Thanks for all of the advice, I just started C25K (W1D1). I am really excited about it.

The thing I don't hear talked about much is "RUNNING FORM". In the past 3 months I've almost totally changed from a slouched heel strike to a fw leaned midfoot. The result have been amazing in regards to aches & pains.

But I'm still working through leg extension. I've heard 2 theories:
1-full extension behind you

2-short compact stride under you

Which works best for you?

I don't harp on form because most people seem to evolve this during the program. Also, nobody here is all that experienced.

In terms of leg extension...it's hard to explain. If you're angled forward with a good strike under you, your rear extension is almost lifting your leg from the ground rather than pushing against it. It's almost a wheel-like or cycling feeling. I usually start a run with a shorter compact stride and then open up later when everything comes together and I'm flying. I think it's whatever keeps my turnover up without over-exerting.

Stick to the simple rule of: above the neck keep going, below the neck take a day off (in regards to feeling under the weather).

It's best to follow the program as written. Two of the red flags for injury are being a new runner (under a year) and over training. I can't say that you'll get injured, but why risk it? You've got the rest of your life to run.

Fantastic input over the course of almost two years!

This is a nice article:
http://beta.active.com/articles/running/when-does-running-get-easier-for-beginners

Negative Split Calculator:

http://www.ridersite.org/SBTraining/PaceCal.php

Running form, I always catch myself slouching. Shoulders back face ahead, it helps keep your lungs expanded.

Hello! I am just starting out again after having my 2nd baby (week 1, day 2 done). When I did the program the first time, it worked really well, but during Week 7 I got an injury in my left leg. After a few weeks off, my physio told me strength straining was just was important, and then he gave me a simple plan of squats and lunges, that kind of thing. So squat squat squat

Fueling
Taken from Runner's World

Stay hydrated.
Hydration is a big one with running. If you aren't properly hydrated it can cause issues with your running and recovery. But you don't want to down a whole lot of water the night before or the morning of, at that point it is too late and the water won't get to your muscles to be used properly. So that week before your race make sure you are hydrating very well.

No need to carb load.
The practice of carb loading (increasing your intake of carbohydrate-heavy foods while cutting back on protein and fat in the days before a race) is geared for events of 90 minutes or longer. And even if you end up having to run/walk the 5K, you will be finished long before that 90 minute mark. A healthy prerace meal or snack will provide enough carbs to help you through your run. The only issue here really, is if you do a low carb diet. If you are one of those people, then try and hit a 40/30/30 macro adjustment a day or two before the race. That will help to make sure you have enough carbs in you to not bonk afterwards.

Eat a light prerace breakfast.
Focus on a small breakfast or snack, about 200-300 calories tops. Something with a good amount of good carbs such as oatmeal or an english muffin with jelly or peanut butter. You don't want this to be too heavy, as if it is too much it can play with your GI and cause discomfort in the race.

Don’t forget the fluids.
Be sure to wash down your prerace meal with plenty of fluids. Aim to consume 17 to 20 ounces of fluids two to three hours before the race, and another seven to 10 ounces 20 minutes before the race begins. It’s okay to have coffee, tea, or a sports drink if you regularly drink those fluids before your runs and they don’t upset your stomach. But if you have coffee or sports drinks make sure you keep it outside of the 60 minute window prior to race start, just to make sure you don't end up in the bathroom mid run.

Do not do anything new!
If you didn't drink that sports drink during C25K, then don't drink it during the race. That goes for the same with food. Don't eat something new or exotic the night before. It might affect your race the next day. Same thing with eating. If you are used to not eat before your runs, then do the same thing race day and opt for the snack after your race.

Get properly fitted for shoes. I did the first 4 weeks in old runners and the day after my knees would be killing me. Turns out I was overpronating, putting stress on my knees. Shoes corrected it.