C25k day 1... nearly killed me!
Replies
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Enthusiast84 wrote: »I embedded the good advice and reduced the running speed down to 6-6.3kph on day 2 and managed to finish the routine comfortably. Wasn't dying at all! The weather in UK right now is not great for running outside and I'm not sure I'm brave enough to run outside. Think it's a confidence thing being a beginner and it's also exposing.
The incline thing was great advice (did this on rest day to make walking more interesting) Really worked my buttocks and legs. Felt it when I got into bed as my body was aching but that means I'm working hard and my body is adjusting?
Feeling really energised by c25k and looking forward to day 3.
That is fanatastic news @Enthusiast84
Keep up the great work!1 -
A year ago it nearly killed me too, now I run for an hour at a time. Albeit VERY slowly, but I don't care ;-)
I agree with everything already said....shoes are mega important, so are rest days (I usually walked on those just didn't run). For me though, after the first couple of weeks it was more of a mental issue than a physical one, I have found that my body can do a heck of a lot more than my brain thinks it can!3 -
Enthusiast84 wrote: »Felt it when I got into bed as my body was aching but that means I'm working hard and my body is adjusting?
Well, it likely does mean you worked hard, and did some damage - which a good workout will do.
As mentioned though - it's the rest for recovery and repair that allows rebuilding stronger and adjusting.
If the "rest-day" walking at a steep incline was a hard load on the muscles/tendons/ligaments - then where was the rest for them?
Especially here at the start, where this running is like a lifting workout to your body - would your body benefit from a normal lifting 48 hr rest.
Walking easy is fine - getting blood flow to damaged muscles is great. Putting another load on them - not so great.
You'll get to the point eventually where the damage done isn't as great, so the recovery time doesn't need to be so great.
But if not handled well now - your body will get the rest one way or another - and 6 weeks off because of an injury can feel devastating. And isn't at all unusual.
Keep up the enthusiasm though. It'll do you well during those aching times.3 -
Aqualang26 wrote: »Yeah man, I can so relate. Coming from a place of ridiculously unfit, it's super hard. There is a pre-c25k program I found helpful. It's essentially a couple of weeks that start at 15 then 30 second intervals before the 1 minute.
Today is the last day of my second consecutive time through week 1 if C25k, and I might do it a third week depending on how tonight goes. (Its also my second time through the program as a whole.)
Don't push too hard! This is a restart for me after a partial tear to my patella tendon - a result of trying to push too much too soon and bad form.
People are right about not worrying about speed, but going overly slow can cause an unnatural gait - which contributed to my injury.
I was walking at 3.5-4.0 mph for 45-60 minutes for months before this and, honestly, that's probably better for me. I just want to be able to run, like really badly. Do keep in mind that long, brisk walks can be just as beneficial as a short, slow jog.
What is the name of the pre-C25K program and is it free? Also- anyone know of any free C25K apps that are good for iPhone? I started looking last night and they say free but then they want you to pay for the "rest of the program" or something. Surely there's a good free one out there right?0 -
GAH! Take those rest days. I know its really hard, because running feels so good, but you will regret not resting when you are injured and have to sit out a week. Slooowwwww down and run on alternate days until you finish C25K. Your speed will gradually increase and you will stay injury free.
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dramaqueen45 wrote: »Aqualang26 wrote: »Yeah man, I can so relate. Coming from a place of ridiculously unfit, it's super hard. There is a pre-c25k program I found helpful. It's essentially a couple of weeks that start at 15 then 30 second intervals before the 1 minute.
Today is the last day of my second consecutive time through week 1 if C25k, and I might do it a third week depending on how tonight goes. (Its also my second time through the program as a whole.)
Don't push too hard! This is a restart for me after a partial tear to my patella tendon - a result of trying to push too much too soon and bad form.
People are right about not worrying about speed, but going overly slow can cause an unnatural gait - which contributed to my injury.
I was walking at 3.5-4.0 mph for 45-60 minutes for months before this and, honestly, that's probably better for me. I just want to be able to run, like really badly. Do keep in mind that long, brisk walks can be just as beneficial as a short, slow jog.
What is the name of the pre-C25K program and is it free? Also- anyone know of any free C25K apps that are good for iPhone? I started looking last night and they say free but then they want you to pay for the "rest of the program" or something. Surely there's a good free one out there right?
Zenlabs is free. There are addons that are pay. but the basic timer is free3 -
I started the program a while ago (in December), and regrettably, stopped. Several factors came into play:
1. No gym membership, so training outside in the winter, and not being a seasoned runner= bad on the lungs. I hurt a lot.
