Not sure I'm ready for Ct5k but...

sissiluv
sissiluv Posts: 2,205 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Idk, I know that so much of it is mental but I can't even jog ten minutes straight...with music! I have to walk for half of it.

I know that couch to 5k is for beginners but is there a different program that's for, say, a less-than-beginner?

My plan right now is to try to do at least ten minutes a day, or twice a day, to get my stamina up. Is this a good plan?

Idk I'm totally in the dark here, lol. Any advice is appreciated. c:

Replies

  • whitney_simpson
    whitney_simpson Posts: 77 Member
    Honestly I would just do the C25K. The beauty of that kind of plan is that you are free to repeat runs as needed until you feel comfortable moving on to the next one. I loved doing it.
  • SJLS2013
    SJLS2013 Posts: 149 Member
    Have you taken a look at the C25K program? The first week is 1 minute running 1 minute walking. You go at our own pace, it's not a sprint but a steady jog.

    I have done it and I would suggest you give it a go. You can always repeat weeks until you are confident enough to move on to the next. I really can't suggest anything better for a beginner wanting to start running
  • faith_76
    faith_76 Posts: 199 Member
    You're ready! Now go out there and do it!
  • Angierae75
    Angierae75 Posts: 417 Member
    Go for it! You are totally on your own pace. I've been doing c25k for a month and I'm only one week 2, and that's fine!
  • Isakizza
    Isakizza Posts: 754 Member
    You can do it!

    I started running with that program, and back then I couldn't even jog a full minute. Also, you can repeat days if you feel you need more time to progress. Go at your own pace and don't worry about speed.

    Good luck and have fun! :happy:

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  • Saree1902
    Saree1902 Posts: 611 Member
    Main advice: take it slow! 10minutes may not sound a lot, but it can actually take some doing if you're a newbie runner. I remember when I started running, a full 10 minutes of non-stop jogging-so-slow-a-walker-could-pass-me took me nearly a year to build up to!

    I've taken future-hubby out running a couple of times and he hardly ever trains, so I usually push him through 2mins run/1min walk for 20minutes or so. Don't feel bad about walking in between running - most of us do it at sometimes, to be able to run faster or just to keep going.

    You're definitely right about running being mental...the head has to be in the game for the legs (and lungs) to obey a lot of the time.

    But it's all worth it...the simplest things can make you feel superhuman! Like running for 5minutes non-stop, adding more running to a run-walk program, beating a personal best, that first mile....it all gets remarkably addictive. Certainly did for me since 7years after starting I've done several half marathons and a full one!

    Good luck!
  • smittybuilt19
    smittybuilt19 Posts: 955 Member
    Give it a shot for sure! It starts off very light and progresses slowly as well. You'll be amazed by what you are truly capable of!
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    Oh, no you're ready for C25k! When I started, I could barely run for 1 minute without stopping. It starts off gently, and you gradually build up. You don't need to be able to do 10 minutes before you start! If you find any of the weeks too hard, and you don't think you can progress, you can just do the week over again. There's no deadline. I'm sure you'll be fine though, you'll be surprised at how quickly you will build up your stamina.
  • LMick1986
    LMick1986 Posts: 431
    I'd go for that program as a beginner.....even as you say "less-than-beginner". If you don't feel you can do that, do what you can today.....time it, mark the distance. Next time you go out and run, try to go just a bit faster or a little further. Build on what you can do. Every single person here has a starting point. No shame in where you're at.
    I've never been much of a runner myself. I've done it mainly because I was required. For some reason, in high school track and field, they put me in the running. NO idea why because I lost every single race.....I mean LOST....last place or second to last every single time. Now, being in the military for the past eight years, I've been required to be tested on my running. It used to be terrifying to me because I've failed before.....and I've come close to failing even more times. I picked myself back up and said I can do it and I'm gonna keep trying. I recently finished several 5Ks, a 10K with no stops......and most recent was a team relay where the seven of us ran a combined total of 75 miles non-stop. You can do it!
  • LMick1986
    LMick1986 Posts: 431
    Sorry! I double posted.

