C25K HELP!

I've been doing this one
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

I feel that it eases you into the program in a very realistic and doable way. It suggests only running 3 days a week, but I often find myself doing about 5.

I followed the track on coolrunning too - well, until about week 7. It's at that point where you move into solid runs and are just increasing your time. At that point I just made my own playlist to use and decided I'd just go on my own. It's been fine. I'm still doing some walking, but the more I'm reading, the more I'm discovering that other than the very elite runners, most people in races do a bit of walking anyway. The very fact that I'm running 5, 10, 15 or more minutes at a time feels like an accomplishment.

I did start out using the podcasts done by Steve (I think...not positive on the first name) Ullrey simply because he makes it easy to know when to switch from walking to running and walking again. He's good in that respect - and he's pretty encouraging (moreso than this girl Mia who has her own, but she's prone to saying things like "I'll bet your legs are getting really tired about now, huh?"). However, I am SOOOOO not a "dance club music" kind of girl, and he seems to pick some incredibly craptastic largely instrumental techno things. That probably has as much to do with me "going rogue" so to speak as soon as I hit the week that was solid 25 minute runs - I wanted to run to music that would push and inspire me, and the club crap just wasn't doing it.

I'm about to finish Week 3 of the program that the other posters mentioned (coolrunning.com), and it's been great! I was never ever EVER a runner, so I even doubled some of the weeks, just to make sure I was prepared for the next level. Not only has it helped me to be able to run (something I NEVER thought I'd do), but I've felt so much more fit overall, and the running has helped me lose inches in trouble places that I've never been able to see much change in -- I'm a pear shape, so I've loved watching my hips / thighs / calves FINALLY start to shrink! If you're looking for a doable schedule, I'd highly recommend giving the program a try!

I downloaded 2 training programs to my ipod. 4 weeks to running a 1 mile and 8 weeks to running a 5k. I really like it because it tells me when to walk, when to run, when to rest, etc. I have found it hard to try to time myself runing for 60 sec, etc on other training schedules. Here's the link. I hope it helps! Good Luck!!

http://www.personalrunningtrainer.com/

I too use the Cool Running program. I doubled the first two weeks till I became more comfortable with running. I have been using a GymBoss (www.gymboss.com) to vibrate in my hand when I need to walk or run so I can listen to music and not have to track how many times I have changed.

I "graduated" a week or so ago - though I had really been focusing more on distance than the "walk 5 minutes, run 30 minutes, walk 5 minutes" thing as I knew I wasn't (and still am not) at a 10-minute mile.

First official 5K is Sunday, then another the next Sunday. Long story...I'd actually signed up for the second (the Komen Race for the Cure) first - then a twitter bud convinced me that it might be good to do the WTC Run to Remember this Sunday as a "test" of how I do outside since I've been on the treadmill almost exclusively thanks to heat and humidity. It's a flat course.

So I'm nervous AND excited! (And really need to get to bed. LOL.)

I started my C25k yesterday! Downloaded this app for my ipod to help with it! http://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/c25k-couch-to-5k/id301233668?mt=8 I don't have a high level of fitness, but really enjoyed it, looking forward to building up my fitness level. Needed help to stay focused and motivated, I find Im better at following plans like this than going it alone! and Im keeping an eye out for a 5k run some time in November! So heres hoping it all goes to plan ......