Couch potato to 5k???

I'm on week 7, and I'm loving it. There's a bunch of free phone apps, that basically beep or buzz when it's time to run or walk. It'll seriously kick your butt, so go slow!

Yes. In fact, I just ran my first 5K this past Wednesday. My second yesterday.

When I started the program I couldn't run for 90 seconds straight without just dying and not being able to breathe... this week alone I ran 3.25 miles, and 3.1 miles without stopping - 9:35 and 10:00 mile respectively.

It works if you follow it and are dedicated to sticking with it. I'm headed for the 10K next. (running an 8k in April) I highly recommend the "5K for Pink" app for iPhone or Android.

Cheers,
Ben

I really want to start using this .... Its my goal for this month to start jogging

I have always wanted to ne a runner too...I know a lot of people w ho have success with this program...one of my goals this year is to run a 5k and . Plan on using the app.

I used it years ago to start running, and it was amazing! I'm using it again now to gradually get back into running after my second child. Honestly can't recommend it enough. I have asthma as well and it vastly improved my cardiovascular abilities because of the gradual (yet attainable) pace.

I used it last year to train for my first 5K. Ran it in November. It's a good program.

I completed it in February of last year. Never ran before the program and fell in love with it along the way. I ran my first half marathon just 8 months later. I found the podcasts found on the nhs.uk site especially helpful. The were hosted by a girl named Laura that offered tips and lots encouragement along the way. She also told you when to run and when to walk with music in between.

http://www.nhs.uk/LiveWell/c25k/Pages/couch-to-5k.aspx

The biggest advice I can give to those starting this program is this: during the running portions if you can go any slower, you are NOT going slow enough. Really. You're meant to go at a VERY light jog. The whole point is building up your endurance, so to doesn't matter at all how fast you go. Speed comes later.

Completely possible, assuming you have no medical issues that would prevent you from running. I started it in November, and it took me until early February to complete (sometimes I re-ran a day, especially in weeks 4-6, and sometimes I just couldn't fit three runs in every week!) but I completely shocked myself. From being killed dead by one minute of running, to running for 35 minutes without wanting to die! (And now I'm training for a 10k, because running well and truly hooked me.)

I just finished it and agree it's an excellent program. There are also apps you can download that helps you track your time and run/walk intervals. I'm working on my speed a bit, then it's on to the 10K trainer!

Has anyone followed this and had success? I'm really out of shape, but I have always wanted to be a runner and haven't been able to run for longer than 2 minutes at a time since I was 13! I'd like to get fit, but I think having a goal like doing a 5k would be a great accomplishment for me!

If you're interested in trying it have a look through the discussion in http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/30-couch-to-5k-running-program-c25k where you'll get a good amount of advice.

Personally I used the NHS podcast programme - http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/couch-to-5k.aspx

I'm on Week 5 day 2 (tomorrow) and use the Zen Labs C25k Free program (MFP apps page) as it posts here.
I can also use my own playlist/tunes and RunKeeper with it.
I am enjoying it so far & consider myself a total couch potato, one with arthritis in both knees as well.
Take it slow, don't be afraid to repeat a week if you need to and don't forget to breathe (it's hard to catch breath, so just go even slower). Don't worry about speed.

I am currently doing it and really like it. Take it at your own pace and you'll do just fine! There are a ton of free apps out there and I find them very helpful.

I too, like others on this thread, have had to repeat some weeks. But I am on week 6 now and proud to say I can run! I was winded after 90 seconds of runningin the beginning, but now I can do up to 20 mins at a time! Again ... I go slow, but hey I'm just trying for endurance first, then I'll work on my speed later.

Gotta be ready if there is a zombie apocalypse!! LOL

Good luck!

I am on Week 6 Day 3 and I have LOVED the journey. I have fallen in love with the runners high and have already signed up for 2 5Ks (first one in 11 days). I use RunDouble (on android) and I really like it, there is a timed option and a distance option, this is convenient for running on my lunch break but on weekends I pick up the distance option since I don't have a time frame. I have also found that most weeks 3 days isn't enough and I'm itching to go out a 4th day so I end up doing the last day of the week twice (extra practice I call it). I do want to say that I have never been unable to complete a planned run. By that I mean that even though I look at the next run and think, "there is NO WAY IN HELL I'm going to be able to run xx minutes" I lace up and I do it. Runs I thought impossible were actually VERY possible, not always easy but possible. So my advice is to just do the next run. Don't repeat weeks, move on to the next week and if during the run you really NEED to walk then walk and repeat that day until you don't NEED to deviate from the plan. Today I felt like I needed to walk and then I asked myself why I thought I needed to walk. Was I out of breath? No. Did something hurt? No. Were my legs too heavy to take another step? No. I realized after these questions (and a few others) that it was 100% mental and I didn't stop, I simply focused on something else. The program will help you with the physical but the mental is all on you. Good luck!

Love all the replies. I'm really flirting with the idea of trying this.