    Edited to delete the double post.
  • sissiluv
    sissiluv Posts: 2,205 Member
    Thank you so much guys, I really appreciate all your kind words and enthusiasm! I'll start the program tomorrow...or tonight, depending on how impatient I get with my rest day. c;

    Thank you sooooo much!
  • f1on4e
    f1on4e Posts: 20
    Good luck

    I'm starting this tomorrow and quite nervous :/
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    My plan right now is to try to do at least ten minutes a day, or twice a day, to get my stamina up. Is this a good plan?
    I think a better plan to start would be 30 minutes 3 times a week. Recommend not even thinking about twice a day until after you have been running a while.

    C25K is good or just go out for 30 minutes and run as far as you can at a comfortable speed. When you can't run any further then do run/walk intervals until you get to 30 minutes. Each week you will find yourself running more and walking less until you can run the whole way.
  • bad_hair_bear
    bad_hair_bear Posts: 56
    Do it, you're ready. When I started with a C25K programme running for 1 minute was a struggle. 3 minutes seemed impossible. 10 minutes was inconceivable and so far out of my range I couldn't even think it. I was still a smoker, I'd only just started eating properly using MFP - I was as beginnerish as you could get.

    That was 4 months ago. Last week, I ran for over an hour without stopping.

    Start. Today. You won't regret it.
  • Liz_Mfp
    Liz_Mfp Posts: 172 Member
    C25K is very strenuous for a beginner.

    Below is a link to
    8-week conditioning program

    Do
    8-weeks , just walking
    then
    repeat the
    8-weeks doing the jog/walk segments

    Using a www.GymBoss.com

    Here is the LINK
    http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/condition.html

    :-)
  • toothpastechica
    toothpastechica Posts: 250 Member
    Running every other minute, while possible, is a lot to ask of someone who is just starting to run (read doesn't get much physical activity otherwise), I prefer this into to running schedule, it still gets you more and more used to running, but eases you into it a little more and is easier on your joints.

    http://backonpointe.tumblr.com/image/30935207464
  • beattie1
    beattie1 Posts: 1,012 Member
    Oh, no you're ready for C25k! When I started, I could barely run for 1 minute without stopping. It starts off gently, and you gradually build up. You don't need to be able to do 10 minutes before you start! If you find any of the weeks too hard, and you don't think you can progress, you can just do the week over again. There's no deadline. I'm sure you'll be fine though, you'll be surprised at how quickly you will build up your stamina.

    This is what I'm finding. I'm on week 5 and ran today for much longer than I could have in the beginning. As others have said it's very gentle and you can repeat weeks til you're ready to go on to the next. I downloaded the podcasts (there are various ones available) and found that the music and trainer's voice in my ears help me to keep going & drown out the sound of my own breathing (those gasping sounds are very off-putting) and my feet slapping the ground. It's also useful not having to time myself - I just go with the instructions, and, at least so far, the instructions have been NOT to try to go too fast. Reassuring! :-)
  • Steffani911
    Steffani911 Posts: 196 Member
    Do it! You are in better shape than I was when I started. I remember the first week doing 60 sec runs and wanting to stop at 45 secs. Now a 5k is a typical run for me going to start training for a half after I get back from vacation. (I've even signed up for a 5k in the town we will be in) You are more than ready.
  • MiawMiawMiaw
    MiawMiawMiaw Posts: 24 Member
    After reading all these comments I've decided screw it, I'll do the couch to 5km starting tomorrow. Currently downloading the podcasts. Quite excited! =)
  • beattie1
    beattie1 Posts: 1,012 Member
    After reading all these comments I've decided screw it, I'll do the couch to 5km starting tomorrow. Currently downloading the podcasts. Quite excited! =)
    Well done! Keep us updated on how it's going :-)

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