Question for the Couch to 5K-ers

I am about to start week 3 and I like to do it every other day like you explained. Sometimes I can't fit it in because my toddler is fussy and my husband works late or for whatever reason, and I don't feel bad about it because it's only supposed to be 3 days a week anyway. I think if you feel up to it and you aren't too sore then you can go ahead and do what you want.

I would say that one day is fine... I started running with the C25K back in January and this is essentially what I did. Now I do 30 minute runs and try to better my time every week or so. I think you would be fine!

If it doesn't bother your knees or joints, then go for it. I do it but not everyday, but I'm heavier and very new to running. So I can't run everyday, but if you are already in pretty good shape, then you should be fine. Just be careful of your joints.

PS. Since April I've gone from Week 1 of C25K to running 4-5 miles 3-4 days a week. It really works!

That is awesome! I hope I'm able to say the same thing a few months from now. WTG!

it really does work!! I started c25k in January and last weekend I ran 17 km - a bit over 10 miles I think

I didn't follow a program - but I would be really careful about pavement impact and use proper stretching, warming up, and cooling down.

Just watch the impact on your knees, ankles, and upper things. Pavement is rough.

My first run I was 293 pounds. I was told to run a minute, walk a minute for as long as I could do. (15 minutes, 0.8 miles). It was a dark, cold, rainy April 1st night and I thought I was going to have a heart attack - well not really - but felt terrible while doing it. I did that for a week, and then went to run a minute/walk 30 seconds.... and did that for 5 weeks getting up to 50 minutes.

I started to transition to multiple minute running then, and hit 6 minutes for the first time doing a building flow of 1/30, 2/30, 3/30, 4/30, 5/30..... until a week later I was running late for work and just pushed myself through my .5 landmarks.... and did 2 miles without stopping in about 27 minutes. I was shocked.

3 weeks later, I did my first 5k race without stopping. This all took place between April 1st and June 10th...

Now I'm training for a 10k/6.2 miles. I did 4 miles for the first time last Friday. I never stop now to walk. I'm actually enjoying running.

I'm still big so I do worry about impact so I have followed a Monday/Wednesday/Friday/alternate cardio activity on Saturdays. I do other things on the other days, and always rest on Sundays.

I now weigh 250. Couldn't be happier with the results. Clothes fit better - the weight comes and goes in spurts - but losing 6 inches is such a nice boost when the pounds are slow. Or fitting into that incentive shirt you bought because it was on sale and thought crap I won't fit in that for 6 months!

Whatever route you go just commit. Just commit. Just commit. It's so worth the effort. I never regret the runs once they are done. Get a buddy to do them with you too.

...And yes this was my first post - so I did indeed like your post.

I just skipped ahead to harder weeks. I'm quite happy doing 3 runs per week when it's harder.

As has already been said you should watch out for yourself if you push harder than the programme.

The program is designed to make sure your tendons and ligaments (and even bones) are evolved without pushing them into injury. You may feel that your general condition can sustain more training, but lthe tissue mentioned above is conditioned a lot more slowly than your general cardiovascular condition.

I would probably advise you to keep to the program and if you feel like doing more exercise do some low-impact training (e.g bike-riding or swimming) on your off-days.

Unfortunately I can say that I speak from personal experience as I usually push harder too fast when trying to build up running and end up with shin-splints, or tendonitis in the knee

I just did 2 days in one run and I still don't feel wiped.