I DID IT!!! I ran the ENTIRE 2 miles! The first one was the hardest, then I knew that I only had to make it "just back to the tennis courts" then "just to the bridge, " then "just to the next bridge and that'll be more than 2 miles!" You know, for good measure to make sure I made it at least 2 miles of running, because I went about a quarter mile during my 5 minute warm up.

I am so freakin excited! I just ran for TWO MILES! I just ran for 20 minutes straight! I love this program!

Brans34 wrote: »

hbarnesccs wrote: »

W3D2 today! I joined the gym today, and actually found that it was harder to keep going on the treadmill than in the road the other day! Still had so awesome workout, and I'm excited to incorporate weights on my rest days now. I still don't see how I will even be able to run 5 minutes without stopping at this point, but one day at a time...

It amazes me how different the C25K programs are. When I first started, I just assumed they were all the same. I just did week 3, day 2 also, but mine was a two mile run; walking when/if I needed to. And it took me 20 minutes to get the 2 miles. I don't have an actual "20 minute run" scheduled until week 8, which is also the last week in my program. AND it's the last day of the program, besides the one that says "5K race day!"

Wow, 20 minutes on week 3. I can't imagine, I would not have made it... I'm on W3D2 as well today, mine was 2x 1.5 min run and 2x 3 minute runs I was so proud I did it... Had to do it on the treadmill today as we are having a bit of a rain problem in Sydney. Much prefer outside but it was interesting to see what my M/K we're, better than I thought. I'm a few weeks away from having to do 20mins, Well done Brans34

I'm using NHS C25K app through work and we're on Week 5 - each of the 3 sessions this week are different. Today is day 2 and we have 2 8 min runs. Friday, 3rd session is 20min run, and then its back to alternating times again

I'm heading out now with the group into Sunny London

Just finished W3D3. I'm really enjoying the longer running time and looking for to starting W4D1 tomorrow. I've looked ahead at what's to come in the next 2-3 weeks( W5, W6, W7) and I'm excited to get there.

Completed week 3 today. I'm fine until I get to the last 3 minute run -- then I just want to die. Scared about next week, but I know I can do it!

lngrunert wrote: »

After graduating from the program about a month ago, I finally signed up for my first 5K event on May 17th! I'm continuing to run 5K twice a week to keep working on my stamina and speed.

Mine is on the 16th! I graduated two weeks ago

Back from vacation. I did manage to do two very short runs. One was cut short because I wasn't used to the altitude and ran out of breath quickly and was jetlagged. The other was cut short because I started out too fast and couldn't get my heartrate and breathing under control again. Maybe still an altitude issue. Plus I was constantly losing my headscarf and my baggy trousers (tourists are probably the only people there wearing baggy trousers!) But I did it: I ran in Iran

If I sleep well I think I will do 1km run, 1.5min walk intervals or something like that for the coming week, just to get going again and then start with week8 properly.

HannahsMother2012 wrote: »

F.... I wanted to stop every single minute! Finally on D3 I was able to break the mental block, and pushed through the entire thing without stopping! I do plan on repeating week 7 before moving on to week 8. I want to graduate strong!

My bold, it was mental not physical. My advice, do week 8, let you body show your mind you can do it. Redoing week 7 sounds like you are reinforcing not believing the progress you have made. Be strong do week 8 NOW. To find out what you can do you need to push the boundaries even if it is scary or unpleasant. Do week 8 telling yourself you have trained for the last 7 weeks for this moment. I have every faith in you, you should too!! I look forward to reading about your success.

Brans34 wrote: »

I feel kinda disappointed in myself. I had my 2 mile run today, but quit at 1.7. The wind gusts in my face was a major factor; it was making it much more difficult to breath. That's just an excuse though. I just didn't push myself. I know I should have. Last time I had a 2 mile run, I ran the whole thing. The only reason I'm not horribly disappointed is because my program is so much different than everyone else's; I'm just finishing up week 3, and my program only has 8 weeks. So I guess that being able to run 1.7 miles only. 2 1/2 weeks in is still pretty good. I'm just sad that I did it a few days ago, and couldn't push myself to do it again.

