Couch to 5K
kym117
Posts: 315 Member
Hi I am sure I will get a row from someone for this as there will no doubt be a post relating in the past but I wanted some advice.
I started on MFP in 2010 and lost just over 2.5st but hated exercise I walked the dog a little more than usual but that was my limit.
In 2014 I decided I was going to start exercising as I only really want to loose half a stone more and really struggling now to shift it, anyway I started a Zumba Class once a week and now walk my (Wee) dog around an hour a day more if I am not working. I then started a Dance Fitness Class another night of the week and really enjoying it. This is as far as my fitness really makes it so far.
Having lost family members from Cancer a friend and I have decided to do the Pretty Muddy Race for Life in September to raise money for a very worthwhile cause, little problem though its a 5K assault course and I have NEVER ran in my life (except maybe for a bus!) I found the couch to 5K app for my mobile and I wondered what peoples opinions were on it? I would really appreciate any advice you can give me :flowerforyou:
I started on MFP in 2010 and lost just over 2.5st but hated exercise I walked the dog a little more than usual but that was my limit.
In 2014 I decided I was going to start exercising as I only really want to loose half a stone more and really struggling now to shift it, anyway I started a Zumba Class once a week and now walk my (Wee) dog around an hour a day more if I am not working. I then started a Dance Fitness Class another night of the week and really enjoying it. This is as far as my fitness really makes it so far.
Having lost family members from Cancer a friend and I have decided to do the Pretty Muddy Race for Life in September to raise money for a very worthwhile cause, little problem though its a 5K assault course and I have NEVER ran in my life (except maybe for a bus!) I found the couch to 5K app for my mobile and I wondered what peoples opinions were on it? I would really appreciate any advice you can give me :flowerforyou:
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Replies
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It's a very good place to start. Just go slow and repeat weeks if needed. You may also look into adding in some sort of resistance training, be it compound lifts with a bar or a progressive bodyweight program. Right now you seem rather cardio heavy.0
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I used the couch to 5K app! I loved it. I never dreamed I could run!! I have lost almost 69 lbs running.0
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wow that's very encouraging! well done! I find it difficult to imagine me trying :noway:I used the couch to 5K app! I loved it. I never dreamed I could run!! I have lost almost 69 lbs running.
RE:JenMc14 Hoping to start TBT Class soon which is resistance just been a little nervous so building classes up.0 -
I used it (I'm somewhere around 6-7 weeks in). I'm a huge fan.
At the beginning of the program I had a hard time making it through the minute long run segments. The other day I ran a mile and a half without blinking. In the past I would have blithely told you that was something I'd never be able to do.
I'm seeing a huge difference elsewhere in my life too. Jogging across a parking lot, or down the block - I don't have to stop because I'm winded anymore.0 -
I'm currently doing C25K and I love it!
I was never a runner and thought that I never would be because I suffer from asthma.
I have completed 5 weeks and have amazed myself.
I ran for 20 minutes straight last night!0 -
Like any other program, if you're finding it to be too stressful on you, slow down or stop.
Personally, I love this app. It's helped me a lot by having the walk/run segments because I'm very bad to try and fly before I walk so to speak. The pacing is pretty awesome.0 -
Couch to 5k is a great way to get going on running! I have used it quite a few times as I have had a tendency to fall out of running, although the last two times I stopped was due to injury. Anyway, this time I did the Couch to 5K and Bridge to 10k (I modified them a bit as I needed less walking time) and now I'm just judging my runs on how I feel as I think I've finally learned to do that, today was my long run day and I did 12.3km and that's all from using those programs! I downloaded the Runkeeper app and programmed all of the runs into the workout sections there (it's a free app as well). Good for you to use a race as a motivator!!! Good luck!
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I found the couch to 5K app for my mobile and I wondered what peoples opinions were on it?
It's a good tool, the walk/ run progression is quite a good introduction while minimising your risks. Personally I took 12 weeks rather than 9 to complete it, but now ruin 35-40 km per week and am working on improving my 10km pace.
I used the NHS podcast, rather than an app, and used Runkeeper to track my performance.0 -
I'm on the last week of C25K and I can't sing it's praises enough. I'd tried running before but always gave up because I tried taking on too much, would try and complete 5k straight off the bat then get frustrated at how unfit I was and give up. Started C25K as my friend and I signed up to the colour run and before we knew it we were on week 4 (never stuck with exercise so long before in my life!) and we realised we were actually enjoying it! My friend brings her baby and dog with us so we're like a little team yesterday we ran 25minutes...I never imagined either of us could do that and the best but is we both felt we could have kept going 0
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Another thumbs up from me - started C25k at 290lbs last May and am now 202lbs with a longest run of 18.6miles (30k). I'm still slow (5k PB is still over 30mins - 30:21) but can run for over 2hrs wiothout stopping and am running 15-20miles a week now. For assualt course 5ks remember to do some upper body work as well as the running (planks, press ups, that sort of thing). Best of luck 0
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Another vote. Currently on week 4 and using the NHS podcasts rather than any app. I never thought I would make it each week, but every week I surprise myself and I go further and longer!0
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I started the C25K after the New Year. I suffer from asthma and couldnt run for 30 seconds at the start but persevered and now regularly run 5k a couple of times a week with at least 2 miles on the other days. I love it! My asthma has all but cleared up (from going through a whole inhaler in about 2wks, it now lasts 6weeks or more!
Best tips I ever had from members who run was to 1) Get good fitting running shoes & 2) Start slow, increase distance and dont worry about speed.
I am running the Race For Life in June and never imagined Id ever do that. Good luck and shout if you need any help. Also feel free to friend request me if you want some support.0 -
I used the C25K to help me prepare for my Mud Run. Here's a recap:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/992718-58-year-old-goddess-completes-1st-5k-mud-run
Worked for me....good luck, have fun, you can do this.