2. Whole darn family caught the flu, plus 2 or 3 other illnesses.
3. Got even colder (below 0) and we had icy roads for over a week.
4. Started a second job, and what little time I have at home, I want to spend it with my young kids, who hate seeing me leave anywhere without them. I only ran at night, but now, I can barely keep my eyes open to run after they are already in bed.
5. Enough time has passed that I will now have to start over. I had only made it to week 3, and it felt IMPOSSIBLE to run any longer than those intervals.
My speed never topped 4mph. When I tried, I got side stiches and felt like I was going to die. That was the last run I did.
I had such high hopes for this. I'm really trying to stay upbeat, but now, I've passed the 9 week window, and the 5K I registered for is now less than 2 months away. I still plan to participate, but not as a runner.
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Enthusiast84 wrote: »I embedded the good advice and reduced the running speed down to 6-6.3kph on day 2 and managed to finish the routine comfortably. Wasn't dying at all! The weather in UK right now is not great for running outside and I'm not sure I'm brave enough to run outside. Think it's a confidence thing being a beginner and it's also exposing.
The incline thing was great advice (did this on rest day to make walking more interesting) Really worked my buttocks and legs. Felt it when I got into bed as my body was aching but that means I'm working hard and my body is adjusting?
Feeling really energised by c25k and looking forward to day 3.
Careful on the whole run outside thing.
I did the C25K starting in Jan 2017 on the treadmill in my basement. Beat the poor thing to *puppy* as I was ~265 lbs. Started running outside in April. Now I hate the treadmill and only use it when outside is real bad (you know, Canada in January). Much rather run outside.
If you want to try outside, look for a local ParkRun. I know they are big in the UK and probably the most judgement free (and cost free) run you can try. 5K Saturday mornings.3 -
Thanks everyone.
Think I'm getting over excited with exercise (it's addictive) but I need to take it a bit easier esp as I want this to be part of my lifestyle so the last I want is for this to feel a chore.
Just walked today and did a lot of it outside which was great as it brings fresh air and other benefits. Trying to get 10 thousands steps each day just so that I'm active and moving. This is working and I'm realising that it can be achieved lots of different ways. Was sedentary until recently!!!!
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Keep at it. Repeat weeks if you need to. You'll get more fit. Seriously take it easy to avoid injuries. This is a long journey, just take it one workout at a time.1
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Enthusiast84 wrote: »Thanks everyone.
Think I'm getting over excited with exercise (it's addictive) but I need to take it a bit easier esp as I want this to be part of my lifestyle so the last I want is for this to feel a chore.
Just walked today and did a lot of it outside which was great as it brings fresh air and other benefits. Trying to get 10 thousands steps each day just so that I'm active and moving. This is working and I'm realising that it can be achieved lots of different ways. Was sedentary until recently!!!!
You seem to have the right attitude to hit your goals! Sometimes you just need to adjust your expectations a bit. Good on you
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Tacklewasher wrote: »Enthusiast84 wrote: »I embedded the good advice and reduced the running speed down to 6-6.3kph on day 2 and managed to finish the routine comfortably. Wasn't dying at all! The weather in UK right now is not great for running outside and I'm not sure I'm brave enough to run outside. Think it's a confidence thing being a beginner and it's also exposing.
The incline thing was great advice (did this on rest day to make walking more interesting) Really worked my buttocks and legs. Felt it when I got into bed as my body was aching but that means I'm working hard and my body is adjusting?
Feeling really energised by c25k and looking forward to day 3.
Careful on the whole run outside thing.
I did the C25K starting in Jan 2017 on the treadmill in my basement. Beat the poor thing to *puppy* as I was ~265 lbs. Started running outside in April. Now I hate the treadmill and only use it when outside is real bad (you know, Canada in January). Much rather run outside.
If you want to try outside, look for a local ParkRun. I know they are big in the UK and probably the most judgement free (and cost free) run you can try. 5K Saturday mornings.
Started doing C25K outside and like you, the treadmill looks less appealing. The outdoors is so much better. The main benefit is fresh fresh air0 -
i dont do it on a treadmill but i vary rarely do two days in a row. definitely not at the start anyway. I think i did it once in week 4 because i was angry at myself at my performance for one of the days so i went out the next day and smashed it.
doing week 6 day 3 tomorrow. no more walking for me2 -
Wow, this is amazing op!
