Couch to 5k Anyone?

Congrats to our graduates, wish I was among them! The run on Saturday wasn't much better than Thursday. I tried not to look at my watch and just set visual goals, and, sillySkittels, I did find myself telling myself I wasn't going to die or throw up so I could just keep jogging no matter how slowly I might be jogging!
I was running around a lake that is about 2.8 miles around, according to "map my run", and I ran farther than I have before and told myself I could walk once I reached the bridge but when I did and checked my watch I had only been running about 20 minutes. So I am going to stick with Week 7 until I can run 25 minutes.
I might try running first thing in the morning to see if that works better, but I never do because I sleep until the last possible moment to get to work ontime. This morning my alarm did not go off. I woke up at 8:07 and got to work by 8:30 with a shower-whew!

Good Job, JulieSue, your graduation will come sooner than you think!
Last night I was able to jog for most of the 25 minutes. I was running outside and it had just rained so it was cooler than usual. I think I am going to call that week 7 day 1. If I can jog for 25 minutes for two more days I will graduate to week 8.

Took a few days off because I was at the beach. I am suppose to be moving on to Week 5 today, but may repeat Week 4. I just didn't that good with the 5 minute jogs. I haven't looked to see what Week 5 Day 1 is, but I have a feeling it'd be overwhelming after not running for a few days.

Today I did W1D2...ugh and I did it at the wrong time of day...I about died but I completed it!!!! ) I cant wait to see what my hrt says I burn on these runs!!! but I am planning on doing W1D3 on Friday!! ) I hope I can ease into week 2!!!

I did w4d2 today. I love this program!!!

I really want to try this! I think the downloads will make it so much easier! Runners body here i come! lol

Ok, so I am over my drama of the crossroads. I was scheduled for an early morning run on Wednesday but slept in instead(started down the wrong road), but then at lunch, I went to the gym and completed a Week 4 workout (the much better path, right?!). I amused myself by 'reading' the Dr. Oz show (I didn't have headphones, so I read the closed captions), so the runs went by a little faster. If I follow SS's lead, and have to 'complete' the workout for it to count, then I've just done Week 4, Day 1, since I missed 2 minutes of running on my first Week 4 attempt. I'm due for another run Saturday which will be Day 2.

gmchevere was right: Week 3 to Week 4 is a decent jump in running minutes, from 9 minutes total to 16 minutes total. No wonder some of us are struggling.

Earin, let me know when you move to Week 5, I think you'll be ok. Day 1 is all 5 minute runs, but there are only 3 of them, so really you're running 1 less minute than Week 4. However Day 2 moves on to include 8 minute runs, not that I'm trying to scare you... just wanted you to know that week 5 is the first week where the days within the week are different.

More adoration from me to the graduates... jr, bru, kelly... I worship you all! :drinker: Remember how great this program made you feel and keep running as a part of your life. I made the mistake of letting it go after 'graduating' 6 or 7 years ago (well, birthing two children also got in the way...)

And SillySkittles, I secretly worship you too, but I'll wait until you finish that last run to make it official... :laugh: You are too cute with your graduation certificates! Will you send me one when I graduate? pretty please? :flowerforyou:

asjerven, looks like you will be next in line on my worship-list... :happy:

Welcome to those joining us!

JulieSue, you're already on your way! Great job powering through Wed's run! I'm sure Friday's run will be easier!

Rachel, be sure to let us know how your first run goes!

Becky, hope you're feeling better soon, so that you can join our running team. I'll re-iterate the advice shared throughout this thread: don't do more than the program asks you to even if you feel you can, get your proper warmup and cooldown, run only the recommended 3 days per week with a day of rest between runs. You can cross-train on your off days - try weight training or some yoga or pilates to build your core strength and get a good stretch (or other cardio is always an option as well - walking, biking, classes, etc). Wear good running shoes, and stretch after your runs, especially your calves, to avoid the dreaded shin splints. Drink lots of water and eat healthy foods to power you up!

luvhim, you're in good company! There are at least 3 of us who are hovering around week 4 at the moment! Let me know how you do with Week 5 so I know what to expect!

Have a FANTASTIC day!
DMG

wow DMG you are my hero!!! soo motivating and speaking to us all...I loves it and it was a nice read!!! )

I am doing Week 1 Day 3 tmw!! and my HRT came in today sooo I am excited to see the differences between what I have been logging to what it really is!!!

