Couch to 5K

Gilligans_Eyes
Gilligans_Eyes Posts: 7
in Getting Started
Hey there - I'm thinking about doing the Couch to 5K training program. Does anyone have any experience with it? Want to buddy up and do it with me? Give me an add...I'm new here and looking for MFP buddies. Hope everyone's Monday is going well!
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Replies

  • Catlady87
    Catlady87 Posts: 302 Member
    Go for it! I started in March, got to week 5 and then graduated early. I've now got my first 10K race in 6 days.
    Super addictive, fantastic for your confidence and there's always another target for you to set.
  • LeeAnn2healthy
    LeeAnn2healthy Posts: 15 Member
    Hi....I was wanting to give that a shot too....will have to do this on my treadmill as we are experiencing the good old winter blizzard here in Alberta...but definitely interested in giving this a shot.
  • TriShamelessly
    TriShamelessly Posts: 905 Member
    Great program for beginners. I started with it last March, quickly went to C10K, and completed my first half marathon just a few weeks ago. Keep at it and it can do wonders for your running ability, cardiovascular health and weight loss goals.
  • hadirk
    hadirk Posts: 50 Member
    Im planning to start the Couch to 5k too
  • Gilligans_Eyes
    Gilligans_Eyes Posts: 7
    Great! Congratulations on your success, Catlady87 & TaxEsquire!!
  • mrslcoop
    mrslcoop Posts: 317 Member
    Graduate here (and actually kept the 10 min/mile pace they recommend). C25K is a great program for beginners. Don't hesitate to repeat weeks (I did this several times to get my pace to where I wanted it) and go slower if needed. I've completed several 5Ks at this point and am going to start training for my first half in May soon. Good luck! You can do it!
  • bsalvato
    bsalvato Posts: 63 Member
    I have nothing but praise for it. I literally went from Couch to 5k. Before I started I couldn't run a half mile let alone 3.1. Finished up my training two weeks before Thanksgiving and ran my first 5k Thanksgiving day. Now I run at least 3 miles 3x a week.
  • ramsx1991
    ramsx1991 Posts: 142 Member
    I am on my last 2nd last day of C25K and I LOVE it. I was never really a runner before and never thought that I would be. It is very addicting and I do plan on doing C10K in February. I could never picture myself running even 1 mile before I started... and now it's a breeze.
    I would def recommend it :)

    Feel free to give me an add if you want!
  • beastmode_kitty
    beastmode_kitty Posts: 845 Member
    I started it last week! Feel free to add me ;)
  • BarbellBlondieRuns
    BarbellBlondieRuns Posts: 511 Member
    I did it in the summer of 2012. I did Carli's c25k which is a free podcast that you can load. She made a playlist with cues for every run. I usually run anywhere from 3 miles up to 8 miles now. Just keep at it. Consistency pays when it comes to running (or any other fitness goal really!). Do the program as it is laid out. Never two days back to back. Don't do more because you feel like you can on a certain day. It's designed for success so follow it to a T. If you need to repeat a run though as your next one, feel free to do so!
  • m_johannes
    m_johannes Posts: 72 Member
    Hey y'all! Working on week 5 workout 3 here! I literally struggled with running even the initial 60 seconds back in the day, now I love running. Even when I'm not focused on a particular C25K workout, I regularly jog a full mile without difficulty. I swear by the C25K program and recommend it to EVERYBODY!

    Also, all you wonderful runners, feel free to add me!
  • Link2Life
    Link2Life Posts: 102 Member
    I've started it 3 times but haven't finished it yet - I typically switched to riding road bike around week 5. However, I am no longer riding the road bike and want to start - and finish - the C25k.

