Question for the runners

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hotpickles
hotpickles Posts: 639 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Just wondering...is it better to start off with something like the C25K program, or just run as long as I can, and push myself further the next time.

I have done the C25K in the past, but I found it tedious trying to either measure distances or times. I felt I wasn't fully concentrating on my running because I was constantly looking down at my phone to see if it was time to run/walk.

Thanks in advance :)

Replies

  • zorbaru
    zorbaru Posts: 1,077 Member
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    you can get iphone podcasts of the c25k program now so it tells you when to run and when to walk.

    when i started tho i just ran till i stopped, walked till i could run again, rinse and repeat. i had a set course of 3km and never once did i cut it short. over time you will be able to run further and faster.
  • BobbyDaniel
    BobbyDaniel Posts: 1,460 Member
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    C25K worked for me, using the podcast...one with music and someone who will tell you when to run or walk. Great program, I can't say enough good about it!
  • K1Teacher
    K1Teacher Posts: 324 Member
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    I just started C25K using my phone app and LOVE it. You can listen to your own play list or Pandora and the voice promp comes through and tells you when to run/walk. It's great...no more watching the clock!
  • alazarus
    alazarus Posts: 80 Member
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    When I started running 10 years ago, I just set out to run distances. Like, "Today I'm going to do x (2, 3, 1, 2.5, whatever) miles."

    Then I just went out and ran. When I couldn't run anymore, I walked. When I felt better, I ran again. I kept going until I completed my goal distance (unless I got hurt or something). Then, same thing again next time. Just keep going.

    Gradually I needed to walk less, and I just kept running.
  • wbgolden
    wbgolden Posts: 2,071 Member
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    i posted this last night in a similar thread:

    when i first started, i could barely run to the corner (about 2 tenths of a mile). i set tiny goals at first...

    make it to that sign. make it to that fence post. make it to the corner. do NOT push beyond your body's capability.

    4 months later I ran my first 5k. ran the whole thing. slow, but steady. that last quarter mile was so awesome, knowing i would finish. in december, i ran a 10 AND 12k and in june i'm going for a half marathon.

    it can be done. best advice is set small goals at first and don't push to the point of injury (shin splints are not good). and enjoy the endorphin high :)
  • themyriadthings
    themyriadthings Posts: 225 Member
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    I also started slowly and built up. I liked the C25K approach of setting manageable goals and feeling good meeting them rather than running 'til I can't go anymore and feeling like I quit somehow. The C25K app is really good but I especially liked the Robert Ullrey podcasts based on the C25K intervals but which has music and encouraging comments built right in. I looked forward to running each and every time with those podcasts! I run 5K almost every weekend now, and am working up to a 10K in May.

    The main thing is to enjoy your running and give your body a chance to adapt to what you are doing with it, so you don't injure yourself.

    Have fun!!
  • BobbyDaniel
    BobbyDaniel Posts: 1,460 Member
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    I also started slowly and built up. I liked the C25K approach of setting manageable goals and feeling good meeting them rather than running 'til I can't go anymore and feeling like I quit somehow. The C25K app is really good but I especially liked the Robert Ullrey podcasts based on the C25K intervals but which has music and encouraging comments built right in. I looked forward to running each and every time with those podcasts! I run 5K almost every weekend now, and am working up to a 10K in May.

    The main thing is to enjoy your running and give your body a chance to adapt to what you are doing with it, so you don't injure yourself.

    Have fun!!
    I used the same podcast for that last half of C25K and wish I would have used it the entire time. I would love for him to have one for the Bridge to 10K. I'm on week three of that now, working toward a 5 miler in May and not sure when I will get to the 10K, but do plan on running the Cajun Cup 10K in Lafayette, LA in the fall with friends.
  • K1Teacher
    K1Teacher Posts: 324 Member
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    I also started slowly and built up. I liked the C25K approach of setting manageable goals and feeling good meeting them rather than running 'til I can't go anymore and feeling like I quit somehow. The C25K app is really good but I especially liked the Robert Ullrey podcasts based on the C25K intervals but which has music and encouraging comments built right in. I looked forward to running each and every time with those podcasts! I run 5K almost every weekend now, and am working up to a 10K in May.

    The main thing is to enjoy your running and give your body a chance to adapt to what you are doing with it, so you don't injure yourself.

    Have fun!!
    I used the same podcast for that last half of C25K and wish I would have used it the entire time. I would love for him to have one for the Bridge to 10K. I'm on week three of that now, working toward a 5 miler in May and not sure when I will get to the 10K, but do plan on running the Cajun Cup 10K in Lafayette, LA in the fall with friends.

    Oooo...I'll have to check it out! Thx!:flowerforyou:
  • AMSull19
    AMSull19 Posts: 37 Member
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    totally agree with setting small goals. you get this rush of know youve achieved them and are encouraged to go further.....before you know it youve run longer than you could before. BTW i have no clue what this C25K progam is but I just run and do intervals to up my distance and speed
  • Nigel99
    Nigel99 Posts: 498 Member
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    I've been using the RunKeeper Pro app (free) on my phone. You can have audio cues for time and/or distance to help tell you when you want to run or stop. It will also track your route via GPS, your elevation change, mileage, pace, etc. You can make notes after your run, and it saves all your activities in the app...as well as upload to the website. I listen to various music sources regularly during the runs, and the audio cues come through loud and clear over the music.
  • Atlantique
    Atlantique Posts: 2,484 Member
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    Just wondering...is it better to start off with something like the C25K program, or just run as long as I can, and push myself further the next time.

    I have done the C25K in the past, but I found it tedious trying to either measure distances or times. I felt I wasn't fully concentrating on my running because I was constantly looking down at my phone to see if it was time to run/walk.

    Thanks in advance :)

    It depends.

    The first time that I became a runner, I was not overweight and did at least 45 minutes of cardio 5 days a week and lifted weights 2 days a week. Had been doing that for years. So I just got on the treadmill, ran as long as I could (somewhere between 6 and 10 minutes--it was a long time ago) and then finished my cardio on the elliptical or stairclimber.

    But now I'm too heavy and haven't run in about 5 years, so I'm doing the C25K program to get back into running.

    I'm using the C25K Lite App for Android to keep track of the timing. The App times everything and gives you chimes when it's time to switch from running to walking. Makes it super easy! I'm pretty sure that most smartphones have such an app available.

    There are also podcasts you can download that will do the same thing.
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
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    Listen to your body.

    If you are distracted worrying about time, then go by feel. Run until you just barely begin to struggle, then walk, repeat. As you progress, shorten your recovery walks, or lengthen your running. Or a combination of both.
  • rvice2
    rvice2 Posts: 132 Member
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    When I started running I couldn't even run a mile without stopping. I never did the c25k program. Instead, I took advice from the world runner's book and I simple focused on how long I could run rather than distance. I started with 30 second jog intervals and kept increasing them until I was in the minutes. Then, I started jogging for as long as I possibly could. Even if it was simply one extra minute it was progress. Before I knew it I ran my first 5k and it was addiction from that point on! Now I have completed 3 1/2 marathons, am training for my 4th this May, and will be doing a full in January! Good luck training!

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