I thought i was the only one doing this to become a better runner. I have never heard of c25k before, but get the concept.
When i started running back in 1998 i did my own build up training. I ran in intervals. I also used incline on the treadmill. After 5 months i could run, I treadmill, 45 min at 7.2 mph pace. Lol.
So it's1 -
i dont do it on a treadmill but i vary rarely do two days in a row. definitely not at the start anyway. I think i did it once in week 4 because i was angry at myself at my performance for one of the days so i went out the next day and smashed it.
doing week 6 day 3 tomorrow. no more walking for me
I did the same thing doing it the next day because of my failure the day before.
Best of luck on the 20 minutes! You can do it. Someone told me once you can do that it will be easier. I thought that was an odd comment but it is true. I never really struggled after that at all - Only with the boredom. Smash it tomorrow dude!1 -
Anyone know how many calories 1 session of c25k burns? I'm not sure I trust the number on my treadmill.
PS completed week 1! Woo! First session of week 2 wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be with more time running. Think the speed is key as everyone has said.2 -
Enthusiast84 wrote: »Anyone know how many calories 1 session of c25k burns? I'm not sure I trust the number on my treadmill.
PS completed week 1! Woo! First session of week 2 wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be with more time running. Think the speed is key as everyone has said.
You could calculate it. A first week session is basically a 30 minute session with 8 minutes of running and 10 minutes of warm-up/cool-down. Now calculate your walking and running speeds (easier on a treadmill) and see how many calories you burn. Depends on your weight and speed.
An example 200 lb person using this calculator (make sure to use the "Net" value not "Gross" and don't forget to switch "Run" to "Walk" when calculating walking):
warm-up/cool-sown at 3 mph for 10 minutes: 37 calories
Walking sessions at 3.5 mph for 12 minutes: 51 calories
Running sessions at 4 mph for 8 minutes: 78 calories
Total: 166 calories for this example person at these example speeds, but could be a tiny bit lower because it doesn't account for acceleration and deceleration.
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amusedmonkey wrote: »Enthusiast84 wrote: »Anyone know how many calories 1 session of c25k burns? I'm not sure I trust the number on my treadmill.
PS completed week 1! Woo! First session of week 2 wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be with more time running. Think the speed is key as everyone has said.
You could calculate it. A first week session is basically a 30 minute session with 8 minutes of running and 10 minutes of warm-up/cool-down. Now calculate your walking and running speeds (easier on a treadmill) and see how many calories you burn. Depends on your weight and speed.
An example 200 lb person using this calculator (make sure to use the "Net" value not "Gross" and don't forget to switch "Run" to "Walk" when calculating walking):
warm-up/cool-sown at 3 mph for 10 minutes: 37 calories
Walking sessions at 3.5 mph for 12 minutes: 51 calories
Running sessions at 4 mph for 8 minutes: 78 calories
Total: 166 calories for this example person at these example speeds, but could be a tiny bit lower because it doesn't account for acceleration and deceleration.
Thank you for this. Really helpful. Going to use against the calculator. Need to change kph to mph first.0 -
Enthusiast84 wrote: »amusedmonkey wrote: »Enthusiast84 wrote: »Anyone know how many calories 1 session of c25k burns? I'm not sure I trust the number on my treadmill.
PS completed week 1! Woo! First session of week 2 wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be with more time running. Think the speed is key as everyone has said.
You could calculate it. A first week session is basically a 30 minute session with 8 minutes of running and 10 minutes of warm-up/cool-down. Now calculate your walking and running speeds (easier on a treadmill) and see how many calories you burn. Depends on your weight and speed.
An example 200 lb person using this calculator (make sure to use the "Net" value not "Gross" and don't forget to switch "Run" to "Walk" when calculating walking):
warm-up/cool-sown at 3 mph for 10 minutes: 37 calories
Walking sessions at 3.5 mph for 12 minutes: 51 calories
Running sessions at 4 mph for 8 minutes: 78 calories
Total: 166 calories for this example person at these example speeds, but could be a tiny bit lower because it doesn't account for acceleration and deceleration.
Thank you for this. Really helpful. Going to use against the calculator. Need to change kph to mph first.
You can pick your units in the calculator. No need to convert them separately (I used kilometers, too but I thought you were from the US).1 -
Enthusiast84 wrote: »Anyone know how many calories 1 session of c25k burns? I'm not sure I trust the number on my treadmill.
PS completed week 1! Woo! First session of week 2 wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be with more time running. Think the speed is key as everyone has said.