    So hell yeah..i'm starting again...and would love to go through the weeks with a few others here. Friend me if you feel inclined.
  • Sarahnade42x
    Sarahnade42x Posts: 308 Member
    I love C25K - I completed it a few months ago and have been doing the later weeks at faster speeds since then (when I started, I did 3.0/4.5 intervals to all 4.5, now Im do 3.8/6.0 intervals to all 6.0) and am going for 10k next! It really is a great way to get yourself running. Have fun, and don't worry if you find yourself wanting to repeat days before moving onto the next one.
  • nicolawinehouse
    nicolawinehouse Posts: 14 Member
    I love C25K, it improved my fitness SO much it was unbelievable. It's hard in the beginning but really does get better. Go for it, you'll love it :)
  • rabblerabble
    rabblerabble Posts: 471 Member
    You may want to check out this group dedicated to that program:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/47-couch-to-5k-running-program-c25k-

    Lots of useful stuff in there.
  • Timmmy40
    Timmmy40 Posts: 152 Member
    C25K is an awesome place to start running. I graduated 14 months ago. Now I regularly run a 10k every morning 5 days a week. Some days I go out for a 8 - 10 mile run. I have completed two 1/2 marathon distances since finishing C25K.
  • emartin17
    emartin17 Posts: 123 Member
    It's an amazing program that took me further than I expected to go. I ended up in a marathon a year back. I want to do another!
  • StarFit4Life
    StarFit4Life Posts: 43 Member
    fixing to start also...feel free to add me as well :smile: (added wrong smiley, made message look creepy! lol)
  • khoshgeleh16
    khoshgeleh16 Posts: 150 Member
    I started it a month ago and have ended up really liking it, though sometimes I only run twice a week so it might take me slightly longer than 8 weeks to finish. But I can tell you that a month ago there was no way I could've run for 16 minutes, which I've now done twice in the past week - it really does work!
  • vturner88
    vturner88 Posts: 17
    This is something I was thinking about trying too, but could definitely use some encouragement. :) Please let us know when you do decide to start.
  • nhradeuce
    nhradeuce Posts: 168 Member
    Great programs, I did it in the summer of 2012. Now I run all time time and have completed many 5ks, a half marathon, and various obstacle races up to 14 miles long. Just stick with it, it works.
  • Link2Life
    Link2Life Posts: 102 Member
    I'm starting day 1 on Dec 16th. anyone want to join me?

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1150272-running-partners-starting-day-1-on-dec-16th
  • amberflo143
    amberflo143 Posts: 94 Member
    I completed the couch 25k last week and now have moved on to the 10K program. I love it, the way I feel is great, plus I get to eat much more when I am doing the longer runs!
  • evangelistjcmayo
    evangelistjcmayo Posts: 15 Member
    I know what you mean by couch. Good for you!
  • ksugirl13
    ksugirl13 Posts: 32 Member
    I would love to give this a try as well, but running is so not my forte!
  • PeaceLoveJoy2
    PeaceLoveJoy2 Posts: 3 Member
    I just started this. I am on Week 4 day 2. I seriously thought my heart was going to explode! Now, I am doing it. There is a voice coach on the program that tells me exactly when to walk and when to jog. I won't let myself quit until he tells me I can. Honestly, this program has been very good for my confidence as well because I would have quit on myself being that I am not in shape whatsoever. Doing this has motivated me to tackle other things as well. Highly recommend that you, "GO FOR IT!"
  • lockedcj7
    lockedcj7 Posts: 257 Member
    I did it several years ago and modified it for times instead of distances. I run exclusively on a treadmill since it's never raining, too cold or too hot in the gym. I never did get up to 5K but I run 2 mi. 3 x per week at a 9:22/mi. pace. I've been faster and slower over the years but my current goal is to get back to a 9:05 pace or better.
  • kbolton322
    kbolton322 Posts: 358 Member
    I'm wanting to restart couch to 5k... I'll do it with y'all add me if you want to...
  • makeoverchallenge
    makeoverchallenge Posts: 6
    I think I'm going to start it tomorrow!
  • justal313
    justal313 Posts: 1,375 Member
    Taking up running isn't about building your cardio, or at least it isn't only about building your cardio. C25K gets the entirety of your body ready to run in a gradual, intelligent manner. I wish I knew about it when I started running. I just laced up and tried to do more than before everytime. I wound up with some issues because my cardio said "keep going" and my legs, back, and especially feet said "hey buddy, not so fast".

    Anytime anyone asks me for advice to start running I point them to C25K and a running store to get properly fitted for proper footware.

    C25K will get the entirety of your body acclimated to the rigors of running. Then you can unplug your mind and worries and just enjoy the run. Running keeps me sane and it provides a buffer to my calorie budget which often but not always translates to a beer or two...

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