Week 1 – C25K Running Group

Started this program this week. Have my last day of week one tomorrow. I've been working out approximately 4 days a week for a month now, so I have found this first week pretty easy to start...to the point that I have done either additional cardio or weight training after I finished. Looking forward to starting week two next week and having the program step up a notch. I am registering to do my first 5K the beginning of November and am very excited. I am making some big life style changes and with races to look forward to I believe they will be long lasting. I'm always looking for new friends to support and get support from, so feel free to add me. I will update on my progress with this program regularly. Good luck everyone!!

I really want to do this but I'm so nervous. How did everyone do it. I'm so sedentary that when I did the Leslie Sasone 1-Mile Walk at home program, I'm out of breath after 10 minutes and my heart is racing. Is there anyone out there like me that was really able to do the C25K and run 5k by the end of 9 weeks?

I got off track this week but did get my runs in on Mon, Thurs, and Sat. I found that running at the gym is WAY easier than at the dog park/track; but I prefer to be outside in the fresh morning air with the birds and trees! I down loaded a C25K app on my blackberry for 99cents that has the walk/run switched, but it is useable! I found that when I have something that times my 60 sec and 90 sec, it doesn't seem long enough for me to get into a rhythm of breathing and jogging. When I did my first few runs (prior to this week), I found it easier to just start and stop on my own time when I knew I was done - and it seemed that I ran longer that way. The dog park is 1.6 mile round. So today.... I decided to try making 2 trips; 1 using my app with the mixed up times and then the 2nd using the app in the corrected way. I still found that I do better jogging at my pace untimed; but 3/4 of the way through the 2nd lap, my knee began seriously complaining. I have knee issues and have been trying to find replacement activities for skiing and hiking that I can no longer do because of my knees. I'm hoping that this running thing pans out because I've discovered that whole "runners high" when I run on the treadmill.

I really want to do this but I'm so nervous. How did everyone do it. I'm so sedentary that when I did the Leslie Sasone 1-Mile Walk at home program, I'm out of breath after 10 minutes and my heart is racing. Is there anyone out there like me that was really able to do the C25K and run 5k by the end of 9 weeks?

Runner's World has a similar program they call Run Your Butt Off (my favorite named workout program). They recommend not starting a running program like this until you can walk 30 minutes comfortably 4 times a week - if this is where you are, you should be able to start the program (and always start slowly, pace does not matter while you're building up your endurance); if not, work on getting in some consistent walking that feels good and then try adding some running later. No hurry - walking is excellent exercise as well!

Okay, I'll start wk 2 tomorrow. I started at 193.7 and today I am 189.4 (WHOOO HOOO). I have been walking for 30 minutes on days that I do not do C25K and I have been cutting major carbs....I'm hoping for a 3lb loss by next Sunday!!!!

Week 1, day 3 done!

Before C25K today I felt: Excited to try out my new music mix (with verbal running cues!)

During C25K today I felt: Pretty good -- ran on a better treadmill, which made a big difference; mentally had to push through the jogging, had some soreness in the legs (mostly very low on the calf). Walked at a pace of 2.5-3.0 mph (tried to be consistent with 3.0, but sometimes it was too fast for me to catch my breath between jogging), ran at a pace of 4.0 for all intervals except the very last where I ran at 4.5!

After C25K today I felt: Happy to have completed week 1! Sore (but not as sore as the previous 2 runs). Curious to see how next week goes.

I have a question about: Nada.

So far I think C25K is: Challenging! I feel like I'm getting a good workout, pushing myself, but not feeling burnt out afterward.

Getting ready to start week three tomorrow!! I have done week three before and that is when I got off track last time. Three minutes just seems impossible. Last week I did an in between of weeks 2 and 3 to try and help prepare myself for week three this week. I just try to keep telling myself, "I can do this, I can do this!" Is anyone else out there doing week three? Suggestions? Are you struggling too?