Couch to 5k. New runner here

You can actually link the C25K to MFP and once you complete a session the information will automatically appear in MFP. The only tip that I can give you is to take it easy and try to take a day rest in between the sessions to avoid injuries. Also, do you have good running shoes? That can also make a big difference. Good luck and have fun.

sarajcahill wrote: »

Thank you guys! Im so excited to start! Its so hot here in Oklahoma right now so I'm starting on my treadmill. I'm going to be getting some new shoes on my next pay day. Any brands you recommend?

Oklahoma here, too. FWIW, I run in the half hour between dawn and sunrise. I can see fine, but the sun can't see me! If you're close to a Fleet Feet, I really like the shoes they recommended for me.

dewd2 wrote: »

sarajcahill wrote: »

Thank you guys! Im so excited to start! Its so hot here in Oklahoma right now so I'm starting on my treadmill. I'm going to be getting some new shoes on my next pay day. Any brands you recommend?

Nope. Every company has good shoes (and bad shoes). You'l get recommendations - ignore them. The trick is to find the right shoe for you. Go to a real running store (not a place like Dicks or Walmart) and ask for advice. Tell them your budget and they will work with you to find the right shoe for your feet.

Good luck.

Even within a brand line, For example, the Brooks Adrenaline line. The 13/14 were great for me... the 15s weren't bad, but the 16s were absolutely a no go. Now I'm in NB 980s and Altra Lone Peak 3s

Go to fleet Feet or one of the other running shoe stores and get fitted. It's worth it. IF I was 2 hours from a fleet feet. I'd still go at least once every other year.

I use the MapMyWalk app in conjunction with the C25K app to track the calories & know how far/fast I went. (It syncs with MFP, but I'm not fully convinced the calories are accurate)

Morning versus night

In Florida the heat plus humidity are awful. I also get up in the mornings to run before getting ready for work.

While we live out in the country with no real threats like muggers, my husband is still more comfortable with me running at dawn as opposed to after dark. I'm not worried about coyotes and there are no roaming dogs currently.

It is so much cooler and it actually seems quieter than 9 or 10 o'clock at night.

I get inundated with floating spider webs at night. I do not get those in the morning.

The good part of night is I can see any traffic well in advance due to headlights. During the day the cars can sneak over the hills. (Yes, we have some hills in Florida.)

Good luck!!! I just started couch to 5k too!

I just told my husband last night that I wanted to do this.
Good Luck!

Make a good upbeat playlist (or whatever your preference is.) And then make sure it actually works before you get outside to start your run.

Track it under cardio, figure out how many minutes you ran, and how many you walked. Track those separately. As for shoes, as others have said, ignore all advice from everybody. Go try on shoes, especially at an actual running store. Everybody has different feet and "comforts". I love my Saucony shoes, my wife loves her Asics. I like one year's version of a certain shoe where other people hate that year. Try on a bunch, and see what you like.

This time last year I could do barely more than the minute on minute off, last Thanksgiving I ran 5k on my treadmill and worked up to outdoor distances. Today I ran my first proper organised 5k, it was awesome! Now I need to perfect it. It gets addicting, you can do it! Remember to take your rest days, and if it feels like you're pushing too hard, repeat a week. You're on nobody's schedule but your own.