pulling the muscles surrounding my knees and had to stay off my feet for days at a time after running. 2nd piece of advice, work on running longer THEN work on running faster.

I started the program today, and I couldn't finished the first one. But, I am really out of shape and HATE running. Also, I am new to the exercise and dieting stuff. I'm personally about 50 pounds heavier than I should be, and I'm only 18. I do plan on doing the last 15 minutes tomorrow. I don't feel bad that I didn't finished, I feel good that I even tried and got half way through. My problem was that I tried to run as fast as I could and tired out realllllyyyy fast. My advice, go slow, finish if you can, and don't hate yourself for any mistakes or sessions you can't finished. Good luck on your program!

It will work if you let it....but dont expect it to be easy! Stick with it!

Yeah give up the C25K bull**** & just run. Don't take off so fast but just run till you can't. Next day run further.


C25K is a waste of time IMO. I never did it and withing a month of taking up running I was doing 10km & still am. Before I ran I would be lucky to walk that distance.

You're lucky you avoided injury.

The op weighs 111kg.

You don't think taking it slow might be a marginally better plan than gung-hoing it?

I like the c25k program because if just going out and running did the trick, I would already be running. The program is good to get into the habit of running.

I have never in my life been able to run/jog anything more than half a block. For the first time I am hopeful that I will be able to become a runner. One of my goals is to run a 5k obstacle before the end of the year. I'm on my third try with the C25K and I've gotten farther than the first two times. I figured out it is because when I tried before I was going too fast. I slowed down my pace and now I'm killing it. Don't get discouraged if you have to repeat weeks. This time around I spent 3 weeks on W1, 3 weeks on W2, 2 weeks on W3, then I figured out I was going too fast. I'm doing my first week of W4 starting in the morning.

Don't give up, take your time. You can do it!!!

I wasn't going to reply, but here I go. I did C25K the year I turned 50. I was 50 lbs over weight and had just stopped smoking after 30+ years. It's a great program and I'm sure you will do fine. I'm not going to repeat saying all the good advise you've gotten but will add one thing- don't be afraid to read and participate on the C25K forums. Everybody on there is going through the same thing you are at the same time. In other words, there is comfort in numbers!j

You'll do great and will enjoy it for years to come. You're young...what I would give now if I had started 10, 20 or even 30 years ago!

BTW, my max speed was 3.8-4mph while doing it.

I start tomorrow as well!!!! I signed up for first 5k in August!

Hello,

Tomorrow I'm going to start C25K! Hopefully, after completing this.. I can achieve a lot more cause the boyfriend and I have set ourselves a goal to do the London Marathon in 2015. He could do it next year if he wanted to, because he's fit and athletic. But I'm 111.8kg.. unhealthy and haven't ran for 5 minutes! So couldn't bloody mange 26 miles even if I tried. We want to do it together and set it for 2015!

I decided before agreeing to do the Marathon in 2015, that I'm going to take up C25K to get me into jogging. Then after that 5k will turn into 10k and so on. I'm not somebody who lack's determination, so I know I can do this.. But now just going a bigger aim! All this is small steps training to hopefully do the Marathon.

So, as a new comer to jogging. Any advice would be much appreciated! As I'd like to really show people what I'm made of. A friend said "you must be having a laugh, a blob like you doing the Marathon?". She's just blunt by the way, she doesn't mean to be rude.. so I'm going to prove her wrong! ♥

Much love!


Paige ♥

So glad you posted this chicka. Cant wait. Lets keep each other updated on our progress