Happy Running everyone!!!

DMG- Because of your pep talk, I attempted (and completed) W5D1. I will probably repeat it again because I can't wrap my brain around running for 8 minutes straight. I just get so bored during my runs. I read my magazine on the walk portions. For my 5 minute runs, I'd start out at 5.5mph and work up to 6.5.

I went to the gym yesterday with the girls (the girls meaning my little ones - there is daycare available on Sat mornings). I did the BodyFLOW class, then my Couch to 5k workout. I finished Week 4, Day 2. It almost felt like I could maybe have run a bit longer?? One more Week 4 workout then on to Week 5.

JulieSue, how was Week 1, Day 3? Do you like your HRT? (thanks for your kind words... I don't always have time to write to everyone individually, but I like to - having you guys here is what motivates me to do my runs. I want to be able to come back and tell you guys "I did it")

jr, holy crap! that's great! I only ever ran 12 minute miles, so sub-9 seems god-like to me! I like that you and kelly are checking in on us! Thanks to both of you for your encouraging words. :flowerforyou:

Earin - yay! I'm so glad that you tried Week 5! I knew you could do it! Let me know how the 8 minute run goes on Day 2. I know you can do that one too... Get some good music to help you along! When you start getting bored, play one of your favorites, and promise yourself to keep running 'til the end of the song. I'm still doing the slow but steady thing. Try staying at 5.5 if you think 8 minutes seems too long.

Earin, yay! congrats on completing Week 5 Day 2!! I am certainly not going to hold a 5 second water break against you, and you shouldn't hold it against yourself, either!! I hope your bone marrow test is ok (let us know!) - maybe stick to gentler exercises for a few days, like walking or swimming. Then depending on how you're feeling you can always start Week 5 over again, or back up to Week 4.

I dragged myself out of bed this morning to do Week 4 Day 3. By an honest to goodness 'oops', I walked 3 minutes for my middle walk interval instead of 2.5min; but I still completed all my running minutes, so I am counting this as a successful completion. So my next run is starting Week 5!!

I have to admit that I am starting to really dislike these early am runs. (That is my attempt at being polite, when I really wanted to say: "OH MY GOD! I HATE GETTING UP EARLY TO RUN!!" especially on Monday mornings!) My body responds much better later in the day (or at least it doesn't seem as hard). And I am not a morning person, so I hate getting out of bed for anything, most of all, running! Mind you, a few hours later, like right now, I am sooo happy that it's done. Ok, I'll try to stop complaining, and focus on the positive.

HAPPY MONDAY EVERYONE!!!!

DMG!!! I loved my HRM and it did show that I burned more calories than this website says so that was nice to know!!! I did my W1D3 run on Friday and completed it (but gosh it was hot..idk why I wait til the middle of the day to do my runs ugh) but I was going to start Week 2 on Sunday but I didnt do that sooooooo my goal is to do it today but I have dinner plans so I hope I can get it in before dark but if not then Tuesday for sure!!!! I am excited to keep on moving!!! :0) Yes I understand what you mean by motivation!!! I appreciate it!!!

AND I know I started this race way after most of you did but I love hearing your encouraging words!!! soo please dont stop or give up on me!!! )

I did week 1 day1 today! It wasnt too bad but harder than i thought because i'm already sore from doing tae bo the last three days and completely forgot to stretch or do yoga. I really love the phone app and love how it highlights the day when youre done. yay!

dmgaloha
thanks for the article

I did Day 1 Week 8! After three weeks of week 7. It felt good, I really think I made a breakthrough. I had to talk myself through the last 3 minutes of the 28 minutes but I wasn't going to die, pass out or throw up. I felt a little dizzy when I started walking but it felt good.
Also, the last two runs have been first thing in the morning, so I might have to stick with that.
I can't believe I might be that person who gets up and goes running before work!

Hey all

I decided to take an extra week off.. so today I started up w5d2, for the running portion, I managed 1.54miles and in total I went 2.23miles, I'm slowly working on speed. I have a 2mile walk/run this Saturday and I can't wait

Hope you all are well. For those just starting or considering starting DO IT AND STICK WITH IT! It's so worth it to be able to run 30min straight, especially when you could barely run 60sec!! I graduated a couple of weeks ago and it was such a great accomplishment. Now I'm just working on speed Best wishes!!

Bru