I suspect a lot of peoples look like this

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

or

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

Pick one of those and you might be less disappointed. And if you have the choice pick time not distance at this stage of your journey. Distance can come much, much later. Enjoy the ride.

ftrobbie wrote: »

Brans34 wrote: »

I feel kinda disappointed in myself. I had my 2 mile run today, but quit at 1.7. The wind gusts in my face was a major factor; it was making it much more difficult to breath. That's just an excuse though. I just didn't push myself. I know I should have. Last time I had a 2 mile run, I ran the whole thing. The only reason I'm not horribly disappointed is because my program is so much different than everyone else's; I'm just finishing up week 3, and my program only has 8 weeks. So I guess that being able to run 1.7 miles only. 2 1/2 weeks in is still pretty good. I'm just sad that I did it a few days ago, and couldn't push myself to do it again.

I suspect a lot of peoples look like this

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

or

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

Pick one of those and you might be less disappointed. And if you have the choice pick time not distance at this stage of your journey. Distance can come much, much later. Enjoy the ride.

Thanks.

W4D1 - can't believe I'm here!! Did it, I'm kinda feeling like I'm on a cloud. Me, I ran (all be it slowly) 5 minutes in a row, not once by accident but 2x ON PURPOSE!! I found it got a bit easier after the 3 minute mark, like I hit a good stride and was breathing properly. Bring on day 2

W4D2 was SO much better than D1. I'd been running with the treadmill on a constant incline because I thought it would mimic running outside better, but I just did incline intervals during the 5 min. runs today and I didn't have to stop once!

Well... I tried to run again two evenings ago but things didn't work out at all. Including warmup I only managed to get to 3km, with a 1 minute walk between each 1km. Everything went wrong: my feet hurt, couldn't lift up my legs, side stitches from the beginning, couldn't breathe properly... and lots of wind. I guess it's not easy to start up again after a vacation. I might try again today and if it doesn't work then I won't continue with W8, but go two weeks down or something like that.

I just finished W2D1. I was sick earlier in the week & I tried to start week 2 yesterday, but that was a big mistake. I had no energy. Today I was feeling a lot better so I tried it. It just about killed me, but I finished! My park has way too many hills. How does the lady know to tell me to run every time I'm going uphill?

hbarnesccs wrote: »

Week 4 - Check! I am probably not taking rest days like I ought, but I'm realizing how much I need them now that I'm running longer bouts. My calves and feet are feeling it today! Today's run was awesome despite being on the treadmill. I downloaded FitRadio, which had some great mixes of songs at high beats to run to. For the last five minutes I decided to push myself and increase my speed every 30-45 seconds. I was actually sweating today!

My biggest challenge is my calves. I am breathing fine, but my calves just start screaming the longer I run. I never had this problem two years ago when I ran distance regularly. I do dynamic stretches before my run and static stretches after my warm up, before the first running interval. It's a little frustrating, because I don't know what else I could be doing to ease the pain. It's literally the only thing holding me back from running faster.

How about just following the programme for 8 weeks. The programme works, you have decided to change it up, little rest, going faster etc and it hurts and you don't know why? I would suggest following the programme as intended until you complete it and then do what you want. See if that gets better. Calves hurting would suggest you are working them, perhaps too hard. If you are in a gym on a treadmill talk to one of the staff. For reference I went to zero drop shows and had to build distance back up, so despite going 26.6m in my standard shoes, 3 miles in zero drops caused my calf to pop. Over the last 4 weeks I can now do 4 miles in them, but I use only 2 or 3 times a week, for the longer more strenuous sessions I am back to normal shoes. It is a slow gradual building process, in 4 weeks you are trying to accelerate and shortcut it. If you continue accelerating the programme I suggest you will stop due to injury. You may be lucky, good luck on your journey