c25k experiences

I had a great experience with the program. It took me a bit longer than the 9 weeks due to illness, but I ended up being a runner. Two years later, I'm still running, and have done a ton of 5Ks, one 10K, and one half.

Life changing. Now I want to run, I look forward to it, I never regret it. Enjoy!

I completed it last September and worked up to running for 45-48 minutes. Then life kicked in and I quit running. When I tried to run again, I had no endurance at all. Pretty much all the stamina and endurance that I had built up- vanished... so am starting over. The funny thing is- I don't like to run while I am doing it, but once I am finished and have completed what I thought was impossible- I love it. Best of luck to you!

This makes me happy! I hate running but today completed week 4, Ive never been able to run for 5 minutes so this week was a bit of a break through for me although already wondering if i can do the 20 minute run at the end of week 5!

I really want to like running so am determined to see this through!

This sounds just like me! The running for 5 minutes was a breakthrough for me - I never thought I could and then decided to keep pushing myself. I finished c25k a little over 2 years ago and since have worked my way up to a half marathon. For right now the half marathon distance is my limit. My favorite distance is a 15k. I had never run before starting the app. I didn't really like running until 9 months into running - I liked the way I felt after a run and liked the way my body was changing which is why I stuck with it.

I love it- I have never been a runner but I used the program and am now running 3-4 miles comfortably, and I love running now. It took me longer than the program suggests, but I modified and took longer rest days in between when I felt like I needed it. I ran my first 5K in 31:12 (which is believe is around 10 minutes/mile) which blew me away. I am signed up to run a 7.2 mile race in my town in August and am hoping to do a Half-Marathon in October. Good luck to you! You will want to tell yourself to give up at times on the longer runs, but push through and you will feel amazing at the end. Add me for support/encouragement/advice if you'd like!

It's great! I did it, then moved onto further distances and am running my second 10K race tomorrow!

I've just finished week 2 - not looking forward to running for 3 minutes on my next run, but I've given myself permission to walk if / when I get to the point that I can't run any longer, and to repeat any week as required, til I get better enough at it.
I enjoy the music - it's a good motivator, and I like not having to take responsibility for timing the walking & jogging. It's nice to feel you're making progress.

Just go slow and pace your self. I did not think I could do the 3 minutes either. But it goes fast.

I have started it. I started about a month ago and completed week 1. Then I got sick and did nothing for 2 weeks. So I started back last week. Finished week 1 again and now I am nervous about moving onto week 2. I'm pretty sure I can do it but what if I can't? I will be really disappointed. But I'll never know till I try.

This program is great! I have done it several times after stopping for long periods of times. Every time I finish the program I am running more confidently and stronger. The key, in my opinion, is to resist the temptation to run for longer or skip days, etc. In the beginning it may seem too easy, but trust the process and don't push ahead (if you have the time) I find that if I start running too hard, fast, or long when I haven't been running I don't find it as enjoyable and I am more likely to quit. The couch to 5k program really eases you into running in a way that will be enjoyable yet challenging for a new runner. Definitely give it a try!

I recently started the c25k and I was just wonder what other people's experience with it were.

I started it and quit c25k on FIVE Occasions. On the 6th time, I made it count. A year to the day i started c25k that 6th time, I ran my first marathon.

This program will change your life and any perceptions you have about what is truly possible.

Good luck , have fun and a wonderful future as a runner of any distance!

This man is one of my running inspirations! :bigsmile:

I started c25k about a year and a half ago, and went from being an absolute non-runner to being able to complete a 5k, and I'm still runnin'. It's a great program. I followed it exactly, no shortcuts or extra runs, and came through in the allotted time and without injury. It was great! Made me feel so accomplished.

I used the c25kFREE app by Zen Labs on my iPhone - worked great.

If you are going from not running at all, I would take the rest days in order to help prevent injuries. You can always cross train on rest days though such as riding a bike or swimming.

I think the program is great! I started it twice before it really clicked with me - I didn't stop because it was too hard, I was just lazy. The third time I decided to stick with it no matter what, and I did. It might have taken me a little longer because I repeated some days, but I did it. I've been running for two years now. I still dislike the running part, but I LOVE finishing a run. I'm slow (the first time I actually went a whole 5k, I think my time was like 41 minutes), but I just did a 33:15 5k today! My fastest ever. Yay!

The rest days are important. Believe me - even if you feel like you could run, don't. After you finish it you can reevaluate how much your body can handle, but it does need rest. I still don't run every day (I do bodyweight or strength exercises on my non-running days). I agree that you should get in the habit of stretching after a run, too. It makes my muscles a lot happier, at least!

I started C25K about 2.5 years ago hoping to get off a weight loss plateau and maybe run a 5K; since then I lost about 40 pounds and ran every distance from 5K to a marathon (twice). The program works!

I've just finished week 2 - not looking forward to running for 3 minutes on my next run,.....

Just come in from doing week 3 for the first time and found it totally do-able. :happy:

I run a route from home - and where I live going up and down slopes is unavoidable, but I was lucky how the gradients worked out. I ran UP slopes on the 90 second runs, but the 3 minute runs happened to work out to be on the level or going downhill. Neat!!

It sounds really stupid to say this, but starting this program it really came home to me how much harder it is to run uphill than it is on the level or downhill. Well, DERR!! :ohwell

Maybe for the third time through I should rearrange the route so I try running for 3 minutes UPHILL. That'll be a workout!