As a new runner it's very easy to overcomplicate the calorie expenditure question. Personally I would suggest for the first four weeks use the total distance that you covered and calculate as walking, and for the last half, calculate as running. If you start messing around working out run portions and walk portions you don't really gain in accuracy as the differences aren't that great.
Essentially:- Walking calories per mile = 0.3 * bodyweight in pounds
- Running calories per mile = 0.6* bodyweight in lbs
I appreciate that I'm a pretty experienced marathoner, so my paces aren't representative of were you are, but to illustrate:
W1D1 has a 5 minute walking warm up, 8 minutes of running, 12 minutes of walking followed by a 5 minute cool down. For me that would mean a mile of running and mile and a half of walking. As a new runner I'd be very surprised if you're running at an 8 minute mile, so these figures are going to be inflated
At 160 lbs that would mean c75 cals of walking and c100 cals of running. A total of 175 cals.
If you calculate all of that as walking, you're on about 125 calories, so a bit of an underestimate, but not huge. It equates to an apple, or half a banana.
Roll forward to a later week with a total of 10 minutes walking, with 20 minutes of running you'll have c40 cals walking and 250 cals of running, a total of 290 cals. Using the running calculation you'd get about 310 cals.
What you're seeing here is that the differences aren't great, in Week 1 it's probably most pronounced, later on it's really not making any difference at all. There is no point in getting too involved in spurious accuracy.1 -
I have found it easier to run with a like minded friend. We have set running days which we more or less stick to. We motivate each other and congratulate ouselves and it really works. We run in the evenings as it suits our family arrangements. Speed is not as important to us as the regularity of our committment. We always adhere to rest days. We have just completed W9R1 and can't believe that we can run for 30 minutes! We are at 3.05km so you can see that speed is not of our essence, but it matters not a jot to us. The smug feeling when you get into that hot shower afterwards is great! The endorphin rush incredible. It also feels great to see the 370++ calories added onto your MFP 'allowance' automatically, when you link Endomondo.(which I obvs don't then fulfil by eating!)
I am addicted to running and can't imagine not doing it now. Previously I was not an active person. I am 50 and probably need to lose around 3 stone+
Good luck but DON'T run on rest days or when you are exhausted. I promise that by waiting an extra day to recover, you will massively benefit.1 -
Sorry if this is a silly question but can c25k be considered as hiit because of the slow/quick intervals?0
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Enthusiast84 wrote: »Sorry if this is a silly question but can c25k be considered as hiit because of the slow/quick intervals?
NO.
It could be run as HIIT, but it would not be appropriate for the C25K audience. And even then, only week one fits within the commonly accepted HIIT parameters0 -
Enthusiast84 wrote: »Sorry if this is a silly question but can c25k be considered as hiit because of the slow/quick intervals?
It's interval training. The higher running intervals are too long to be used as HIIT.0 -
Enthusiast84 wrote: »Sorry if this is a silly question but can c25k be considered as hiit because of the slow/quick intervals?
Go ahead and tell your friends you are doing a HIIT workout.
Shoot, they are probably telling you they are doing some hour long HIIT video workout at home.
None of you are, but if it makes it seem like your workouts are at some special level by calling it HIIT, go right ahead and feel better about them.
Then a year down the road, when you are doing HIIT hill sprints - you'll look back and realize how foolish those early workouts were to be called HIIT.
And then you'll sound like us when someone asks.2 -
Enthusiast84 wrote: »Sorry if this is a silly question but can c25k be considered as hiit because of the slow/quick intervals?
Maybe if you're sprinting the 'quick' intervals all-out, as hard as you possibly can every time.
Which brings with it a distinct possibility that you'll drop dead before you finish the workout.0 -
I started c25K this week. I think for me the way to modify it was to simply select walking/running speeds that work for ME. I am walking at 3.4mph and running at 6mph. I am tall with long legs so that might equate to something slower for someone shorter in the same (un)fit condition.
My objective at the end of the 30 mins is to be sweating but not dying. I track my heartrate throughout and try to aim for 110 bpm at the end of the cool down. When I hopefully get fitter that 110 will be 100 or lower. I think from memory it is around 135 when running which I am happy with.
So, just do it at YOUR pace would be my advice and make sure you do the warm up.0 -
Thanks. Just started week 3 and its quite a step up running for 3 minutes.0
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hahahaha i remember the first time I did that app in 2014. I could not run the 30 seconds lmaooo. Took 2 months to finally run without stopping for an hour.1
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