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I started the C25K after the New Year. I suffer from asthma and couldnt run for 30 seconds at the start but persevered and now regularly run 5k a couple of times a week with at least 2 miles on the other days. I love it! My asthma has all but cleared up (from going through a whole inhaler in about 2wks, it now lasts 6weeks or more!
Best tips I ever had from members who run was to 1) Get good fitting running shoes & 2) Start slow, increase distance and dont worry about speed.
I am running the Race For Life in June and never imagined Id ever do that. Good luck and shout if you need any help. Also feel free to friend request me if you want some support.
I'm also running the Race for Life this June and will have to start training for it somehow so I will definitely give this app a go. I have never been a runner because I have back problems (or do any exercise apart from dancing, for that matter) but I have recently started changing my lifestyle and I'm on week 4 of Insanity at the moment! I hope I can build up so I can run the 5k in June without problems, otherwise I will just have to walk the rest.
Thanks to all for the info 0 -
I have started that.
So far so good.
I am doing each week twice to stretch it out a bit and allow me to get a handle on it a bit better as I have never run before... not even for a bus
So thumbs up from me.0 -
This is a really good post to refer to for new runners, wish it had been available when I started!!
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1217573-so-you-want-to-start-running?hl=so+you+want+to+start+running
I've done the C25K app last year and I'm now less than 8 weeks away from a marathon!!!0 -
C25K is a great idea and will help you reach your goal if you stick with it! I finished with that last year (I think it was my 3rd or 4th time starting) and followed up with the 5k to 10k bridge program. Now I am in the middle of training for my first half marathon! I never would have thought I would be running so far and loving it.
It is a great place to start for people who are non-runners or getting back into it. You will start out at a level that is hard enough to give you results but not so hard that it makes you hate life every time you do.
Good luck! Feel free to reach out if you need support!0 -
I completed the C25K before Christmas, then took an enforced running break due to an injury (can not emphasise enough how important it is to invest in a decent pair of running shoes). I ran my first 5K Race on Saturday, and now 5K is my minimum distance running. I am training for a 10K in May, a Race for Life 10K in July and then a Half Marathon in October, so I run 4 times a week now!
I love running, and before I did C25K I couldn't even jog from one lamppost to another! On Sunday I did 4.5miles for the first time - 54mins and I could have quite happily kept going. Couldn't believe it!
Another thing - trust in the programme. From week 3 on it starts getting you do do longer runs - I never thought I'd ever be able to do the 20min run in Week 5 but gave it a go and killed it. The programme has prepared you for it, so you will be able to do it!0 -
Hello
I am thinking of trying this out, I am trying to lose my weight I gained after giving up smoking 6 months ago & struggling to make it go away. Do you think this will help?0 -
I've loved doing my c25k app. I started January 16th and I'm due to run my last run anytime now. It's taken me a bit longer than the eight weeks because I do Zumba as well and I have a baby who sometimes doesn't let me go when I planned on. And Zumba sometimes I needed extra rest days in the beginning. But I loved it. I never would have dreamed I could run this long. Or that I would be a "runner". It's incredible. I'm going to get the 10km app next ^_^ good luck0
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I did C25K soon after joining MFP last summer and found it to be fantastic. The first session I thought I was going to die :laugh: but now I run 3 times a week and am fitter than I've ever been.
Number one tip is go slow. There's no such thing as too slow, I used to run slower than I walked!0 -
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Hello! I didn't do the C25K but I have built myself up from HATING running to enjoying running about 8km three times a week.
My advice, whether doing it off your own bat or following a plan, is to just go for it, regardless of how fast or slow you go.
Just to warn you - you'll have some really good runs and some really bad runs that feel awful, but always remember that the bad sessions don't mean you've lost your groove or that you're not meant to be a runner - it's just a bad run and you'll do better next time.
The more you do, the more you can do, and that feeling of getting a good pace going, and jogging along in your own little world is superb.
I love it! Good luck!0 -
I seen a post on FB the other night that sums up my running.
I Run,
I'm slower than a herd of tortoises stampeding through a field of peanut butter,
but I still run.
It doesn't matter if you run at a 6min mile or a 20min mile, it's still a mile:)0 -
I Run,
I'm slower than a herd of tortoises stampeding through a field of peanut butter,
but I still run.
It doesn't matter if you run at a 6min mile or a 20min mile, it's still a mile:)
I fully back this!0 -
I;m on Week 4 and like others I have NEVER run before. The first run was tough but I'm starting to enjoy it. I totally agree with the "slowly slowly" approach. I can walk quite easily at the same speed that I run but I figure that's okay! Good luck!!!0
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I have started C25k 3 times and have completed it once. The first time was several years ago. I went way to fast and gave up after week 1 feeling completely defeated. Lesson learned: GO SLOW! If you need too. The second time, I was determined and I started MUCH slower. I was probably close to 200 lbs and I had avoided running all my life. Hated to run. I did it anyway and every week I'd look at the next week coming and think there is no way I can do that! Then I'd do it!! I not only was getting my exercise in but I was building confidence in myself with each session. I can't say enough good things about C25k! The only thing I wish I had done differently is I wish I had ran outside. Treadmill miles and outdoor miles feel much different! 0
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I have started it 4 times and gotten to week 8 and stopped... BUT I can say I have def seen a great improvement in my running!0
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I want to get started on running. (Yikes!) However, I think I will wait until the sidewalk are free and clear of ice and snow!0
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Done 2 of the 3 from week 1 now, Legs on fire! Not as bad as I thought it would be though! Actually looking forward to doing it again tomorrow 0
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